Flowers have long been the one-size-fits-all gift for nearly every occasion, but some situations -- such as impressing a prospective client, dazzling a bridal party or getting a foot in the door with a potential employer -- call for a gift that's out of the ordinary.

"If you're looking to stand out from the crowd and send a gift that's not only thoughtful, but memorable and delicious, then custom cookie arrangements will surely get noticed," says Mike Madden, owner of Phoenix-based Cookies In Bloom and Hannah's Caramel Apples, which make custom cookie arrangements and gourmet caramel apple gift baskets. "Our specialty is creating personalized themes that will show your recipient just how much you pay attention to the many attributes that make them one-of-a-kind."

Madden begins each order by consulting with his customer to learn more about the goal of the gift. His talented staff then translates the concept into a variety of artful vanilla- and almond-flavored sugar shortbread cookies with colorful butter cream icing. While Cookies In Bloom has many cookie cutters, the bakers often cut shapes by hand to ensure each arrangement is a unique masterpiece. The cookies are then placed on sticks in a decorative basket or other special container.

"I love a challenge and an opportunity to be creative," says Madden. "For one client, a medical implements rep, we transformed an abstract idea into a collage of cookies, including the device he was selling, his company logo, product benefits, and affected body part. Also, I've had many advertising and public relations firms send one carefully selected cookie out to 300 people along with a press release to create a huge impact. No challenge is too great!"

"It is Mind Blowing! I have never seen anything so unique in my life. My clients are absolutely elated because this gift is so customized, so personal. Our customers want to take pictures of the cookie basket with us together in the photo. If you are going to give a gift and you want to make it count, nothing compares to this. Nothing," raves Troy Bohlke of Niche Media Group, a Phoenix-based Public Relations firm and happy customer.

Essentially, Cookies In Bloom provides a targeted branding campaign delivered right to your recipient's door. "In the end, you look like a hero because you've taken the time to capture the essence of your recipient," says Madden. "My customers come back over and over again because of the tremendous impact their gifts have on the recipient and how easily we turn their vision into an edible work of art."

To order a custom cookie basket, call 602-955-3030 or e-mailcookiesinbloomphx@hotmail.com.

Hannah's Caramel Apples can be ordered and shipped nationwide atwww.hannahscaramelapples.com.