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Unwrap the 25 Best Tester-Approved Gift Baskets for Every Occasion

Full of chocolate, cookies, cheese, and more

An assortment of gift baskets we recommend displayed side-by-side on wood table

The Spruce / Joy Kim

Gift baskets are a great way to say "I love you" this Easter and spring season for loved ones who live near and far, but it can be difficult to find one that piques their interest, includes high-quality products, and arrives on time.

"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.

We know that it's tricky, so that's why we’ve taste-tested over 50 unique gift baskets over two years from affordable and luxury brands to find the best ones, considering the assortment, as well as the ordering process, taste, and quality of each item included. Through our testing, we determined that the variety and price of each gift basket are the most important considerations when finding one for your recipient. 

Finding a gift basket with a ton of variety ensures that your recipient will find something they like and have enough to share with friends and family. While everyone’s tastes are different, we tested everything from international snacks to cheese to chocolate, so there’s something for everyone. Gift baskets come in a wide range of prices, in this case, $29 to $275. The larger the variety and the more contents in the basket, the higher the price. Be sure to also add in extra shipping costs, especially for last-minute deliveries. 

In terms of price, consider how many people will be enjoying your gift. Families would appreciate a larger basket with enough to go around, while your sweetheart will love a small box of chocolates. 

Our team had these shipped all over the country to try options from beloved (and well-known) brands like Harry & David, Gourmet Gift Baskets, and more. We documented the shipping process, evaluated the presentation, and then sunk our teeth into the basket's contents to determine the best brands and baskets to gift for any occasion.

Testing Stats
 Products Tested 51
 Hours Spent Testing 92
 Tests Performed 7
 Unique Testers 44

Harry & David The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears

Harry & David The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears

Harry & David

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.3/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Wide selection of food categories

  • Various size options

  • Something for everyone

What We Don't Like
  • No perishable warning on box

Harry and David is a well-known company, famous for its wide range of gourmet gift baskets. We recently tested The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears gift basket, which is a much more simplistic option and one of the most well-known baskets from the brand. For under $50, you get nine pears, which, although it took almost a month to arrive, 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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 they're shopping for and their budget.

More Great Gift Options:

Stan's Donuts Donuts & Coffee Lovers Gift Pack

Stan's Donuts Donuts & Coffee Lovers Gift Pack

Stan's Donuts

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.3/5
  • Variety
    4.7/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • Unique options from local businesses

  • Can search by diet

What We Don't Like
  • Shipping guidelines aren't guaranteed

Stan's Donuts Donuts & Coffee Lovers Gift Pack from Goldbelly is perfect for a coffee lover who needs a touch of sweetness in their life this February. This gift set comes with a bag of whole-bean coffee, six donuts, and a ceramic mug from the Chicago-based shop. We love that the coffee beans and mug can be enjoyed even after all the treats are eaten and act as a sweet reminder of the thoughtful gift.

As for the donuts, they were extremely fresh and tasted delicious for three days. The flavors were universally enjoyable and easy to share—even if you don’t like a certain ingredient. Just note that the box has a small tear to fit the mug inside, so the presentation isn’t the most gorgeous, but the contents inside are worth a few rips. 

Why We Love This Brand:

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.

More Great Gift Options:

Williams Sonoma Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower

Williams Sonoma Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower

Williams-Sonoma

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    4/5
  • Ordering
    3/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • High-end presentation

  • Food is individually wrapped

  • Ships fresh

What We Don't Like
  • $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. During testing, we loved the high-end feel of the packaging. A twine string held the boxes of the Manhattan Fruitier Chocolate Confections Gift Tower together neatly in a stack, and a decorative gifting bow adorned the boxes, just as pictured.

We gave it high scores for taste, which makes sense since it ships perishable foods directly from its 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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.

More Great Gift Options:

Williams Sonoma Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower and shipping box displayed on wood table

The Spruce / Joy Kim

Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment

Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment

Levain Bakery

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    4/5
  • Ordering
    4/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Great for someone with a sweet tooth

  • Ordering is simple and fast

  • Generously-sized cookies

What We Don't Like
  • Very limited options

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 later, and you can get its cookies delivered right to your door, which we think are perfect for an intimate date night at home.

We tested the brand's signature cookie assortment, which is available in a 4-, 6-, or 12-pack. No matter what size you get, it's important to note that the cookies are extremely large and great for sharing. We found that every cookie she ordered arrived fresh, decadent, and ready to be enjoyed right away.

Why We Love This Brand:

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 overwhelming.

More Great Gift Options:

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit Share the Love Basket

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit Share the Love Basket

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Can enjoy whenever you want

  • Large variety

  • Quick shipping

What We Don’t Like
  • Lacking presentation

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit makes it easy to throw a perfect brunch with its biscuits and gift sets. Aptly named, the Share the Love Gift Basket comes with six buttermilk biscuits, six cinnamon biscuits, six cheese and chive biscuits, and pimento cheese. Everything arrives frozen, so there’s not much of a special occasion, but this ensures that you can enjoy the biscuits whenever you want. You don’t feel pressured to enjoy the gift basket right away, like other brands.

The biscuits took about 15 minutes to prepare, and we were blown away by their flakiness and delicious taste despite being frozen. The pimento cheese was flavorful as well. Overall, this basket arrived in less than a week, tasted delicious, and can feed a large group. The website says this basket is best for 4-8 people, and we think it can stretch even farther with 18 biscuits to share.

Why We Love This Brand:

On the site, you can navigate by the brand’s best-sellers or check out every flavor of biscuits they offer (there are 10). For gifting, the brand has many bundles with add-ons like grits, coffee, and even a cookbook. To let your recipient choose their own biscuit adventure, you can also purchase a gift card for a quick virtual gift. 

More Great Gift Options:

Mouth Cheesy Gift Box

Mouth Cheesy Gift Box

Mouth

What We Like
  • Unexpected and quirky gift baskets

  • Food subscription boxes available

What We Don't Like
  • Some options tend to sell out quickly

Perfect for foodies, Mouth offers uniquely curated food baskets with products you won't find at other gift sites. While the basket we tested is currently unavailable, the Cheesy Gift Box is very similar. It comes with two cheeses, two varieties of crackers, assorted nuts, and fig preserves, making it ideal for a picnic in the park.

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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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.

More Great Gift Options:

Recchiuti Black Box 16

Recchiuti Black Box 16

Recchiuti 

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Intricately designed chocolates

  • Unique and classic flavors

  • Digestible small selection

What We Don’t Like
  • Nothing

San Fransisco-based chocolate shop Recchiuti upgrades a simple gift of a box of chocolates, which you can’t go wrong gifting this spring. We were blown away by the beautifully decorated chocolates in sophisticated, minimalistic packaging that tasted even better than they looked. When compared to other popular chocolate brands, Recchiuti rose above in terms of taste and quality. With a healthy mix of classic flavors and unique options for more adventure taste-testers, there’s something for everyone. After chowing down, there was nothing we could think to change. 

Why We Love This Brand:

In addition to traditional chocolate, the brand also offers wine and whiskey pairings. The luxurious black boxes of assorted chocolate truffles are perfect for gifting. You'll also find caramels, seasonal collections, and small bites without frills. While the brand's online selection is small, there is truly something for every chocolate lover. 

More Great Gift Options:

Salt and Straw The Best Sellers Pack

Salt and Straw The Best Sellers Pack: Classics

Salt and Straw

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.7/5
  • Variety
    4.3/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.9/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • Arrived frozen

  • Great taste across the board, including vegan flavors

  • Sophisticated, unique flavors

What We Don’t Like
  • Vanilla was a bit boring

  • Only four vegan flavors

For a more sophisticated ice cream gift box for friends or family, we love Salt & Straw. The high-quality taste of every flavor inside, even the vegan flavor, blew us away. With universally enjoyable flavors, the Best Sellers pack is great for gifting, but the brand has more sophisticated flavors as well, like honey lavender and pear and blue cheese.

As with all frozen treats, they don’t triumph in presentation. When the pints arrived, the box looked a bit wet, which was worrisome, but the pints were covered in ice and completely frozen.

Unlike Jeni’s (also on our list!), which has a wide variety of dairy-free and gluten-free flavors, Salt & Straw only has four vegan options. But, the small variety does not take away from the delicious taste of each one we tried. The only disappointment was vanilla, which was a bit plain and unexciting compared to other great flavors. Still, we found this option a welcome upgrade to a kid-friendly dessert gift. 

Why We Love This Brand:

With fun seasonal flavors, classic favorites, and unique options, the brand lets you build your own pint bundle, so you’re guaranteed to receive flavors you love.

More Great Gift Options:

Shari's Berries Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift Grande

Shari's Berries Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift Grande

Shari's Berries

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
What We Like
  • No bruised fruit

  • Over 30 different treats in one box

  • Beautiful presentation

  • Fresh

What We Don’t Like
  • Messy to unwrap

There’s no wrong time to gift someone you love a gorgeous plate of chocolate-covered strawberries (especially during the season of love), and Shari’s Berries makes this process easy and delicious. A bit different than the brand’s signature basket, we tested the Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift, which includes an impressive 39 different fruits and snacks, so an entire family or group of friends can share and sample everything.

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. They all tasted extremely fresh, and the chocolatey candies were a welcome pairing to the tasty apples and pears.

This is a special occasion gift suitable for an entire family or group that will surely impress any fruit lover. 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. 

Why We Love This Brand:

In addition to various flavors and designs of chocolate strawberries, the brand also sells fruit, cakes, flowers, and snack baskets, so there’s something for everyone. You can search by occasion and recipient or even filter by baskets that offer same-day delivery, which is vital for last-minute presents

More Great Gift Options:

Universal Yums Care Package

Universal Yums Care Package

Amazon

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5
What We Like
  • No perishable items

  • Everything is sealed individually

  • Made for sharing

  • Unique flavors

  • Available on Amazon Prime

What We Don’t Like
  • Ordinary presentation

For any recipient who wants to try something new and international, we recommend the Universal Yums Care Package, which comes with 30 snacks—great to share with family and friends. Some smaller snacks come in duplicates to make sharing even easier.

Each snack is sealed individually, and nothing is perishable, so if it sits outside your doorstep for a few days, don’t worry. While the snacks may seem a bit common at first, we found they come in unique flavors not commonly seen in the United States. This basket acts as a fun activity for families or couples as they try everything and discover new snacks and flavors. 

Why We Love This Brand:

Thanks to Universal Yums, Amazon Prime members can send a curated box of international snacks to a loved one (or themselves) in just two days. You can organize by country, opt for snacks or candy varieties, or buy a subscription to try everything.

The Universal Yums website has helpful information about how the subscription works and lets you gift a subscription to a friend, while the brand’s Amazon store is better for individual boxes, especially for last-minute gifting. 

More Great Gift Options:

Stonewall Kitchen Morning Favorites Gift Basket

Stonewall Kitchen Morning Favorites Gift Basket

Stonewall Kitchen

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    4/5
  • Ordering
    5/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Non-food items extend the life of the gift

  • Great for families

What We Don't Like
  • Most items require cooking to enjoy

For the perfect breakfast in a box, we tested Stonewall Kitchen's Morning Favorites Gift Basket, which comes with jam, syrups, and three different pancake and waffle mixes. 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.

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. This one came with a tea towel and was packaged in a gorgeous basket that can easily be repurposed. You’ll definitely impress your date with a delicious breakfast in bed on February 14th with this box.

Why We Love This Brand:

This classic New England store makes some of the best pancake mixes, jams, and syrups out there—and prices start at just $10 and top off at $200. We liked that there was enough variation in basket options to make the gift feel personalized. 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. We recommend this brand for friends and family who love to cook or bake.

More Great Gift Options:

Gourmet Gift Baskets Classic White Wine Gift Basket

Gourmet Gift Baskets Classic White Wine Gift Basket

Gourmet Gift Baskets

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    5/5
  • Ordering
    5/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    4/5
What We Like
  • Large selection

  • Fast shipping

  • Packed well for shipping

What We Don't Like
  • Some food items were better quality than others

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 also include snacks that pair nicely with the chosen beverage, including the Classic White Wine Gift Basket, which we tested. 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

While the selection may seem overwhelming, we recommend shopping by occasion, which the website makes easy. 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.

More Great Gift Options:

Milk Bar Sampler

Milk Bar Cookies

The Spruce / Milk Bar

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    5/5
  • Ordering
    4/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Comes with storage instructions

  • Great for birthdays

  • Wide selection of unique products

What We Don't Like
  • $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. We tested the brand's sample gift box, which came with truffles, cookies, and a slice of pie for a delicious and varied assortment perfect for sharing.

The basket even included instructions on how to best store and preserve the treats once opened, in case they don't finish their delicious selections in one sitting. They taste 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

Known for its "birthday cake" flavor, as well as the insanely tasty Milk Bar Pie, these sweet treats and baking mixes are sure to brighten anyone's day. 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 its popular desserts. All of the sweets arrive in a cute gift box, too.

More Great Gift Options:

Eli Zabar's NYC Deli Weekender Box

Eli Zabar's NYC Deli Weekender Box

Goldbelly

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.8/5
  • Variety
    4.3/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.8/5
  • Value
    3/5

One of the best perks of ordering from Goldbelly is the chance to experience cuisine from another city in the US that you can't find in your hometown. For someone who used to live in New York City or wants to experience the delights of an NYC Jewish deli, the Eli Zabar Deli Weekender Box is a no-brainer.

The box comes filled to the brim with Jewish deli staples, including rye bread, babka, bagels, pastrami, cream cheese, lox, coffee, and more for the ultimate brunch spread with a few pantry staples to enjoy for days and weeks after you receive your box. The box arrived in just five days and there was an option on the site to choose your delivery date to ensure you enjoy all of its contents in time.

Everything tasted fresh for a few days after arrival, but as New Yorkers, we found the bagels to be a bit disappointing. The taste was closer to a pre-packaged grocery store bagel. Still, the overall selection and scope of the basket were impressive and a great treat for someone far away from New York.

More Great Gift Options:

Jeni's Ice Cream Best Sellers Collection

Jeni's Ice Cream Best Sellers Collection

Jeni's Ice Cream

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    5/5
  • Ordering
    5/5
  • Unboxing
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Offers unique, unexpected ice cream flavors

  • Dairy-free options available

What We Don't Like
  • Higher chance of melting en route

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 Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, plus a handful of dairy-free options. Perfect for a movie night at home, you and your sweetheart will love taste-testing the unique and classic flavors. 

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 host gift after a holiday visit.

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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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.

More Great Gift Options:

Jasper Hill Farm The Vermonter

Jasper Hill Farm The Vermonter

Jasper Hill Farm 

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    5/5
  • Ordering
    5/5
  • Unboxing
    4/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Owned and operated by cheese experts

  • Build your own gift box option

  • Lots of cheese info on site

What We Don't Like
  • Limited curated options

Cheese lovers will go nuts over this gift basket option from Jasper Hill Farm, which is owned and operated by farmers in Vermont. We gave Jasper Hill Farm high points in every category when testing The Vermonter basket, 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

When shopping for a basket, you have the option to browse among its curated collections, create your own cheese gift basket from scratch from the brand's individual cheeses and pairings, or gift a Cheese Club membership so that your recipient can try limited-release cheeses or snag sneak peeks at upcoming products.

More Great Gift Options:

Gift Tree The Royal Treatment Gift Basket

Gift Tree The Royal Treatment Gift Basket

Courtesy of Gift Tree

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    4/5
  • Ordering
    5/5
  • Unboxing
    4/5
  • Quality
    4/5
What We Like
  • Excellent customer service

  • Fast delivery

  • Alcoholic options available

What We Don't Like
  • Needs more transparency with ingredients

Gift Tree has been around for more than 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! 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

We weren't surprised the veteran brand had its 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 us make our final selection via the 24/7 chatroom.

More Great Gift Options:

Mochidoki Signature Box Set

Mochidoki Signature Box Set

Mochidoki 

What We Like
  • Great variety of flavors

  • Unique gifting option

  • High-quality presentation

What We Don't Like
  • Melts quickly

For a unique gifting option, 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.

The signature box 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. 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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. You can choose from different collections from an extensive hosting gift set to Asian-inspired flavors to those more commonly seen in America.

More Great Gift Options:

Curdbox Cheese Subscription Box

Curdbox Cheese Subscription Box

Curdbox

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    4.5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.5/5
  • Value
    4.5/5

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 to your door every month. Because you are gifting a subscription, you have to plan ahead with this box as it will arrive during the next month's scheduled window. Upon arrival, the box contained tons of information about the ingredients inside, which we love for a gift basket that includes a surprise.

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, everything 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 find it reasonable for someone who loves discovering new cheesy faves.

Why We Love This Brand:

Curdbox only has one option: a cheese subscription. It can be a bit scary to gift a subscription without knowing the contents, but we found the box to include ample information about the contents upon arrival. One of the most fun aspects of this subscription is that each box comes with its own Spotify playlist to match the theme of the box. For example, the theme of our box was "You're My Everything" and every song on the playlist included the word "everything" in the name. By scanning the QR code on the box, you can also find a monthly podcast where the Curdbox founder and CEO offers even more information about that month's box, so you're never in the dark.

Bonnie & Pop Snack Attack Tray & Basket

Bonnie & Pop Snack Attack Tray & Basket

Amazon

What We Like
  • Available on Amazon Prime

  • High-quality fruit and chocolate

What We Don't Like
  • Not as many options as other retailers

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.

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.

Why We Love This Brand:

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.

More Great Gift Options:

Seven Sisters Scones Sconies, Jam, And Tea Sampler

Seven Sisters Scones Sconies, Jam, And Tea Sampler

Seven Sisters Scones

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4.5/5
  • Variety
    4.8/5
  • Size
    4/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Great flavor variety

  • Arrived in just five days

  • Can store in freezer for 6 months

  • Individually wrapped scones

What We Don’t Like
  • Scones got misshapen during delivery

Bring a piece of England into your home this February with scone-centered gift baskets from Seven Sisters Scones. We sampled the mini scones in assorted flavors, which came with a jar of Georgia-made jam, clotted cream, and a tea bag of your choice to complete the experience. The individually wrapped scones arrived timely in just five days and felt incredibly soft and fresh upon opening, and we love that you can store them in the freezer for up to six months.

The small size makes it easy to try every flavor for one to two people. It's not the best for a large group. Because everything was individually wrapped and sealed, the presentation wasn't anything to write home about, but we valued the care the small business took into packaging the goods. The soft scones inevitably got a bit mishap in shipping, but this doesn’t dampen the taste. 

Why We Love This Brand:

You can choose from mini scones, aka sconies, or traditionally sized scones in a variety of fun flavors complete with jam, honey, and clotted cream. On top of traditional scone flavors, we love the unique options like this cocktail-inspired sampler with flavors like chocolate Kahlua and orange mimosa.

More Great Gift Options:

Giadzy Coastal Italy Gift Set

Giadzy Coastal Italy Gift Set

Williams Sonoma

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    5/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    5/5
  • Value
    2.5/5
What We Like
  • Shelf-stable contents

  • Gorgeous presentation

  • Includes products to use in the future

What We Don’t Like
  • Rather simple products for a high price

Behind the mind of celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, Giadzy brings the taste of Italy into your home with beautifully curated baskets for every recipient. The brand also has baskets exclusive to Williams Sonoma, like the Coastal Italy Gift Set, which we tested and loved. It comes with shelf-stable Italian ingredients that can be used and enjoyed for weeks after opening, including pasta, Calabrian chili paste, olive oil, amaretti cookies, and more. While the exact basket we tested is currently unavailable, there are tons of similar options on the Giadzy website, including the Pantry Staples Box. We also tested the Cookies D'Italia Box, which is a great sweet option from the brand.

Everything arrives in a stunning branded box that any Italian food lover or home chef would be delighted to open. We love the mix of ready-to-eat delicacies and ingredients that your recipient will use in the future. The careful curation is impressive. However, for so few products, it feels a bit pricey.

Why We Love This Brand:

Most of the baskets include pantry staples to create delicious Italian dishes at home. Some are specific to a certain recipe, like the Lemon Spaghetti Box, while others include fun treats and small bites for any occasion, like the Italian Happy Hour Kit

More Great Options:

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

Wicked Good Cupcakes 

What We Like
  • Can choose your own flavors

  • Gluten-free options

  • Many white and cake options

  • Beautiful appearance

What We Don't Like
  • Not many flavor options

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 almost 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. Unfortunately, the cupcake and wine pairings are currently out of stock, but you can still gift both with this Let’s Party Birthday Wine Gift Box, which also comes with charcuterie favorites.

We loved the moist cake that 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.

Why We Love This Brand:

Wicked Good Cupcakes lets you send an e-gift for your recipient to choose their own flavors with gluten-free options as well. Luckily, there is a non-alcoholic option for non-drinkers or younger recipients.

More Great Options::

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Soirée Smash

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Soirée Smash: Sourdough Pretzel & Toffee

Vosges Haut - Chocolat

Our Ratings
  • Presentation
    4/5
  • Variety
    5/5
  • Size
    5/5
  • Freshness of Items
    4.5/5
  • Value
    5/5
What We Like
  • Draws a crowd

  • Many flavors in each gift

  • Feeds multiple people

What We Don’t Like
  • Easily breakable during shipping

Spending time with friends this spring? Opt for this smashable chocolate from Vosges. When you gift Vosges Chocolates to a friend, you’re not gifting an ordinary box of chocolates. We personally tested the Soirée Smash: Sourdough Pretzel & Toffee, which has a bit less impressive packaging than the traditional chocolate boxes, but it is meant to be smashed upon arrival, so we can’t complain. While this specific chocolate gift is currently out of stock, you can't go wrong with the brand's classic milk chocolate truffle collection for gifting.

The chocolate bar has different flavors throughout that you break into pieces and share with friends and family, doubling as an activity for your recipient. We found that it draws a large crowd, justifying the over $100 price tag for a single chocolate bar.

We recommend saving this for your next party or gathering as the 2.2-pound bar we tested fed around 12 people with plenty left over. Shipping jumped this price to over $100, so we see this as a special occasion present for a large group. 

Why We Love This Brand:

While it doesn’t have the largest selection on our list, the brand has seasonal selects and a Build-Your-Own Gift Option to customize the box and its contents for a special someone. To ensure the high quality of the chocolate, it arrives double-wrapped with ice packs for temperature control, but in places with very high temperatures, we recommend giving your recipient a heads-up to avoid melting.

More Great Gift Options:

David's Tea David's Top Teas Sachet Tea Wheel

David's Tea David's Top Teas Sachet Tea Wheel

David's Tea

Our Ratings
  • Selection
    5/5
  • Ordering
    4/5
  • Unboxing
    4/5
  • Quality
    5/5
What We Like
  • Free shipping when you spend over $39

  • Offers a wide range of options for various budgets

What We Don't Like
  • Features mostly loose leaf tea

If you're gifting to a tea fanatic, you can't go wrong with the specialty tea boutique, David's Tea. You can't go wrong with David's Top Teas, which comes with 12 best-selling tea varieties in 36 ready-to-enjoy tea bags. While this specific option is currently sold out, the Organic Classic Faves Tea Wheel also comes with 36 assorted teas in classic and adventurous flavors. There's something for everyone in this set, whether they're a tea novice or an avid fan.

When browsing through the site, we noticed that David's Tea 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. Also, note that most gifts contain loose-leaf tea, so you'll have to be sure the recipient has an infuser.

Why We Love This Brand:

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. You can get free shipping when you spend over $39, and your recipient can expect two servings with each tea in a gift set.

More Great Gift Options:

How We Tested the Gift Baskets

To make sure we are only recommending brands we would want to receive ourselves as gifts, we ordered 51 gift baskets from every company on this list and many more to judge the experience for both the gift giver and the recipient. We considered how varied the gift basket selection was and the contents within each basket, whether it was clear from the website what would be included in the gift, and whether shipping significantly changed the cost of the gift.

Once the gift baskets 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 thoroughly enjoyed made this list. If we would send the gift basket to our friends and family, we added to this list of recommendations.

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.

We recommend opting for a gift basket that has a wide variety of inclusions, so your recipient is guaranteed to enjoy at least a few of the contents, such as the Milk Bar Sampler or the Universal Yum Care Package.

Pricing

Gift baskets are an excellent gifting choice because there’s an option for every budget, ranging from $20 to $200—so they work if you're looking for gift ideas for under $50, or if you're ready to spend more. However, some baskets have one extra shipping fee, while others (like the Gift Tree Royal Treatment Wine Basket) 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 baskets, like the Stonewall Kitchen Morning Favorites Gift Basket, 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. Other baskets like Bonnie & Pop Dried Fruit and Nut Gift Basket are available on Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping for members. 

In addition to determining shipping costs, it’s important to read up on the company’s delivery statement: Does it deliver in the area where the recipient is located? How do cold items arrive, and how long can they safely stay in the box? We noticed that the Harry & David Royal Riviera Pears did not come with a perishable warning on the box, so be sure to warn your recipient that it's arriving so they can prepare to bring it inside right away.

For alcoholic deliveries like the Wicked Good Cupcakes 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato, 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.

However, we believe a Curdbox subscription is best for foodies and cheese enthusiasts, while Shari's Berries' Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift is better for a family and comes with a wide variety of treats to fit multiple tastes. Plus, gift baskets are 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 Jeni's Best Sellers Collection have all of the ingredients and nutrition facts listed on the product page as well as on the individual pints. An option like Callie's Hot Biscuits Share the Love Basket is also a great option for friends with allergies because the contents are limited and the ingredients of every food item are clear and easy to find in the product description.

Serving Size

Some things to consider: Does the recipient have kids that may want to break into their delicious dessert box (if so, opt for the Levain Signature Cookie Assortment)? Are they a big entertainer, so a larger wine, cheese, and meat basket might be better (think: the Jasper Hill Farm Vermonter)? If they live alone, will all of the included treats stay fresh long enough for them to enjoy (the Seven Sisters Scones Sconies stay fresh in the freezer for six months)?

Many companies have various size options or items that have a long shelf life, including nuts (Williams Sonoma's Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower), coffee, and even wine (Gourmet Gift Baskets' Classic White Wine Gift Basket). After putting so much time and effort into your gift choice, you want to ensure they can enjoy every part of it.

Hand using fork to lift mochi ice cream from Mochidoki Signature Box Set

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

FAQ
  • Can you personalize gift baskets?

    For some baskets, every single item can be customized. You can even upload a video greeting to accompany your gift. You can turn the Mouth Cheesy Gift Box into a "birthday gift" for an additional charge and it will add birthday cake marshmallows and gold glitter birthday candles along with a birthday greeting.

    Many other brands allow you to add a special card or gift message for a small touch of personalization. Some baskets, like the Gift Tree Royal Treatment Wine Basket, even allow for other special add-ons, including packaging options like bows and ribbons, embroidered liners for baskets, or additional items.

  • 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 the 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."

  • 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 its 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 associate 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.

Our Experts:

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