Each year the troop takes a trip to Winter Park, Colorado to ski over the Presidents' Day Weekend. Scouts can take this trip at no cost if they sell 110 Christmas wreaths. This is a great experience for the scouts and we encourage all scouts to participate. Those scouts who do not go skiing are still requested to sell 40 wreaths, because it is the sale of wreaths that supports the activities of the troop and the purchase and maintenance of our camping equipment.
Helpful Hints
Customer List
- With an electronic file, you'll have a modifiable list for years to come
- If you "inherit" a list, be sure to let them know that you're also with Troop 174
- When using an inherited list, try to expand to the neighbors of those on the list
- When expanding your list, use the reverse look-up directory. Start with your street and work outwards
- Upon your last year to sell wreaths, pass your list on to the wreath committeeto avoid losing our current customers
Selling
- Start as soon as possible. There are other troops selling wreaths
- A Scout uniform is impressive. Wear it ! Don't cover it up !
- For first year Scouts, if you go door-to-door to meet your customers, don’t go alone
- Good signs in identifying potential customers:People working in their yards on weekend afternoons and houses with outside decorations
- Work your neighbors. You know them, they know you. Protect your turf !
- Staying close to home as possible makes it easier to deliver them after the sale
- When you have a sales pitch that you like, write it down and practice it
- Speak to the woman of the house, they typically make the decorating decisions
- Shake hands with the customer first and introduce yourself, it's harder for the customer to say "no", especially to a Scout in uniform.
- Refer to your product as a "Holiday wreath", it will be less sensitive to customers
- Show them the picture of the wreath first, talk money last
- Your wreath sizes are 25, 36, 48 and 60 inches, which are 2, 3, 4 and 5 feet in diameters:
A 25" wreath is a "door or window" size
A 36 or 48" wreath is a "large window or chimney" size
A 60" wreath is a "wall or lobby" size
- When they say yes, explain prices (encourage checks vs cash) and delivery dates
- If they do say no, thank them, they may wind up calling you. A Scout is courteous
- Either way, tell them that you'll be back next year
Prepping
- Delivering larger wreaths first gives you more room in your prep areaIf the wreaths feel dry, mist them with a sprayer
- Prep wreaths when you are ready to deliver them, keep them covered, they stayfresher longer
- Before adding the bow, shake the wreath to get rid of loose branches, needles and torelax the wreath
Delivering
- When delivering wreaths, sort customers by location
- When carrying the wreath to the customer, shake wreath for any last loose needles
- When wrapping up the sale, let them know that you may have extras
- Remember, these will be your customers for years, treat them that way from the beginning
Pick Up Procedures
Please make arrangements to pick up your wreaths and begin delivering on Saturday (date) Sunday is “clean up” day, and ALL wreaths must be picked up by then. Monday, before and right after the meeting, will be used for taking care of loose ends, or problems that may arise. If you need extra wreaths, we always order extras of all 25 and 36 inch
wreaths, so please call (name), (phone)
Remember, it gets a little crowded early on Saturday, so please have patience and things will run smoothly. New This Year, the wreaths come packed in boxes of 6, and the boxes are large, so you may have to make more than one trip.
Get wreaths delivered quickly, especially if it is warm outside. We suggest you take the wreaths out of their shipping boxes as quickly as possible and spread them out so they can “fluff up”. Misting wreaths with water from a spray bottle will make them last longer and have a much better appearance at delivery time.
Have customers make checks out to BSA 174, we prefer checks over cash. Money turn in will begin on Monday, (date). You may turn in money even if you haven’t collected for all your wreaths. Bring money to the meeting in an envelope with the total you are turning in written on the outside of that envelope.
PS. It helps the counters if checks of like amounts are grouped together.
Wreath Care
In order to help you keep the maximum freshness and the pleasant fragrance of your all natural wreath, follow these simple steps.
- Remove wreath from it's container. On receipt of your Balsam Fir wreath, you may find a certain number of loose needles inside the wrapping. This is normal and some of them get loose during transit.
- Carefully remove the fresh wreath from its packaging, taking care not to pull out the pine cones and bells.
- Choose where your new Evergreen Wreath is going to be placed (inside or outside). Your wreath should be placed in an enjoyable area away from direct sunlight.
- Hang it. Use the little wire loop in the back of each decorated wreath that was used to attach the bow (25” wreaths only).
- If you're hanging your Balsam Fir Wreath inside the house or if you live in a warm region, lightly mist it every day with warm water, avoid placing near heat sources or in direct sunlight. If you're hanging it outside or live in a colder area, avoid placing near heat sources or in direct sunlight.
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