Delicious treats delivered to loved ones this holiday season
As an editor who’s been writing about gifts for years, I take great pride in my ability to select the perfect present for anyone on my list—and anyone on yours, too. Gift baskets are tricky because you have to balance when you send them and when they get delivered, which will be out of your control the closer we get to December. So I highly recommend you order early (like now!) and schedule your Christmas or Hanukkah gift delivery for when you want it to arrive.
On top of all of that, people have really strong feelings about what they like (and don’t like) when it comes to food. But fear not! I have an easy checklist I use before ordering any gift baskets to guarantee they will make your mom, dad, neighbor, cousin, boss, or friend happy.
After you’ve narrowed down the delivery window and found a gift basket that can be delivered on time, picking the right one means honoring their dietary restrictions (Lactose-intolerant? Vegan? Keto?) and knowing their favorite snacks. Don’t know? Just ask! There’s nothing worse than getting a gift basket full of food you can’t or don’t want to eat.
After testing over 70 gift baskets over the past three years, I learned that the recipient’s taste and preferences are super important. For example, while a chocolate-forward gift basket full of velvety truffles might be a great gift for the woman in your life, you might want to pick something that’s a blend of salty and sweet to share with your work friends.
When gifting to a whole family or an office of coworkers, pick a gift basket with a variety of items so there’s something for everyone, whether it’s cured meats, Italian cookies, or a collection of breakfast favorites. Even if you don’t know everyone’s specific taste, sometimes the unexpected is a fun surprise and can make a last-minute gift still feel special.
Who’s It For: These delicious pears are a safe bet for anyone you need to thank or congratulate this holiday season, even if you don’t know their exact tastes.
Harry and David is a well-known company known for its wide range of gourmet gift baskets. We recently tested the Favorite Royal Riviera Pears gift basket, which is a much simpler option and one of the most well-known baskets from the brand, the Harry’s Gift Box. This gift basket includes nine juicy pears, all under $50.
While it took almost a month to arrive, we were surprised to find that the pears were not quite ripe yet, so they lasted for a good amount of time. 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.
In just six days, the basket arrived in perfect condition, wrapped in cellophane with a bow on top. Everything was packaged very securely, and not a single fruit was bruised. Each item tasted extremely fresh, and the chocolate candies were a welcome pairing to the tasty apples and pears.
Just note that unboxing this basket may get messy because all of the fruit was wrapped individually and then in cellophane, and the basket was filled with paper shreds—but this is a small price to pay for fresh fruit.
Who’s It For: Vosges is a brand made for special occasions. Chocolate lovers celebrating milestone birthdays or receiving a huge promotion will surely appreciate the high-quality treat.
The Comfort Food Tower from Vosges Chocolates is filled with comfort treats for those with an ultimate sweet tooth. The three stacked boxes (in beautiful and luxurious packaging) contain caramel marshmallows, caramel toffee, and velvety peanut butter bonbons to suit different palates.
The first thing that stood out was the remarkably high-quality chocolates and mouthwatering flavors. Each bite felt special, like something you might find in a chocolate shop rather than your local grocery store.
We also found the flavor notes incredibly accurate—the marshmallows are infused with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, and we could taste the hint of bourbon, which we loved. While this tower is more expensive than other dessert options we love, you can tell you’re paying for quality ingredients and a luxurious presentation.
Who’s It For: A friend or coworker you need a last-minute gift for that’ll arrive on time, taste delicious, and won’t break the bank.
Bonnie & Pop makes a perfect last-minute gift for a loved one who loves a gorgeous dried fruit spread. 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.
While the brand itself doesn’t have a huge selection compared to sites like Harry and David, we were thoroughly impressed by the variety in this dried fruit basket. The classic apricots were perfectly chewy, while the kiwi was equally fresh and delicious. We felt that the nuts added a nice crunch that complimented the fruits beautifully.
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 find who sent you the delicious package easily. Bonnie & Pop’s speedy delivery, high-quality products, and exceptional value make it a contender.
Who’s It For: Friends with a sweet tooth who have always wanted to try the viral NYC cookies.
Known for its 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 30 years, and you can get its cookies delivered right to your doorstep, which we think are perfect for an intimate date night at home.
We had the pleasure of testing the brand’s signature cookie assortment, which you can get as a four-, six-, or 12-pack. No matter what size you choose, you can expect each cookie to be extremely large, making them ideal for sharing. We found that every cookie we ordered was fresh, decadent, and ready to be enjoyed immediately. We also kept a few in our freezer, so we could indulge at any time after a few minutes of heating up.
Who’s It For: Vosges is a brand made for special occasions. Chocolate lovers celebrating milestone birthdays or receiving a huge promotion will surely appreciate the high-quality treat.
The Comfort Food Tower from Vosges Chocolates is filled with comfort treats for those with an ultimate sweet tooth. The three stacked boxes (in beautiful and luxurious packaging) contain caramel marshmallows, caramel toffee, and velvety peanut butter bonbons to suit different palates.
The first thing that stood out was the remarkably high-quality chocolates and mouthwatering flavors. Each bite felt special, like something you might find in a chocolate shop rather than your local grocery store.
We also found the flavor notes incredibly accurate—the marshmallows are infused with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, and we could taste the hint of bourbon, which we loved. While this tower is more expensive than other dessert options we love, you can tell you’re paying for quality ingredients and a luxurious presentation.
Who’s It For: We dare you to find a sweet treat lover who doesn’t obsess over one of Milk Bar’s specialties. Even if you don’t know your recipient’s taste to a tee (think: coworkers or distant relatives), we guarantee they’ll find something they love.
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. We tested the brand’s sample gift box, which came with truffles (our personal favorite), cookies, and a generous slice of pie for a delicious and varied assortment perfect for sharing with friends and family.
The basket even included instructions on how to properly store and preserve the treats once opened, in case they don’t finish their delicious selections in one sitting. We found that all the treats tasted just as delicious when stored correctly and enjoyed a few days or weeks later.
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 during transit.
Perfect for the cold weather, Fancypants Baking Co. Butter Up & Bundle Box has everything you need for a relaxing winter night with loved ones in front of the fire. We loved breaking into the five flavors of mini crispy cookies: mint chocolate, salted caramel, chocolate chip, and gingersnap (mint was our favorite).
Honestly, we weren’t thrilled about the idea of a bagged, crispy cookie that you could likely find at a grocery store, but these blew us away. The flavors were a great mix of classic and unique options with a melt-in-your-mouth consistency after the first few bites. Plus, we love that they’re non-perishable in case your recipient isn’t home to receive their package.
Another plus of this option is that there are so many extras to keep in your pantry (or your closet). The included hot chocolate powder makes over 20 cups, while the fluffy marshmallows are big enough to break apart and eat over a few weeks or months. Complete with an adorable “butter” beanie, we can’t imagine a better winter surprise than this unique and delicious basket.
Who’s It For: Since the wine was the most impressive part of this basket, we recommend gifting to a wine-lover on a special day. This would also work well for someone who you don’t know super well, but you know enjoys a glass of wine every now and then.
If you’re looking to give a wine gift to a loved one, Gourmet Gift Baskets has a great variety of gift baskets to choose from, whether your recipient prefers chardonnay, rosé, or pinot.
There are smaller and bigger baskets available, but all wine baskets, including the Classic Red Wine Gift Basket, have snacks that pair nicely with the chosen beverage. We tested the white wine version, which is currently out of stock, but the brand has plenty of other wine gift baskets depending on your recipient’s taste.
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 some food items didn’t live up to the same quality as others—the wine was clearly the main star of the gift.
Who’s It For: The combination of wine and cupcakes makes for a playful gift for an adult with a sweet tooth, maybe on a 21st birthday.
Wicked Good Cupcakes makes it easy to send a delicious treat and a bottle of wine as a sweet way to say “I love you” to someone special. You can choose up to six of the brand’s nearly 30 tasty cupcake flavors 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.
We loved the moist cake, which looked exactly like the pictures online upon arrival. The cupcakes are packaged in mason jars so they stay fresh and look adorable when opened. The clear jars also let you see the delicious icing and ganache before diving in. We also loved the proportions of the cupcakes, with a favorable icing-to-cake ratio. However, we wished there were a few more flavor options.
Who’s It For: Anyone over 21 years old who’s celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other big life event. Just make sure they don’t have any allergies.
Gift Tree has been around for over two decades and has an impressive selection of gift baskets containing wine, cheese, chocolate, and more for every recipient on your list. We tested the luxurious Royal Treatment Wine Basket, which comes with a bottle of chardonnay, a bottle of Pinot Noir, and tons of snacks that pair nicely with the wine.
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! While the wine and snacks were enjoyable, we were disappointed by the lack of a detailed online ingredients list. This would’ve been helpful for those with certain food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Who’s It For: Impress an in-law or boss with a refined palette when it comes to cheese and accompaniments—they’ll appreciate the sentiment.
Cheese lovers will go nuts over this gift basket option from Jasper Hill Farm, which is owned and operated by farmers in Vermont. We loved testing The Vermonter basket, especially partly because the cheeses were delicious and not 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.
While the baskets start at a pretty high price point, many of the boxes ship free with promotional codes found throughout the site. Given the quality of the products, investing in one of these gift baskets is worth the splurge if your loved one is a cheese enthusiast
Who’s It For: Gift it to a “cheese snob” in your life—preferably one who lives nearby so you can enjoy the monthly delicacies as well.
Cheese lovers, rejoice! We found the perfect gift for you in the form of a cheese subscription that delivers new artisan cheeses and food pairings directly to your door each month. Because this is a subscription, you have to plan ahead with this box, as the first box will arrive during the next month’s scheduled window.
Upon arrival, the box contained tons of information about the carefully sourced ingredients inside, which we loved. While the items were not damaged inside, we wish they had included one more ice pack to keep the contents as cold as possible, especially during the summer.
Still, all the different cheeses tasted fresh and delicious. The cheeses were imported, so they felt more special than similar options you can find at your local grocer. At $75 a box, it’s definitely a bit expensive, but for the high-quality curated selection, we believe it’s reasonable for someone who loves discovering new cheesy delights.
Who’s It For: With sweet and savory inclusion, this gift could fit just about any taste. But, we think the interactive kit works best with a family or friend group who can enjoy it together.
Don’t just give a gift; give an experience with this DIY charcuterie kit from Platterful. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create a beautiful board and detailed instructions on how to arrange everything together aesthetically. What truly stood out to us was how every ingredient was labeled on how to keep it fresh and the optimal time frame for enjoying each snack so there’s zero guessing.
We shared our board with a group of four and were surprisingly full by the end. We agree with the manufacturer here: this makes a meal for two to four people and a snack for six to eight people. All of the ingredients were delicious, fresh, and unique enough that we wouldn’t find them at our local grocery store.
While we loved the interactive experience of setting up and eating this charcuterie board, we didn’t love the included utensils. They were lacking in quality compared to the food, but this doesn’t take away from the gift as a whole.
Who’s It For: Boarderie is a no-brainer for parties, birthdays, holidays, and office celebrations. You can also gift it to a host for a quick appetizer.
For an instant Instagram-worthy cheese board, Boarderie is the best option. Unlike the Platterful Charcuterie Kit + Handcrafted Wooden Board Bundles, it arrives fully assembled and ready to indulge right out of the box. We enjoyed this board on our birthday and felt it was a convenient addition to a party or gathering.
Boarderie offers boards in three sizes to suit different groups. We tested the one for two to three people and found that 12 family members could still enjoy the board in small portions. Featuring an assortment of chocolates, cheeses, meats, olives, and more, there’s something for everyone. It also comes with a spreader, bamboo tongs, and forks, so there’s no prep needed before serving.
This board is specifically tailored for the holidays, with gingerbread men and candy canes carved out of cheese for a special touch. Boarder offers options for every occasion (birthday boards feature your age carved out of cheese and come with candles) and has meat-free boards for vegetarians.
Emery has always had a love for history and storytelling. As a child, she was captivated by the tales of ancient civilizations and the remarkable figures who shaped the world. Now, she combines her love for historical facts with a gift for narrative, creating compelling articles that bring the past to life in vivid detail. Chloe believes that every story has the power to teach, and she loves sharing that wisdom with her readers.
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