Home-Based Gift Basket Maker

Individuals buying for family and friends, plus small businesses, realtors and clinics sending client gifts.

You sell each basket for more than the cost of the items, packaging and delivery. Premium and custom baskets, and repeat holiday orders, lift the average sale.

• An eye for design and presentation
• Organizing orders and stock
• Social media and customer service

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
• Baskets with food items: check with your local public health unit and CFIA labelling rules, especially if you make or repackage food yourself
• Commercial general liability insurance, and product liability for food, candles or cosmetics
• Collecting GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Shipping costs and breakage, plus winter delivery delays for chocolate or fragile items
• Very seasonal: much of the demand clusters around holidays, so plan cash flow

Estimated startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000 CAD, depending on your stock, packaging and website setup. Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $300 to $3,000, depending on orders and the season.

Things to check include a home-based business licence from your municipality, public health and CFIA labelling rules if baskets include food, liability insurance, and GST/HST collection once revenue passes the small supplier threshold.

Estimates suggest at least about 6 hours a week, depending on order volume. Demand is very seasonal and clusters around holidays, so plan your cash flow and your time around those peaks.