Artist of the Month: Amanda Werner designs the perfect gift boxes with love and care

Through The Giving Box, Amanda Werner focuses on the art of creating the perfect gift for each individual. She curates wooden gift boxes full of locally sourced items.

She came up with the concept for her Lemont-based business in 2016. It was simple, she says.

“It was like a game of Tetris to me,” Werner says with a laugh. “How do I fit these gifts into this space? It was a step-by-step process.”

Originally, she explains, The Giving Box made customized gift boxes. However, as the business expanded and grew, Werner was forced to change things up. Now, she says, she designs a wide variety of gift baskets in different categories that she puts together with the same love and care that she did with the custom ones.

“The gift boxes were really working out, but those custom gifts take so much time to put together,” Werner says. “Looking toward the future, we had to cut the custom ones out. But we now have a line of pre-designed gift boxes for any occasion really. We’re going with the ones that we’ve found to be our top sellers over the years.”

Looking for a gift for a coffee lover? Looking for something for a wine aficionado? How about a Penn State fan? In each case, Werner and The Giving Box have you covered.

“Every couple of months, we’ll change it up in the styles and everything,” Werner says. “We always try to keep it fresh. Fresh styles … whatever is trendy, whatever is in. We’ll do what people want. But it’s always a re-inventing thing, which is kind of hard to do with gifts.”

According to Werner, the coffee-themed Giving Box is easily one of the top sellers.

“America runs on caffeine, right? We all know that. For a coffee-lover, you’ll have a mug. With the pottery, we’ll work with someone who is local to State College. With the coffee, we’ll have coffee from various coffee shops like Cafe Lemont, The Cheese Shop, or Rothrock. Those are our go-to coffees. Then you’ll have a coffee scoop—a beautiful hand-carved wooden spoon made out of Penn State tree limbs that have been harvested due to storms,” Werner says.

As for the alcohol-themed gifts, Werner uses all local wineries, distilleries, and breweries. Those gifts, however, cannot be shipped.

According to Werner, The Giving Box really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People really weren’t visiting family or friends. They would look online for gifts and I was very busy,” she says. 

The Giving Box has gifts for as little as $25 and for as much as $300. Regardless of the cost, Werner always tries to make it look beautiful.

“No matter how much you spend, what you’ll get is a very well-put-together presentation. It’s on point, always. Maybe a little too OCD,” Werner laughs.

The Giving Box will hand deliver to State College and the surrounding area or ship elsewhere.

“We try to accommodate everyone,” Werner says.

Because Werner is a mom, The Giving Box has been an ideal business for her. She’s able to put the boxes together and spend time with her daughter.

“I was a stay-at-home mom and I wanted to be in business. That’s really how it all started. Here I am, still trudging along,” Werner explains.

However, that wasn’t why she started the business.

“I started it because I love to gift and I love shopping local. I really feel like it’s been an extension of me … to support local and get eyes on other local companies. I feel very prideful in that. It gives me a lot of joy and fulfillment,” Werner says.

Christmas, of course, is the busiest time of year for The Giving Box. Werner doesn’t look at it as stressful, however. Instead, she embraces it.

“Oh man, it gets so crazy … the whole month of December is. By the time I am able to put up a Christmas tree, it’s Christmas Eve. It’s all work, but I love it,” Werner says.

She hopes that in the coming days, months, and years, The Giving Box will continue to “flourish and grow.”

“I’m still the lone employee of The Giving Box, but I would love to have a warehouse someday. I think the way we are growing, it’s possible to get those kinds of results,” Werner says.

For now, she works out of her in-home studio. However, she is open to any and all options.

“A brick-and-mortar? Down the road? Definitely. There are other local shops that sell gifts, but I feel like everyone has their own unique style. It would be nice for someone to be able to come in and purchase things off the shelves,” Werner says.

But for now, those interested in placing an order with The Giving Box can call (814) 506-7670, email [email protected], or visit the business at thegivingbox.club on Facebook or Instagram. T&G

Chris Morelli Is a freelance writer for Town&Gown.