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The Best Gift Baskets That Can Still Be Delivered in Time for Christmas

Here are 20+ delicious and thoughtful ways to show you care

Best Gift Baskets

The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley

Whether you’re looking for a special gift for a coworker, want to thank a neighbor for a favor, need a special pick-me-up for someone going through a difficult season, or want a convenient present during the holidays, a gift basket is a great option. After all, who doesn’t love it when the doorbell rings with a surprise gift basket filled to the brim with fruit, cheese, crackers, meats, and a few chocolates for dessert

We sent more than a dozen gift baskets to our editors to test at home—it's a hard job, but someone has to do it—rating them on their variety, value, freshness, presentation, and size. Just like you, we have different preferences and requirements for an edible gift. Some of us are gluten-free, some prefer savory over sweet, and some would choose tea over coffee. All of us, however, have high standards for food (it's what we're paid to do) and want to make sure we maximize what we paid for, especially if it's a gift. We also researched top-rated food gift baskets in all categories across the internet, adding a few more top picks we'd overlooked.

We have something for everyone here, from comforting tea to wine and cheese to specialized coffee—there’s a personalized gift basket for everyone in your life.

Harry & David Grand Favorites Gift Basket

Harry & David Grand Favorites Gift Basket

Amazon

The best gift baskets have something for everyone, from fresh fruit to a few sweet treats. This one from Harry & David is curated with gourmet products for every kind of snacking.

Giftees will be thrilled with over 3 pounds of Harry & David’s special pears, hickory-smoked summer sausage, 4 ounces of sharp white cheddar cheese, party snack mix, pepper-and-onion relish, and three-seed crackers. And that's before you get to the sweet stuff, which includes Moose Munch chocolate-covered popcorn, chocolate swirl cake, raspberry galettes, and nearly a pound of chocolates—truffles, mints, and chocolate-covered cherries.

Former Food Editor Lauryn Bodden also loves the brass basket that the food comes in. "It's so lovely that I can definitely use it either to regift something or as decor," she says. She raves about all the included food and is delighted that she found some new favorites to add to her pantry.

Includes: Pears, summer sausage, cheddar cheese, snack mix, crackers, pepper and onion relish, raspberry galettes, chocolate popcorn, chocolate swirl cake, chocolate-covered cherries, chocolate truffles, milk chocolate mini-mints | Shipping: Standard shipping arrives in 4-7 business days; express and overnight available

Murray’s Cheese The Ultimate Cheese Board Collection

Murrays-cheese-the-ultimate-cheese-board-collection

Murrayscheese

Murray’s is one of the world’s best cheese shops, so it’s no surprise that it creates some of the world’s best cheese boards. Its Ultimate Cheese Board Collection brings the dairy—2 pounds of cheese—but also includes a lovely selection of cured meats and accoutrements for an entire charcuterie board in a box.

The collection offers a rotating assortment of four cheeses, which now includes nutty and firm Hornbacher from Switzerland; a blue-veined Italian Gorgonzola in the more intense "mountain" style; soft, oozy, Brie-style Harbison from Jasper Hill in Vermont; and Sainte-Maure goat cheese from France's Loire Valley. For the meats (10.5 ounces in all), there's some of the famed Spanish jamón ibérico de bellota as well as some spicy Spanish chorizo, and Murray's own house sopressata salami. And of course, there are plenty of extras and garnishes: two kinds of crisp flatbread, cornichons, almonds, dried apricots, and chocolate-covered figs. Murray's says the full board will feed 14 to 16 people, or it could provide snacks for a whole family for a week or so.

Senior Commerce Editor Siobhan Wallace is impressed with each ingredient's freshness and the care that goes into making sure all the included products go well together. "The crackers went with all four kinds of cheese, there's fig jam to dollop on every bite, the dried fruit and almonds paired well to cleanse the palate between bites, and there's even a little box of chocolate-covered figs for dessert," she says.

Murrays Meat and Cheese Basket

The Spruce Eats / Siobhan Wallace

Includes: 4 cheeses, 3 meats, cornichons, flatbreads and crisps, almonds, apricots, chocolate-covered figs | Shipping: Ships in insulated box with reusable cold packs; standard shipping via FedEx Ground; overnight available for some destinations

Hickory Farms Thank You Treats Gift Box

Hickory Farms Thank You Treats Gift Box

Hickory Farms

When you figure in shipping and other add-ons, sending even a small food gift basket can cost a pretty penny. But the all-purpose Thank You Treats box from Hickory Farms is just the ticket for those on a budget. It's filled with classic savory treats, including Hickory Farms’ signature summer sausage, smoked Gouda cheese, and farmhouse cheddar cheese; sweet hot mustard and crackers to enjoy them with; and dark chocolate sea salt caramels for dessert.

This may not be an over-the-top box, but the presentation is still pleasing. Taysha Murtaugh, our Editorial Director, says it arrived with "each item nestled in its intended place." And while you might not want to gift this to a cheese connoisseur, the affordable gift basket will definitely be a winner with some. "This board is nothing fancy, but it's precisely what some people like, and you can't beat the price. I especially enjoyed the Gouda cheese and sweet hot mustard, which were delightful atop one of the crispy crackers," she says.

Includes: Summer sausage, 2 cheeses, sweet hot mustard, toasted crackers, dark chocolate sea salt caramels | Shipping: Standard shipping arrives in 3-5 days; expedited and express available

Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection

Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection

Vosges Chocolate

A box of chocolates is a classic option, but artistic Chicago chocolatier Vosges Haut-Chocolate takes things a step further with this luxe 16-piece truffle box. It offers a tour of the brand's creative creations to give your giftee a truly unique tasting experience. Flavor combinations you'll find here include balsamic vinegar and hazelnuts; absinthe, star anise, and fennel; and ancho chiles and cinnamon. The dark-chocolate coatings range from 62 to 75 percent cacao.

"These chocolates were the fanciest chocolates I've ever received. They're almost too pretty to eat," says former Commerce Editor Taylor Rock. She thinks these truffles are a great option for someone who doesn't want to indulge in chocolate that's too sweet or overpowering.

Vosgues Gift Basket

The Spruce Eats / Taylor Rock

Includes: 16 total truffles in 10 varieties | Shipping: Standard shipping via UPS Ground; 1-day and 2-day available

Bean Box World Coffee Tour

Bean Box World Coffee Tour bags of coffee next to expresso pot and coffee mug

Bean Box

Coffee is grown in varied locations all around the globe, then processed and roasted using a wide variety of techniques, for an astounding array of flavors you can find in different beans. For the serious coffee lovers in your life, this box takes recipients on a true world tour, with 16 different beans sourced from across Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. Each 1.8-ounce bag has been specially selected by the experts at Bean Box and roasted by award-winning roasters, and is printed with tasting notes and brewing tips. You can also choose either whole-bean or pre-ground coffee.

In addition to a nice variety in taste—everything from earthy to fruit-forward to decadent chocolate—the bags come with cute messages like "love at first sip" and "good morning, sunshine") that truly make this feel like a personalized gift. "I appreciate the paper packaging and informative labels," Murtaugh says.

You'll work your way around the world, but just remember each bag is only enough to brew a small pot. Our editor gave the coffees the highest marks for fresh smell and taste, though, so maybe having only a small quantity on hand at a time is a good thing.

Bean Box coffee sampler gift basket

The Spruce Eats / Taysha Murtaugh

Includes: 16 (1.8-ounce) bags of coffee | Shipping: Free shipping in the U.S.; there is also an e-gift option the recipient can redeem at their leisure

Melissa’s Produce Baby Veggie Gift Basket

Melissas-produce-baby-veggie-gift-basket

Goldbelly

When you need a gift for a friend who loves to cook or want to help new parents skip grocery shopping, a basket full of fresh vegetables is an unexpected but much-appreciated choice.

California-based Melissa’s Produce is known for freshness and variety, and this 7-pound box includes teeny versions of veggies. The assortment varies seasonally but might include everything from baby carrots, potatoes, and beets to exotic varieties of squash and radish. The box former Associate Commerce Editor Fran Sales received included baby French carrots, pearl onions, summer green squash, yellow sunburst squash, French beans, baby red beets, baby zucchini, gemstone potatoes, and Easter Egg radishes, from various farms in Mexico and Idaho.

These veggies looked like they were straight from the farm—with soil remnants and all. Luckily, the package also included Melissa's Fruit & Veggie Wash so she was able to clean everything before putting it away.

Includes: 7 pounds of seasonal baby vegetables | Shipping: Price includes shipping; you select a delivery date

Knack Build a Gift

Knack Gift Sets

Knack

Many gift basket sellers allow a few customization options—multiple sizes, ground or whole-bean coffee, milk or dark chocolate—but with Knack, you can literally build an entire gift basket from scratch. There are hundreds of options, from fancy jams and jellies to salamis to chocolates, as well as cheese boards, mugs, and glassware. There are even lots of non-food choices, like candles, bath bombs, pens, and journals. You fill your basket with as many items as you want, and Knack will package it up and add a personalized card (or a link to a video message).

You can add any product to any basket, but Knack has guides to help build themed baskets like a holiday present, college care package, bridesmaid thank-you box, or gift for new parents. There are also lists by "ethos," including products from BIPOC-, Black-, and woman-owned businesses; handmade items; and sustainable or charitable brands.

We sent former Associate Editor Rachel Lee a box containing Parmesan and Chive Raincoast Cheese Crisps, a small marble cheese board, Jonboy Fleur de Sel Caramels, and Dark Chocolate Cocoa SkinnyDipped Almonds. The quality of the products was impressive, especially the marble cheese board. "It's very beautiful and a nice surprise to include," she says. "Everything tasted good. The cheese crisps were simple, the caramels were decadent, and the chocolate almonds were the perfect amount of sweetness."

Includes: Gift packaging, personalized card, and video message | Shipping: Standard shipping via FedEx Ground; express available

Tea Forte Tea Chest Classic Blends Collection

Tea-forte-tea-chest-classic-blends-collection

1800flowers

Tea is a comforting gift for anyone, for any reason, year-round, and this assortment. This Classic Blend tea samplers gift basket from Tea Forte combines a selection of black, white, green, and flavored teas good for any occasion. The sturdy box contains 40 of Tea Forté's distinctive pyramid-shaped brewers—two each in 20 varieties. Those include traditional sencha, oolong, and Darjeeling, along with gourmet infusions like green mango peach, orchid vanilla, and hazelnut truffle.

While we love a hot cup of tea on a cold day, the packaging is what stands out for our former Senior Editor Adriana Velez. "The packaging is a whole experience in of itself," she says, admiring how each tea is packaged in individual, gold-lined boxes and how each infuser is transparent "to show the quality of the leaves inside." While this gift may not be right for a "serious tea connoisseur," we think it would be perfect for someone who wants to explore the world of tea more than the basic cup of English breakfast.

Tea Forte Gift Basket

The Spruce Eats / Adriana Velez

Includes: 40 total tea infusers, in 20 varieties | Shipping: Standard shipping within 4 business days; expedited and Saturday delivery available

Magnolia Bakery Small Sampler Pack

Magnolia Bakery Best of Magnolia Bakery Small Sampler Pack

Magnolia Bakery

Magnolia Bakery is a New York City institution, and its cupcakes and banana pudding are particularly famous. With this sampler pack, you can send a taste of its beloved desserts to friends, family, and coworkers anywhere in the United States. Whether you know someone who loves a good sweet or you want to surprise someone who is missing NYC, this four-piece best-of will not disappoint.

It comes with two large cups of that banana pudding, each of which can serve two, and a pair of cupcakes: chocolate with chocolate buttercream and vanilla with vanilla buttercream. Commerce Producer Alice Sungurov is wowed by the taste of all the treats: "The cake part of the cupcakes was flavorful and a good level of moist. There was a lot of icing," she says. Plus, even though this is labeled the "small" sampler, the size of the desserts is impressive.

The cupcakes and pudding come packaged inside a temperature-controlled foam box with ice packs. While everything arrived fresh, Sungurov notes that the cupcakes were slightly damaged in transit—a common risk when it comes to shipping baked goods. Still, any true sweet lover knows it's the taste that counts: "Taking away initial presentation, this was a delicious gift box that satisfied my sweet tooth," she says.

Magnoliga Gift Basket

The Spruce Eats / Alice Sungurov

Includes: 2 (16-ounce) banana pudding cups, 2 cupcakes | Shipping: Overnight shipping required; you select a delivery date

Baked By Melissa The Mac Macarons

Baked By Melissa The Mac Macarons

Baked By Melissa is famous for its picture-perfect bite-sized treats, and its The Mac mini macarons are both adorable and delicious. Made with almond flour, they're ideal for anyone on your list with a gluten sensitivity. (Just keep in mind that they contain nuts and dairy.) Available as a 25-, 50-, or 100-piece assortment, the macarons come in six (all gluten-free, despite the "cookie" names) flavors: sugar cookie, cookie dough, double chocolate, snickerdoodle, red velvet, and salted caramel.

"The double-stuffed meringue-based treats, which are about 1-inch in diameter each, are loaded with sweetness, though not cloyingly sweet," Collier Sutter, former Food and Drink Review Editor, says. "For how bite-sized they are, they're definitely rich and satiated a sugar craving." Thanks to the custom packaging, she said they arrived in perfect condition, and she also appreciated that you can freeze them in their packaging for up to two weeks to preserve them.

Includes: 25-100 total bite-sized macarons, in six flavors | Shipping: Standard shipping via FedEx Ground; expedited and overnight available

Harry & David "Nut'n But Love for You" Gift Crate

Harry--david-nutn-but-love-for-you-gift-crate

Harry--david

Nuts are often thrown into gift baskets as an afterthought, but for some people they truly are the main event. For those who can't get enough of that salty and savory snacking, the "Nut'n But Love for You" Gift Crate makes a wonderful surprise. The adorably named wooden crate includes individually wrapped 4-ounce packages of cashews, pistachios, almonds, pecans, and a mixed assortment of cashews, almonds, walnuts, and pecans. It's great for any occasion but makes an especially good host or hostess gift because nuts can be served alongside wine, cheese, or any other appetizer.

Victoria Heydt, The Spruce Eats' Editorial Director, says the package arrived in great condition. (With roasted nuts, you don't have to worry too much about anything spoiling even if you aren't sure when the recipient will be home.) Keep in mind that the servings are fairly small, so the presentation inside the gift box isn't overwhelming. Still, good things come in small packages and she said all five nut options tasted good. Three are salty and two are unsalted. The gift basket is on the pricier side, but we still think a true nut lover will appreciate the variety, quality, and thoughtfulness.

Includes: 5 (4-ounce) bags of nuts, wooden crate | Shipping: Standard shipping arrives in 4-7 business days; express and overnight available

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

Wicked Good Cupcakes 

Does it count as a cupcake if it's served in a jar? These delicious confections prove that it doesn't matter, and they ship much more easily than standard cupcakes. Wicked Good's creations are layers of cake and frosting that you eat with a spoon, and this basket gets you three each of its most popular flavors—red velvet and chocolate ganache—and two bottles of dry pink wine to pair them with. (They even throw in spoons, so you can get to eating as soon as you open the box.)

Former Commerce Editor Taylor Rock tried out some Wicked Good Cupcakes and now adores them. "The cupcakes were super yummy and they tasted really fresh and made with real ingredients. They didn't have a boxed-taste at all!" she says.

Includes: 6 total cupcakes-in-a-jar in 2 flavors, 2 bottles of wine, spoons | Shipping: Standard shipping (included in price) via UPS Ground; alcohol cannot ship to 10 states

Bokksu Classic Bokksu Seasons of Japan Box

Bokksu Snack Box: Seasons of Japan

Bokksu Boutique

Bored of ordinary, familiar snacks? How about some high-quality snacks straight from Japan? Bokksu curates a variety of goodies that range from sweet to savory. Best of all, the box comes with a booklet that explains why each snack is popular and what area of Japan it originates from. It's a great way to learn about a different culture while chowing down on some awesome treats.

Bokksu sent the Seasons of Japan box to our staff writer Allison Wignall. "I had a blast tasting all the snacks, sweets, and candies in the box. The chocolate-infused white strawberries were my absolute favorites. I immediately sent my friend a Bokksu as a gift, and she raved about it, too."

Includes: 22 rotating seasonal snacks and tea pairings | Shipping: Boxes arrive 1-2 weeks after shipment, which takes place 1-3 business days after the order is placed

Lokum Turkish Delight Rolls Deluxe Gift Box

Lokum-turkish-delight-rolls-deluxe-gift-box

Lokum

Known as lokum in Turkish, Turkish delight is a chewy candy that's centuries old, the ancestor of the modern jelly bean. The Santa Barbara, California shop Lokum crafts some incredible gourmet versions of the classic, with creative flavors, creamy fillings, and coatings of nuts, flowers, and other—well—delights. This gift box offers a generous taste of six different flavors, from rose petal–coated pomegranate and pistachio to chocolate-berry with almond cream filling. (There are several other flavor assortments available, too.)

"I discovered (and fell in love with) Lokum's Turkish delight when I visited the location in San Luis Obispo, but I was pretty worried about how it would taste after shipping," says Commerce Writer Jason Horn. "I'm happy to report that everything showed up in great condition, just as delicious as it was in person!"

Includes: 6 flavors of Turkish delight, 4-6 pieces of each | Shipping: Standard shipping via U.S. Postal Service

Olive & Cocoa Treats for the Team Gift Basket

Olive--cocoa-treats-for-the-team-gift-basket

olive--cocoa

A basket of treats is a great thank-you, holiday, or just-because present for the office. But a spread of perishable meats and cheeses probably isn't the best choice to sit out in the break room all day. Olive & Cocoa came up with a perfect solution with this box of nuts, chocolates, and candies a big group can enjoy by the handful. It includes chocolate-covered pretzels, trail mix, gummy bears, and more items both sweet and salty. It's available in three sizes, the bigger ones with a wider variety of items, like jelly beans, chocolate-covered almonds, Swedish fish, licorice, and toffee.

Includes: (Large crate) Trail mix, corn nuts, mixed nuts, gummy bears, milk chocolate-covered pretzels, white chocolate covered pretzels, churro pretzels, Swedish fish, lemon drops, Aussie red licorice, assorted jelly beans, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-covered malt balls, chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, pistachios, roasted almonds, white chocolate-covered gummy bears, chocolate-covered toffee, handcrafted wooden crate | Shipping: Standard shipping arrives within 7 business days; expedited and overnight available

Williams Sonoma Five Days of Entrées

Williams Sonoma Five Days of Entrées

Williams Sonoma

A basket of coffee, chocolates, or fancy cheeses is great, but none of those things is really a full, hearty meal. This is a great gift basket alternative for new parents, or someone recovering from surgery or illness, or really anyone who'd enjoy dinner being taken care of for a while. This package includes five frozen meals from Elephants Deli in Portland, Oregon, each of which feeds two to four: lasagna, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, cheesy polenta, and butternut squash stew. To prepare, you just thaw in the fridge and bake for 40 minutes. The meals will last up to two months frozen or four days refrigerated.

Shipping is extra important with anything frozen, and these entrées are packed with dry ice and sent out to arrive within three days. Just keep in mind that the food is made to order, and it can take up to a week for processing between when you pay and when the basket actually ships out so it's a good idea to order this one fairly early.

Includes: 5 frozen entrées (about 2 pounds each) | Shipping: 3-day select only

D'Artagnan Classic Charcuterie Gift Collection

Dartagnan-classic-charcuterie-gift-collection

Dartagnan

Named for one of the Three Musketeers and founded by the daughter of a French chef, D'Artagnan began almost 40 years ago as the first domestic producer of foie gras in the U.S. Since then, it's expanded into gourmet smoked and cured meats of all kinds, along with high-end beef, pork, poultry, and game. This box is essentially a best-of from the brand's charcuterie collection, including saucisson sec, French garlic sausage, a whole prosciutto-style duck breast, spicy chorizo, a tub of duck rillettes, and a few garnishes.

Everything in the Classic Charcuterie Collection comes fully cooked or cured and ready to eat right out of the package, but these items aren't necessarily meant to be consumed all at once as a single charcuterie board. The garlic sausage and chorizo are great grilled or browned in a pan on their own, with potatoes and eggs for breakfast, or in a dish like cassoulet or paella.

Includes: 7 ounces saucisson sec, 1 pound garlic sausage, 12 ounces chorizo, 10-12 ounces duck prosciutto, 7 ounces duck rillettes, crackers, pecans, balsamic glaze | Shipping: Standard shipping via FedEx or UPS overnight; overnight priority available

Shatila Bakery Baklava Full Elegant Gold Box

Shatila Bakery Baklava Full Elegant Gold Box - 55 Pieces

Goldbelly

For more than 40 years, Lebanese immigrants Riad and Zeinat Shatila have been making Middle Eastern pastries of all kinds at their bakery just outside Detroit. No less an expert source than Food & Wine put Shatila Bakery on its list of the top 100 bakeries in the U.S., and many other publications have called its baklava the country's best. This deluxe box includes 55 pieces of the bakery's baklava in a variety of shapes and configurations—traditional squares, cashew rolls, "bird nests" filled with pistachio halves, and more. It even comes with a little bag of chopped pistachio for a pop of fresh color when you serve.

Includes: 55 assorted pieces of baklava | Shipping: Method and price based on selected delivery date

Mochidoki Signature Box Set

Mochidoki Signature Box Set

Mochidoki 

Mochi is a chewy dough make from sticky rice popular in desserts in Japan, including wrapped around ice cream as it is here. New York's Mochidoki makes bite-sized (okay, two- or three-bite-sized) mochi ice cream treats, in a long list of interesting flavors. This package gets you a four-piece box in each of eight flavors, including vanilla chocolate chip and strawberry as well as black sesame and purple sweet potato (aka ube). Our tester tried a 12-flavor assortment that's no longer available but was impressed with the shipping procedure: Everything came packed in dry ice, well-frozen for the journey. Mochidoki guarantees its ice cream will stay frozen for up to 5 hours after delivery, but it is important to get it in the freezer ASAP—this is a gift you need to tell the recipient to expect.

Includes: 32 total mochi ice cream bites, in 8 flavors | Shipping: Standard shipping via FedEx Ground or 2-Day Express, depending on destination

Cheryl's Cookies Classic Assortment Bow Gift Box

Cheryl's Cookies Classic Assortment Bow Gift Box

Cheryl's 

When it comes to cookies, it doesn't get much more classic than chocolate chip, sugar, and oatmeal, and that's what this box delivers. (There are actually five flavors in total, also including frosted sugar and chocolate chocolate chip cookies.) The blue box printed with a bow is appropriate for any occasion, and you can order anywhere from 12 to 200 at a time. The cookies come individually packaged, which helps with freshness—we actually froze some to keep them longer, and they were still fresh and soft after thawing. In terms of bang for your buck, this box is also on the more affordable side.

Includes: 12-200 total cookies, in 5 flavors | Shipping: Standard shipping via ground; expedited, overnight, and Saturday delivery available

Compartés Vegan Dark Chocolate Assortment Gift Box

Compartés Vegan Dark Chocolate Assortment Gift Box

Compartés

It can be tough to pick out a box of chocolates for a vegan friend, especially if there's not a complete list of ingredients. Dark chocolate truffles might be filled with milk chocolate ganache, or an egg-white based meringue might pop up in an unexpected place. That's not a problem with this explicitly vegan assortment from luxury chocolatier Compartés, but there's still plenty of variety, with all kinds of dark chocolate–dipped fruit and nuts.

Includes: 20 assorted pieces | Shipping: Standard shipping via U.S. Postal Service; 2-day and overnight available

Pearl River Mart Snack Attack Friendship Box: Surprise Edition

Pearl River Mart Snack Attack Friendship Box: Surprise Edition

Shopify

For more than 50 years, Pearl River Mart has specialized in importing Asian goods—everything from clothing and ceramics to teas and candies—to the U.S. This fun box offers a surprise assortment of candy and savory snacks you won't often find at American supermarkets, which might include things like strawberry Kit Kat bars, green tea marshmallows, and spicy wasabi-coated crunchy green peas. Our testers were blown away by just how much stuff the box included, as well as its good balance of sweet, salty, spicy, fruity, and sour items.

Included: Contents vary | Shipping: Standard shipping via ground; 2-day and overnight available

Compare

Presentation Variety Size Freshness of Items Value
Harry & David Grand Favorites Gift Basket
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Harry & David Grand Favorites Gift Basket
5 5 5 4 5
Murrays-cheese-the-ultimate-cheese-board-collection
null:
Murray’s Cheese The Ultimate Cheese Board Collection
5 5 5 5 5
Hickory Farms Thank You Treats Gift Box
null:
Hickory Farms Thank You Treats Gift Box
4 3 4 3 4
Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection
null:
Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection
5 5 5 5 5
Bean Box World Coffee Tour bags of coffee next to expresso pot and coffee mug
null:
Bean Box World Coffee Tour
5 5 5 5 5
Melissas-produce-baby-veggie-gift-basket
null:
Melissa’s Produce Baby Veggie Gift Basket
5 5 4 5 5
Knack Gift Sets
null:
Knack Build a Gift
4 3 4 5 4
Tea-forte-tea-chest-classic-blends-collection
null:
Tea Forte Tea Chest Classic Blends Collection
5 5 5 4 5
Magnolia Bakery Best of Magnolia Bakery Small Sampler Pack
null:
Magnolia Bakery Small Sampler Pack
3.5 4 5 4 4
Baked By Melissa The Mac Macarons
null:
Baked By Melissa The Mac Macarons
5 5 4 5 4
Harry--david-nutn-but-love-for-you-gift-crate
null:
Harry & David "Nut'n But Love for You" Gift Crate
4 5 4 5 4
Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato
null:
Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato
Bokksu Snack Box: Seasons of Japan
null:
Bokksu Classic Bokksu Seasons of Japan Box
Lokum-turkish-delight-rolls-deluxe-gift-box
null:
Lokum Turkish Delight Rolls Deluxe Gift Box
Olive--cocoa-treats-for-the-team-gift-basket
null:
Olive & Cocoa Treats for the Team Gift Basket
Williams Sonoma Five Days of Entrées
null:
Williams Sonoma Five Days of Entrées
Dartagnan-classic-charcuterie-gift-collection
null:
D'Artagnan Classic Charcuterie Gift Collection
Shatila Bakery Baklava Full Elegant Gold Box - 55 Pieces
null:
Shatila Bakery Baklava Full Elegant Gold Box
Mochidoki Signature Box Set
null:
Mochidoki Signature Box Set
Cheryl's Cookies Classic Assortment Bow Gift Box
null:
Cheryl's Cookies Classic Assortment Bow Gift Box
Compartés Vegan Dark Chocolate Assortment Gift Box
null:
Compartés Vegan Dark Chocolate Assortment Gift Box
Pearl River Mart Snack Attack Friendship Box: Surprise Edition
null:
Pearl River Mart Snack Attack Friendship Box: Surprise Edition
Final Verdict

The tested-and-approved Harry & David Grand Favorites Gift Basket has something for everyone, as it includes a delicious array of fruit, meat, cheese, and more. However, if you're shopping for someone who loves chocolate, get them the Vosges Dark Chocolate Truffle Collection for a great collection of truffles.

How We Tested

We bought most of the gift baskets on this list and sent each one to a different editor at home. We asked everyone to evaluate the shipping process, the variety of the items in the basket, the value for what they received, the freshness of the food, the presentation, and the size. The two most important questions we had to ask ourselves were "would you be happy if you received this basket as a gift?" and "would you actually spend the money to send this to someone else?" If the answer was no to either, we wouldn't include the basket on our list. Thankfully, we had done hours of research before deciding what to test, so all of the baskets we tried passed our review with flying colors. The list also includes a few other top-rated gift baskets from our research we weren't able to test in-person.

What to Look for in a Gift Basket

Shipping, Perishability, and Freshness

While something like coffee beans or roasted nuts might not be as delicate as fresh fruits or soft cheeses, any gift basket full of edible items is perishable, which makes shipping an important consideration. Many retailers only ship orders early in the week to avoid baskets sitting in a delivery company's warehouse over the weekend, which means an order submitted on a Thursday might not actually go out until the next Monday. Thankfully, a lot of websites let you choose a delivery date and work backwards from there to figure out the shipping date—it's a convenient way to get the drop on gift-giving without your gift arriving too early. On the other hand, last-minute deliveries will cost you: Overnight or two-day shipping is usually available but can be very expensive. Whichever seller you choose, be sure to check processing and shipping times before ordering to ensure the basket gets there in time.

If your gift basket includes perishables like baked goods, fruit, or cheese, be sure to coordinate with the recipient. Sure, it might spoil the surprise of finding a gift basket on the doorstep, but coming home to a basket you didn't know to look for that's been sitting in the sun for a few days is a much worse surprise. It's a good idea to inspect all the items as soon as you receive a gift basket, for breakage as well as spoilage. If anything looks or smells off, don't risk it; just toss it. (Since gift baskets are meant to be shipped, most of them are packed very securely, but if something shows up cracked or smashed, let the seller know—they'll usually be happy to send a replacement.)

Wine.com Gift Basket

The Spruce Eats / Prairie Rose Free

Variety and Size

The whole idea of a food gift basket is to offer the recipient lots of different yummy choices, but if there's only a single bite or tiny bag of each choice it might make for a disappointing experience. You'll definitely want to read the list of what's included carefully before ordering, taking note of both how many things are on it and their size and quantity. Baskets with a smaller range of items tend to include more of each, and vice-versa. Beyond that, your choice really depends on the recipient's taste. Some gift baskets are super-niche—all cheese or all nuts, for example—while others include a wider variety of items.

Best Gift Baskets

The Spruce Eats / Alice Sungurov

Presentation

A food gift basket is about the food, but it's also about the basket. A beautifully hand-packaged basket tied up with luxurious ribbon will make the recipient feel more special than a cardboard box full of plastic bags. (But if the plastic bags are full of tastier food that fits the recipient's tastes, they still might be a better choice.) Many gift baskets also come in reusable baskets or boxes, which is a nice added bonus.

The Best Gift Baskets

The Spruce Eats / Taylor Rock

Price

Gift baskets tend to be fairly expensive: Their cost includes not only the food and drinks inside but also the effort and expertise to assemble a curated assortment and package everything up in a way that has visual appeal and can survive shipment across the country. Beyond that, the rules are pretty obvious: A bigger basket with more stuff, or fancier stuff, will be more expensive. Many sellers have access to specialty items—small-production cheeses, house-roasted coffees, that kind of thing—you can't get anywhere else, which also raises the price. Another factor to consider is shipping. Sending a several-pound basket across the country can add a significant cost, especially if it's sent via overnight, which runs $60 or more for shipping alone. To add to the confusion, some retailers include shipping in the initial price while others don't add it to the bill until the end of the checkout process. And, of course, shipping costs vary depending on exactly where the basket's going and where it's shipping from.

Vosges gift basket

The Spruce Eats / Taylor Rock

FAQs

What are the most popular types of gift baskets?

There is an incredible variety of gift baskets available. Popular ones include snacks and foods, wine and cheese, gourmet candies and chocolate, holiday-themed goodies, spa care, and much more.

How can I customize a gift basket?

Many retailers allow customizable options. Some may let you swap out a few items for something else, add on extras, include a personalized gift message, or even embroider names onto items. Check for customization options in your online order. 

How much do gift baskets cost?

The cost of a gift basket entirely depends on what’s included within it. Gourmet items, like wines and artisan cheeses or chocolates, will likely cost more. There are budget-friendly gift baskets available that collect store-bought items. Size is also a factor. Smaller gift baskets will be more affordable than larger ones, for example.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

This gift guide was written by Julia Warren, the VP of Commerce for The Spruce Eats. Julia has over a decade of experience writing about food and the best kitchen products available. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute.

Allison Wignall, who updated this article, is a writer who focuses on food and travel. During her globetrotting she has tasted some of the sweetest confections–from macarons in Paris to fresh gourmet chocolates in Ecuador. Her work has been featured in publications, such as Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.

The Spruce Eats commerce writer Jason Horn further updated and added to the list. In nearly 20 years as a food and drink writer, he's gotten to try more than his fair share of fancy mail-order foods.

Additional reporting by
Allison Wignall
Allison Wignall The Spruce Eats

Allison Wignall is a staff writer for The Spruce Eats who focuses on product reviews. She has also contributed to publications such as Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Southern Living.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
and
Jason Horn
Jason Horn
Jason Horn has been writing about food and drinks for more than 15 years and is a Commerce Writer for The Spruce Eats. He once convinced Matthew McConaughey that a hot dog is indeed a sandwich.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
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