When Cammie Yoder started decorating cakes in her home several years ago, she had no idea it would lead to operating her own business in downtown Kalona.

Cake decorating led to catering which led to tux rentals which led to wedding planning which led to floral design and gift baskets.

It all led to Celebration and Heart and Hearth Gift Baskets, the store Yoder recently opened at 428 B Avenue where she specializes in gift baskets and offers her services as a wedding consultant.

Weddings

In addition to tux rentals, she offers a full line of wedding invitations, as well as business cards and stationary. She also will rent chaffing dishes or an arch for the wedding reception.

The tuxedo rental service features Perry Ellis, Chaps and Ralph Lauren designs, all top-of-the line in men’s formal wear. Of course, they are available for any formal occasion, such as a high school prom.

Gift Baskets

Yoder will design gift baskets of any size for any occasion. A few of the 70 suggested basket titles Yoder offers are “Fireside Get Away”, “From My House to Your House, Wish You Were Here”, “College Survival Kit”, and “Things Got a Little Sticky and I’m Sorry”. Baskets centering on a Christian theme are also available, as well as Christian balloons and books.

Besides designing individual gift baskets, Yoder welcomes orders for corporate gifts.

“Corporate accounts are a big part of my business,” Yoder said. “Gift baskets are a nice way for businesses to say thank you to clients. I do a lot of baskets for realtors, lawyers and doctors.”

Baskets for all occasions

Whether you want to wish someone a speedy recovery or congratulate them on the birth of a baby, Cammie Yoder can design a basket that says exactly what you have in mind.

She can fill a basket with a wide variety of edible items: gourmet teas or coffees, chocolates, all-natural biscuit and pancake mixes, honeys and fruit spreads. The “Kick the Fat in the Fanny” basket is a fanny pack stuffed with low calorie goodies. If food items aren’t called for, fresh, dried or silk flowers are an alternative, as well as other gift items.

Should your gift recipient be in another city or state, Yoder has access to a service not unlike a florist’s that allows her to arrange delivery anywhere in the country.

Another, relatively unknown aspect of Yoder’s business is Consumer Shopping. If a person is unable to do their own shopping, Yoder will do it for them.

Celebration and Heart and Hearth is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mondays are held open for wedding consultations, consumer shopping and deliveries.