The 14 Best Gift Baskets of 2021

What to Look for in a Gift Basket

Assortment

They say that variety is the spice of life, and having an assortment of food items that the recipient can sample (and share, if they’re feeling generous) is all part of the fun. Lytle says that “a full, well-rounded care package should have at least 3-5 items in it.” Still, it should cater to their tastes. “Lean into their favorite things—a special gift basket for a pet lover, an herb garden set for the person with a green thumb, unique cooking accessories for the home chef, or great bar accessories for the wine enthusiast!”

“By giving multiple small gifts, you're increasing the likelihood of giving them at least a couple items that they'll really like (especially if you're giving to someone who is difficult to shop for),” Carpenter points out. “Typically, gift baskets are a bit indulgent, which is always a nice surprise—it's always nice to give people things that they wouldn't necessarily ‘splurge’ on themselves.”

Pricing

Gift baskets are an excellent gifting choice because there’s an option for every budget, ranging from $20 to $200. However, you’ll want to be sure you factor in shipping costs, which can be free, or tack on an extra $7 to $15 or more (and if you need overnight or 2-day shipping, the price can easily double). 

Carpenter adds that when choosing a box, it’s important to consider its value. “I've seen a lot of gift baskets with a significant mark up just because of the nice arrangement/presentation of the items,” he explains. “One example is the price of candy ‘bouquet’ gift baskets. I would definitely be cautious of the visual appeal of those vs. what you're actually getting.”

Delivery

In addition to determining shipping costs, it’s important to read up on the company’s delivery statement: Do they deliver in the area/country the recipient is located? How do cold items arrive, and how long can they safely stay in the box? Does someone need to be home to receive or sign for the package? When sending a gift box around a major holiday, you’ll want to check for delivery times too—lots of sites have time tables and “order by” dates to give you a pretty accurate estimate. In general, the earlier you place your order, the more likely it’ll arrive on time. 

 “I would also pay attention to how the gift basket will be shipped,” Carpenter adds. “A lot of times the pretty picture that is shown on the website is very different from what will arrive (they'll just put everything into a box and not arrange it). Fortunately, the company usually states this, but it's in the fine print or near the end of the product listing.”

Intended Recipient

Because there are so many options available, you really can’t go wrong with sending a tasty gift basket to just about anyone. Edible gifts are especially fitting for people who are difficult to shop for because everybody loves treats (or salty snacks, or alcoholic beverages) of some kind. Plus, it’s not a present that’ll clutter up the house (or worse, end up in the “giveaway” bin), and anything they don’t like in the basket can be shared with friends or family.

 Additionally, consider their lifestyle or whether they’re experiencing a life event: Does a big move warrant a bottle of celebratory champagne? Would they like to curl up with some comforting baked goods when the weather outside is frightful? Are they especially busy with a new baby and in need of some stress-free meals? Could they use some host/hostess hors d'oeuvres to entertain guests? Sending a basket that’s not only delicious but is thoughtful and useful, will make the recipient appreciate it that much more. 

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer who has written for The Spruce since 2017. With a background in interior design, she’s an expert on all things home and has ample experience shopping for gifts and popular products. To make this list, Camryn considered packaging and food type as well as editor insight.