And you're close to Boston, which God knows has got to be just glutted with academic and medical conferences full of important must-be-cosseted guests, practically on a weekly basis.

sj, I think eBay would be a good place for you to sell your baskets. I will admit I've not been terribly impressed with the gift baskets I've seen on there, and I've always liked hearing about yours.

One gift-basket business I know of is Thee Basket Boo-tique. Yes, a gothy gift basket company. I love the idea, but am ... slightly underwhelmed by their offerings.

sj, have you ever done any networking with event planners? 'Cause it seems like someone planning something like a posh wedding or a convention or a lecture series or something (specially if it's an event where someone corporate is picking up the tab) would be all over your baskets, and would be less likely to fuss about the price.

Or colleges -- I know when midterms rolled around, a lot of students got "Study Baskets" from their parents -- the university sent out flyers to all the parents touting how little Skippy or Muffy wouldn't implode under the pressure of midterms if they only had this nifty basket. It had snack food and some fruit and....hell, I graduated 12 years ago; I have no idea what else.

But they were the coolest thing EVAR, especially when you hadn't left the study lounge for 10 hours and needed food in a big way.

if you can contact small boutique hotels you may get some business as well- the like gifting VIPs. The larger chains have this type of thing in place I think, but smaller places might have a need.

We used to have clients like this all the time when I worked for the gift shop [it was sold when the owner had a baby and the new owner ran it into the ground]. We used to do RI themed baskets for business men, a lot of 50 baskets for every employee of a company, ect. It really sucks when your first real job is your best job ever. I miss it.

Someone please kick me out of here, so I can go pick up my modem and get something for dinner. Since Dave is going to [hopefully] put together my computer tonight, it would be nice if I fed him something.

sj, have you ever done any networking with event planners? 'Cause it seems like someone planning something like a posh wedding or a convention or a lecture series or something (specially if it's an event where someone corporate is picking up the tab) would be all over your baskets, and would be less likely to fuss about the price.

I know my company gives gift baskets to many VIP people at our annual conference. Corporate meeting planners would be a great networking group.

I'm bored! Where are you people when I need you??

I'm here. Trying to figure out what to do this evening.

Nora, insent.

sj, the gift basket idea is great.

I'm glad to hear Em is better.

What are your options, birthday girl?