Personal Gift Basket

We Make Gifting Unforgettable

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Lisa@ThePersonalGiftBasket.com
Local and Nationwide Delivery Available
(636) 240-3049

  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
    • Pre-Designed Gifts
    • Custom Gifts
  • Corporate Holiday Gifting
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

The Best St. Louis-Themed Gifts for Showers, Gift Bags and More

September 4, 2020 by Lisa Paden

Read the recent interview Lisa had with Amanda Dahl of STL Today and St. Louis Bridal.

What’s the best way to celebrate your love and your love for the Gateway City? Customized gift sets! Whether for your guests, for the bridal party or even just as a thank–you for your parents, nothing captures the memory of this life moment quite like personalized reminders to take home.

Luckily, Union Studio specializes in unique, locally made items that will leave the desired impression.

“The fact that everything we have is handmade and local, by virtue, pays homage to St. Louis,” co-creator Sarah Kelley says. “[My business partner,] Mary Beth, and I personally know all 100 artists that we work with. We do our best to share their stories … with the people who shop here. Community-building happens here.”

Lisa Paden, owner of The Personal Gift Basket Co., believes the key components to a perfect gift depend on your knowledge or your relationship with the person in question. Gifts from the heart for those standing by your side on your wedding day can be as simple as offering a matching shade of nail polish and Champagne glasses or as elaborate as writing a handwritten note in dark chocolate leather notebooks, Paden says.

“We try to get to know the recipients; sometimes that’s easy and sometimes that’s not,” she adds. “That’s the fun part, coming up with the ‘why’ you’re gifting.”

The born-and-raised St. Louisan appreciates introducing her beloved city to others and collaborates with couples to find the right fit for each personalized gift basket. An entrepreneur, Paden has even captured the flavor of St. Louis in a one-of-a-kind treat.

“I work with a women-owned company out of California [called The Art of Caramel],” Paden details. “They asked me if I [wanted] to make a popcorn based on my city. I went to my friend, Gooey Louie in St. Louis, and asked him for four mini cakes that I overnighted to the girls. They loved them and said, ‘We definitely have to make a popcorn with this flavor.’ And that’s what we did!”

At Union Studio, a plethora of local artists allow for endless varieties – and Kelley and Bussen are attheready to flesh out your notions for the ideal gift set. Almost the entire inventory is available online, and you can call or connect with the owners via Facetime for further information. A walk-up window allows you to see items inperson – just be sure to wear your face mask.

“Our mission is connecting makers to people who want to support their work,” Bussen says. “People are still making and, on the other side, wanting to connect even more. When it’s handmade work, that intention doubles.”

Connection is the reason to gift your loved ones on your big day – something many crave during this historic time. Paden says it best: “My mantra is it’s always a great day to give a great gift.”

For couples seeking that signature St. Louis style to make a DIY gift set, pick gifts and treats from your favorites, like themed prints by Kelly Sieckhaus Designs; drink blends from Big Heart Tea Co. or Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co.; sustainable stainless steel straws from Ted Drewes Frozen Custard; specialty sauces like barbecue from Pappy’s Smokehouse or hot sauce from 4Hands Brewing Co.’s collaboration with Mission Taco Joint;  or snacks like granola from Made Fare Co., salty nibbles from Billy Goat Chip Company and Just Popped Popcorn, or sweets from Bissingers.

The Personal Gift Basket Co., Wentzville, 636-240-3049, thepersonalgiftbasket.com

Union Studio, 1605 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314-771-5398, stlunionstudio.com

See Original Article

Filed Under: Gift Baskets Tagged With: 4Hands Brewing, Big Heart Tea Co, Billy Goat Chip Company, Bissingers, gift bags, gift ideas, Just Popped Popcorn, Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Co, Kelly Sieckhaus Designs, Made Fare Co, Mission Taco Joint, Pappy’s Smokehouse, showers, St Louis, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, wedding gift ideas

Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gifts

April 30, 2020 by Lisa Paden

A few of Lisa’s personal favorite women-owned shops around town.


One thing I feel this pandemic has taught us is that we are all in this together. COVID-19 has created an existential crisis in our communities and all over the world. Small businesses and mom & pop shops are the heartbeats of our economy. Success is a joint effort, and when your community hurts, you hurt. Small businesses are being directly and indirectly affected by our current circumstances. Because of the suddenness of all this, most companies did not have enough time to prepare properly. So just like the old saying goes, “it takes a village…” well it takes a village to work together, to buy, sell and trade with one another to help heal our land.

One way we can help is to buy from our local businesses. Since Mother’s Day is fast approaching, I thought this would be a great time to share 5 of my personal local favorites to help spark your gift shopping juices. Supporting these local shops helps them keep their doors open and lights on.

Collections By Joya, Owner: Betsy Blancett-Narcelli

I love the uniqueness and quality of the jewelry. Knowing that every piece is hand-crafted by an expert artisan, makes me feel like I’m wearing a one-of-kind. Another thing to love is that a portion of every purchase goes toward a women’s charity.  https://www.collectionsbyjoya.com

Leopard Boutique, Owner: Rachel Sauter

I discovered Rachel’s hot finds after participating in a fashion charity show, and I was hooked. I can trust that she has something special every time I walk into the store or shopping online. Her staff is always helpful and knowledgeable, and can assist you in curating the perfect outfit, including shoes and accessories. https://shop.leopardboutique.com 

Lark Skin Co., Owner: Lisa Dolan

This is one of my new favorites, and I had to add it. I was gifted Lark’s cleansing balm and I absolutely love it!  I’ve since purchase several other products from the skincare line and they have proven to stand up to many other products I’ve used in the past. This is a wonderful gift to give someone who desires beautiful, healthy skin.  https://www.larkskinco.com

STL Cake Pops, Owner: Rachel Sarino

I have never been disappointed by Rachel’s delicious cake pops. There are so many flavors and designs to choose from, and if she doesn’t have what you’re looking for, she can probably make it.  There’s more than just cake pops, there’s cookie cakes, chocolate-covered Oreos and strawberries and cake pop kits.  https://stlcakepops.com

Rudy’s Flower Truck, Owner: Brittany Sarhage

I absolutely LOVE the idea of a flower truck, this gives me all the creative feels! But more than just the truck being beautiful, the flowers are as well.  Buying flowers from Rudy’s Flower Truck makes you feel like you’ve stepped back to a simpler time.  If you can’t get to the truck to get all the “fills”, they also deliver in the St. Louis City and County.  https://www.rudysflowertruck.com

Filed Under: Gift Baskets Tagged With: Mother, Mothers Day, Saint Louis, St Louis, St. Louis, women owned business

Shop By Category

  • Celebrate
  • Holiday
  • Local/Missouri
  • Thank You
  • Welcome

We’re Social!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Hello@ThePersonalGiftBasket.com
Local and Nationwide Delivery Available
(636) 240-3049

© 2023 The Personal Gift Basket. All Rights Reserved. Website Design & Development by Off-Center Design