A new brand of holiday gift cheer

You know that old adage saying that “to give is to receive?” The one that implies that generosity should be directed at others and not yourself?

The same proverb that promises incredible spiritual benefits if you give freely of your worldly goods? I say baloney. You see, I am one of the most enthusiastic gift recipients of all time.

I like nothing better than to discover at Christmas time that my friends and family have spent lavishly on sweaters, perfume or art work to make me happy.

And they do. Believe me, they do. Otherwise, I am not above getting into a childish snit.

Did I mention that I tend to be unabashedly materialistic?

Well, you can imagine my delight at a growing trend in gift giving: monthly subscription boxes.

It means that Santa and Mrs. Claus show up at your house every 30 days to drop off a gift chosen on a theme especially for you.

Presumably, when July and August roll around, the Clauses get rid of their heavy velvet outfits and put on shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops — all in red, of course. But I digress.

Take a look at what consultant Kathryn Tuggle says about the monthly subscription box phenomenon at www.mainstreet.com.

“For as little as $10 a month in some cases, whether you’re a dog lover, a makeup addict or a wine connoisseur, these days your passions can be delivered to your doorstep in the form of a monthly subscription box,” Tuggle writes.

Now, if you’re an entrepreneurial wannabee, I suggest that it’s far too late to get into the industry for this Christmas.

But, as 2015 rolls around, you may want to give some serious thought to your ideas for possible products, technology, customers, prices, marketing, packaging, shipping and staffing.

A website named www. subby.com recently ran an article called “Nine Tips on How to Start a Subscription Box Business.” It says:

“The road to a successful business and becoming a successful entrepreneur is long and steep. With this in mind you

Now, if you’re an entrepreneurial wannabee, I suggest that it’s far too late to get into the industry for this Christmas.

should always consider pursuing a business venture you are 100 percent passionate about and this usually starts with products you are passionate about.”

Later, the same article says: “So if you are passionate about cosmetics, it might not be a smart idea to create a subscription box website for golfers. You need to relate to your customers’ lifestyle and that can be only be done successfully if you have a common interest and passion.”

As a speaker who gives seminars on business communication, several years ago I marketed a product in which I gave six onehour sessions on different topics in a single day. I called it Six-Pack Training.

Intrigued by the recent boom in the subscription phenomenon, I’m now seriously considering rolling out a special deal on a year’s worth of lunchand-learn style workshops given over 12 months time. My launch probably would take place in September 2015, which is the de facto new year for many of my corporate clients. What do you think? For this holiday, however, I’m simply going to keep my eye on the overall phenomenon, both as a giver but, most impor- tantly considering my greedy mindset, as a receiver.

If you have similar feelings, here are some ways you can throw yourself into this phenomenon as a customer for the sake of family and friends: • FILL THEIR WINE CELLARS >> Some subscription businesses operate like a personal sommelier. Every month, they send you a chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, cabernet sauvignon or other wine to your lik- ing. One to consider: www. clubw.com. If the wine lovers in your life happen to be women, check out a female-oriented subscription service at www.moreuncorked.com. It was started by MORE, a magazine for women over 40. • ENCOURAGE THEM TO READ >> The Bas Bleu Society operates a subscription service called the Bluestocking Book a Month. For a price, it will send your lucky recipient a mixture of fiction and nonfic- tion from January through December. You can reach them at www.basbleu.com. • SURPRISE THEM >> An outfit at www.fancy.com specializes in creating boxes filled with items chosen by quasi-celebrities such as actress Jennifer Love Hewitt. The monthly deliveries can range from beauty products to clothing items. • WARM THEIR TOOTSIES >> Now that men wear more adventuresome and colorful socks, several businesses have stepped in to supply them with interesting footwear over the course of a year. Among innovative companies are www.hotsocks.com and www.richerpoorer.com. • HELP WITH THEIR SHOPPING >> For a mere $300, including shipping and service, you can send somebody a monthly tote printed with a timely graphic for, say, Valentine’s Day and July 4. To make schlepping stuff around a little easier for your loved ones, just go to www.willabeeandward.com. The same company also sells themed charms for bracelets, currently hot with teen-age girls. • CULTIVATE THEIR CRAFTY SIDE >> Handmade products are the name of the game at www.umbabox. com. If you buy a subscription here, your friends or family will get a surprise monthly package of individually crafted jewelry accessories, bath products and baked goods. Now there’s a fascinating potpourri of passions. • APPEAL TO THEIR DOGS >> It had to happen. What started out as a trend for human beings has now morphed into the dog kingdom; www.barkbox. com, for example, offers monthly delivery of ontrend products such as gluten-free bones. In case you don’t have any members of the canine persuasion to buy for, I offer this tidbit of information: my pets Mikey Nike, Vanna Banana and Abby Cadabby enjoy receiving gifts as much as I do. Woof. Kathleen Begley of East Goshen owns Write Company Plus, which helps clients make more money through effective communication. Interacting, presenting, writing and using social media are considered the main road to business success.