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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Food gift baskets make a popular gift for any holiday or gifting occasion—the special treats inside can be enjoyed over a long period of time, and while still thoughtful, they make a great low-effort, last-minute gift for anyone on your list.
"When it comes to gifting food baskets, the first thing that consumers are looking for is the quality of products and where they're sourced from," says the founder and CEO of Tasty Ribbon Giulia Scargetta.
Thus, editors at The Spruce researched and tested over 25 luxury and affordable food gift baskets from top brands to find the best ones, considering the assortment, as well as the ordering process, taste, and quality of each item included. Based on our findings, our favorite options include Harry & David, which is perfect for foodies, Gourmet Gift Baskets for a wide selection of finds, and Bonnie & Pop for a last-minute gift available on Amazon.
Harry & David Gift Baskets
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Harry and David
Wide selection of food categories to choose from
Various size options for each gift basket
No perishable warning on box
Harry and David is a well-known company, famous for its wide range of gourmet gift baskets. Though there are a lot of options to choose from on the site, we found it wasn't a headache to make a final selection thanks to how easy the site is to navigate and filter. We also like that customers are able to choose smaller and larger versions of the same basket, depending on who you're shopping for and your budget.
One thing to note: Upon delivery, we found that there weren't any labels on the box letting the recipient know there were perishable items inside. However, most of the items were snacks that could be kept in the pantry for weeks anyways, but also included was a Hickory-smoked summer sausage and a block of white cheddar cheese—so if a recipient doesn't open within a couple of hours of the box arriving, these foods could go bad quickly. Otherwise, the food items paired nicely together, and we found even the smallest size of the basket was more than enough food to share between two people over a couple of snacking sessions.
Price at time of publish: $150 for Artisan Meat and Cheese Gift with Wine
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Snack Box
- Under $100: Deluxe Favorites Basket
- Splurge: Bountiful Harvest Fruit Gift Basket
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Williams Sonoma
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Williams Sonoma
High-end presentation
Food is individually wrapped
Ships fresh
$12 shipping fee
Pricey for the amount you receive
You can always count on Williams Sonoma when looking for a food gift basket with a luxury feel—in fact, the store offers its own exclusive collection every holiday season. It offers a variety of food items, including meat and cheeses to fruit, but it especially has a ton of chocolate treats and confections, perfect for the holidays.
Our favorite options come in luxurious wooden crates, like the best-selling Tour de France Gift Crate that comes stocked with smoked salmon, brie, and even caviar. If that's a bit outside your price range, there are plenty of simpler options, including some just filled with cheese or fruit and nuts.
During testing, we loved the high-end feel of the packaging. A twine string held the boxes together neatly in a stack, and a decorative gifting bow adorned the boxes, just as pictured. We gave it high scores for taste, which make sense since they ship perishable foods directly from their vendors for freshness. If you're concerned about ingredients and allergens, those are clearly printed on the boxes, but the information is placed so as not to get in the way of the presentation of the gift.
This gift basket lost some points for ordering and selection, as it stood out to us that most gifts cost a minimum of $50 and the basket we selected had a $12 shipping fee—a significant markup if you're on a budget.
Price at time of publish: $80 for the Manhattan Fruitier Chocolate Confections Gift Tower
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Williams Sonoma Infused Olive Oil Gift Set
- Under $100: Pancake Gift Crate
- Splurge: Tour de France Gift Crate
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Mouth Foods
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Mouth Foods
Unexpected and quirky gift baskets
Food subscription boxes available
Can be shipped to all 50 states
Some options tend to sell out quickly
Adventurous eaters might appreciate something from Mouth, an innovative company with a wide array of regional and handmade snacks as well as unusual treats that your special someone will be obsessed with. The simplest gifts start at around $40 for a chocolate-themed gift, with most options costing between $60 and $100.
Mouth received high scores overall, but we took off one point since three items we originally ordered were swapped out with another snack. There is a disclaimer that notes this on the site when you place your order, but it's something to keep in mind if you had your heart set on a specific product making into the gift. However, there are plenty of filters to find what you're looking for. We also appreciated how easy it is to filter Mouth’s offerings by dietary requirement and taste preference, and still find a nice range of appealing gift options.
All items came packed in crinkle-cut brown paper, which might not make for the fanciest presentation, but we liked that the material was easy to recycle.
Price at time of publish: $81 for the Grill Sergeant
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Poppy Popcorn Trio
- Under $100: The Chocolate Fix
- Splurge: All the Snacks Gift
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The Spruce / Sharon Lehman
Jeni's Ice Cream
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Jeni
Offers unique, unexpected ice cream flavors
Dairy-free options available
No options beyond ice cream
This popular artisan ice cream brand delivers ice cream right to your recipient's door and has dozens of fun flavors to choose from, including Brambleberry Crisp and Salty Caramel Pie, plus a handful of dairy-free options. You can send a few pints or gift a Pint Club 3 Month Subscription, which delivers four pints of delicious ice cream to their doorstep each month. The company also offers new flavors seasonally, so even if you've sent it as a gift before, chances are there's something new for your loved ones to try.
Testing proved that the quality of the ice cream was phenomenal. You can expect unique and delicious flavors that are packaged well and will arrive at your recipient's door within the expected time frame. The included dry ice kept the ice cream frozen and ready to eat. Compared to other options, the packaging is a bit simplistic, but the high-quality ice cream makes up for it. We think it would make a great hostess gift after a holiday visit—that way you don't have to share!
The order minimum is four pints at $12 each, or you can order a specific collection starting at $58 for five pints. Shipping cost is dependent on zip code, and all orders will arrive one to two days after being shipped.
Price at time of publish: $58 for Best Sellers Collection
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Gooey Butter Cake Pint
- Under $100: Happy Hour Collection
- Splurge: Hostess Gift Collection
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Stonewall Kitchen
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Stonewall Kitchen
Non-food items extend the life of the gift
Great for families
Most items require cooking to enjoy
This classic New England store makes some of the best pancake mixes, jams, and syrups out there—and prices start at just $10 and cap off at $200. We liked that there was enough variation in basket options to make the gift feel personalized, although since many of the gifts do include mixes or sauces, they're not all ready to eat straight out of the packaging like some of the other picks we tested, so it's great for friends and family that love to cook or bake.
We gave the brand high scores for quality, and we loved that a lot of the items included were "treat-like"—meaning they weren't necessarily products people would buy for themselves, but still made for fun pantry items that would last over the course of a few weeks or months. And although food is the star of the show with Stonewall Kitchen, many of the gift options come with one or two non-food items that extend the life of the gift.
Price at time of publish: $52 for Farmhouse Breakfast Gift
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Classic Sampler Collection
- Under $100: Family Brownie Night Gift
- Splurge: Brunch Gift Basket
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The Spruce
Gourmet Gift Baskets
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Large selection
Fast shipping
Packed well for shipping
Some food items were better quality than others
If you're looking to give a wine gift to a loved one this holiday season, Gourmet Gift Baskets has a great variety of gift baskets to choose from, whether your recipient prefers Chardonnay, Rosé, or particularly enjoys a good glass of Pinot.
While the selection may seem overwhelming, we recommend shopping by occasion, which the website makes easy to do. For adults, opt for a wine and cheese pairing, while kids and teens might love a birthday box full of candy and cake-themed treats.
There are smaller and bigger baskets available, but all wine baskets also include snacks that pair nicely with the chosen beverage. In terms of delivery, our basket arrived very quickly, and we found that all items were packed securely to ensure nothing shifted during the shipping process. The basket's other contents tasted fine, but we took off a point since some food items didn't live up to the same quality as others—the wine was clearly the main star of the gift.
Price at time of publish: $85 for Classic Red Wine Gift Basket
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Gourmet Meat & Cheese Sampler
- Under $100: Just For You Savory & Sweet Deluxe
- Splurge: Ultimate Snack Gift Basket
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
DAVIDs TEA
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David's Tea
Free shipping when you spend over $39
Offers a wide range of options for various budgets
Features mostly loose leaf tea
If you're gifting to a tea fanatic, you can't go wrong with the specialty tea boutique, DAVIDsTEA. You can browse through a good number of unique tea blends and tea accessory sets, including artisan tea samplers, matcha kits, tumblers, and tea gifts.
When browsing through the site, we noticed that DAVIDsTEA had quite a lot of options for a range of tastes and budgets, including plenty of seasonal blends and packs. Keep in mind that gift sets do tend to sell out quickly, which is why we took a point off for ordering.
You can get free shipping when you spend over $39, and your recipient can expect two servings with each tea in a gift set. Take note that most of the gifts contain loose-leaf tea, so you'll have to be sure the recipient has an infuser.
Price at time of publish: $39 for David's Top Teas Sachet Tea Wheel
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Classic Faves
- Under $100: Top-Rated Tea Single-Serve Sampler
- Splurge: Matcha Essentials Kit
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Jasper Hill Farm
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Jasper Hill Farm
Owned and operated by cheese experts
Build your own gift box option
Pricey
Cheese lovers will go nuts over this gift basket option from Jasper Hill Farm, which is owned and operated by farmers in Vermont. When shopping for a basket, you have the option to browse among their curated collections, create your own cheese gift basket from scratch, or gift a Cheese Club membership so that your recipient can try limited-release cheeses or snag sneak peeks at upcoming products.
We gave Jasper Hill Farm high points in every category, most especially in part because the cheeses were delicious and weren't something you'd typically find at the grocery store. We loved that the basket felt very personal and special, and the included crackers and nuts gave us an instant charcuterie board. Note that the baskets start at a pretty high price point, but a lot of the boxes ship free with codes found throughout the site, and the quality of the product is worth the splurge if your loved one is a cheese enthusiast.
Price at time of publish: $99 for The Vermonter
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Blake Hill Mini Jams Boxed Set
- Under $100: Hygge for the Holidays
- Splurge: The Entertainer
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Levain Bakery
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Levain Bakery
Famous, signature cookies
Ordering is simple and fast
Very limited options
Known for their incredibly thick and moist cookies, Levain is a coveted brand in the cookie industry. For the longest time, Levain bakeries were only local to the residents of Manhattan and the Hamptons. Fast forward nearly 20 years later, and you can get their cookies delivered right to your door.
You might think that having a smaller selection would be a bad thing, but in this case, we found that this made the ordering process clear and fast, given the website was easy to navigate and not-at-all overwhelming. We found that every cookie she ordered arrived fresh, decadent, and ready to be enjoyed right away.
Price at time of publish: $29 for 4-pack Signature Cookie Assortment
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Signature Cookie Assortment 4-Pack
- Under $100: Levain Cookie Tin Bundle
- Splurge: Chocolate Chip Walnut 12-Pack
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The Spruce / Levain
Milk Bar
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Milk Bar
Comes with storage instructions
Outstanding commitment to freshness
$15 flat rate shipping fee
You don't have to live by Christina Tosi's Milk Bar to delight in one of her outrageous treats—you can just ship them across the country. Known for their "birthday cake" flavor, as well as the highly addictive Milk Bar Pie, these sweet treats and baking mixes are sure to brighten anyone's day. All of the sweets arrive in a cute gift box, too.
The brand scored a perfect score for selection since Milk Bar has a wide range to choose from; for example, you can browse among cookie-only packages or opt for a sampler of their popular desserts. We were particularly impressed by the company's commitment to freshness. The gift basket arrived packaged with cold packs and the tin basket was secured, so none of the treats were broken or damaged. The basket even included instructions on how to best store and preserve the treats once opened, in case you don't finish their delicious selections in one sitting.
Price at time of publish: $60 for The Milk Bar Sampler
More Great Options:
- Under $50: B'Day Truffle Dozen Box
- Under $100: The Chocolatey Classic
- Splurge: 10-Inch Birthday Cake
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The Spruce / Milk Bar
Gift Tree
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Gift Tree
Excellent customer service
Fast delivery
Needs more transparency with ingredients
Gift Tree has been around for more than two decades, so we weren't surprised to see that they had their customer service down pat. While the site has a generous range of gift basket selections, we gave the brand a perfect score for ordering, since a gift expert helped her make her final selection via the 24/7 chatroom.
Shipping is super quick—we received our basket within a week of ordering and by the predicted delivery date. Plus, the two-day shipping option is free! All items were intact, and we were happy to see that there wasn't an overwhelming amount of waste when unboxing.
One thing to keep in mind: While the wine and snacks were tasty, we took points off due to the fact that there wasn't a full ingredients list online. This would've been helpful for those with certain food allergies or sensitivities.
Price at time of publish: $80 for As Good As Gold
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Wicked Jack's Rum Cake
- Under $100: The Metropolitan Gourmet Gift Basket
- Splurge: 5th Avenue Grand
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Goldbelly Foods
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Goldbelly
Unique options from local businesses
Can search by diet
Shipping guidelines aren't guaranteed
Goldbelly can deliver local favorites across the country to satisfy any type of customer. From the famous banana pudding from New York's Magnolia Bakery to deep dish pizza from Gino's East in Chicago, you can pretty much send it all. We picked a delivery of cheeses from across the country in San Francisco.
Our box included an array of cheeses and a card describing each cheese's flavor and pairing suggestions. The cheeses were wrapped in their original packaging and then placed in Goldbelly's packaging to keep them cool during transit. We noted that even a week after arrival, our cheese tasted just as delicious.
Price at time of publish: $85 for Monthly Subscription
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Veniero's Assorted Cookie Tray
- Under $100: The Pie Hole's Assorted Pie Holes
- Splurge: Taste of New York Box
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Knack Shops
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Knack Shops
Customized gift
Offers everything from food to home items
Fewer items per basket than some other options
For something truly one-of-a-kind, Knack personalizes a fully custom gift for your recipient. You can build your own basket, filter through their offerings based on the recipient (college student, for him, for her), occasion, or interest, and then expert ideas for the basket will appear. If you're short on time, you can also pick one of their best-sellers that say Way to Go or Grateful For You and are all cleverly packaged and themed.
Knack received perfect scores across all categories. We felt that every individual product included was unique, and all contents were curated well together. Every item arrived fresh, clearly labeled, and without damage. You can also email the recipient so the package doesn't get lost, as well as add a custom-written message and video—great if you're gifting from afar.
The only downside to Knack is that the gifts tend to have fewer items that are mostly intended for one person, so this isn't necessarily the best option to send to a family or a couple. However, as a gift or as a thank you to an individual, Knack's selection can't be beaten.
Price at time of publish: $80 for With Thanks & Gratitude Gift Set
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Big Time Thank You Gift Set
- Under $100: Popcorn & Movie Night Gift Set
- Splurge: The Ultimate Care Package
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The Spruce / Joy Kim
Bonnie & Pop
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Bonnie & Pop
Available on Amazon Prime
Affordable options
High-quality fruit and chocolate
Not as many options as other retailers
If you need a last-minute gift for a coworker, sibling, or other loved one, we love Bonnie & Pop. The mother-daughter-owned business sells a variety of chocolate, nuts, and candy-filled gift baskets, starting under $20. The brand is easily accessible through Amazon with many gifts eligible for two-day shipping with a Prime membership, so you won't have to worry about extended shipping times during the holiday season.
We loved the fresh-tasting dried fruit combined with the saltiness of nuts and the sweetness of chocolate, all at such a great value. Many gifts also come with a collapsible basket or tin that can be repurposed instead of wasteful plastic packaging. There are plenty of limited edition gifts available that come in festive candy-striped tins or arrive in the shape of an apple for the fall time. The website also features a "gifting search tool" to easily find who sent you the delicious package. While Bonnie & Pop's selection may pale in comparison to other retailers, the speedy delivery, high-quality products, and exceptional value make it a contender.
Price at time of publish: $60 for the Dried Fruit and Nut Gift Basket
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Chocolate Gift Basket
- Under $100: Creamy Dreamy Set
- Splurge: The Colossal Chocolate Set
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Wicked Good Cupcakes
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Wicked Good Cupcakes
Can choose your own flavors
Gluten-free options
Many white and cake options
Beautiful appearance
Not many flavor options
Proper host etiquette dictates giving a gift after spending a weekend at someone's house. Wicked Good Cupcakes makes it easy to send a delicious treat and a bottle of wine as a sweet way to say thanks. You can choose up to six of the brand's almost 30 tasty flavors of cupcakes that arrive ready to eat in a jar, then add your recipient's favorite wine from Ilo for a great gift that has something for little ones and adults to enjoy.
Wicked Good Cupcakes also lets you send an e-gift for your recipient to choose their own flavors with gluten-free options as well. We loved the moist cake that looked exactly like the pictures online upon arrival. However, we wished there were a few more flavor options. Luckily, there is a non-alcoholic option for non-drinkers or younger recipients.
Price at time of publish: $60 for Cupcake 2-Pack & Rose Gift Set
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Mix & Match 2-Pack
- Under $100: Cupcake 2-Pack & Red Blend Gift Set
- Splurge: Build Your 16-Pack
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Mochidoki
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Mochidoki
Great variety of flavors
Unique gifting option
High-quality presentation
Melts quickly
For a unique gifting option you won't find on other sites, we love Mochidoki. The Japanese treat features a glutinous rice cake filled with delicious ice cream for the perfect bite-sized, hand-held dessert. Whether your friend or family member loves trying the latest flavors or has never tried mochi, Mochidoki makes it easy to try out popular flavors of the traditional treat.
Choose from different collections to gift from an extensive hosting gift set to Asian-inspired flavors to those more commonly seen in America. The hosting gift set comes with 32 pieces and 8 popular flavors, so there are some doubles to share with friends. The flavor bundles come to about $3 per piece, while pricier options come with extras like tea towels and serving tongs.
While expensive, the mochi comes packaged extremely nicely, comparable to a fancy box of chocolates. The variety and uniqueness make Mochidoki a great option, and we'd definitely send this instead of flowers next time we need a unique gift idea. We loved the combination of familiar and unique flavors that made the gift a full experience, with some trying to guess the flavor based on the color and then confirming with the helpful guide. Just be sure to put your mochi in the freezer immediately upon arrival to avoid melting.
Price at time of publish: $140 for the Hosting Gift Set
More Great Options:
- Under $50: Black Sesame 4-Pack
- Under $100: Bestsellers Collection
- Splurge: Signature Box Set
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
How We Tested
In order to make sure we are only recommending brands we would want to receive ourselves as gifts, we ordered gift baskets from every company on this list to judge how the experience is for both the gift giver and the recipient. We considered how varied the gift selection was, whether it was clear from the website what would be included in the gift, and whether shipping significantly changes the cost of the gift.
Once the gifts arrived, we considered the unboxing experience from the recipient's eyes, including the packaging, the freshness of the products, and—of course—how the products tasted. Only baskets we really enjoyed and would send out to our friends and family made this list.
What to Look for in a Gift Basket
Assortment
Having an assortment of food items the recipient can sample (and share if they’re feeling generous) is all part of the fun. Pick products that you know your recipient will enjoy while also tempting them to try something new.
Mouth makes it easy to filter your snacks by dietary restrictions, occasion, region, and more. This makes the wide selection more manageable. However, Mouth also warns that they may swap out some options if they're unavailable. If this is a major concern, we recommend opting for something like Goldbelly, which makes specifically curated boxes.
Pricing
Gift baskets are an excellent gifting choice because there’s an option for every budget, ranging from $20 to $200. However, some brands add one extra shipping fee (like Milk Bar), while others (like Gift Tree) offer free two day shipping. When you're looking at pricing, make sure you're taking that into account. Also consider the overall value of the products—some brands, like Stonewall Kitchen tend to offer full-sized products that can be used for entertaining, while other brands include single-serving options better for snacking.
Delivery
Editor's Note: Be sure to order early and research delivery dates and shipping times when ordering a gift basket. Luckily, some brands offer expedited or next-day shipping, but it always helps to choose your gift early to ensure it arrives in time, especially during the busy holiday season.
In addition to determining shipping costs, it’s important to read up on the company’s delivery statement: Does it deliver in the area the recipient is located? How do cold items arrive, and how long can they safely stay in the box? For Harry & David, there may not be perishable warnings on the package, so be sure to warn your recipient that it's arriving so they can prepare to bring it inside right away.
For alcoholic deliveries, someone often will have to sign for the package, which is another thing to consider. When sending a gift box around a major holiday, you’ll want to check for delivery times, too. Lots of sites have timetables 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.
Intended Recipient
Because there are 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 of some kind. Plus, it’s not a present that’ll clutter up the house (or end up in the giveaway bin), and anything they don’t like in the basket can be shared with friends or family.
Allergy Information
When shopping for the perfect gift basket, you must also keep in mind the recipient’s taste and possible allergies. Luckily, many sites selling food-based gift baskets offer allergen information right in the product description. Some baskets with various snacks included may require more research or a quick call to the company, but this becomes vital when allergies come into play. We love that some options like Williams Sonoma clearly printed allergen information on the box, so there's no guesswork.
Serving Size
Some things to consider: Does the recipient have kids that may want to break into their delicious dessert box? Are they a big entertainer so a larger wine, cheese, and meat basket might be better? If they live alone, will all of the included treats stay fresh long enough for them to enjoy? Many companies have various size options or items that have a long shelf life including nuts, coffee, jams, and more. After putting so much time and effort into your gift choice, you want to ensure they can enjoy every part of it. For example, Goldbelly's gift boxes are often large with tons of treats, but we were still able to enjoy them a week after arrival, which contributed to its high rating.
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Can you personalize gift baskets?
For some companies like Knack, where customization is their specialty, yes. At Tasty Ribbon, you can build a box from scratch for a completely personalized experience. Others like Basketry allow you to add a gift message to your box or basket to send a special message to your boss, neighbor, friend, or spouse.
Some even allow for other special add-ons including packaging options like bows and ribbons, embroidered liners for baskets, or additional items. For an even more personalized gift, turn to companies like Stonewall Kitchen which allow buyers to design their own breakfast gift basket from scratch so gifters can choose the perfect items for their recipient.
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Can you return gift baskets?
This varies by company, but most sellers allow for returns within 30 days of purchase with an appropriate receipt or documentation. This may be needed if products arrive broken or spoiled. Some rules may vary for perishable items, but gifters should contact the companies directly with any questions regarding returns or exchanges—or pick a more general basket if you're worried about your recipient's preferences. It may also depend on the reason for the return. "Companies cannot accept returns based on not liking the taste, texture, or flavor of an item," says founder and CEO of Tasty Ribbon Giulia Scargetta." Of course, if an item is damaged or tastes off, companies usually offer refunds and send substitutions."
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Are gift baskets a sustainable option?
Gift baskets often include a lot of packaging, which may make them not the most sustainable choice. However, many companies including Levain and Stonewall Kitchen use recycled or sustainable packaging on all of their products. Sellers often list on their website if they are committed to sustainability. However, most packaging used on gift baskets can be recycled.
Why Trust The Spruce?
For this list, editors at The Spruce put their own tastebuds to the test and sampled gift baskets from each of the companies included to make sure we only include options we'd shop from when choosing gifts for our own friends and family.
The article was written by The Spruce editor Julia Fields, who writes gift and holiday content for the site. We also spoke with experts in the gifting field to get tips on what to consider when you're making your selection to help guide you to the perfect choice for everyone on your list. Expert advice was provided by the founder and CEO of Tasty Ribbon Giulia Scargetta.