Gift Basket Ideas for Chicago-Themed Project?

I've been asked by my employer to be part of a small team tasked to select items to be included in a medium-sized gift basket of mostly food/edible (and probably some other) products identified as "Chicago" that we will present to mid-level staff (possibly a dozen persons) relocating to a client's office in Chicago in the coming months.

The recipients of the baskets will be coming to Chicago from a major Midwestern city and we want to make them feel comfortable/welcome upon their arrival here in Chicago.

The basket will have two components: Non- perishable items and printed material to help the newcomers orient themselves to Chicago.

The members of this new team I'm a part of haven't had our first meeting yet but I want to start to gather information. Part of the process of preparing these gift baskets may include using the services of a small business which specializes in such things, but I think our team will want to be making suggestions about what's included if we choose that option. I'll appreciate any ideas you care to share with me.

Thanks!

Hi,

Did you see this?

Regards,

Bill, as far as printed material goes, I'd highly recommend a book called Forever Open, Clear and Free: The Struggle For Chicago's Lakefront. It's a really terrific read and a nice primer on Chicago history. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Open-Clear-Free-Lakefront/dp/0226898725

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Did you see this?

Regards,

Cathy2, thanks for bringing that earlier discussion to my attention - it'll be helpful information to me. Ursiform, thanks, too, for your suggestion - and I'm going to pass-along the idea of including a book as part of the basket.

The Streets and San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats

Well, the "basket project" came to a close yesterday - with the delivery of Chicago products-themed gift baskets to our clients, who really liked them.



Some of what we included: Garrett caramel corn, Jays Potato Chips and Oke-Doke popcorn, Tootsie Roll candies, Fudge Pot carmel apples, twinkies, Wrigley gums, Frontera chips and salsas, Spice House "Chicago Neighborhood" collections, a Chicago Magazine, and brochures from a variety of the city's cultural organizations.

I ran-around purchasing the items for the baskets and the florist who handles our office needs assembled/arranged/designed the baskets and delivered them to the client office.

Thanks for your ideas.