It's a problem we've all had.

For one reason or another, we have to give someone a gift -- the perfect gift. And that's when we realize we don't know what that perfect present is.

If you know flowers, ties, stuffed animals or dish towels aren't going to cut it this time, but don't know what would be better, you'll be relieved to hear Austin has just the store for you: the Candy Bouquet.

Franchisees Patty and Jerry Adams, of Austin, describe their bouquets, which feature a unique arrangement of candy (and anything else you can think of) in a decorative container as "a delicious alternative to flowers."

"The name says it all," Jerry adds. "You know, girls love to receive flowers and they like to give them. Guys, on the other hand, do not particularly like flowers, but they sure like candy."

"And you can put so much more than candy in a bouquet," Patty says. "We try to get things that you don't see other places."

Just one look around their two-room shop at 706 West Oakland Ave. and that's obvious. Crammed on every shelf and in every corner is a dizzying array of collectible and novelty items from toy cars to imported soaps to gourmet dog food to socks.

They have something for everyone and the couple say they've been so busy, it feels as if everyone in town has ordered a bouquet.

"Business has been really great. We already have seven people working for us and we're looking for another. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect it to go this well," Patty says, shaking her head in amazement.

Not too shabby for a business that's only been open for a month as of today.

Patty says she got the idea to open the store after she had been laid off from her job and was surfing the Internet. She found the Candy Bouquet's corporate Web site and thought becoming a franchise "looked exciting and fun … it was something that was right up my alley. I've always loved to do crafts."

"I told her: 'you've got all this talent, you should put it to good use,'" Jerry says, proudly.

"I love doing it, it's so much fun. I can't imagine getting tired of it," Patty says. "You can do such a variety of things with them and they make such great gifts. A candy bouquet lasts longer than three days, you can eat them, you can use the containers, you can take the candy and leave the wrappers so it still looks pretty."

"And there's an unlimited number of occasions. I can't think of anytime that you couldn't send one to somebody," Jerry adds.

"They make especially good gifts for men and small children," Patty says. "Fishing bouquets have been very popular with guys. They were a big item for Father's Day."

"We had a mother come in with two little girls and they wandered around and picked stuff out for a Father's Day bouquet for their dad," Jerry says.

Bouquets start at $15 and they will deliver, for a fee, to anywhere in Austin and the surrounding area. Delivery to hospitals and nursing homes is free. The Candy Bouquet is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. For more information, call 434-2545 and visit the corporate Web site at www.candybouquet.com.

Amanda L. Rohde can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at amanda.rohde@austindailyherald.com