Happy Box Blog

Our co-founders Hannah and Ariel were always good at multitasking, staying up late, and waking up early, but things just got crazier… they’re both new moms! Eloise and Reyna came into the world in December, and it’s been a wild, exhausting, and fun ride ever since.

Hannah and Ariel shared some of their experience in the first few months of motherhood and running a business. 

What is the most difficult part of juggling new mom life and running a business? 

H: Well I'm currently writing this with one hand and holding a sleeping baby in the other arm...ha! 

Prioritizing has been hard but so important...there are so many things I WANT to or NEED to do all the time as a business owner and I never stop thinking about them, but I also want to ensure I'm prioritizing the baby and our new family dynamic as first time parents. The good news is, having a baby made me realize the importance of "me time" and "family time," and has forced me to take a step back and truly focus my energy on what is most important, even when it comes to deciding what to do each day for the business. I try to focus on work that drives the most impact.

The one thing that was probably the hardest was not really taking time off after giving birth. Ariel and I started working part time just days after giving birth (although fortunate enough to work remotely and have an amazing team to support us), but I do wish I had some more baby-only time in the first month. It is super frustrating that in a developed, resource rich country like ours, we don't have government-supported paid parental leave. But that's a whole other conversation...

A: Time management and figuring out when to work have been the biggest challenges! The days of 9-5 straight work are gone for me! Let's just put aside the fact that there aren't enough hours in the day to work on your business and stare at your baby lovingly (as much as I'd like to, at least!), I've had to figure out when I can get the most work done.

In the beginning, I would use my baby's 3 am feedings as time to catch up on email. Now, she's 4 months old and I'm using her long naps as my "get it done" time. I think giving yourself the time you want with your baby is crucial, so to me that means working whenever I'm not caring for her. Honestly, it's a balancing act, and perfecting is going to take some time I'm sure.

What is the most rewarding part of Motherhood?

H: Watching her discover the world is so beautiful. I love seeing her curiosity, and her pure joy at the simplest things. It really reminds me every day to focus on the little things. She has recently discovered her feet and is having an absolute BALL staring at them and wiggling her toes. So freaking cute.  

A: Literally everything. If there is a memory I could live in forever though, it would be the first time I made Ella laugh. But it's every moment you realize you are so important to this little person. She needs me for every single thing, and somehow, it's not annoying or infuriating. Somehow Motherhood is both thankless and the most fulfilling gig at the exact same time. Being a mom hit me like a ton of bricks and every moment is just so sweet and special. I'm 4 months in and savoring every moment because it truly is pure magic. 

How is Motherhood and a business owner similar?

H: I think both being a first time mom and an entrepreneur there are times when you realize there is NO manual for this and you figure it out along the way. Also in both roles you feel so personally responsible for people and their successes and growth. We have a small amazing team and we are always thinking about how we can do better for them, and same rings true for baby Rey. 

 A: Again, thankless and somehow super fulfilling! Being a mom is so hard, but the love you feel for this little person makes it all worth it. Watching Happy Box start as an idea, then turn into a website, and then turn into a business employing some incredible people--THAT feels good. I think every mom and founder alike would agree that the "low"s suck, but the "high"s are what make it all worth it–so savor them!

Has becoming a mom changed how you view running a business and working? 

H: I definitely feel my general priorities have shifted overall and baby is above all. I also think it woke me up to realize that it shouldn't be a "perk" to have a family-friendly culture, it should be the standard. It is so difficult having a newborn or infant and all parents deserve flexibility to be a parent - to take care of kids when they are sick, to leave early to make a recital, etc. I genuinely cannot imagine working late like I did in some of my previous corporate jobs and missing bedtime every night. Ariel and I take this seriously and as business owners will always insist our team to put family first above the work we do here.

Written by: Natalie Santangelo

May 8, 2022, the day we celebrate the mother figures in life a little extra. Mom, Mother, Madre, Mamá, no matter what you call her, make sure to celebrate her and show her how much you appreciate all she does for you. For someone so important it can be hard to decide what to gift her to truly show your gratitude. We wanted to make it a little easier for you with this Mother’s Day gift guide! 

Make her breakfast! 

No matter your cooking abilities, this is something that can be done at any level. Whether it’s simply bringing her some waffles and pouring a glass of orange juice, or cooking up pancakes and some coffee, she will definitely appreciate the gesture. This simple, yet wonderful action will allow her to start her morning feeling appreciated and loved. 

Go for a walk with her! 

Get some fresh air and take some time to enjoy the outside. Whether it’s around the neighborhood, or even if you go to a park nearby, take in the scenery with your mom. Leave your phones at home, too! Enjoy being unplugged and take the time to spend some quality time with mom a little bit more. 

Print out one of her recipes! 

Does your mom have a special dessert or dish that she loves to cook? Print out one of her recipes!  Laminate it so she has it forever. Elevate the night by cooking the dish WITH her, or for her! This is a great way to ensure she’ll feel appreciated. Even if you don’t like cooking, don’t forget, this is her day!

A Spa Night! 

What mom doesn’t need some extra relaxation time? Grab some face masks and nail polish and get ready to relax. Add to the night by queuing up a movie and ordering in her favorite take out! Relax, unwind, and enjoy!

Gift her a care package! 

Whether she lives far or close, Happy Box makes it easy to gift her a box of things she’ll love! Happy Box allows you to select the perfect gifts to go inside a box, or pick a curated box, to ensure she’ll receive a bunch of goodies that she’ll appreciate. Not only will she love everything inside of it, but it’ll save you a ton of time.

We hope this list wipes out all your stress for Mother’s Day! Lastly, from ours to yours, Happy Mother’s Day!

A few of us are new moms over at Happy Box, and are so excited to be celebrating the joys of mommyhood for our first Mother's Days this year! So we thought it would be fitting to round up the best advice all the moms at Happy Box got when they were new moms.

"There's no manual for motherhood/parenthood - just go with your gut. Always accept help when its offered, and ask for it when its not. Whenever you share a hug with your kids, don't be the one to let go. They will let go when they're ready; enjoy every second of them holding on to you." - Kat, Senior Manager, E-comm Fulfillment Operations & Mommy to Charlie and Teddy

"My biggest piece of advice from a 4-month old mom is: give yourself grace. You're healing, you're learning and you're sleep deprived. Try to see the good in every moment you have because it really is a beautiful time (even though everything is messy and you have no idea what you're doing). Enjoy every cuddle with your little one, savor every feeding, and bask in the love-fest that is being a new mom. Be open and communicate with your partner about your needs and how you're feeling, and accept help! Just give yourself time to learn and grow into motherhood! More practical advice: stool softener."- Ariel,Co-Founder/Creative Officer & Mommy to Eloise "Ella" 

"If it's working for your family, it's the right thing. Don't compare yourself or what you are doing and don't worry about it if it's working for you and your family. Also, no one knows your baby better than you. Trust your gut." - Rita, Director, Marketing, Growth & Operations and Mommy to Tyler 

"A few things I was told by more than one person that have really helped me through the newborn stage: 1. In the hardest moments, remember everything is temporary; it gets better. 2. Let things go. It’s so easy to be stressed by a messy apartment, or questioning if you’re doing things exactly right when you see "perfect" moms on Instagram…no one is perfect and you are doing your best - and that's enough! 3. A happy mama makes a happy baby: make sure you’re also prioritizing tiny things for YOU: a bath, enjoying a chocolate bar, a workout, etc. It will make you feel human again." - Hannah, Co-Founder/Chief Strategy Officer & Mommy to Reyna "Rey"

March is International Women’s Month! This is super important to us as a women-owned small business. We make it part of our mission to support other women-owned businesses year round. This month, to celebrate, we’ve partnered with some incredible women and organizations. Check out all that we have planned and the ways you can contribute to some amazing organizations that support women. 

These Stickers Give Back: Happy Box + Feminist Voice  Supporting Planned Parenthood

We've partnered with Feminist Voice - one of our fave Instagram accounts that is all about empowering women - to create fun, empowering stickers that you can add to your Happy Box for a limited time. With each purchase of the 3-sticker pack on our Box Builder, we will be donating a percentage of the profits to Planned Parenthood.

International Women’s Month Curated Gift Box Collection 

To honor and highlight the achievements and progress of women everywhere, we have created a curated collection of gift boxes that supports women owned businesses and female entrepreneurs! 

“Who Run The World” Box: Features several best-selling, women-owned gifts. From March 1-31st, 2022, 10% of all profits of this box will be donated to Girls Who Code, an organization on a mission to close the gender gap in tech. Learn more about GWC here. 

“Carla Marie’s Small Biz Picks”: Small business owner and advocate Carla Marie chose her favorite small business-owned items from our gift selection to create this amazing care package, so by purchasing this box you are supporting various small businesses! 

Girls Night In Box: Essentials for a fun and relaxing night in with the girls. These gifts were hand-picked by Happy Box co-founders (and sisters) Hannah & Ariel.

Corporate Focused Boxes

Sending a gift to your team or client? Check out our corporate curated gift options that are full of products sourced from women-owned businesses!

“You Rock” Box: 

The Recharge Box:

As always, we’ve have many women-owned gifts on the Box Builder!

As a women-owned business, we make it a priority to support and source other women-owned businesses. Be sure to visit the Box Builder and select the “Women Owned” filter to see all of the gift options and make sure to add these products to your next care package!

Keep an eye out for a special sale on International Women’s Day…

On March 8th, we will be offering a special discount so be sure to keep an eye out for a discount code on our Instagram and in your inbox! Sign up for SMS alerts if you haven’t already!

Galentine's Day is one of our favorite holidays! It's celebrated February 13th, the day before Valentine's Day, and is all about celebrating friendships. 

First of all, Parks & Recreation is one of Ariel's (co-founder of Happy Box) favorite  shows. For those who may not know, Galentine's Day was first popularized by the show in its second season, where, in one particular episode, Leslie hosts her annual "Galentine's Day" party for her girlfriends. Ever since Ariel saw that episode, she hosted a Galentine's Day party in Manhattan. Some years we all went out to eat, some years we went out for Karaoke! 

But that's not the only reason we're obsessed with the holiday. Back around 2007 when Hannah & Ariel (the co-founders and sisters behind Happy Box) were in college, Ariel had gone through a bad breakup with Valentine's Day right around the corner. As any big sister would, Hannah wanted to make her sister feel better and surprise her with a gift that "felt like a hug from far away," - 200 miles away to be exact. So, Hannah set out to build the first ever Happy Box - she went to 7 stores and ended up at the post office to curate and send the perfect "breakup survival box" for Ariel. When Ariel opened it up, she called Hannah crying thanking her for the gift. 

This sparked the idea of Happy Box - what if you could create a customized care package with cute, quirky and fun gifts, and include a handwritten note for a super personal touch, all in a few clicks? Hannah and Ariel tabled the idea for a few years while they worked corporate jobs in Manhattan, but the idea never left them. Finally, in 2016, they decided to try the concept out on Etsy, and the following year opening their own shop: www.happyboxstore.com online. 

So, to this day years later, Galentine's Day means everything to the sisters and to Happy Box as it's woven into our founding story. That's why you'll see tons of new Galentine's gift items & cards on the Box Builder, as well as a few great themed Curated Boxes for the holiday! 

Happy Box was born out of Galentine's Day and is the perfect gifting solution to staying in touch with long distance gal pals! Read more about Happy Box here.

Gather your girl gang, grab and pop open the champagne, and have your favorite restaurant on deck for delivery. Galentine's Day is right around the corner and it’s time to celebrate your girls. 

Being a season that’s primarily focused on romantic relationships, Valentine’s Day can be hard for some. You might be walking down the street and see people carrying an assortment of flowers, or couples holding hands, and you kind of want to throw up–  but you also want what they have. 

Not here! At Happy Box we celebrate best friends all day every day. This business started from supporting a sister after a breakup so we definitely cherish female friendships. There is something about Galentine’s Day that just produces serotonin! It must be the Target holiday aisle with all the pinks, reds, and purples and Valentine themed candy that makes me want to create the cutest gifts to give my own girl gang or host my own Galentine’s Day party. 

But what is Galentine’s Day you ask? This female-oriented day began from an episode of Parks and Recreation when Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, invited her friends over for Brunch on February 13th.  In a very over the top way, she celebrated her female friends by giving them gifts and an essay about why she loves them. And in a time where we are trying to make it through the pandemic, it is more important now to shower your friends with love.

How Do You Celebrate Galentine’s Day? 

Ladies who Brunch

In an ode to Sex and the City and Parks and Rec, host a brunch! Whether it’s at your favorite brunch spot or in your home decorated to a T, what better way to connect with your girls than over some waffles and mimosas. 

Rom Com Movie Night

Grab the chocolate and wine and have your favorite rom com ready to play. Romantic Comedies are the way to go on Galentine’s Day. They keep things light because you still have the romance with a touch of funny and you won’t want to cry yourself to sleep after watching. 

Our go-to favorites: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, The Other Woman, Bridesmaids, and 13 Going on 30.

Grown Up Slumber Party

If you’re not a fan of sleeping anywhere else except your own bed, make it a grown up slumber party without the slumber. Invite your besties over and let them wear their fav PJs. Order in food, do some spa night rituals like nails and face masks, and have wine and a movie on deck. Do everything you would’ve done during your childhood sleepovers, except for prank calling your crush. 

Wine & Paint 

Have everyone bring over a bottle of wine for a little wine tasting and buy some canvases and paint. Drink up and wine down during a little paint sesh with the girlies. You can google some inspo for everyone to paint the same thing. Between the wine and the paint, it may get a little messy. Cheers! 

Long distance friendships?

Send your BFFs a thoughtful gift, *cough* Happy Box *cough* and have a facetime date with them to catch up. What better way to surprise your bestie than with a care package full of everything they love. Happy Box makes it easy by shipping a personalized gift right to their door for when you can’t be there.  

We hope this list of ideas leads to inspiration for your own Galentine’s Day! And remember, anyone can participate in Galentine’s Day, whether you want to celebrate the Monica to your Rachel or the Joey to your Dawson, this day is about celebrating friendships!

Though things are certainly different from how they were a year ago (hopefully you have been able to see AND hug those you love the most), some pandemic behaviors will probably stick around for a while. Thankfully, one of those behavioral changes is the way we communicate with the people in our lives near and far. If COVID has made us realize one thing it’s that it is important to reach out to people during very isolating and “unprecedented” times (if I hear that word one more time... ). That need for human interaction led us to come up with extremely creative ways to connect with people from inside the four walls of our homes. We wanted to share the ways in which our Happy Box team stays in touch with their long distance friends and the people they cannot connect with as often as they’d like.

“Me and my long distance BFFs have virtual happy hours, schedule phone call dates, and ship each other care packages!” - Callie, Strategic Projects & Operations Manager, Happy Box Store

“We are constantly texting in a group chat, and we always send secret Santa gifts around the holidays.” - Rita, Director, Marketing, Growth & Operations

“Have a group chat going, schedule FaceTime dates, have spur of the moment phone calls when driving or in transit somewhere, and always send each other some kind of sweet treat on our birthdays!” - Sarah, B2B Partner Success Sr. Manager

“My best friend and I have reminders in our calendars once a month to schedule a phone call or send each other a text to check in.” - Corinne, Fulfillment Team Member 

“At the beginning of the pandemic, I created a cocktail book (on Shutterfly) with a recipe that reminded me of each one of my friends (included pictures, funny notes, inside jokes, etc.). Then we made a chain and mailed it to each other after each person had it for a few weeks and everyone added pics/memories/notes of them attempting to make the cocktails. Once we were able to get together in person, we had a contest where we made all the drinks and rated them.” - Nicole, Experience Operations Manager

“My best friend moved to Texas. He and I FaceTime multiple times a week and never text. We also have been traveling back and forth for each other’s birthdays. I also stay in contact with his girlfriend very often so that I can stay involved with his life!” - John, Inventory Operations Manager, Happy Box Store

Hopefully you can take some of these tips and use them the next time you’re trying to get your long distance friends together (whether it be virtually or in person). And don’t forget that Happy Box allows you to create the perfect care package for any occasion that can be sent to any of your besties!

The holidays are such a fun time - many indulge in great food, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy a break from work. Returning to the (home) office in January can be tough - but with a little bit of acknowledgement and effort from their companies, employees can feel appreciated and ready to tackle the New Year’s challenges and tasks.

1. Kick off with culture. Make an effort to welcome the team back via email or video meeting, ask about how their aunt’s mashed potatoes tasted this year, and share the plans to support a positive and fun work culture in the year ahead. Employees will appreciate your human side.
2. Set clear goals and expectations. Your employees want to excel in their careers, and the best way for them to do that is to know what is expected of them. Outlining goals at a company and an employee level will help your team stay on track and feel accomplished.
3. Remember to conduct evaluations and reviews. Your team will feel like their careers and success is important to the company, and they can work towards moving up.
4. Invest in professional development. Remember how employees want to succeed? Continued education is the best way to ensure that! Better team = better company. A win-win.
5. Thank them with a gift. A thoughtful gift says “I appreciate you” and can earn you much sought after respect from your employees. Our recommendations for gifts that can help your team feel refreshed are scented candles, a new reusable water bottle (complete with company logo, of course) and some delicious treats to keep at their desks. 

Now that sounds like the perfect way to kick off a new year. 

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a Christmas elf? We typically imagine what we have seen in the movies (I know you’re picturing Santa Claus and the movie “Elf” right now). You’re seeing a small picturesque winter village with a lot of hustle and bustle, Christmas decor, and of course, the holiday cheer that you can feel through the screen. 

Well, here at Happy Box we equate our holiday season to the real life North Pole, except that we are located in the beautiful city of Hoboken, New Jersey, and in lieu of the picturesque scene, reindeers, snow and all, our warehouse is packed to the brim with boxes and gifts and the sound of holiday jams. The holidays are our busiest season and the holiday cheer is real. We are constantly rushing to meet deadlines of filling and sending out gifts and handwriting holiday cards for our customers, and thankfully we have an amazing team that works extremely hard to help recipients feel the cheer of receiving a Happy Box. 

From beautifully packing the gift boxes to writing hand written notes, they do it all! We wanted to show what it is like to be a real life elf so we asked our fulfillment team a few questions about their experience so you can also see what it’s like!

Meet the Elves: 

Corinne, Fulfillment Team Member 

What’s your top holiday gifting tip?

Make your gift as personal as possible! We can either write a card for you, or you can send a virtual audio/video message of yourself - it really adds that extra touch your recipient will love! 

Liezel, Fulfillment Team Member

What do you think the perfect gift should contain?

Something unique that you can't get everywhere else, like our quirky holiday light cup!

Kat, Fulfillment Operations Manager 

What is the atmosphere in the warehouse during the holiday season?

Festive AF! We like to keep things pumped up and energized! We play the BEST holiday music & decorate the warehouse.  We're always laughing and bustling, keeping that elf workshop vibe going and loving every minute of this fast-paced time of year.

Callie, Strategic Projects & Operations Manager

What’s your favorite part about packing care packages for family and friends during the holiday season?

I love knowing how happy the recipient is going to be when they unwrap the gift! I also love packing care packages for friends and family that are super curated and specific to them.

And of course we had to ask our two Santas these questions, 

Hannah, Co-founder 

What is the atmosphere in the warehouse like during the holiday season?

We blast holiday music and hustle hard - the warehouse is buzzing with activity and really fun to be around. We have an amazing, super fun team and we all genuinely enjoy hanging out with each other so that definitely helps the vibe.

Ariel, Co-founder

What do you think the perfect gift should contain?

It MUST have chocolate. That's 100% necessary.

Happy Holidays!

With holiday shopping close to reaching its peak, it’s important to remember to shop small this holiday season--and every season! As a small, women-owned business that invests in other small businesses, Small Business Saturday is very important to companies like Happy Box as it gives local businesses increased exposure to help consumers find new, great brands and companies.

For this year’s Small Business Saturday we wanted to highlight just a few of the amazing small business vendors we source some of our products from, and we wanted to hear from them why it’s important to shop small this holiday season!

Wax Cabin Candle Co.
Founded in 2016, Wax Cabin Candle Co. seeks to light up the room – your room – with your favorite scents. Scents that make you feel lovely, cozy…and even boozy! 

Jennifer Gunn, founder and chandler of Wax Cabin Candle Co. says it’s important to shop small because “Small businesses build products with sweat and yes… sometimes tears! They have heart and hope in each product and a sale contributes directly to the strength of my business and family.” You can shop her candles on our Build a Box option and on her website here! Fun fact: we started a podcast about business and beyond with Jen called the Totally Happy Podcast. We’d love it if you had a listen!

Gumball Poodle
Just in time for the winter season, Gumball Poodle creates fun and creative socks that “lets you tell the world what you think without saying a word.” Their snarky sayings on their socks are what differentiates them from other brands and makes them so popular. 

According to Gumball Poodle’s founder Erica Easley, “Independent brands are led by artists, hustlers, and dreamers. They are the vibrant connection between humanity and industry. There is no better way to support creativity and community than shopping small!” Shop Gumball Poodle on our Build a Box option or on their website here!

Copper Cow
Copper Cow is on a mission to bring you barista-free lattes that are made with carefully vetted Vietnamese coffee beans and whole, natural ingredients.

Debbie Wei Mullin, Founder, says “Small-business founders are passionate about what they do and how their work makes a positive impact. When you support Copper Cow Coffee, you’re supporting a woman-owned business and sustainable coffee farms in Vietnam.” 

Shop Copper Cow on our Build a Box option AND Curated Gift Boxes or on their website here!

Faithwaites
Faithwaites is a York, UK-based design shop making fun stuff for you, your home or the people you love. They have the cutest products that are perfect for anyone on your list this year from totes, to tee-shirts, and children’s clothing! 

Cat Spilman, founder of Faithwaites says, “Supporting a small business isn't only about financially supporting someone's hard work, it's about making interpersonal connections that are too often overlooked today. You're connecting with a maker, and helping to build a chain of thoughtful interaction which is rewarding on so many levels.” Make sure to include some of the onesies we offer in your next gift box when you build your own or shop them on their website here!

Astor Chocolate 
Astor Chocolate is a family owned business that began in 1927 in Czechoslovakia and moved to the US in 1950. Four generations of chocolate making! What makes them so successful is that their chocolate is a combination of European quality and American innovation!

Tori Halfon, Director of Sales and Operations believes supporting a small business is important because “small businesses are the lifeblood of our nation. Small businesses employ over half of the total workforce in the US and supply half the GDP for our nation; yet they are more fragile and reliant on support than mega-companies. Small businesses can’t survive long in the face of disaster, and the past 2 years have been disastrous for most small businesses in multiple complex ways. It’s more important than ever to shop small”. Make sure to include one of their many Moodibars when you Build a Box with us or you can shop their products on their website here!

Binnie & Clode
Binnie & Clode is a small startup with both a passion for creating candles and home products with a minimalist design and for giving back to the earth and its inhabitants. They create beautifully designed and scented candles. Did we mention that a portion of proceeds from every product is donated to animal rescue and environmental organizations? 

Federico Schauvinhold, owner, says he loves running a small business because “it allows me to give back to my community. I enjoy connecting with my customers and hearing their thoughts on my products. As a small business, I'm able to pivot much more easily based on customer feedback.”  Shop their products with our Build a Box option or view them on their website here!

We hope this list has given you some gifting suggestions if you are trying to shop small this year! 

Read more:

• A Letter from the Founders: Why it's so Important to Shop Small this Holiday Season

Yes, giving gifts is hard normally, let alone trying to figure out what to get your entire team, who all have different interests and all are working remotely! But before you throw in the towel and get them an e-gift card, here are 5 reasons sending a unique and impactful gift this Holiday Season could make all the difference.

• It's cheaper to retain your employees than hire new ones: Think about it: the countless interviews, trainings, and months and months of onboarding. Replacing an unhappy employee is ALWAYS more expensive than retaining a good one. Showing appreciation for their work is a small way to say “please don’t leave me,” but in a corporate, totally appropriate way.
  

• Remote work is here to stay. Gone are the times of team-building “escape the rooms” and Corporate Happy Hours! “Forced Fun” (which did always end up being fun!) is much harder to achieve these days, and engaging your team is absolutely crucial when  your work culture is remote. Sending a little something helps teams feel connected in a continuously disconnected working environment
  
  
• Employees don't leave jobs, they leave their bosses. We feel this one. Showing gratitude, empathy and rewarding your team is absolutely essential to being the type of boss your team can really rally behind. Look, jobs are hard sometimes. There is ALWAYS something your team doesn’t want to do, or something  they didn’t sign up for (that’s why it’s not free). Showing Gratitude and Appreciation for your team is just one way to ensure a healthy working relationship and just maybe  make up for a late night or the dreaded weekend work assignment.
  
  
• People care about who they work for. The Pandemic led to a lot of reevaluation. “Is this the right job?” “Is this the right culture?” There’s no doubt people are leaving jobs now more than ever in favor of work-life balance and appreciation. A little gift can go a long way here.
  

• Ramp up that productivity and bottom line. If nothing else, retention can actually increase company revenue by 25 to 95%* So, if you’re not gifting to lift their spirits, do it to lift your bottom line!

The Holidays are a great time to thank your team for all their hard work. Start with Happy Box. We’ll help you curate the PERFECT gift, and we’ll handle all the details (like shipping to each doorstep) without you lifting a finger.

Learn all about our corporate gift offerings and check out our Holiday 2021 Lookbook. Need something quick and in a pinch? Build a care package in a few clicks or shop our best-selling curated boxes, ready to ship.

From now through Dec 1st, 2021 get 5% off** your custom corporate order of 50+ boxes ordered through our team - just mention this blog post! Email corporate@happyboxstore.com or begin our inquiry form to get started.

Want more insight? 

• How to Create the Perfect Client Holiday Gift
• 5 Reasons Corporate Gifting is Great for Business
• 2021 Holiday Corporate Gifting Trends
• Our Creative Approach to Corporate Gifting

*source: https://www.godelta.com/blog/relationship-marketing-gift-ideas-to-improve-customer-experience. **ends 12/01/2021 

Client gifting for the holidays is easy, if you know the right “formula.” Luckily, at Happy Box, we’ve curated and shipped tens of thousands of corporate gifts, so we have seen what gift thematics and what types of gift combinations work best. 

Written by: Brigid Fallon, Marketing & Partnerships Specialist

Whether you want a new drink to try at that upcoming holiday party or you're becoming your own mixologist in the kitchen, we have a few festive drinks that will surely get you into the holiday spirit (no pun intended). Be warned, there was no extensive research or trial and error in the search for some seasonal cocktails. Instead, we went straight to the source, our trusted Happy Box team. Below you’ll find linked   our team’s top fizzy, festive, & fun drinks that you should DEFINITELY try. Don’t be fooled - some may seem like the traditional drinks you have every.single.year but there will be a few holiday twists, I promise. 

Spiked Cider

Recommended by: Callie, Strategic Projects & Operations Manager

Starting off on a more traditional note, Spiked Cider is a must, no, a necessity during the fall and winter months. You can’t go wrong with it because it’s delicious AND makes the house smell all warm and fuzzy. However, it can take up to 2-3 hours but the labor aspect is very minimal and you’ll feel like a witch brewing up something special. 

Christmas Old Fashioned

Recommended by: John, Inventory Operations Manager, Happy Box Store

We are still continuing the traditional cocktail route and staying with the classics. Up next, we have an Old Fashioned with a holiday twist - this one includes sugared cranberries…It’s the embodiment of the holidays, just in a glass.

Christmas Moscow Mule

Recommended by: Sarah, B2B Partner Success Sr. Manager

 Okay, this one may just taste like Christmas. We have the Christmas Moscow Mule, or the “Yule Mule” if you want to sound even more festive when presenting this  holiday drink. This is pretty much a regular Moscow Mule, but with the addition of sugar and cranberries, it’s the perfect drink for Christmas (and even Thanksgiving). 

Snowflake Martini

Recommended by: Brigid, Marketing & Partnerships Specialist 

When the weather outside is frightful, a snowflake martini is so delightful! Get with the holiday theme with this beautifully white drink. This cocktail takes 5 minutes to make and you may end up on the naughty list with how good it is. 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Recommended by: Nia, Graphic Designer 

Get the marshmallows, whipped cream, and peppermint sticks ready! Some people prefer to stick to their OG hot chocolate, no other flavor added. I admit it took me a very long time to try peppermint hot chocolate (weird, I know) but it’s worth it. If you’re not in an alcohol kind of mood and you’re just relaxing by the fire watching Holiday movies, Peppermint Hot Chocolate is the drink for you. And if you are feeling crazy, add in some peppermint schnapps or vodka of choice with no judgement from over here.

If you didn’t notice, there was no egg nog found here, sorry if you were disappointed…I know I’m not! 

We hope you try these festive drinks and have a happy holiday season! If you loved these recipes and tried them out yourself, post a picture on Instagram and make sure to tag us at @happybox. Cheers!

• Reach out today to get started on your proposal by emailing corporate@happyboxstore.com
• Learn more about our creative process in creating corporate gift campaigns
• Check out all Corporate Gifting Offerings and view our Corporate Gifting Lookbook

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Referenced sources:

• people.com/style/2020-made-americans-even-more-excited-to-practice-self-care-according-to-a-survey/
• www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20200612/80-of-americans-intend-to-regularly-practice-selfcare-after-covid19-pandemic 
• www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2021/09/01/the-242-billion-business-of-corporate-gifting-turned-from-a-routine-to-a-priority-in-the-pandemic/?sh=7aabc5a86ac2 
• https://smarthustle.com/giving-season-for-businesses/#.YViPR0bMJ6o