Gourmet Gift Basket Ideas
Hi Everybody!
Does anyone have any ideas about what could go into a gourmet gift basket? I'm looking for a gourmet website that sells really unique items as well. I would like to make a gift basket for my best friend's birthday. She doesn't eat red meat or pork and is open to experimentation.
Thanks!
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14 Comments:
One of our local delis here in SE Michigan lists some of their standard baskets online:
http://www.flicks4fun.com/gifts2.asp
LunaPierCook at 11:58AM on 05/28/08
A Southern Season does fabulous gift baskets, we sent a few each year for Christmas to out of state relatives. http://www.southernseason.com/shopping.asp
There are also nice wine baskets found here: http://www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com/
Southern_bella at 12:13PM on 05/28/08
One of the best gift baskets I ever received had a Moroccan cookbook, a tagine and all the different spices that I would need for the recipes. The couple who presented it to me are friends who make the most exotic meals and I would tell them how I wanted to learn or get this or that recipe.
I always seem to gravitate towards wines as gifts. While on my honeymoon in Napa and Sonoma, we found a small producer of late harvest wines which were spectacular and priced reasonably, so we shipped a case back. We gifted bottles for all kinds of occassions--thank yous, engagements, b-days, anniversaries, etc. Something unique and special since they had no representation or distribution outside of CA.
wookie at 12:14PM on 05/28/08
I love to pick a region or country then find gifts that are representative of the place to go in the basket. Like items to make a recipe, nice cheeses, wine or other alcohol (or non-alc if the person does not drink) exotic fruits if I can get them and the gift is for a person nearby.
Sometimes based around a cookbook (like wookie received) with lots of ingredients and even kitchen tools (the more interesting ones the person may not have)
I loved getting a huge cheese basket a few years ago...I adore cheese, it does not go bad, and I found a use for all of it. The wine in with it made it even better!
The same could be done with different varieties of mushrooms, fruits(esp. if local to you but not the receiver), veggies, liquers, olive oils, breads..anything.
Smoked fish, fancy herbs, good chocolate..all tasty.
Don't have a specific website for neat stuff though. In my area we have a World Market, and bunches of small gourmet/liquor and specialty shops that I love to troll for neat gifts and ideas.
sadiepix at 2:59PM on 05/28/08
Discovered this site at Christmas time when I was looking for 50 year old Balsamic to gift my BF. Their prices are about as reasonable as possible for gourmet items and the vinegar was delivered on time. We also sent a bottle to my bro for his birthday.
I would include a couple of nice bottles of flavored oils and vinegars; some home-made jams; and some nice home-made mixes for baked goods.
Most baked goods like muffins and quick breads translate nicely into mixes. Measure out all the dry ingredients (including sugar) and place in a cello bag. Include a recipe card with the wet ingredients, and include directions. You could also do some rice mixes or couscous mixes.
chiff0nade at 3:15PM on 05/28/08
I love love love A Southern Season, also Foster's Market has their own Pepper Jelly and bagged southern staples. Carolina Grits, Polenta, and Rice. Go to Trader Joes and just buy coffee, cookies, chocolate, candy, tea, etc throw that in a basket with some 3 buck chuck.
I often send John and Kira's which are the best as gifts.
Costco always carries gift baskets on their website. Can't go wrong there.
We do Harry and David often. The pears (the item that started it all) are just beautiful.
JerzeeTomato at 3:47PM on 05/28/08
@Jerzee, haha, 3 buck chuck... I'd never send anyone that in a gift basket, but I do have some bottles hanging out for sangria purposes. :)
Southern_bella at 3:53PM on 05/28/08
My friends LOVE 3 buck chuck. They cook with it. The chardonay is not too bad for making chicken or fish. I often serve the shiraz to the in laws who are glutenous wine swillers. I have drug cases of it back from NC and I hand it out like halloween candy. Trick or Treat or 3 buck chuck?
It is a novely.
JerzeeTomato at 7:12PM on 05/28/08
I just put in the recycling bin a catalog for Oliviers & Co. - they have fancy olive oils, vinegars, crackers, tapenades, etc. They create really fancy gourmet gifts. They have a bunch of stores in NYC, Boston, California and they also deliver via FedEx... they have a website... check them out..
MadelynRodriguez at 7:54PM on 05/28/08
@Jerzee, you from NC? I was born and raised there. I've never had the whites of chuck, but I've had the reds, I think I have 4-5 bottles of the shiraz somewhere still.
Southern_bella at 8:40PM on 05/28/08
http://www.igourmet.com - this site has really nice cheeses and different items for gift baskets. It also has a selection of gift baskets, too.
http://www.delightfuldeliveries.com - this site has lots of baskets with gourmet desserts...even a giant fortune cookie.
http://www.ediblearrangements.com - you can send an arrangement of fresh fruit or chocolate covered strawberries.
http://www.dancingdeer.com - the corporate office used this site to send client baskets and they were pleased with the cookies.
http://www.fairytalebrownies.com - this place has really good brownies - the variety is very nice.
HTH!
fatitalianbroad at 8:48PM on 05/28/08
My standby gift basket treats are a variety of good organic, fair trade chocolates along with a selection of the best organic fruits in season. For instance, one was mandarin oranges, another was pears, and my favorite was fresh local strawberries because I look for any reason to share the exquisite depth that's lacking in commercial berries. It's amazing how happy people become over free fruit.
We can now get chocolate, coffee, tea, fruit, wine, oils, and even spices, rice, and sugars within Fair Trade and a domestic program has started as well which covers almonds, pecans, cranberries and several other fruits and vegetables.
Global Exchange has some already constructed Fair Trade gift baskets to choose from (including even a beeswax body care kit!). You could give these as a whole or part of the final gift.
Have fun. And report back please. :)
Sieseye at 8:53PM on 05/28/08
Zingerman's does a large mail-order business. They offer a range of gift-baskets and you can always call and make a specialty order.
I used to work there and take home loads of delicious food for free. Now I don't even live close enough to pick up a loaf of their bread or stand in line for cheese samples.
I miss it.
blackolive at 9:30PM on 05/28/08
I agree with blackolive... I was totally going to say Zingerman's. They have the best food! You must send some Black Magic Brownies!
smile at 2:23AM on 05/29/08