The 26 Best Gift Baskets of 2024, According to Our Taste Tests

Boarderie Happy Holidays Cheese & Charcuterie Board

View on Boarderie.com

The Boarderie gift basket makes it easy to prepare a charcuterie board without the hassle of slicing and arranging your meat, cheese, and snacks. The contents of the board are all pre-cut and pre-arranged, so your gift recipient can effortlessly serve and enjoy.

We thought the food items in the basket were very high quality and delicious, particularly the cheeses. The board is available in three different sizes that each include a variety of cheeses, meats, dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, and olives. The small board includes 19 different food items, so there are enough options for even picky eaters to find a few foods they like. 

The board is made fresh daily and offers free overnight shipping, which is rare for many gift baskets. Our package arrived in perfect condition and the contents were still cold when we received it. We thought the premade charcuterie board was ideal for quickly preparing for a holiday party or gathering.

The serving size is also generous, and the small board could easily serve four to six people. With bamboo tongs, skewers, and a spreader knife included in the cutlery kit, the board is easy to serve and eat. We thought the acacia serving board didn’t feel as high-quality as the rest of the basket, but it was still a nice addition that can be reused after the food is eaten.

Levain Bakery Cookie Tin Bundle

View on Levainbakery.com View on Goldbelly.com

For the sweet treat connoisseur in your life, you can’t go wrong with a box of cookies. These cookies from Levain Bakery satisfied our sweet tooth, and we even had leftovers to save for later. 

Each cookie is about the size of your palm, so they are large enough to share. The cookies can be stored in the freezer for up to three months, so you can save them for when cravings hit. 

The quality and size of the cookies was a huge upgrade from packaged cookies you would buy at the grocery store. The smell of fresh cookies hit us before we even unwrapped the cookie bags in the tin. 

During testing, we noted that the cookies were dense and tasted very fresh. We found the chocolate flavors to be especially moist and delicious. The brand recommends heating up the cookies, which makes them more decadent, but we liked them just as much at room temperature. 

There are 10 assortments to choose from on the website, including a vegan and gluten-free option. The signature assortment includes four different flavors, but we would have liked to try a wider variety of the brand’s offerings. The same assortment of cookies is available without the gift tin for a lower price, so you have another option if your giftee wouldn’t use the tin.

Atlas Coffee Club Rare Coffee Sampler

$70 at Amazon

If you’re shopping for a coffee lover, this sampler from Atlas Coffee Club offers a variety of rare coffees that will elevate their morning cup of joe. The high-quality beans offer uncommon flavors with notes like rhubarb and almond butter. 

We thought each of the four speciality coffees was notably higher-end than the coffee you can buy at the grocery store. Some of the blends were relatively strong, so the sampler is ideal for households that enjoy strong coffee. While the portions were a bit small in each bag of coffee, we think the selection would impress a coffee aficionado.

The pack is available freshly ground or with whole beans, which is ideal if your giftee prefers to grind their own beans. The set includes information on each of the roasts and postcards from the countries where the beans were grown so you can learn more about the region. Each roast also has a tasting note card that describes the flavor profile and the type of roast. 

We thought the sampling experience had a similar feel to wine tasting, which made it a memorable gift. Available on Amazon, the coffee sampler ships quickly (and for free!) to make last-minute gifting easy.

Stone Hollow Farmstead Floral Preserves Trio

View on Stonehollowfarmstead.com

The Stone Hollow Farmstead gift box has some of the most elegant packaging of any gift box on our list. The basket includes a small wooden spoon and three seasonal jellies with floral flavors like rose, violet, and honeysuckle. We loved the elegant presentation of the preserve jars, which were packaged in a wooden birch box with hand picked dried flowers sprinkled in. 

The flowers and aspen shavings in the box gave off a woodsy floral scent that made the gift box seem very expensive and high-end. The box even included an information card about the farmstead that was made from wildflower seed, so it can be planted to grow your own wildflowers. 

The floral preserves make for a very memorable gift since they are flavors you wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere. The retailer notes that the specific flavors may vary depending on what is available that season, and the wild violet flavor was substituted for a nasturtium jelly in our gift box. 

We enjoyed all three of the floral flavors, but the nasturtium and honeysuckle jellies stood out in particular for their flavor profile. The flavor was light and not overly sweet. With eight ounces of jelly in each jar, we thought the jars were generously sized and would last a long time. We felt that the shipping fee was also reasonable, although it varies based on location.

Great American Popcorn Co. Staff Favorites Box

View on Greatpopcorn.com

We love this gift box from Great American Popcorn for a crowd-pleasing gift that you don’t have to worry about delivering on a certain date. Our non-perishable popcorn shipped quickly and even arrived a day early. Thanks to flat-rate shipping, we also thought the price was also very reasonable.

During testing, we appreciated the variety of popcorn in the box that allowed us to sample a variety of diverse flavors. The box comes with six uncommon flavors of popcorn: puppy chow, honey garlic, Memphis BBQ, cinnamon toast, cheese puffs, and a dill flavor. We thought the popcorn tasted very fresh and had a better flavor than store-bought popcorn. Plus, each piece was flavorful and well-seasoned. 

We think you could easily provide snacks for five to 10 people with this gift box, and there are enough flavors to choose from that anyone would enjoy. The popcorn is neatly packaged in resealable bags so you don’t have to eat it all at once. 

It’s worth noting that the ingredients aren’t listed for each individual flavor of popcorn, so it may be difficult for people with dietary restrictions to tell which flavors they can eat.

Harney & Sons Best Sellers

View on Harney.com

The Harney & Sons gift basket is perfect for the tea lover in your life. The set includes four tins with different flavors of black tea: hot cinnamon spice, English breakfast, Earl Grey, and Paris tea, which is a fruity take on the classic Earl Grey.

With 20 sachets of each flavor, the large quantity of tea is ideal for a household of tea drinkers or to offer guests. We loved sampling the four tea options and having enough left over to share with guests. None of the items are perishable, so you don’t have to worry about items spoiling before your recipient can consume them. 

We were impressed with how flavorful and fragrant each tea option was, and they were notably higher quality than store-bought teas. We could smell the aroma of the tea before we even opened the tins, so we could get a sense of which tea we wanted to try.

Each tin includes the flavor notes of the tea and brewing instructions so you know exactly how to prepare it. The tins arrived in a sleek box labeled with the brand’s logo, which elevated the look of the gift. 

Although the set came with samples of two decaf options, we would have liked it if  the set included a full tin of one of them for more variety.

Northbay Creameries Cheeseboard Basket

View on Northbaycreameries.com

If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy gift, this cheeseboard basket from Northbay Creameries is a great option. We thought the cheeses tasted high-end, and we were impressed by the quality and variety of items in the basket. The contents could easily fill two cheese boards, so there is plenty of food to share with a group or bring to a gathering.

The basket was shipped with plenty of ice packs, so it was still cold to the touch when it arrived. The basket was also presented nicely with tight plastic wrap and tied with a bow. The plastic wrap helped keep the boxed items like crackers dry from any condensation, so all of the items arrived in perfect condition.

The basket contains four varieties of soft cheeses along with some nuts, dried fruit, jam, and other snacks. Our basket also included a cheese knife, although this isn’t listed in the product description. 

We thought the cheeses were the highlight of the basket, but we were also impressed by the salami, nuts, and dried fruits. The jam was not overly sweet and paired perfectly with the cheese. We wish the basket included more crackers because we ran out quickly, but we thought the basket was well worth the price overall. 

The brand offers free shipping with orders over $75 in California, Oregon, and Nevada, but shipping is fairly expensive in other states. The shipping cost varies depending on where you ship the package, but the cost ensures the cheeses stay fresh.

Stone Hollow Farmstead Blissful Breakfast Gift Box

$111 at Amazon View on Stonehollowfarmstead.com

This Stone Hollow gift box offers a curated selection of artisanal items to incorporate into your breakfast. The basket includes classic breakfast items like pancake mix and jelly but with elevated flavors like honeysuckle and ​​rose geranium. 

Like the Stone Hollow Farmstead Floral Preserves Trio, the gift is packaged in a beautiful birch wood box with dried flowers from the farmstead’s garden, creating a memorable experience for your gift recipient. The basket was well-packaged in bubble wrap to protect the glass jars, so nothing arrived damaged.

The box features a sprouted flour pancake mix and jars of wildflower honey, floral honeysuckle jelly, and rose geranium syrup. We thought the glass jars of jam, jelly, and honey were generously sized and would last long after you finish the pancake mix. 

The syrup had a fragrant floral flavor, and the honey had a fresh taste that paired well with tea. We loved trying the jelly on crackers and toast to elevate an otherwise simple breakfast.

The pancake mix is made with oat flour and gluten-free grain flour, so it’s a good option for people with dietary restrictions. We wish the preparation instructions were printed on the pancake mix jar instead of included on a separate piece of paper, but this definitely wasn’t a deal breaker for the gift box.

Recchiuti Black Box 16

View on Recchiuti.com

We were impressed with Recchiuti's delicious assortment of their classic candies sprinkled among some of their more contemporary flavors, which means there’s truly something for everyone in this box of truffles. While you'll spend a bit more than other chocolate boxes, we think it's worth the cost for Recchiuti's high-quality flavors and luxe packaging.

Among the truffles that will appear in your gift box (selected by the company) include Kona coffee, maple pecan praline, peppermint, burnt caramel, cappuccino, rosemary olive oil, Piedmont hazelnut, sesame nougat, current cognac, and a host of other tantalizing ingredients that will impress even the most discerning of chocolate connoisseurs. While some chocolate boxes can go overboard with their flavors and textures, we found the Recchiuti set to offer just enough distinct flavors without being overwhelming.

The box of candy comes with a legend that describes each piece, so your recipient knows exactly what they’re enjoying when they take a bite. The box arrived with an ice pack, which kept the chocolates in perfect condition. But keep in mind, these truffles are best enjoyed when consumed within two weeks of arrival, so be sure to plan your gift shipment accordingly.

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit Share the Love Basket

View on Goldbelly.com View on Calliesbiscuits.com

If you're shopping for a foodie who loves Southern cuisine, this gift basket from Callie's Biscuits is a great pick. The box comes with six buttermilk, six cinnamon, six cheese and chive biscuits, and a container of pimento cheese. We were impressed with the quality of both the crumbly biscuits and the flavorful cheese. Even though they're frozen biscuits, we think they tasted just as good as those served at a Southern-style restaurant.

Our box arrived within a week of ordering. The box was packaged with a healthy amount of dry ice, keeping all of the contents cold—but not wet, which we appreciated. Just keep in mind, the box doesn't look like a traditional gift basket and doesn't include any decorative wrapping. It looks more like a meal delivery kit box. However, we appreciated that the biscuits arrived frozen and could stay frozen until we were ready to bake them, unlike some gift baskets that need to be consumed within a few days of arrival.

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

View on Wickedgoodcupcakes.com

This wine-and-cupcakes set is a fun and delicious gift for anyone with a sweet tooth. The gift set includes six large cupcake jars in two different flavors: red velvet and chocolate ganache. Two full-size bottles of wine, a California moscato sparkling wine and a California rosé wine, pair nicely with the cupcake flavors.

In our taste test, we thought the cupcakes were decadent, but not sickeningly sweet. Both flavors were very moist with a rich flavor and creamy frosting. We thought the cupcakes tasted fresh, like they were just baked. The wine was just dry enough to balance out the sweetness of the cupcakes, so they paired perfectly. However, the wine was not as sweet as we expected, particularly the moscato.

We were impressed by the quality and balance of flavors in each cupcake jar. The cupcakes are large enough to share since each jar contains the equivalent of two regular-sized cupcakes. The jars are reusable, and the box even comes with spoons to enjoy the cupcakes. 

Our gift basket arrived just as advertised on the website in terms of both the packaging and the appearance of the cupcakes. The cupcakes can be enjoyed up to seven days after delivery or frozen for up to six months, so they can be savored over time without going bad.

We thought the gift basket was affordable for the quality and amount of items included, especially since the brand offers free shipping on certain days. However, delivery is not available on Saturdays or Sundays.

Compartés Vegan Dark Chocolate Assortment Gift Box

View on Compartes.com

This luxury chocolate gift set offers a variety of chocolate-dipped fruits and nuts that are suitable for vegan diets. The box includes chocolate-dipped apricots, pineapples, coconut pieces, orange slices, almonds, and pecans. The assortment comes in two sizes, medium and large, and both are packaged in a luxe black gift box.

During our taste tests, we couldn’t tell the chocolate was vegan since it tasted the same as regular chocolate. The chocolates tasted fresh, flavorful, and high-quality. The dark chocolate was sweet rather than bitter, and it paired nicely with the fruit varieties. We liked the variety of chocolates included in the gift box, and the arrangement inside the box was elegant and elevated. The chocolates were sizable but still bite-sized. 

The chocolates were shipped with three reusable gel ice packs to keep them cool and prevent melting. The chocolates are handmade daily, and the brand offers a “no melt” guarantee to ensure the products arrive in good condition. 

The additional snacks, like dried fruit and nuts, complemented the chocolate flavors, and all of the items tasted fresh. The assortment is all dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, so this gift box is suitable for several dietary needs. 

The downside to the gift box was that some items pictured online were not included, like the chocolate-dipped pineapple pieces and pretzels. In our gift box, these items were substituted for candied ginger. There was also no guide in the gift basket to identify the chocolates.

Universal Yums Care Package

$47 at Amazon

Looking for an affordable gift basket that will arrive at your recipient's door quickly? This Universal Yums Care Package ships from Amazon and contains over two dozen snacks from around the world.

The packaging wasn't extravagant, but we appreciated the brand's fun design on the box. The snacks, which are individually sealed, arrived without any damage despite not containing any protective packaging like bubble wrap or paper. The box included an insert to explain what each snack was and its country of origin, which is a nice touch since some of the packaging isn't in English.

None of the snacks were perishable and their expiration dates were one to two years in advance, so we were confident that the contents were fresh. While the snacks themselves weren't gourmet, we appreciated the novelty flavors that aren't commonly found in the grocery store.

Salt & Straw The Best Sellers Pack

View on Saltandstraw.com

A pint of ice cream is a comforting treat, and this gift basket of five gourmet flavors from Salt & Straw makes for a perfect gift. When the box arrived at our front door six days after ordering, the outer cardboard box had damp corners, which was a bit worrying at first. But once we opened the box, the desserts inside were ice cold. With the amount of dry ice inside the box, we think the ice cream would stay cold sitting by the door for hours, even in warmer climates.

Once we dug into the ice cream, we were impressed with its rich flavor and satisfying texture. The five flavors included in the classic pack—sea salt with caramel ribbons; chocolate gooey brownie; double fold vanilla; salted, malted, chocolate chip cookie dough; and a vegan freckled mint chocolate chip—tasted extremely fresh, as if the dessert had been made the day before.

We think the set could have a bit more variety, like including a fruit-based ice cream, but all the flavors included were delicious. The box didn’t have the most stylish presentation, and we were surprised there wasn’t any information for the recipient to learn about the ingredients or where the ice cream was made. However, we appreciated how easy it was to recycle the box and contents once we were done. While this is certainly a splurge for 5 pints, especially when you add on the shipping fee that isn’t included in the base price, we think it’s worth it for an ice cream lover.

Bonnie & Pop Snack Attack Tray & Basket

$60 at Amazon View on Bonnieandpop.com

The Bonnie and Pop gift basket includes more than 3 pounds of dried fruit and nuts on a wooden keepsake tray that can also be used as a basket. The basket contains mango slices, apricots, yellow peaches, pears, apple wedges, kiwi slices, dates, plums, and prunes. In addition to the wide variety of fruits, the basket also has two types of nuts: tamari almonds and cashews.

The gift basket appeared identical to the photos online. The dried fruit looked appetizing and bountiful, and the items were beautifully arranged on the tray. We loved the flavor of the nuts and most of the dried fruit. The nuts added saltiness to balance the sweet fruits, and the dried fruit was very flavorful. The fruits were fresh, sweet, and left us wanting more. However, we thought the dried apricots tasted somewhat lackluster and weren't as flavorful as the other options. 

We were very impressed with the variety of items and presentation of the gift basket, as it had a mix of colors, sizes, and textures, especially for the affordable price. The snacks are all kosher, gluten free, and vegan, so they are suitable for a variety of dietary needs. The basket also included a resealable bag to keep the dried fruit and nuts fresh.

The large size can serve up to 10 people, so it makes a great option for a gathering or large family. The basket itself is stylish and collapsible, which makes the already affordable price an exceptional value for any gift. The gift basket ships for free on Amazon and arrived just two days after we placed the order, so it’s a great option for a last-minute gift.

Cheryl's Cookies Classic Assortment Bow Gift Box

View on Cheryls.com

The Cheryl’s Cookies gift box is a crowd-pleaser for both large and small groups. We loved the variety of cookie flavors and range of box sizes. 

The gift box comes with an assortment of cookies, including five classic flavors. In the 72-count gift box, there are 16 chocolate chip, 16 oatmeal raisin, 16 frosted cut-out, 12 sugar, and 12 chocolate obsession cookies. However, we received 12 frosted cut-out cookies instead of 16 and 16 sugar cookies instead of 12. 

The gift basket comes in several sizes, ranging from 12 to 200 cookies. However, the type of cookies cannot be customized. The cookies are individually wrapped, so they are easy to share with family and friends. Each cookie was clearly labeled with its flavor and ingredients on the package. 

We thought all of the cookies were flavorful, soft, and tasted fresh, even after we froze and thawed them. The company recommends enjoying the cookies within three to four days of arrival or freezing them immediately for up to six months. Since they are individually wrapped, they can stay frozen until you are ready to eat them.

When ordering the gift box, we could select a delivery window but not a specific delivery date. None of the cookies were crumbled or damaged when the box arrived. 

This gift basket's selection of sizes makes it a good choice for a large group or gathering, like an office party. For the quality and quantity of items included in the gift basket, we thought the price was very reasonable.

Barnetts Deluxe Biscotti Gift Box

View on Barnettssweetcreations.com

There’s nothing like enjoying a slice of crunchy biscotti alongside a steaming mug of coffee or cup of tea. You’ll transform a lucky recipient’s coffee and tea times for days with this gift box of two dozen handmade mini biscotti from Barnetts Sweet Creations.

Our box arrived quickly, but we noticed some of the chocolate had melted by the time we opened the box, which is something to keep in mind if you're going to be sending the gift basket to a warmer climate.

The box features biscotti in eight of Barnetts’ most popular flavors that include caramel chip, chocolate chip, craisin, almond crunch, chocolate chip, and cookies and cream. The ribbon-wrapped gift box has 24 individual compartments to ensure a safe trip for each biscotti and a lovely display for your recipient to open and enjoy. The box is less expensive than other options, but keep in mind you’ll also have to factor in a shipping fee.

Murray's Cheese Greatest Hits

View on Murrayscheese.com

The Murray’s Cheese Greatest Hits gift box is a dream come true for the cheese-lovers in your life. It includes a generous portion of four different cheeses: gruyère, manchego, brie, and cheddar.

The cheese varieties were flavorful and distinct from one another, ranging from hard to soft cheeses. All of the products tasted fresh, and we thought the cheese was very high quality. With 1.5 pounds of cheese, the basket can easily serve six to 10 people. 

The basket also included a full-size jar of spiced cherry preserves, almonds, and sea salt and olive oil crackers. We thought the speciality jam was a fun addition to the box since it isn’t a flavor you can find in a grocery store. The preserves had a delicious flavor that complemented the other food items in the basket, especially the crackers. We enjoyed eating the crackers alone or with the cheese and jam.

The basket was packaged well to prevent damage to the items during shipping. Since it included perishable items, it was packaged in a thermal-lined box with ice packs inside the cooler to keep the food fresh. 

The pre-packaged items were labeled with nutritional information. The cheeses are cut fresh from a deli, so they do not include nutritional information on the package. 

We did not have any products substituted in our order, but the order process includes the option to select your preferred substitutions if an item is unavailable. We liked the variety of items included in the gift basket, but we wished there was an option to add meat or fruit to balance out the heaviness of the cheese.

Melissa's Deluxe Exotic and Tropical Fruit Basket

$98 at Amazon View on Melissas.com

With a variety of exotic fruits, we think Melissa's fruit basket is the best option for a flavorful gift. This basket is perfect for the adventurous giftee to try fruits that are only available in tropical climates. 

The box includes a random assortment of tropical fruits from around the world, depending on what fruits are in season. You cannot select specific fruits to include in your basket, but the brand lists all of the varieties that may be available. Some of the fruits included in our gift basket were cherimoya, kumquats, Asian pear, dragon fruit, passion fruit, mini bananas, feijoas, baby pineapples, papaya, and guava. The box includes 7 to 8 pounds of fruit in total. 

Since the fruits are perishable, the box must be shipped via second-day air. However, the shipping fee is not included in the price, and you can only see the shipping fee when you check out.

All of the fruits arrived intact except for one small piece of fruit that was cracked. Some of the fruit was not ripe when it arrived; however, the box includes a guide to identify each fruit and determine when it is ripe. The pamphlet also explains how to eat the fruit and provides ideas on how to cook it. Once the fruit ripened, it was very fresh and high quality.

The fruit comes in a decorative woven basket that can be reused and repurposed after the fruit is eaten. The decorative basket and the fruit were well protected with bubble wrap inside the shipping box. Although we couldn’t select an exact delivery date for the box, the brand can estimate your delivery date based on when you order and the selected shipping method.

Olive & Cocoa Italian Market Snacks

View on Oliveandcocoa.com

The Italian Market Snacks Tote includes a variety of flavorful items fit for a charcuterie board. The meats, cheeses, and crackers were savory, and each item in the basket complements the others to create a cohesive snacking experience.

We thought the gift basket had a mix of salty and sweet items during our taste test. It included mixed nuts, artisanal salami, farmhouse cheese, crackers, two types of spreads, and sea salt caramels. 

During our taste tests, the artisanal crackers were crispy, thin, and flavorful. The gift basket comes with two jars of spreads to try on the crackers. The spread flavors listed on the website were basil pesto and sun-dried tomato bruschetta, but the jar of basil pesto was substituted for an artichoke lemon pesto in our gift basket. Although we weren’t informed of the substitution before the basket arrived, the brand says substitutions may occasionally occur. 

The sea salt caramels were decadent, creamy, and flavorful, and we loved the sweet option to balance out the savory flavors in the basket. The mixed nuts were also very fresh and crunchy, complementing the saltiness of the caramels. The sun-dried tomato spread was mild and smoky with a slight hint of tang. The salami was hearty and had hints of garlic and fennel flavors. While we enjoyed each of the products individually, we thought there should be more farmhouse cheese to balance out the crackers and salami.

The gift basket was carefully packaged for shipping, especially the glass jars, which were wrapped in plastic to prevent breakage. The gift basket was well arranged, and the presentation was elegant inside the reusable container. Additionally, you can choose between a canvas and burlap tote bag or a hand crafted wood crate as the container for the gift basket. 

Overall, we liked the quantity and assortment of items included in the basket. With seven different food items, the basket could serve four to six people.

Pearl River Mart Snack Attack Friendship Box: Surprise Edition

View on Pearlriver.com

The Pearl River Snack Attack makes a great gift for people who like to try new foods from around the world. The gift box offers Asian snacks with a range of flavors from sweet to savory. 

During our taste tests, we loved the contrast between the fruity candies and spicy or salty snacks. Some of the items included in our gift box were tropical-flavored marshmallows, wasabi peas, prawn chips, and rice candy. 

The wide variety of foods makes the gift box perfect for kids and adults alike. With more than 10 items, the box includes enough snacks to share with family or friends. The individual treats were also small enough to enjoy in one sitting, so they didn’t go stale. Additionally, most of the snacks can be enjoyed long after the delivery date since they are pre-packaged and nonperishable. 

We liked the surprise element of the gift box, which made it interesting to unpack and see the products that were included. Each of the items included nutritional information on the package, and the brand added a label in English for products with a different language on the original packaging. 

We thought the box was a great value for the quality, quantity, and variety of items it included. While we loved the variety of products, the box is not customizable since the items are randomly selected.

Magnolia Bakery Baked Fresh Sampler Pack

View on Magnoliabakery.com

The Magnolia Bakery Sampler Pack includes enough treats to serve an entire party for a birthday or other event. The gift basket had a great variety and selection of items, so there is something that everyone can enjoy. With six tubs of pudding and eight dessert bars, the gift basket could easily serve eight to 10 people.

The gift box is not customizable, but you can choose between a classic banana pudding pack or a variety banana pudding pack with different flavors. The variety pack includes three flavors of pudding, four chocolate brownies, and four buttery blondies. The regular banana pudding was our favorite, but the red velvet flavor also stole the show with the layers of cake mixed in. 

During our taste tests, the brownies were rich and sweet, and the pudding had a light, creamy texture. The pudding was the standout item of the basket. We thought each flavor tasted fresh and gourmet due to the pleasant texture and rich flavor. The treats looked just as appetizing as they appear in the photos, especially the pudding.

Although we loved the flavor and texture of the pudding, some of the brownies were slightly dry, especially compared to the quality of the blondies. Overall, the price is spot on for the quality and quantity of food included in the basket. The products were well-packaged in a cooler, and everything arrived intact. The gift box even included a card with details about each item, how to store them, and best-by dates.

Harry & David Signature Bakery Tray

$100 at Harry & David

Harry & David is often the go-to company for gift baskets for special occasions, and we can see why with this signature bakery tray. With this pick, you won’t have to worry about shipping baked goods only to have them arrive stale; we were impressed with how fresh everything tasted on arrival. Although it’s a bit of a splurge, we felt that it was worth it. 

The pine basket branded with the Harry & David logo arrives filled with a sweet selection of cakes and cookies including pineapple macadamia nut cake, Wolverman’s lemon poppyseed coffee cake, apple streusel loaf cake, cinnamon swirl, baklava, raspberry galettes, and a smattering of cookies, including lemon shortbread, double chocolate chunk, walnut chocolate chunk, Moose Munch, and macadamia nut chocolate chip.

Although you can’t pick what’s included, it’s a large enough selection so that even if your recipient isn’t a fan of every single cookie or slice of cake, there’s plenty in there to make them happy.

This basket is a great gift for anyone who loves sweets, but it’s also a very thoughtful gift to send for an impressive spread to share and enjoy at a larger gathering. While there are quite a lot of treats in the Signature tray, you’ll get even more when you opt for the Deluxe or the Ultimate.

Shari's Berries Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift Grande

View on Berries.com View on 1800baskets.com

Many of the best gift baskets are full of delicious sweets and treats, but if you’re gifting for someone who prefers healthier snacks, we recommend Shari’s Berries Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift. 

The Grande basket includes a variety of 37 fresh fruits and snacks gorgeously presented in a wicker basket wrapped in cellophane with a bright bow on top. The only downside is that when we unwrapped the cellophane, it sent brown paper shreds everywhere. But the protective wrapping did its job because none of the fruits were bruised in transit.

Some of the included items needed to be refrigerated, and while the basket shipped with an ice pack, we recommend making sure your recipient is home when the basket arrives, to avoid spoilage.

All the fruit was fresh and ready to be eaten right away. With a basket of this size, this is a great pick for a group gift for a family or as a hostess gift to bring to a party. Otherwise, some fruit may be overripe by the time your recipient gets to it. The included snacks and candies were also delicious and felt like a step up from generic candy you’d get at a grocery store.

Seven Sisters Scones Sconies, Jam, And Tea Sampler

View on Sevensistersscones.com

As a gift for an individual or couple, we were impressed with the high-quality scones included in this Seven Sisters Scones sampler. The sampler comes with eight individually wrapped scones, a 9-ounce jar of jam, 6-ounce jar of clotted cream, and a three-pack of tea. While the eight scones could be shared with loved ones, we think it’s the perfect amount for an individual or a couple to try throughout the week, which we found refreshing as many gift baskets are too big for a single person to finish themselves.

The basket doesn’t have any refrigerated items, so you won’t have to worry about your recipient being home right at the time of delivery. The box was branded and everything inside was wrapped neatly with tissue paper. The glass clotted cream and jam jars were wrapped in protective bubble wrap, and nothing came broken. Some scones were a bit dented, but not enough to raise concern.

The scones themselves were soft and delicious, and we think recipients with a sweet tooth will enjoy them most. The basket included a helpful sheet with storage and heating instructions. The scones can be left in the refrigerator for up to four days or placed in the freezer for six months. They can be eaten at room temperature, but if the recipient enjoys a warm scone, they can be heated in the oven or microwave.

Harry & David The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears

$75 at Harry & David

When is a box of pears more than a box of pears? When it arrives at their doorstep from Harry & David. Your local farmer’s market might dish up some delectable fruit, but they’re simply no match to the pear perfection that is a Royal Riviera. These sweet, juicy pears are an absolute delight. In fact, they are what launched Harry & David as a purveyor of gourmet gifts, and it’s easy to see how the company grew just on the reputation of these pears expertly grown in Southern Oregon. 

While our box arrived a few days before its estimated delivery date, it still took a month after ordering to deliver, which isn't ideal for last-minute gift shopping. Each pear in the 5-pound box is hand-picked and wrapped in tissue paper. The box didn't offer any decorative wrapping, but we appreciated that each pear was neatly packaged in its own section.

Keep in mind, the listing states that 5 pounds is approximately nine pears, but we received eight, so this will vary depending on the size of the fruit. The pears should be kept at room temperature right in the box until they ripen, then they can continue to ripen in the fridge. They should be consumed within 10 days, but they’re so sweet and delicious, this probably won’t be an issue for your gift recipient.