A Merry Christmas From Rainbow Designs

Well this will be the last blog post for the year as we close our doors on Friday 19th December.  So if you intend to purchase your Christmas gifts from us, I implore you to order before then, otherwise they will not be sent until we reopen in February 2015.

Christmas is an extremely busy time of year for all involved, we are working super hard to fulfill all the orders and our couriers are working overtime to deliver them all.  For this reason we ask that you order as soon as possible to avoid as much stress as possible.

If you have still not placed an order, we recommend you do so now - today - to guarantee your choice of gift.  Many of our Christmas gifts have sold out already.

How has your year been?  Was it as good as you had hoped?  Are you taking any time off over the festive season?

Ours, as always, has been full of ups and downs but that is all part and parcel of life.  Thank goodness for chocolate, right?

So from all the staff at Rainbow Designs, we wish you a wonderful Christmas and the most awesome New Year that you can possibly imagine.

Here is a great thought to keep you going through Christmas and beyond...

"I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year." - Charles Dickens

May all your dreams come true, and more!

J Is For Jacqui

Hi, I'm Jacqui.

I am the owner of Rainbow Designs - the online chocolate and lolly online gift store based in Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of NSW in Australia.

I love the water and enjoy living in this beautiful seaside town and I also confess to enjoying the odd cruise or two.  There is something about being able to totally relax in your surroundings on the open water...and of course I admit to being a complete chocoholic as well.  Not a day goes by when I don't consume a chocolate or two; just one of the perks of being in the chocolate business I guess.

I have been managing Rainbow Designs for over 10 years and I really enjoy being able to help people send wonderful, delicious and affordable gifts to their friends, family and colleagues.  Of course flowers are good but in our opinion, chocolates are better.  Making people happy is a job I take very seriously.

A day in the life of a chocolate and lolly gift store owner is fairly predictable but I wouldn't have it any other way.  My day goes something like this:

1. Start up the computer and printer.
2. Turn on the kettle - I couldn't survive without my coffee.
3. Print orders, sort them, confirm payment has been received, write out gift tags (yes we hand write each one) then update order status online.  Customer service is important and it is necessary to keep the customer informed on the progress of their order.
4. Make a list of gifts needed for the day.
5. Go through emails and reply to the urgent ones first saving the others for later in the day.
6. Pay any bills.
7. Make another cup of coffee.
8. Unpack any deliveries and check everything is there and follow up if anything is missing.
9. Process any new orders.
10. Check and reply to emails.
11. Prepare box and satchel orders.
12. Update customer order status.
13. Enter orders into MYOB and file.
14. Send orders out by courier.
15. Answer any final emails.

Of course there is a bit of taste testing going on throughout the day but that is done sporadically depending on my mood. Speaking of which, I best get on as there are some M&Ms here somewhere calling my name!

So that's me - Jacqui.

I would love it if you could take a moment to share something about yourself even if it's just sharing the name of your favourite lolly or chocolate.  Until next time...

Sugar Free Lollies At Rainbow Design

Don't get me wrong - we like our sugar.  A little bit in moderation or a lot depending on our mood, but we understand that not everyone can partake in lollies with sugar; so for those who can't, we have a new gift to share.

It's called Just Sugar Free Lollies and contains 500g of mixed sugar free lollies.  And we wouldn't want you to associate sugar free with dull because this delicious gift features Gummi Bears; Licorice, Mint and Chocolate Toffees; and Mango, Melon and Passionfruit wrapped lollies. Nothing dull in this lot at all!  Yes you heard me right - soft lollies, toffees and wrapped lollies all in the same box and all sugar free.

This sugar free lolly treat make a great addition to our store and partners nicely with our Just Gluten Free Lollies pack.  So sugar free or gluten free, we've got your back.

For only $27 you can have either of these gifts ordered and shipped direct to your door.  That $27 includes gift wrap and delivery by Toll Express Couriers (DX Track and Trace) and if ordered before 2.30pm (Monday to Friday) can be even shipped out the same day.

Customer service is important to us - you asked and we responded.  So we really hope you enjoy these new additions to the Rainbow Designs store.  And if you like what you see, please don't hesitate to share it with your family and friends.  We love to share the lolly love - sugar free or otherwise.

10 Years And Still Going Strong

Did you know that Rainbow Designs has been delivering delicious chocolate and lolly gifts for 10 years - over 10 years in fact!  When you think about it, 10 years is actually quite a long time.

Think of a child who has grown from a baby to a child of 10 - a lot of changes occur along the way.  And Rainbow Designs could be considered my child of sorts; we have grown together, seen a lot of things along the way and had some awesome moments together - and we have probably experienced a few tantrums and tears when things haven't quite gone our way.  But that's the way it is when you have your own business to run - there will always be something sent to test you.

They say it takes 10 years to become an expert.  Not sure what I could be considered an expert in - chocolate perhaps.  I could tell you the best loved gifts of all time and the chocolate everyone turns to when they are trying to cheer someone up.  In fact I know quite a few things about chocolate that just might surprise you. 

If I ever did decide to move on from Rainbow Designs, I am not even sure what I would do.  Chocolate and lollies have been my "thing" for quite a while now.  My customer service and management skills are, luckily for me, quite transferable so I guess I am marketable in many aspects.  But what other career choices are there which involve taste testing and quality management of something as delicious as chocolate.  That would be one of the perks that I would miss for sure.

In fact I might just go and do a bit of quality management right now!  I hear those M&Ms calling my name!

Once They're Gone - They're Gone

We have a number of gifts which are selling fast and once they are gone, we won't be getting them back in (at least not for a while anyway).

So what gifts am I talking about?

Rocky Road

400g of Australian made Freckleberry Rocky Road - milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate (raspberries, marshmallows, salted cashews & caramel fudge) and 'fun' mix (bananas, raspberries, neopolitan marshmallows, mini M&M's).  8 Pryde soft centre chocolates are also included and it is presented in a fabulous, reusable round tin.

English Sweetie Mix

This gift includes a 1kg mix of delicious English sweets including Fruit Pastilles, Pear Drops, Wine Gums and Fruit Salad Gums.  And what's more it comes in a reusable Emma Bridgewater designed Polka Dot tin.

Old Blighty Chocolates

We love this one!  A delicious mix of yummy English Chocolates includes Ashbury Caramel Cups, Peppermint Creams, Strawberry Creams and Turkish Delight (15 of each) in a reusable round tin.

Licorice Lovers

Contents may vary but will generally include a 1kg mix of licorice.  How does licorice allsorts, milk chocolate licorice bullets, dark chocolate licorice bullets, white chocolate raspberry bullets, licorice pieces, licorice torpedoes and licorice cream rocks sound?

Fudge It

 

Three stunning keepsake tins featuring 220g of delicious English made fudge in each tin.  The three flavours represented are vanilla, chocolate and rum & raisin.

Other gifts that won't be repeated include English Sweets All Wrapped Up, the Nestle Chocolate Selection and the UK Sweetie Tin.

 

So make sure you pick up your favourites before they are all sold out.  Going, going...

World Cup Snacks

World Cup fever is everywhere. Has it taken over your household or even divided your household? Amazing how one sport can have that much effect, much like the AFL does when individual family members support opposing teams.

No guessing what my snack of choice is when I sit down to watch a game (hint: it involves chocolate or lollies) however I have spotted many articles recently which are giving some great inspirational ideas on what to serve with a particular game.

How does Chilean barbecue chicken sound for the Chilean match (admittedly it sounds pretty good!)? Or fried spicy potatoes in support of Spain? Bring out the hot dogs or bratwursts for Germany vs the US and for Italy vs England, you could choose between fresh bread, meat and cheese or the great British staple, fish and chips.

This is really a fun way to make an event out of the game. Do some research to find out a popular dish from a particular country, preferably something you don't eat regularly and serve it up to friends and family.  You are really only limited by your imagination and your search engine.  

Depending on how good your culinary skills are, you can really experiment and amaze your friends and family with your international cuisine.

And for dessert, why that's where our chocolate and lollies come in handy!

What Did You Do This Weekend?

I don't know about you but sometimes I feel as if I am just as busy on the weekend as I am during the week; but don't worry I still manage to put my feet up from time to time and get some well earned rest.

However for those who aren't aware, the life of a small business owner generally doesn't stop on the weekend - nor is it just 9 to 5.  I know the couriers aren't working on the weekend but I definitely am.

My Saturdays often consist of tidying up the workroom; restocking the packing boxes, sticky tape and tissue paper; printing out blank address labels; putting return address labels on our Toll satchels and hole punching the gift tags.

When it looks as though it is going to be a busy week, I often prepare some of our more popular gifts ready for the Monday rush.  However for the most part, we generally create the gifts as each order comes in.  Quality and freshness is always one of our main priorities.

And of course there is that ongoing job of "quality control".  Just last week I had a KitKat for breakfast and today a Mars Bar (all in the name of quality testing of course).

Our newest gift box, Old Blighty Chocolates, look like they are going to be super popular.  And with a selection of English Chocolates including Ashbury Caramel Cups, Peppermint Creams, Strawberry Creams and Turkish Delight, there is no guessing as to why!

What did you do this weekend?

Gifts $30 and Under

We understand that sometimes you are on a budget or just need a little gift as a way of saying thank you, congratulations or well done.  $30 doesn't seem to go as far as it used to and more often than not when you buy a gift online the postage is an added extra which might just push you over your budget.

All our gifts in the Under $30 section include postage so you know exactly how much you are going to spend.  Ranging from $20-$27, those with a sweet tooth will be delighted with the gift which arrives on their doorstep.

3PM Pick Me Up Gift

I know the feeling - 3pm rolls around and you are feeling like you need a little energy boost.  This pick me up gift features 300g of mixed lollies and chocolates to keep you going until the end of the day.

Just Chocolates

The name says it all!  Half a kilo of yummy chocolates including Clinkers, Bullets, Caramel Buds, Cobbers and Jaffas.  And if your budget allows, for an extra $10 you can add a coloured teddy bear of your choice.

Just Lollies

For those that prefer just lollies - this gift is for them.  500g of Chicos, F1 Race Cars, Pineapples, Milk bottles and more.  Again add a teddy bear of your choice if you wish.

Spotty Treats Gift

Our spotty gift box is very popular and is perfect as a get well or thank you gift.  This box includes a scrumptious mix of chocolates and lollies - 500g of deliciousness.

So don't let your budget stand in the way of letting a loved one know how much you care.  A little gift can go a long way and can really make someone's day.

And if you order before 3.30pm, they will be sent out the very same day for next business day delivery.

Last Chance To Purchase Your Christmas Gifts

What a fantastic year it has been and I must admit that I will be enjoying a cold one come Tuesday afternoon when we shut up shop until the 6 January. And I must say well deserved it will be too - phew - what a week it has been!

On Thursday last week, we shipped out 220 gifts to destinations all over Australia - our Big Lolly Box high on the popularity list.  And the rest of the week wasn't far behind in terms of popularity.

Have you ordered your gifts yet?  Don't forget we will be closing tomorrow at midday so we recommend ordering your gift now so there are no issues and you don't miss the deadline.  We would hate for your recipients to go without.

Here are a couple of last minute recommendations:

It's Christmas Chocolate Tin
Rudolph Sweet Tooth Gift Box
Nuts About Christmas
Rosey Apple Xmas Gift
Rudolph's Delight Hamper

If you have ordered, or even received a gift, we would be extremely grateful if you would take the time to review our services on WOMO.  Thanks to the reviews already received, Rainbow Designs won a 2103 Service Award for which we are very proud.  We try very hard to offer quality customer service at all times and are extremely proud of our service history.

"Every time I purchase from Rainbow Designs I'm always impressed by how quick my order is sent. The family and friends to receive the gifts are really surprised and delighted by their gift." - Nicole

"Excellent communication - I was kept up to date with the entire order and delivery progress the whole way. Super quick delivery. Faultless! Will definitely use again!" - Christina

To all of our customers - past, present and future - we sincerely hope you have a wonderful Christmas and magical New Year spent with those you love.  We look forward to helping you with your gift giving in 2014.