When you’d like to send a thoughtful gesture to someone, but find it difficult to pinpoint a specific present for the intended recipient, gift baskets are a quick, fun solution – especially when you’re running out of time to find something appropriate.
Gift baskets offer an easy way for you to say ‘congratulations,’ ‘get well soon,’ ‘thank you,’ and ‘I’m sorry’ without having to agonize over shopping for something in particular. They often come in handy when sending a thoughtful gesture to neighbors, co-workers, and people you might not be entirely familiar with, such as an in-law or your child’s coach or teacher.
To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of a few online shops that sell gift baskets:
1 . GiftBaskets.com
Of course there’s going to be a website dedicated to selling gift baskets, and with GiftBaskets.com, you’ll encounter a wide range of specialty baskets offering treats from Starbucks, Godiva, Fairytale Brownies, California Delicious, Ghirardelli, and Mrs. Fields.
2. Gourmet Gift Baskets
With a satisfying variety of food and non-food gift baskets, Gourmet Gift Baskets offers a collection of unique and hard-to-find ensembles, such as their line of Breakfast gift baskets including New England Breakfast Gift Basket Classic™; Bloody Mary Breakfast Gift Basket™; and Country Inn™ – Breakfast Gift Basket.
3. Harry & David
The gift baskets sold at Harry & David focus heavily on food-related gift baskets, and are a winning choice when shopping for someone with a sweet tooth, or for a foodie. The gourmet food gifts added to baskets include a selection of bakery goods, chocolates, fruits and meats – depending on the kind of message you’d like to send. In addition to the Sympathy Basket Grand Deluxe shown, the Cucina D’Italia Gift Basket and Crater Lake Gift Basket Deluxe have an option to come with or without wine.
4. Dean & Deluca
In addition to selling a range of unique gift assortments, another treasure trove of gourmet gift baskets is found at Dean & Deluca, where you can shop by price, theme, occasion, and by recipient. The Hampton’s Gourmet Brunch Gourmet Gift Basket includes coffee, tea, and other breakfast items, such as Chocolate and Cinnamon Babka Bread. For the ultimate splurge for a house-warming gift, take a look at their Essential Pantry Gourmet Gift Basket (shown and priced at $500), which comes with a 21-tube stocked spice rack.
5. Wine Country Gift Baskets
If you’re looking for a gift basket with wine, Wine Country Gift Baskets is known for their selection of attractive, handcrafted gift baskets that deliver a touch of class. Ideal for business associates and sending a gift for a celebratory moment (like anniversaries), you’ll find options like the pretty Sterling Vintner’s Collection Gift Basket and Robert Mondavi Cellar Selection Gift Basket with four Private Selection wines. They also have a line of fun themed gift baskets, like the Taste of Italy Gift Basket packaged in a metal colander, or the Bear Hugs Thanks so Much with a cuddly stuffed animal.
6. iGourmet
Although gift baskets are not the primary focus of this online shop, iGourmet sells them, as well as boxes filled with specialty artisan foods from around the world, such as Fleur de Sel Caramels by Kenzi from France, Black Truffle Almonds from Italy, and Cherry and Brandy Filled Chocolates from Germany. Other options include Chocolate, Cheese and Port Wine Dessert Wine Gift Basket; Champagne, Caviar and Cheese Gift Basket; and the British Classic Gift Basket.
7. Design It Yourself Gift Baskets
Offering a host of high-quality food and gift items, all of the baskets found on Design It Yourself Gift Baskets are fully customizable. Users can upgrade or add products to existing baskets. Some of the gift baskets from their collection that you can customize include the Top Shelf Margarita Gift Basket; Casino Night Poker Gift Basket; and Rockin’ New Baby Gift Basket.
8. Gift Tree Gift Baskets
With eye-catchingly packaged and themed gift baskets, Gift Tree offers quite a few unique options to celebrate all sorts of special occasions. From impressive corporate gifts to fascinating gift basket containers, Gift Tree should probably be your first stop when looking for wine-related, gourmet, or truly unique gift basket ideas. A few to note include Gourmet Nuts & Confections Gift Chest; Bath & Body Invigoration; and the Traditional Teatime Basket.
10 Ways Gift Baskets Come in Handy
Gift baskets allow people to easily show their consideration, sympathy, or joy for the events that others experience. Below are eight different ways that a gift basket helps send just the right message:
* Use a gift basket to tell a neighbor you’re sorry for their loss.
* Thank a client for their business with a corporate-themed gift basket.
* Use a gift basket filled relaxation goodies to congratulate a co-worker on his or her retirement.
* Congratulate new home owners with a beautifully packaged, kitchen-themed gift basket.
* Send a Hawaiian Host gift basket as an anniversary gift to a couple who honeymooned in Hawaii.
* Send a gift basket to your sister-in-law when you can’t make her baby shower.
* Celebrate the end of a school year or sports season to an exceptional teacher or coach.
* Send a pet-related gift basket to a loved one who recently got a new companion.
* Help a loved one celebrate any kind of personal milestone with a themed gift basket.
* Show your office assistant that you appreciate his or her hard work on Administrative Professionals Week (celebrated annually during the last full week of April).
While you most likely won’t send a Reverse Wishlist™ to your intended gift recipient regarding the above-mentioned situations, pickURgift offers a way to make choosing a gift basket even easier to accomplish. Use our bookmarklet to save your gift basket ideas in one convenient place, and if you should need to get the opinion of others, send your gift list to receive their input.