Gift Baskets
« Previous EntriesThe Summer Entertaining Gift Basket: Spice Rubs, Gourmet Salsa, & More
Friday, May 23rd, 2008There are some food gifts that are about as fun as a natural acne treatment. Sure, they’re functional, but no one’s going to care. Things like crackers and mustard feel that way sometimes. This Summer Entertaining Gift Basket is quite the opposite. Instead of boring recipients with the usual, uninspired items, this includes chili mix, BBQ spice rubs, gourmet salsa, raspberry lemongrass tea, mango peach tea, and three different kinds of bean dips (Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Mexican). That’s a party (or more than one party) in a basket! Just add alcohol.
PMS - Party Monday - Sunday Gift Basket
Friday, April 18th, 2008In college, I remember a guy who would ask people at parties, “What channel are we watching tonight?” and then wait for a response. When the person he asked got confused, he’d yell out, “ABC - Absolute Beer Consumption! YEAH MAN!!!!” or something to that effect. He was insanely obnoxious, the kind of guy who needed a personality transplant and a large bottle of Leptovox to shed a couple hundred pounds. I have to wonder if he was behind the naming of this next gift basket.
The PMS - Party Monday-Sunday Gift Basket comes in at around $100 and includes cookies, pretzels, French Brie, Baby Gouda, some other assorted items, and your choice of wine. While I tend to think more of beer and hard liquor when it comes to “parying Monday through Saturday”, this sounds like a pretty nice gift basket.
Nostalgia in a Basket - The 50s Candy Gift Basket
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008Although Father’s Day isn’t coming up for about two months, it’s never too soon to start gathering ideas. Oh sure, I could buy something useful like a cell phone repeater or a new weed whacker, but where’s the fun in that? I think my own father would get a lot more enjoyment out of something like this 50s Candy Gift Basket.
The 50s Candy Gift Basket includes over 30 full-size pieces of candy - roughly 5 pounds of wonderful processed sugar. You get Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottles, Sen-Sen Breath Refreshment, Chuckles, Charms Ass’t Squares, Vanilla French Chew Taffy, Haviland Wintergreen Patty, Candy Buttons, Necco Wafers Chocolate, Cherry Mash, Necco Wafers Ass’t, Mary Janes, Zagnut Bar, Violet Scented Gum, Charms Pop Sweet, Walnettos, Bubble Gum Cigars, Smoothie Peanut Butter Cup,Teaberry Gum, Candy Stix Cigarettes, Oh! Henry Bar, Gold Mine Nugget Gum, Wax Lips, Skybar, Chocolate Moon Pie, Black Licorice Pipe, Abba-Zaba, Slo-Poke Jr. Sucker, Cup-o-Gold, Chocolate Cigarettes, Slap Stix, Sno-Caps, Chick-o-stick, Butter Rum Lifesavers, Clark Bar, Goetze’s Cow Tail, Vanilla Bun Bar, and Bubble Gum Cigarettes.
Funny story about the Goetze’s Cow Tails, though - As a child, I can remember my grandmother taking me out to the local Rural King (that’s a farm supply / clothing / toy store, for those of you who didn’t grow up in the middle of nowhere) and buying me a Cow Tail. I was pretty young, so I still believed…pretty much everything…and I spent hours squishing it around and feeling bad for the cow that lost its tail. As small as it was, I figured it had to have come from a baby cow…
So I guess the moral of the story is that even if you didn’t grow up in the 50s, this gift basket may stir up some funny memories from the past. If your dad (or mom, or friend, or whomever) did actually grow up in the 50s, I can pretty much guarantee that this gift will be a hit. Just make sure you have time to stick around and listen to stories about riding bikes down to the general store and how all the candy cost a nickel.
The Most Expensive Picnic Gift Set Ever
Monday, March 31st, 2008Okay, so maybe this isn’t THE most expensive picnic ever, but it’s certainly not cheap. At $265, “The Picnic” set is perfectly stocked for a slightly snooty afternoon in the park.
So what do you get with your almost $300 picnic basket? Quite a lot, actually. It comes with a picnic basket with a green gingham liner, forks, knives, plates, plastic wine glasses, containers, a cheese knife, cheese board, a disposable camera, and napkins. As for the edibles, you get:
Santa Barbara Garlic Stuffed Olives
La Tempesta Chocolate Macadamia Biscotti
Tony Packo’s Pickles and Peppers
1 Bottle of Forest Glen Chardonnay
French Brie Cheese
Havarti with Dill
Carr’s Assorted Biscuits
Maille Mustard
5 Lindt Chocolates
Lindt Chocolate Bar
Of course, I think this gift set would be best enjoyed on patio furniture instead of the cold, hard, ant-ridden ground.
Caribbean Island Gift Basket
Sunday, March 9th, 2008It’s that time of year where every recent college grad dreams of cheap flights and sunny beaches. All the college kids are heading off to spring break, and yet you find yourself in 40 hour/week employment. Instead of moping or quitting work to run away, something like this Caribbean Gift Basket may be just what you need.
At $35, it comes with Macadamia Brittle, Caribbean Crunch Cookies, Mango Salsa, and Rum Flavored Coconut Treats.
Tuscan Delights Italian Gift Basket
Wednesday, March 5th, 2008The other day, my dad got a clock as a gift from some company that wanted his business. He didn’t much care for it, as it was (a) ugly, (b) emblazoned with the company’s logo, and (c) non-edible. While I don’t doubt that the company spent a lot of money on it (it was a fairly nice clock), the end result was worse than if they had sent nothing at all.
That’s why I advocate sending gifts like the basket below. Nobody complains when you send them a delicious Tuscan Delights Gift Basket (barring any strange religious or dietary restrictions, but even still, most people can re-gift it, unlike a personalized clock). Whether you’re sending it to a potential client, an existing client, or in the name of investor relations, food is always a good move. This basket in particular comes with a bottle of Chianti and an assortment of Italian treat. At $49.99, it’s very reasonable.
Champagne & Fruit Basket
Sunday, February 24th, 2008I never really saw myself as the fruit basket type, but the long, cold winter is making me think again. It’s been over 6 months since we saw truly hot weather here in the midwest, and the fruit selection at the grocery store leaves much to be desired. This Fruit and Champagne Gift Basket is starting to look really, really good.
Don’t get me wrong, though. I still dream of Willy Wonka-style candy stores where Delta faucets dispense chocolate, not water.
The Girly-Girl’s Oreo Cookie Gift Set
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008While I wouldn’t exactly call this the perfect gift for the giant button remote controls and shower stool set, the Good Fortunes “Shopping Maniac” Cookies would be a great birthday gift for a high school or junior high-aged girl. Of course, at that age, getting any kind of delivery at school is totally awesome.
The gift set includes Oreo Cookies that are covered in white chocolate and pink sugar. Each one has a girl-related design like shoes or handbags. From Macy’s.
I Love Easter Chocolate Gift Basket
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008While I’ve never met a person who actually sends Easter gifts, I might have to start doing it myself. I love holidays and I love sending gifts to the people I know, so why not do it for Easter? This I Love Easter gift basket would be the perfect gift, too. It comes with Ghiradelli Raspberry chocolate squares, white chocolate-covered pretzels, Vanilla Pecan cookies, Raspberry Drops, and a Chocolate Tulip.
It’s enough to make you dream of weight loss pills.
The Wolfgang Puck Coffee Gift Basket
Friday, February 8th, 2008If you know a coffee lover, this French Press Basket might just be the perfect gift. It comes with a coffee press and Wolfgang Puck coffee, along with a bunch of other treats like biscotti and cookies. At $44.95, it’s a great, moderately-priced gift basket that would work well for both business associates and friends.
This, a notebook, and a handful of new personalized pens would make a great Saturday morning in bed.
Valentine’s Day Fruit Basket
Monday, January 14th, 2008 Food and Candy GiftsIf your loved one is teetering somewhere between the “few extra pounds” and “morbidly obese” range, you may want to consider a healthy Valentine’s Day gift. As much as I hate to say it, there are some people who simply do not need a super fudge brownie 50-pack sampler. Instead, try something like this Sparkling Toast and Fruit Valentine Crate from Got Fruit. And of course, it’s a great gift for people who just happen to love fruit, too.
In addition to 2 red pears and 2 Fuji apples, the gift basket has a small tin of chocolate, 3 oz of chocolate covered cherries (a satisfying, but modest portion), a small chocolate bar with a love poem attached, and a bottle of sparkling cider. So no, it’s really not that healthy, but if your significant other has forgotten what it’s like to eat fruit (as opposed to say, Cheetos and pork rinds), it’s still helpful to get things moving in the right direction.
I’d say it’s worth the $64.95 for the love poem alone. If your loved one has a sense of humor, the two of you will probably be laughing at that all night.
Another Valentine’s Day Pick
Sunday, December 30th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsWhile most of us think about what men will buy women for Valentine’s Day, this post is more for the girls looking to buy gifts for their boyfriends and/or husbands. Sure, you could probably get him something car-related like a Chrysler 300 accessory, which would be nice, but it’s not necessarily the first thing you think of when you think Valentine’s Day. I think I would have better luck with this Beer Gift Basket.
In addition to having a variety of different beers, it also comes with snacks like pretzels and snack mix and pistachios. If you’re lucky, he’ll like it so much that he forgets to try to celebrate another holiday
Let the Valentine’s Day Countdown Begin - Wine & Truffles
Saturday, December 29th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsValentine’s Day is just over a month away, so you can count on at least 10-20 gift ideas here over the next few weeks. Remember people, everyone loves SOME kind of food. We’ll start out with this Mrs. Beasley’s Anniversary Wine and Truffles set.
The set comes with a bottle of 2003 Beringer Napa Valley Founder’s Estate Cabernet and a small drawer that contains 8 of Mrs. Beasley’s signature chocolate truffle cookies and 4 Lindt truffles from Switzerland.
If you can’t afford remote condos for sale, you can at least get this gift set and create an evening that makes it seem like you’re far away.
Top 5 Popcorn Gifts of 2007
Monday, December 10th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsPopcorn is truly a miracle of the earth. Obviously, good popcorn is a little more complicated than planting a seed and harvesting the results, but I think there’s something very cool about the fact that you’re eating something that was once a seed. Anyway, these popcorn gifts are nothing like that. They’re still popcorn, but they’re altered and packaged to the point that they’re almost nothing like the boring, plain popcorn you make in an air popping machine.
1. Dale & Thomas Twelve Pack Sampler - If you don’t read anything else that I write, read this and go get yourself some Dale & Thomas Popcorn. Dale & Thomas is pretty much the Rolls-Royce of popcorn, and they have flavors that range from Peanut Butter & White Chocolate to Toffee Crunch to Country Smokehouse Cheddar (and of course, all the old standbys like caramel).
Their flavors are inspired, their packaging is simple but attractive, and the overall eating experience will ruin you for other popcorns forever. There’s a reason that Oprah swears by it. My tip - The best way to try Dale & Thomas Popcorn is in a sampler. It’s cost-effective and absolutely delicious. This particular sampler will set you back $48.
2. Kettle Corn from iGourmet - It’s sweet and salty and a it might even stir up some nostalgia. Remember, sometimes simple works just as well as something completely over-the-top. At $39.99, it’s pretty reasonable, too.
3. Popcorn Balls - These popcorn balls look an awful lot like snowballs. Their largest package gives you 100 balls for $39.95, but they have smaller packages starting at $14.99. This is a great choice for a party, since there’s plenty of popcorn for everyone.
4. Holiday Sweets & Snacks Tower - If you’re looking for a “popcorn hybrid” gift, a tower may be the answer. Most will fill the bottom layer with popcorn, and possibly other middle layers as well. This one is interesting in that it has blueberry cookies and southern pecan rolls. At $39.95, it’s also very reasonable.
5. Ultimate Snowman Bundle - As usual, Mrs. Field’s gets an A+ for presentation with this Snowman Tower. It includes toffee popcorn, 48 cookies, 24 brownies, an entire cake, and enough other stuff to keep someone busy for weeks after the holiday season is over. This magnificent display will set you back about $170, but for the right recipient (perhaps yourself!), it’s definitely worth it.
And if none of these things do it for you, you can always get your friend or loved one one of the usual, boring gifts that you can’t eat - ties, sweaters, makeup mirrors, perfume - I’m sure they won’t mind that you didn’t care enough to get them something totally awesome and delicious 
Wine & Fruit Basket
Saturday, December 8th, 2007If you’re looking for a Gourmet Fruit Basket with Wine, Gift Tree can definitely help you out. Their basket includes wine, fruit, and a number of extras like crackers, cheese, and hard salami. At $99.95 for the basket, it’s a great holiday gift for business associates or maybe even potential in-laws. They might actually be willing to listen to your term life insurance pitch if you get them something this delicious.
Champagne Celebration Basket
Sunday, November 11th, 2007
Right now, there are two separate people in my immediate family who are up for jobs they really, really want. Hopefully, in a few weeks I’ll be buying something like this Champagne Celebration Gift Basket. I’d love it if I could bring one to Thanksgiving for everyone to enjoy.
It’s also a great birthday gift, retirement present, or even new baby gift, depending on the person. Just make sure you have an adult around to sign for the package, or else the delivery person won’t leave it.
Birthday Tower Basket - Brownies!
Thursday, August 16th, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsA good friend of mine has a birthday this week, and I’m sure he’s going to be pleased when this Birthday Tower
shows up on his doorstep. It’s actually one of those scenarios where I purchased what I’d want for myself, but in this case, I think it will work. Who doesn’t love jumbo brownies, brownie cookies, and bite-sized brownies, all in a fun and festive tower.
Between the incredibly bright packaging and the sheer volume of chocolate, I’m sure all the women in his office will see it and stop by his office. For that, he owes me.
Back to Nature Fruit Basket
Thursday, August 9th, 2007The fruit basket is such a classic that a lot of people overlook it when they’re considering a gift. While it’s probably not the best gift for your chocoholic aunt, this Back to Nature fruit gift basket is a wonderful gift for any health-conscious loved one.
Unlike a lot of baskets that make promises about specific fruits, this one uses whatever is freshest at the time. Package prices range from $49-69.
Couch Potato Gift Basket
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 Food and Candy GiftsI absolutely love this Couch Potato gift basket. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you’ll appreciate the delicious contents - Chips Ahoy, Oreo Cookies, sausages, tortilla chips and salsa, nuts, pretzels, peanut brittle…and you can choose just how nice you want to be. They have a price range from $49-99 that determines how much is actually in the basket.
The Gift of Summer Coffee
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007With the possible exception of iced coffee drinks, most people don’t think of summer and coffee at the same time. It’s just too warm. That hasn’t stopped Boca Java from coming up with a great summer coffee gift basket, though. Instead of the usual heavy coffee gift basket stuff, this one has an iced sugar cookie, two summer coffees, a mug, and flavored swizzle sticks. They also give you the choice between whole bean and pre-ground coffee in the gift set, which is a relatively rare occurrence.
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