Thursday, December 27, 2012

The DIY Fruitcake Kit


It’s not that I hate fruitcake. It’s just that this poor cake has suffered so much ostracism through the years, I figured what’s one more day? Because when I got an assignment to create a holiday card for my company to give to its clients, my mind made a beeline straight for that lowly, ostracized confection. 








I started thinking outside the card and came up with an idea for an anti-fruitcake that would give people the parts of a fruitcake that they actually like—the booze, nuts and holiday-free dried fruits. Voilá: the DIY Fruitcake Kit. No baking required. Concept and copy by yours truly; designed by the talented Diana Martinez.  




A mini bottle of brandy and individual pack of trail mix were accompanied by a poem, DIY directions and nutritional info. 




It was originally supposed to go to about 75 clients, but word of it kept spreading throughout my company and it turned into 300. 



















































“Twas the night ‘fore the holiday and all through the kitchen
Fruitcakes were bakin’ that weren’t all that bitchin’
So we fashioned this version that might come in handy
With a handful of trail mix and shot of cheap brandy

One executive didn’t want to use the word, “bitchin’” for her clients and asked me at the 11th hour for alternate copy. After my prima donna instinct subsided, I realized I love a good rhyme challenge. So in a few minutes I gave her this version:

Twas the night ‘fore the holiday and all through the kitchen
A fruitcake was bakin’ we knew you’d be ditchin’
So we fashioned this version that might come in handy
With a handful of trail mix and shot of cheap brandy

All's well that ends well. So long, 2012.

Have a fruitful New Year, everyone!
—Lentil Breakdown

Related Link:
Girl’s Fruitcake Memory, Interrupted