Gifting sample items

budgetmom · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 08:00 PM

I've been reading a lot about gifting out all the free samples you get over the year. I am thinking about doing this for some of my gifts for Christmas. I am considering doing this with some of the full bottle versions of beauty products that I got for pennys during my heavy coupon shopping days also. *Honestly, what am I going to do with 10 economy sized bottles of lotion when I can barely get one regular sized bottle used up by myself in 6 months?* Maybe including some of the bigger bottles and some samples together. My question is how do you go about arranging something like that? Do you put in several samples of free shampoo and lotions in a gift bag or basket and call it good? Or one of each? I know some of the people on my list would enjoy something like this but I guess, even though I think it is a good idea, I just don't want it coming out looking like something cheap and unthoughtful. Please share your presentation ideas with me.

lrjohnson · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 08:24 PM

I'm not a big couponer/sampler, but I do pick up a lot of unopened/unused bath products, at garage sales and sometimes gift them. Some are small and some are sample size. I also get a few sample toiletrieseach year-not much, but some.

* I get baskets at garage sales/thrift stores for as low as a dime apiece.

* I gather up like colored items...I may not be able to have all melon, or all mint, but I can gather a few green bottles/lotions/packets.

* I put a bed of complementary colored tissue in the basket, usually saved from gifts I've gotten.

* I jazz mine up with bath salts I make, or jam I make, sometimes.

* I don't say "here are a bunch of samples" but if I am directly asked, I'll admit that I got a lot of good samples I wouldn't use and wanted to share. I try to make the presentation pretty so that it looks like I've put some time and thought into it.

I'd think of the particular giftees and their lifestyles and preferences: maybe an "on the go" basket for a frequent traveller, with the shampoo/functional stuff, perhaps enhanced with dollar store travel bottles. For for the harried mom: a pamper kit with the fun stuff-creams, lotions, bath stuff-perhaps enhanced with dollar store bath mnits/pillows. For a young girl, maybe 8-12, and selection of their very own private bath items, perhaps with a dollar store journal or something. A person recently at college/moving into their own place: the household samples: windex wipes, ziploc bags, that knd of stuff, maybe with dollar store sponge/cleanser/whatnot.

budgetmom · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 10:11 PM

Sounds good. I have actually gone out and purchased some travel bottles for some products to try and keep a neutral tone to the gifts. I thought I would make little stocking stuffer type "kits" (not necessarily to be put in a stocking, mind you, just a small gift) with maybe a travel bottle or two filled and then throw in some packets. Would you use the unattractive little packets of lotion or shampoo in your gifts also, or no? I have tons and tons of these and I'm wanting to make them look less like, "Oh, here's a bunch of samples I got in the mail for free, Merry Christmas", you know?

tgavin71 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 11:23 PM

If someone gave me a present that had a lot of samples in it I'd be thrilled. It means that I can try the products without wasting my money. Plus I don't have to find space for another dust collector.

Staceyy · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2006, 07:35 AM

You can buy or make an attractive Christmas stocking and stuff it with your freebies or deliver them in a tote or gift basket. You can also add other items that you've purchased. Look for attractive containers such as makeup bags or cases, attractive boxes, storage boxes etc.

pearlieq · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2006, 08:13 AM

I've always been somewhat unimpressed by the idea of making gift baskets out of samples. I think it would be very, very hard to not look cheap.

Plus, you'd have to be really sure the person would appreciate it. I could definitely see a tween girl having a ball with an attractive assortment of beauty products, but I personally don't know anyone, myself included, who would be terribly enthused about a gift of cleaner samples. I mean, of course you'd be polite, and I'm sure you'd find a use for most of the stuff, but I wouldn't exactly think the person put a whole lot of thought into what I might have liked as a gift. It would seem like one of those "obligation" gifts--yes, it's technically a present, but it kind of goes against the whole spirit of gift-giving.

I guess it would depend on what the products were, how the products were presented, and how the gift arragement was made.

If you had cute mini bottles of fun beauty products, I could see it working, but I can't picture handing over a basket of foil packets containing shampoo samples or bathroom cleaner as a gift.

YMMV.

fairy74 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2006, 08:57 AM

I do gift samples in a large basket, but I also include a paperback or puzzle book, mug I found on sale (or the like) and home baked goodies, I see the samples more as a fun filler, than actual stand alone gift. Yes, it is important to match the type of sample to the recipient, personally I love to recieve samples of things I might like to try or stuff I use all the time...

Thrifty Ray · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2006, 09:04 AM

Ive gotten some wonderful, full sized samples of specialty items this year and I intend to put them in stockings.

Ive gotten some great mini-sized samples and those will also go into stockings.

As far as the foil wrap of samples and the laundry soaps and personal products, those are enjoyed by DD3 and I throughout the year.

Id have no qualms about receiving samples in my stocking...or as a gift...but then again, I live pretty frugally when it comes to 'me' things and a new sample is always a treat!! (besides, there is not much I need and these are used/consumed and tossed- rather than taking up space and collecting dust)

markio26 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2006, 12:10 PM

i gave out freebies to my family of origin about 6 years ago...i took alot of time and specialized each basket... for instance.. we had newly weds in the family, their basket had marriage themes, like books, poems, tea cups with samples,etc.... for a religious friend, i made a basket of coffee samples, cup, religious books, pen, paper.. i did not recieve back any comments.. so, i did not do it again... however, i do add a sample of cologne, perfume, make up, etc. in my xmas cards... and i do give out my freebies from wag, as a decoration on the box, tied into the bow....