Buyer's Guide to the Best Gift Baskets
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Searching for the Best Gift Baskets
In today's world, family and friends can be spread out across the country making it difficult to send gifts to those you really care about. Of all the options available, gift baskets may be the best solution, offering a wide variety of options to suit a myriad of tastes. Clearly, you wan't to choose from the best gift baskets available.
With the rising popularity of the Internet, mail order gift giving has never been more popular, and there is a lot of competition for your business. Want to send unique gifts? Christmas gifts or other holidays? Birthday gifts? Is it for family or do you need corporate gifts to promote your business? Or are you simply looking for great gift ideas? It can be a time consuming job to navigate through all the companies and keep track of all the information.
This article is designed to cut through all the fancy ribbon and guide you to the best gift baskets available. Included you will find links to the individual companies, what they offer, approximate cost for the items plus shipping charges, and which credit cards are accepted for payment. In short, a large part of your work has been done. Peruse the listings below and you are sure to find a business offering exactly what you want (and many ideas you didn't even know you had). Happy gift basket shopping!
Zabar's
Founded in 1934, Zabar's is a New York institution. Featuring coffees, teas, fresh spices, roasted goose, rack of lamb, foie gras, smoked salmon, deli meats, cheeses, housewares, caviar, and a wide variety of other items. They also have an "on sale"section, plus a "down-loadable" corporate gifts catalog. You can also create a custom gift basket with a basket and items you choose.
Least expensive item: Under $10.00
Most expensive item: $3299.00 - (Jura Capresso IMPRESSA Z5 automatic coffee and espresso center).
Shipping based on total order: $7.50 (on orders less than $25.00) and up.
Usually ships within two business days.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa
Dean and Deluca
Founded in 1977 in SoHo, NYC., Dean and Deluca specializes in meats, cheeses, bakery goods, pantry items, herbs and spices, coffee and tea, wines, side dishes, foie gras, caviar, truffles and truffle products. Many gift baskets to choose from, or buy ala carte.
Prices: $10 and up.
Shipping: About $13.50 and up.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa
How to Make a Fruit Basket
Earthy Delights
Offering specialty foods to American Chefs and adventurous home cooks, Earthy Delights offers fresh produce from the farm straight to the kitchen in the shortest time possible. They offer wild mushrooms and other wild-harvested items, including specialty produce, hand-crafted cheeses, balsamic vinegar, exotic spices and hard to find ingredients.
Least expensive item: $5.00
Most expensive item: $178.00
Baskets from $24.99 and up.
Shipping: About $13.50 and up.
Accepts Amex / Discover / MC / Visa
Omaha Steaks
Offering a large variety of lean meats from grain-fed Omaha Beef, Omaha Steaks offers the most popular cuts of steaks, ribs, roasts, special cuts, as well as seafoods, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Items arrive fresh-frozen in a Styrofoam cooler
Prices: $14.99 (12 - 4 oz. Omaha Steak burgers) and up.
Shipping: $13.99 to $21.99 (Depending on product cost)
Accepts: Amex / MC / Visa
Exotic Meats USA
Offering a large selection of Game and Specialty Meats, Exotic Meats features over 38 varieties, including: Alligator, Antelope, Bison/Buffalo, Caribou/Reindeer, Crocodile, Elk, Frog, Kangaroo, Kobe Beef. Lamb, Llama, Rabbit, Rattlesnake, Snapping Turtle, Venison, Wild Boar, Yak, Duck, Goose, Guinea Fowl, Ostrich, Pheasant, Quail, Squab, and Wild Turkey (at the time of this writing, they are out of Lion and Black Bear). Select from Steaks, Burgers, Ribs, Roasts, Sausages and more.
All of their products are farm raised and free of growth hormones and antibiotics. Recipes and nutritional information is available for each products.
Prices: Less than $10.00 and up
Example: 2 - 8 oz. Buffalo sirloin steaks - $19.30. Sampler packs $90.00 to $159.00
Minimum order: $90.00
Shipping $59.81 and up (overnight delivery)
Accepts: Discover / Mastercard/ Visa
Lobster Anywhere
For over three decades, Lobster Anywhere has provided live Maine lobsters and premium seafood to restaurants, hotels, large institutions, and now the home chef. Their live Maine lobsters are taken fresh off the fishing boats of local lobster fisherman to sophisticated live-holding systems, and immediately hand selected and packed for your delivery overnight. Other items include Steamer Clams, Mussels, Baked Shrimp, Steaks and Ribs, Sea Scallops wrapped in bacon, chowders, soups, bisque, and desserts.
Representative prices: Least expensive item $6.00 / Least expensive live lobster (2 lbs) - $28.00 / Steamer Clams 19.00. / Prince Edward Island Mussels - 2 lbs. $16.00
Shipping: Overnight $24.00 and up.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa
Harry and David
For over 70 years, Harry and David has been sending fruit baskets and fresh fruit, and now features many other items. Offering some of the best gift baskets, choose a fruit basket, wine baskets, bakery baskets, healthy baskets, ham, turkey, truffles and chocolates, sweet treats, breakfast items, cheese cakes, cakes, pies, flowers, and plants.
Basket prices: $39.99 - $299.00.
Shipping: About $10.48 and up.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover Card / Diners Club
Wine Country
Offering a wide variety of wine gift baskets, Wine Country also offers a plethora of other gift basket choices. They also sell baskets featuring spa items, candy, chocolate, gourmet food, baked goods, and much, much more. Wines offered are California vintages from several different wineries.
Basket Prices: $22.46 - $150.00
Shipping: $5.95 and up
Many non-wine baskets offer free shipping
Accepts Amex, MC, Visa
Wally's
Called by Zagat's survey the #1 wine shop in Los Angeles, Wally's offers a variety of fine liquor gift baskets. You will also find wine baskets, champagne baskets, and beer baskets, accompanied by gourmet snacks and crackers. They also offer kosher, non-alcoholic, and custom made baskets.
We offered products for the ladies. Here is where you'll find men gifts. All single items are also available individually with several gift wrapping options. Shipping to London, Paris, Canada, Tokyo are also available. Call for details.
Least expensive item: Some single bottles of wine for less than $10.00
Basket prices: $59.00 to $995.00
Shipping: Depending on size of order and location, about $25.00. (A single bottle of wine ships for about $13.00.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover
Godiva
Having achieved an iconic status in the word of chocolates, Godiva uses premium cocoa beans and dairy butter and always ships fresh. They don't use artificial flavors or preservatives, which less expensive brands often do to achieve a longer shelf life. Instantly recognizable, Godiva chocolates is always an impressive and appreciated gift idea.
Least expensive item: $4.00
Most expensive item: $325.00
Shipping approx $12.95
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover
Candy Baskets
Founded in 2003, Candy Baskets offers unique gift candy arrangements and gourmet gift baskets. This family-owned company features gourmet chocolates such as Godiva, Mark Avenue Chocolates, new Ghirardelli boxed chocolates, Koppers chocolates, Lindt truffles, Jelly Belly, Fudgie Wudgie fudge, Buddy Squirrel Nuts and more. Gourmet gift basket arrangements also include gourmet coffees, teas, roasted garlic toasts, Bruschetta snacks, pretzels and gourmet mustards.
Basket prices: $18.99 to $49.99
Shipping: Depending on location and size of order about $6.00 and up
Accepts Amex / Visa / MC / Discover
Cookie Gift Baskets
While the company is incorporated in Minnesota, Cookie Gift Baskets bakeries are distributed across the country and ship to anywhere in the US. Items are baked and shipped on the same day to insure maximum freshness. A large selection of cookie bouquets are available, and offer both crunchy and moist and chewy selections.
Basket prices: $17.00 to $136.00
Shipping and Handling: Depending on location and size of order, about $9.95 and up.
Accepts Amex, MC, Visa
Bath and Body
Offering bath gift baskets and a variety of body and bath items, Bath and Body products come in a variety of fragrances and nourishing ingredients for the lady who likes to pamper her skin and soul. Body lotions, body butter, bath gels, and more are sure to please any female recipient. Gift sets are also available.
Gift baskets: $14.00 to $80.00
Shipping and Handling: Depending on size of order, $5.95 and up.
Accepts / Amex / MC / Visa
Fill-r-up
A customized gift basket service and retail store located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, fill-r-up offers original, high-end gift baskets for every occasion. Searching for a Christmas gift? Almost every imaginable theme is available, including all major holidays, spa and beauty, items for the gourmet cook, and even pet baskets. Many candies, sweets and whimsical items are offered. Choose from one of their pre-designed baskets or build your own.
Least expensive: About $10.00
Most expensive: $306.76
Shipping: About $14.00 and up.
Accepts Amex / MC / Visa
Let's Go Shopping For Gift Baskets!
With this guide to the best gift baskets available on the internet, you are sure to find a basket that suits your needs and budget. Visit your favorites using the links provided to see the wide range of choices each company has available. Hopefully, you will now find your on-line shopping experience satisfying and hassle-free. Happy shopping!
NOTE: The author has no affiliation with any companies listed in this article. No financial considerations have been made. Information is deemed to be accurate as of the time of this writing.
How to Make a Small Gift Basket
Ebay Gift Baskets
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Personalized Large Spa Theme Hat Box Gift Basket Gift Set FREE PERSONALIZING
Current Bid: $54.99
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Crinkle Paper Shred Gift Basket Filler 8oz - 17 Colours
Current Bid: $4.00
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Crinkle Paper Shred Gift Basket Filler 8oz - 17 Colours
Current Bid: $4.00
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Crinkle Paper Shred Gift Basket Filler 8oz - 17 Colours
Current Bid: $4.00
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Amazon Gift Baskets
![]() | Amazon Price: $24.99 |
![]() | Amazon Price: $39.91 List Price: $49.99 |
![]() | Amazon Price: $44.99 List Price: $59.99 |
![]() | Amazon Price: $15.45 List Price: $44.95 |
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Great hub.... after I read some of your hubs, I realized that life in America is far different from life in Romania. If you would live just a year in my country, you will see what I am talking about... For me, to live in America seems so hard, but I know that you think the same about live in Europe... or Asia! So, thanks again for the hub. Now I know what gift to buy for my friend!
Great Hub Christoph with really good suggestions. One year a lady I knew sent me a side of Scottish Smoked Salmon for Christmas, it was a lovely gift, and was sent direct from the smokery packaged in polystyrene so it stayed cold.
Will have a go at fishing for one for you Christoph, can't beat a freshly caught smoked salmon :) :) :)
LOL, Christoph, I was offering to send YOU the list and the check, to do my shopping for me!
So maybe you think your Hub was mundane. However, some people have a hard time making sense of the enormous amounts of information they are bombarded with every day. Your Hub makes sense for them.
Also, you approached this Hub with the organization and technical expertise of a successful business writer, which I know you are. For as much as your wit and charm appeal to me, I also like this more structured and mundanely purposeful aspect of your writing. Ahem. My thunbs are getting tired now.
That would be thumbs.
I'm all for gift baskets, Christoph. They've saved me from Christmas shopping nightmares more than once. But $ 28.00 for a 2 pound lobster????? Gimme a break!! That's blatant robbery!
But I guess if you have the crave on, then it's worth the price. Me? I just call my sister...send her down to our favorite seafood market and have them wrap up a couple and ship them overnight. Costs a LOT less...but they don't unfortunately offer it online...you have to ask.
Nice informative hub though and I will probably check out a few of them next month :) Thanks for doing all the work for me!
I can see the word *check* made an impression. I do so sincerely appreciate your meticulous attention to this request. Please remove the IMPRESSA Z5 from anybody's consideration.
Christoph - Too true about the bragging rights. I was NYC once and went out for a lobster dinner. Ouch did that hurt. Word to the wise...unless you have very deep pockets...don't order lobster in a hoity toity restaurant in NYC.
My former father-in-law was a lobsterman...so I can definitely taste the difference between fresh from the ocean, grocery store and *shudder* frozen tail. We called them sea roaches...or sea bugs...because of the fact that they are bottom feeders and look like bugs. For his wedding, he caught about oh...I want to say 50-60 of those suckers and kept them in a cage in the bay until the day of his wedding. Then he steamed them all up and kept them in coolers so they'd stay hot. I never thought it possible to be sick of lobster...but after 4 of them...I couldn't stuff another bite in or look at them for a WHOLE day. :)
Just another reason to be glad I'll be in NH for Christmas...I have a couple of bugs on my list.
LOL! I will!
Christoph, this is great, and you included my favorite, Godiva! I buy one or two of the boxes a year and horde them. They are expensive but so very very good. My oldest daughter is addicted too, but we always know what to get each other. This was done very nicely CR, glad you did it.
Sorry I have not been around alot these last few days guys. My husband has returned and I have been to a few poker games and went to some auctions. I will try to get back to you all Monday. I miss you guys :(
Christoph, I played nickle ante poker friday night and came out about $7.00 ahead, I played Texas hold em saturday and came in fifth the first game and won the second game. I didn'y buy anything at the auction. It was an antique/farm auction and I only had my eye on a couple of things (an Amish baby buggy and an oak table.) The buggy went for $475.00 and I didn't stick around for the table, I ran into some friends and we decided to go shopping while the guys went to the farm and went shooting.
Christoph, if I had went on a date with you and you brought me back to your place and showed me a gynocology table I would have left screaming from your house and changed my phone number, but maybe that's just me.
LOL Gwendy! Maybe Christoph was just confused about the stirrups...you know, being a cowboy and all. Can't you just picture him getting on it, putting his feet in and yelling, "Giddyup!"?
ROFLMAO, I can picture it and I might need therapy now.
From a sober hub on internet shopping to a gynae table with stirrups as a "conversation piece" ( I dont think) in Christophe's apartment. One approach of the Spryte and chaos reigns supreme as usual.
I guess they would not Ship a lot of that stuff to South Africa, foodstuff laws and all that, or maybe you could get permits? But as the USD is presently about 11 to 1 to our currency, SA Rand, (8 to 1 two weeks ago) US goods just got too expensive for us.
Great, well researched, hub but did you have any fun writing it?
I like Zabar's and Dean and DeLuca's the best. Nothing like wine and cheeses, smoked salmon, coffee, and teas. Right season for it to.
Now sticking to it I can understand that outcome! You can have some fun with this sentence too! LOL
Christoph....I think you really did find the BEST Gift Baskets. I am a big fan of these baskets and also I LOVE to make and put them together. I must say that my mom and dad would just LOVE a gift basket from Lobster Anywhere considering they cannot get a fresh Maine Lobster where they now live. My dad grew up in Maine so once a Maine Lobster fan always a Maine Lobster fan. Hmmmm, now I want one too! Thanks for this great hub.
Dude, did you go legit on me? While I think this is an awesome example of a very well researched and informative hub, and it will probably generate adsense revenue for a long time, I didn't laugh until you starting giving Spryte crap about her sister's new lobster business. So, I think, technically, you owe me one of the real lobster baskets for Christmas to make up for expectations of hilarity not being met. Or at the very least, I'll take some steaks or something.
(Seriously, nice work man. This is impressive, you put some time into this. Hope you see returns on this time investement over the course of the next months and years.)
I love Harry and David. Haven't heard of a few of the others. Thanks for the info.
I like the Gift Baskets idea.
Wine Country looks like a winner!
I think a basket from them and one from Dean and Deluca would make a nice picnic... the kind that lasts for days.
Which basket has the whipped cream in it?
Wow - lots of great information here. Thanks Christoph, for a super informative hub...
gift boxes are such a nice present. They are especially nice to give someone who has just had a baby.
Well heck I just found this one. Ok, so I know you're wondering "which one would I give Candie?" You much to polite to actually ask, and you might be hoping I'll pick one to make it easier. Well I do love a good piece of meat. I also do love eating things that melt on my tongue, or are firm and crisp. This is tough and you've chosen the best. I will let you decide.. you are so good at surprises!
I think I'd like the chocolate basket, myself.
Thank you Chris! Do you see the connection?? Hmmm!!!
just pucker up and blow! look at the last three comments above.. what do you see??
I love your addition of the you tube videos...makes a very interesting hubpage.
We live in the same time as Harry and David. They do a great job with their gift baskets.
I adore lots of possibilities!
Thank you for the great post. We are in the gift basket business and hope to achieve the same amount of success as the companies that made your list.
The gift basket is a great invention! Personally, I love making up my own gourmet food baskets and creating a theme such as Spanish, Italian, Chinese etc. You've given so many choices here, thanks :)





























Sally's Trove 3 years ago
Nice job organizing the product price and shipping cost information. I was glad to see some of my favorites like Harry and David and Omaha Steaks.
In case you don't know this about me, I absolutely hate to shop, especially for gifts. I don't have the genetic material for choosing the right things. So, yours is a helpful, idea-generating list to have on hand. Now, can I just send you my gift list including gender, age, and occupation for each of the recipients and a blank check? :)
Thumbs up!