Ideas, please
 

I have been approached by the head of our hospital foundation about making personalized gifts for the foundation to give to "big time" contributors. They say they are tired of flowers. I have a Babylock Ellissimo, which can do far more than I am capable, so I think I have the machine capability, if I can just think of some things. I have made many things in the hoop (cosmetic bags, key fobs,, etc) but would really like something a little more upscale and personal. Can you friends please help me with some ideas?
Jo Ann

Are "green" grocery tote bags too mundane?

what about I-Pad covers? alot of people are using the tablets now, and I have seen several cute ones that are quilted. You could even make them with the foundation's logo?

I think it is a question of how much they are willing to pay you and how much time you are willing to spend.....

Personalised towels - I have a set from my husband's grandmother and they are always in my guest bathroom and beside being beautiful they are also useful and last for a long time. Mine are done by hand and they are gorgeous. We also have a set of pilow cases matching the towels. Just an idea.

But these are "Big Time Givers"! Wow. Do you do applique? to make a picture to frame? I wouldn't take that on with my ability. I can't imagine anything to match that.

I made small wall hangings for "big time givers" for symphony of scenes around Oregon.

And does this person have ANY idea of what is involved in making 'personalized gifts' ?

Why isn't a sincere 'thank you card/note' adequate?

how about bath towels

If tired of flowers how about a box of expensive chocolates?

This is a project that I wouldn't touch with a 10 ft. pole! Lots of luck if you are gutsier than I am.

Monogrammed totes, or if appropriate how about monogrammed Christmas stockings?

It is kind of hard to make something for a person unless you know them personally. I wouldn't want that job.

Still seems silly to have to give something back to a well-off donor.

I worked for a non profit for years - and can tell you most donors loved a nice hand written thank you and even better a thank you from someone that benefitted from the donation. This is an interesting request. Is someone passing the buck?

I like the idea of the handwritten card, but if you want a gift how about a mug rug, and a mug.

oh i had a thought. if you are a fast quilter, what about doing up a few linus quilts and donating them to the children's wing in the donor's honour?

aileen

how about a photo album with a cover and a thank you saying like:
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

What about 4 place mats for a table at their home. Don-isewman

Exactly. If you give with the expectation of receiving something in return, it's not totally cool.

It has to be something that reads upscale I think it might have to be an art quilt of some sort. They could be very small as it really has to be sort of one size fits all, make it a theme that matches with the foundations interests. If you make something large it has to match a persons household, but if it is a small artquilt it can be on a stand on a desk or some small nook.

I really like Stillclocks idea...give donation quilt to childrens ward in doners name. We all have stuff and if donars are WELL HEALED...do they need more stuff? Kids quilts work up so fast and would really be appreicated by the reciepeiant. (Can't spell at all tonight but I think know you know what I mean).

i would imagine that they want something not only upscale but also unique, after all they are competing for the donation dollars with other charity organizations and the competition is getting tougher each year. I think you need to ask who will be receiving the thank you gift. Women, men, both? I think something very obviously handmade, very luxurious - think made from satin or velvet with embellishments. Perhaps a draw string gift bag of cream colored velvet with a satin and lace applique embellished with some pearls and filled with Lady Godiva Triffles. for the men maybe a silk bag in a plaid with a best seller novel inside. The applique could be as simple as a holiday appropriate symbol, the logo from the charity, or the words "Thank you." A simple hand written thank you card should be inside.

How about Wine Bags? I would furnish the bag, but not the wine. I would need that myself. I like the Linus Quilts idea also.

I second (or third) the Linus idea. Since they obviously want to help, what better way than to make a child happy. Maybe a nice thank you note with a picture of a child with his/her quilt. Maybe put a label on the quilt back stating that it is donated in honor of the donor.

That sounds like a tough one, but maybe table runners, christmas tree skirt, or wallhanging?

I, as a quilter, love and appreciate hand made gifts of all kinds. Unfortunately, not everyone does though, which is what would make this request so hard if given to me.

I like the Project Linus idea. We have all seen places where donors are honored by putting their name on a brick or bench, etc. And, we all know blankies are better than bricks! ;)

Maybe the charity or hospital has a seal, emblem or moto that could be digitized and applied to an item. I like the idea of the wine bag or gift bag of chocolates. What about a golf club cover, sock thing? At that level, I'm sure there is some time being spent on the golf course. (but I see these ideas as being disposable and therefore maybe a waste of time and resources) Or, what about using the selected design to create a special 'certificate' that could be framed to hang on the wall? It would be something unique and eye catching on their brag wall. (maybe less likely to be thrown away or sent to GW)

Good luck, this is not an easy task to find an answer to. But, I'm sure the wonderful members of the QB will be able to help.

I would suggest talking to the person who asked you as to what kind of gifts they were looking for. I would maybe suggest things like the mug rug and cup for the older ladies who are donating. and maybe some wine totes or tote bags for the younger crowed. and maybe donating a project linus quilt in their name for the ones who would be more liking that. it is really hard to give a thank you gift that is one size fits all. mostly because people are so different from eachother. good luck with this.

I like the idea of a Linus quilt and a picture of the recipient, perhaps in a simple frame with a
thank you card. We all know that handmade gifts sometimes receive a lukewarm response even from people who love us. Unless you are FABULOUSLY talented, and the gift is very professionally done, I'd steer away from giving these wealthy people personalized handmade gifts -especially for homes you know nothing about. I know your heart is in the right place, and you could make a child AND the benefactor happy with a Linus quilt.

In my experience (non-profit CFO), gifts for donors were things like engraved paperweights or bookends...everyone got the same thing, except their name was on it. We used the organization's logo.

I believe that "personalized" refers to the foundation, not the donor, especially since they're looking to replace flowers as the gift. If you can incorporate the hospital name or logo somehow, that would cover the personalized part, but for major donors, I'd strongly advise staying away from 'crafty' items.

Can you get the name/logo on a key fob in the hospital's colors? Everyone has keys and it's something you're used to making. Bump it up a notch and I think you'd be fine. Major donors don't want major gifts, just a small, thoughtful sign of appreciation...and they will remember next year when writing their checks.

You might want to price a few things at award outlets before you agree to take this on yourself. The foundation may just be thinking you'd be a less expensive option and that might not be the case.

Big time donors do not need more 'stuff'. However, they typically delight in being able to 'show off' their generousity. If you were to digitize, then embroider, a drawing of the item - building - wing - equipment - whatever - on the front of a nice card, then have the CEO write a thank you inside, along with a short sentence on how the 'gift' was used, the majority of donor would be very pleased. I bet the card would be displayed proudly.
Lynne in Houston

IF I were a contributor of a large donation, I would like to hear about how my donation made someone's life better than receive any type of physical, "personal gift." My gift to the organization is also a gift to my inner self, and I would not want to diminish that gift by seeing any money spend on something that may or not be something I would appreciate. How about a personal letter of thanks along with a story or stories of how that donation actually was utilized and how someone benefitted from it. Those of us on the board may love crafty things--even upscale crafty things--but donors prefer a "heart warmer."
Just an opinion from a contributor of "small donations." ; )

I recently attended a Janome workshop where the educator had made beautiful embellished cards with scraps of fabric, beads, fancy stitching. This might be an idea for an extra special thank you card. She used stabilizer to make postage size cards for Christmas cards that she sent in the mail.

I think this is REALLY GREAT!! Nice way to say "THank YOU" The first pic should be the hospital or maybe some pics of HAPPY residents there!! To see their gift being used & appreciated is a Big Thank You!!

Linus quilts
 

I like this idea!

I really like this idea!!! It is not wastefully using the money that was just donated, it is using it to benefit the hospital to which the gift was given but add the donors name (in addition to yours as the quilt maker)on the label on the back of the quilt. You could embroider it if you would like to.

i like this...it is generic, but everyone could put one of these to use, and the quote is so appropriate.

Did the hospital give you an idea of how much they want to spend on each gift? At any rate, you are going to have to know some specifics on each person to make something meaningful. Assuming these people are executives in their own right, maybe something like a personalized computer/office supply tote.