Support local this holiday season with GROW Nebraska gift boxes

Support local this holiday season with GROW Nebraska gift boxes

by | Sep 23, 2021 | GROW Blog

Support local business this holiday season with GROW Nebraska gift boxes

Boxes that say "this box supports Nebraska businesses"

Every holiday season, millions of dollars leave local economies as gifts are purchased at big box stores and national chains. 

gift box with popcorn, beef jerky and pickled asparagus

In the rush to complete Christmas shopping lists, consumers often pick the big retailer that only leaves 43% of the sale in the local economy. When the same amount is spent at a local business, 68% of the money stays local. 

For the second year in a row, the GROW Nebraska Foundation is offering shoppers an easy way to make sure they’re supporting their state with customizable gift boxes. 

“When you choose to build a gift box with GROW, you’re making an intentional choice to support Nebraskans,” said GROW Nebraska CEO Janell Anderson Ehrke. “Every item you chose to put in there supports a small business who can truly use your support. It means the world to them.”

GROW’s program allows for individuals to build their own boxes and for corporations to order hundreds of boxes for employee or client gifts. 

In either case, gift buyers can build a box, starting at just $20, picking Nebraska-made items from a selection of more than 3,000 products available at the Buy Nebraska Store and BuyNebraska.com. 

All purchasers need to do is choose the items they want, tell GROW Nebraska where to ship them, and then sit back and relax. 

Boxes can also include a personalized note or logo sticker, so the recipient knows who the generous gifter is. 

Last year, corporate gift boxes sent from just one Nebraska organization proved to be a light at the end of the tunnel for 28 small businesses after the tribulations of 2020. 

For example, RCK Creations, located in Alda, sold around 1,200 tumblers. Nutt Family Jams & Jellies of Ravenna completely sold out of their inventory. 

“Though 2021 is proving to be a more positive year than the last, a fluctuating economy and continuously changing health regulations still leave clouds of doubt over the holiday season for many small business owners,” Anderson Ehrke said. “We’re hoping our gift boxes can again be a lifeline for Nebraska businesses.”To learn more about the program, or inquire about creating your own gift boxes, email info@grownebraska.org.

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Simplify Holiday Shopping with GROW Nebraska Gift Boxes

Simplify Holiday Shopping with GROW Nebraska Gift Boxes

by | Nov 12, 2019 | GROW Blog

Simplify Holiday Shopping with

GROW Nebraska Gift Boxes

Whether your holiday shopping list includes family, friends, neighbors or business clients, there’s something for everyone at GROW Nebraska®. And, purchasing themed gift baskets from GROW or its members makes your shopping convenient and shows your support of entrepreneurs across the state.

GROW Nebraska® gift boxes or baskets can be ordered in any price range from $20 to $150+ and can include any of more than 3,500 GROW Nebraska® products from soaps and lotions to popcorn and t-shirts. You can design your own package, including the container or box. Or, if that seems too overwhelming, the GROW Nebraska® staff are happy to give suggestions and design the package for you.

Last year and again this year, GROW Nebraska® has the new option to personalize gift boxes (through Jayhawk Boxes) and can customize boxes with company logos and/or receivers’ names.

And while gift box orders increase during the holiday season, any time of year is a great time for made-in-Nebraska gifts.

Lincoln Realtor Johanna Rhoads, ReMAX Real Estate Concepts, wanted a more unique gift to give to her real estate clients this year.

Her husband, Adam, manages the non-profit organization Mystic Rhoads Productions Inc. and is a member of GROW Nebraska. He sells products like Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Dirt Nap Dip Habanero Pepper Sauce to raise money for community causes.

“My wife always gives a gift to her clients,” Adam said. “The gifts were run-of-the-mill gifts from corporate businesses, and she asked me if I would come up with a more creative and personal gift to give to clients. We decided to put together themed baskets that feature Nebraska-made products.”

They chose three themes – coffee, wine and kitchen – and grouped items together to create unique gifts. The coffee basket includes handmade coffee cups made in Lincoln, corn tea (GROW member), a gift card to a local coffee shop and locally made toffee. The kitchen basket includes a Nebraska-shaped cutting board made in Lincoln, Mystic Rhoads Productions hot sauces and seasonings (GROW member) and Duck Fat Cooking Spray (GROW member). The wine basket includes a bottle of wine, RCK Creations wine glasses (GROW member), Mystic Rhoads Productions seasonings (GROW member) and locally made toffee.

Adam said Johanna has given out nearly 50 baskets this year, and they have been well received.

Other GROW Nebraska members, such as The Basket Case in Kearney and the From Nebraska Gift Store in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket also offer gift-basket services for holidays or other occasions.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s important to order gift boxes soon. One customer has already pre-ordered 150 Nebraska-product gift boxes, so the store will be busy with gift boxes throughout the holiday season!

To order gift baskets:

From GROW Nebraska: https://buynebraska.com/collections/gift-baskets or call the store at (308) 338-3520 or email info@grownebraska.org.

The Basket Case: https://members.grownebraska.org/list/member/the-basket-case-kearney-278

From Nebraska Gift Store: https://buynebraska.com/collections/from-nebraska-gift-shop

“By buying with GROW, the majority of each sale goes directly back into the pocket of entrepreneurs in our very own state,” said GROW’s Executive Director Janell Anderson Ehrke. “When you buy local, you are helping dreams come true for your neighbors. There’s no better gift than that!”

GROW Nebraska® Foundation is a statewide non-profit training and marketing organization. Serving over 400 Nebraska small businesses, the organization provides marketing opportunities, education, and training to launch and connect Nebraska businesses to the global marketplace. GROW Nebraska’s educational programs receive federal and state funding, along with generous support from foundations and individual donors.

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