Gift Hampers

Chocolate and Coffee Hamper

Don't you just hate it when it's a friend's birthday and you have no idea what to get them? They seem to have everything and you just can't face giving them yet another gift voucher. You also don't want to spend too much, but a slab of chocolate is not going to do the trick either. Or what about when a colleague retires, gets promoted, engaged or has a baby? What is the appropriate gift to give (that doesn't include the obvious bunch of flowers)?



Gift Hampers are a great way to thank, apologize, show your love, appreciation or gratitude.  They're not just simply fruit baskets, these days gift hampers can really go beyond limits in terms of personalizing it to just what the gift receiver likes. After all, isn't that the point of giving a gift in the first place?

Surprise "Welcome Home" Hamper

Valentine's Day Hamper

ANY occasion can call for a gift hamper, here are just a few ideas:

• Birthdays (21sts, or other)
• Anniversaries (this could include a romantic picnic hamper for example)
• Corporate (perhaps a fruit, champagne or whiskey hamper to thank an important client)
• Wedding (a large hamper for the couple with luxury goodies, bridesmaids hampers or little 'thank you' hampers for out of town guests)
• Baby Showers,  Bachelorettes Parties, etc
• Mother's Day & Father's Day
• Secretary's Day and Bosses Day
• Christmas (gift baskets or boxes filled with crackers, dates, champagne, chocolates, etc)
• Valentine's Day
• And my personal favourite..."Just Because", a gift hamper secretly arranged by a customer to surprise their loved one for no other reason than the fact that they can!

Corporate Champagne Hamper

You can go all out with a gift hamper, personally designed by our team to your colour theme and choice of contents, and we will even throw in some creative ideas along the way, or you can give us your budget and briefly tell us what you'd like and we'll come up with the rest! It's as easy as that! The look in the gift receivers eye's when receiving a special gift hamper really is priceless!

Small "Thank You" Pamper Hamper

Above are just a few examples of the types of gift hampers we've had the pleasure of putting together recently. Deliveries can be done throughout South Africa.

For any information or pricing on a gift hamper you'd like made up, please contact Melanie by e-mail: melanie@chisani.co.za, or visit our website www.chisani.co.za.

Monday's Spotlight: Photographer - Drikus Le Roux

This is the first of many weekly "spotlights" we will be sharing with you of some of our preferred suppliers, partners and other really talented artists within the wedding and gifting industries. Our first artist is Cape Town based wedding photographer, Drikus Le Roux. I asked Drikus to share a bit of who he is and what type of wedding photography packages he offers. Enjoy!

1. What type of photography do you offer?
I'm a wedding and portrait photographer.

2. When did you realise that you wanted to be a professional photographer?
It’s a difficult one. There were many times that I realised that this is really what I wanted to do. The first time in a darkroom when I saw an image appear on a piece of photographic paper in a tray of developer liquid, I knew that this was something magical. The first time I walked into a studio and used studio lighting. There’s just something indescribable about using and manipulating light to create images.

3. What is your favourite photography shoot so far?
There’s been so many and they all have different reasons why they were memorable. For weddings it’s generally the ones where the couple, venue and food all just fit together so perfectly that you couldn’t have wanted it any other way. It’s so important that couples remember that the wedding day is about them and their tastes, not their guests. It’s a reflection of who they are and the road they’ve travelled to get to their wedding day and sharing that with their friends and family.

 
4. Do you shoot on location?
Yes, I do. Being a wedding photographer I get to work in the most amazing places! That’s another reason I enjoy the engagement shoots as well as they can happen anywhere and anytime. However, I did do studio photography for 5 years and I do miss it. Currently, I’m planning on introducing it to my clients again as an option, which will give a totally new twist to engagement and wedding photography.

5. What inspires you?
Other photographers. I really believe in sharing and learning from others. I have a long list of photographers, both locally and internationally, who’s work I admire. There is some amazing talent out there and it’s awesome to see what others do in the same location that you shot as well. My clients also inspire me. During my chats and meetings with them I work with them to find out who they are and what makes them tick. This has an influence in the way that I would shoot them, locations that we use and eventually the outcome of their final images.

6. What are some of the highlights you've had this year so far?
The amazing comments that I receive. It’s an awesome experience to receive a message from a stranger saying that they’ve just seen your work and that they love it. I’m grateful for them all!

7. Have you had any strange requests for shoots?
Yes, there have been. But, I’m still waiting for a couple who want to get married while skydiving!

8. How do you spend your free time?
I have an amazing group of friends who are constantly hounding me to come around to their homes and take some photos of their babies, dogs, cats, cars, families…when I’m not doing that I enjoy eating out (too much!), taking the dog to the beach and how could I forget Grey’s Anatomy!

9. How would you describe your photography style?
I would probably say something in the lines of documentary but with angles. I love trying a shot from 5 different angles and I’m constantly up on a chair, lying on the ground or jumping. There is a lot of energy in my shoots and I try and keep them at a pace that keeps my couples excited and wanting more. That way I get to spend more time doing what I love and that’s making images!

10. What type of photography packages do you offer?
I offer two wedding packages. It doesn’t sound like much really, but I try and keep it simple. I’ve heard of other photographers offering up to 7 wedding packages and the only difference between the packages are the amount of prints or the size of the prints. By offering the two packages that I do, all my wedding packages end up being tailored to my clients, we set a base and then work on that so my clients never feel ‘boxed’ into a package that they bought, it’s more about them and who they are.

11. How can potential clients get in contact with you?
The best way is to get in touch on my phone, email, facebook! New website is going live in this week and they’ll be able to get in touch there as well!

12. Do you have any last words for aspiring photographers out there?
Shoot, shoot, shoot! Take photos of everything and everywhere you go! If you want to be a wedding photographer you have to be able to shoot so many different subjects as you’re not just shooting people at the wedding. There’s the food, the fashion, the kids, the gifts, the dancing and of course the couple! Read blogs and don’t be afraid to get in touch with photographers, most of us will be more than willing to answer some questions.

Phone: 076 015 4708
Email: drikus@drikusleroux.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dlrphotography
Web: www.drikusleroux.co.za
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dlrphotography

We're expanding!

On Friday, we had a fantastic and very successful photo shoot on location with Cath of Cazpix Photography. Check out her website for more examples of her amazing work!  www.cazpix.co.za

We will soon be offering wedding invitations, table favours, gifts and a decor service...everything for your convenience under one roof! Keep checking back on our website for more details!

This is just a sneak peek at what new products we will soon be offering...

Enjoy! :)

Father's Day - 20 June 2010

How perfect to have Father's Day right in the middle of the Soccer World Cup this year!  Some people say that it's much easier to find something for Dad, than it is for Mom on Mother's Day. I have to say that I completely disagree! My Mom never gets tired of getting a hamper filled with scented soaps, candles and chocolates and she will never be disappointed with a hair or massage voucher. Dad on the other hand, well I think he's getting a bit tired of the DVD / book story each year! Here are a few Father's Day ideas, give it a try and do something different from the same old mug/book/box of chocolates Dad gets each year.

Watching a soccer game together
Really, what better gift is there than spending some quality time together?
Here are the soccer matches for Sunday:

•      13h30 - Slovakia vs Paraguay
•      16h00 - Italy vs Netherlands
•      20h30 - Brazil vs Ivory Coast

Making a Father's Day lunch
Here are a few recipes to try out and enjoy:
Roast Tomato Soup
Chicken Curry
Malva Pudding

Spoiling him with something different this year
Father's Day Gift Hampers


Wishing you all a very happy Father's Day!!

New sweet & stylish gift favours

Just picture it - A wedding reception with small treat boxes containing only the finest chocolate truffles, a large corporate dinner with elegant place card holders that can be taken home and used as photo frames, or a large 21st birthday party with tempting Rocky Road chocolate brownies in gift bags! After a year in the gift business, we've decided that this is the direction we're focused on going this year!

Gift favours for weddings, large dinners, events and functions - we're going to do it all! We've recently listed on South Africa's No. 1 Wedding site: www.celebration.co.za.

We're still expanding our range, and as always we welcome any and all suggestions and comments! The more we know about our customers, and their likes and dislikes - the better!

These are just a few of the new favours in our gift range, for more favour image and info, please visit our website: www.chisani.co.za.


"A gift is never about need. It's about thanking people." ~ Lash Fary

Eiffel Tower Favours

Over the past week, we've had a quite a few e-mails from people requesting information on one particular wedding favour; the Eiffel Tower Place Card Holder. So, what's so special about this little favour anyway?

Not only is this a gorgeous table gift and conversation starter, but this smart favour can also be used as a place card holder. Not limited to weddings alone, this little favour can also be used at large dinner parties, corporate events and other special occasions.

A few interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower Place Card Holder:

• Finely detailed, silver-finish, replica of the Eiffel Tower
• Small ledge on lower "deck" holds place card or photo
• Favour measures 10cm x 3cm
• Place cards are included
• Sold in sets of four
• Min qty order is 13 sets (52 units)

Thank your guests with this gift or wedding favour that is simply "magnifique!"

For pricing, please e-mail us at info@chisani.co.za for a speedy quotation!
To view any of our other wedding or party favours, please visit our website: www.chisani.co.za, or find us on South Africa's largest wedding network: www.celebration.co.za.

Hot Chocolate Chilli Cupcakes

It's getting colder and darker earlier with Winter just around the corner, and so we went in search of some sweet comfort food and came across this brilliant recipe! Just what the doctor ordered, enjoy!

Ingredients:

185 g dark chocolate, best quality

185 g butter, cubed

1 tsp (5 ml) dried chilli flakes or 1 fresh chilli, finely chopped (seeds included)

3 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1/3 cup (50 g) flour

4 eggs

1/3 cup (70 g) castor sugar

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Grease 12 large dariole moulds or ramekins (8 cm).
3. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter together until smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the chilli flakes and then the egg yolks and flour.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Fold the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture.
5. Bake for 10 minutes. (Do not feel tempted to leave in longer as this one sets outside the oven.) Let stand for 5 minutes. Gently run a knife around the edge of each cake and remove each one.
As the cakes have a soft centre, remember to place them flat on their bottoms. Serve warm.

Optional: Decorate with melted chocolate and fresh chillies.