How do you package gift food items like jams, chutneys, sauces, enfused oils, marinades?  In the past I’ve either paid way over the top at a department store or kitchenware store for a few jars and bottles but they always looked more like canning jars than gift jars.

Well, as you sometimes do, I met this wonderful person, Kate Russo, on Facebook who has a big olive business that she and her husband Gino run from their home. As you can see, Kate has an even bigger smile.

They sell a range of olive oils, infused oils, vinegars, balsamic glazes, marinades and a few other things.  You can check out their products at OlivesDirect.com.au.  When I looked longingly at their chamber vacuum sealer, Kate told me they would source and sell just about anything having to do with food or packaging so when I was ready to buy one to contact her.

Over the years, Kate and Gino kept receiving so many requests for small quantites of jars and bottles from small producers that they decided to sell the jars too.  They use these bottles and jars for the products they sell so it’s a winner on both sides.

You won’t find snooty sales people here.  You buy what you want and hopefully you’ll come back again for a larger order.

I had a hair appointment starting at 11am and I made an appointment to visit Glass Bottles Direct in Nambour at 2pm, not too far from where I live.  So my hair took too long and I was going to be late for my appointment so I left the shop with wet hair and dashed to Nambour.  I was NOT a cutie on that day, I can assure you.

Kate met me at the door and was so kind to pretend that I didn’t look like something the cat dragged in.  I was in jar heaven and bottle heaven.  There is no minimum purchase required and you can buy at the door or you can order from them online.

It was perfect customer service.  I spent $50 and came home with heaps of goodies in the top photo.

I’m happily working on new labels for my jars and bottles and I’ll feel so good giving away gifts that really LOOK like gifts and not something with an old jam label on the side.  Those are okay for family and friends who are like family but casual friends – I want my gifts to look well…  gifty.

For stuff I will keep myself I can buy brand new lids from them and know that my preserving will be safe.   Also, they’ve even got those tamper proof seals you can use that cost next to nothing and look so professional.  I looked at Kate and said, “So, how do you get them on?”  – thinking that there was a special piece of equipment.  They do have a specialised machine but Kate uses a hair dryer for small quantities and it works just fine.  I didn’t buy any of these but I’m going to, just so people can say, “oh wow, you did that??”

I suppose there are many places around the world that offer small quantity bottles, jars and packaging materials for sale but I hadn’t found one in Australia until recently.  I’m thrilled that I got to meet Kate and Gino and I encourage you to visit their Olives Direct and Glass Bottles Direct Facebook pages.

Wait til you see what I’m going to put into those jars and bottles!