If you’re not quite the gift-giving pro, fear not! We’ve meticulously curated a list of ideal holiday presents for you in the form of gift baskets. Over the years, we’ve sampled over 60 popular food gift baskets and have a wealth of opinions on the finest sweet and savory selections available. Each basket on our list is not only visually stunning and delectable but also portable.
We focused on substance over style, ensuring that the baskets are beautifully wrapped yet packed with the best of the best. Brands like Jeni’s, Levain, and Magnolia, known for their exquisite flavors, offer fan-favorite items from their menus. If your recipient has a favorite snack or dessert, start there. But for a guaranteed hit, consider any of the following options.
We wish the chocolate chip variety didn’t include walnuts.
We wish the chocolate chip variety didn’t include walnuts.
More Sweet Choices We Adore
This selection offers a broader range than a standard charcuterie board.
This selection offers a broader range than a standard charcuterie board.
You might consider adding a more thrilling cheese to the mix.
You might consider adding a more thrilling cheese to the mix.
This cheese and charcuterie box is perfect for those who relish hosting cozy wine nights. It comes complete with everything you need to craft the perfect board: a chunk of sharp cheddar, cheese spread, pepperoni-stuffed peppers, salami, jam, candied nuts, crostini, and even dark chocolate sea salt bars.
We were impressed with the variety and the freshness of the food. Though the contents didn’t seem dramatically different from what you’d find at a local grocery store, the salami and jam stood out with a gourmet taste. Our only suggestion would be to include an additional (more exciting) cheese and maybe a few extra crostini to enhance the spread.
The box boasts a simple yet elegant design adorned with illustrations and filled with shredded paper. While it’s on the pricier end, the quality and assortment of food make it a sound investment. This charcuterie board, which transcends the standard “meat and cheese” selection, has earned our seal of approval.
Shipping: Starting at $15 | Number of Items: 8
The Di Bruno Bros. Abbondanza Gift Box provides everything you need for a premium charcuterie board, arriving in a straightforward yet durable box, adorned with festive shredded paper.
More Savory Choices We Adore
This collection blends chocolate, caramel, and fruity notes.
This collection blends chocolate, caramel, and fruity notes.
Customization isn’t available, and it requires time to defrost.
Customization isn’t available, and it requires time to defrost.
Jeni’s is a favorite for a reason, and their Best Sellers Collection is a tough competitor in the ice cream category. The five-pint pack includes Brambleberry Crisp, Brown Butter Almond Brittle, Darkest Chocolate, Salted Peanut Butter With Chocolate Flecks, and Salty Caramel. We adored the mix of fruity and chocolatey flavors, making it a surefire crowd-pleaser.
While you can’t customize the pack, we honestly wouldn’t change a thing. We suggest sharing the flavors with friends and family and ranking your favorites—ours were the Salty Caramel and Brown Butter Almond Brittle.
The box arrived with intact dry ice, and the ice cream was solidly frozen. Be aware that the dry ice is directly on top of the ice cream, nestled in styrofoam, so you’ll need to tip the box to access it. Jeni’s suggests thawing the ice cream for two hours after delivery if you plan to enjoy it immediately.
Shipping: Starting at $19 | Number of Items: 5
The Jeni’s Best Sellers Collection offers five pints that cater to every flavor preference. Each pint is vibrant and clearly labeled with the ingredients. The box is shipped with dry ice to prevent melting—just be aware that the pints take some time to defrost. While the cardboard box isn’t particularly eye-catching, the card is sure to spark excitement.
More Ice Cream Choices We Adore
The packaging is lively and festive, and the box includes both sweet desserts and red and white wine.
The packaging is lively and festive, and the box includes both sweet desserts and red and white wine.
A few items were slightly challenging to share.
A few items were slightly challenging to share.
This gift basket, which values presentation as much as the contents, features chic packaging and delightful cupcakes. We tested the brand’s Let’s Party box, but we’re eyeing the holiday-themed collection for our gift list this year.
The package includes six cupcake jars (three Christmas Sprinkle and three Holiday Red Velvet), a bottle of Bell & Bough California Cabernet Sauvignon, and a bottle of Bell & Bough California Chardonnay. Each jar holds the equivalent of two standard-sized cupcakes, but the Let’s Party box includes additional cheese, salami, and crackers.
All items were delicious, and the assortment was beautifully presented. If six cupcake jars seem excessive, you can also create your own two-pack from the brand’s 26 flavors, which include Carrot Cake, Salted Caramel, and the seasonal Hot Cocoa. Plus, there are six gluten-free options to choose from.
Shipping: $10 | Number of Items: 8
More Wine-Included Choices We Adore
We sampled 61 different gift baskets, evaluating them based on their presentation, freshness, shareability, taste, variety, and quality. We inspected the contents upon arrival, ensuring perishable items were stored correctly and nothing was damaged.
For baskets with frozen items, we checked the temperature of the contents and the quality of the dry ice packaging. We also noted the visual appeal of each basket.
Next, we tasted each item, providing feedback on the food selection and its capacity to serve. We then assessed the freshness of the food and whether it tasted gourmet or could be found at a local grocery store.
After sampling everything, we determined if the price was justified.
This article was penned by Allison Cacich, an editorial director for the REAL SIMPLE team. Cacich has both sent and received many gift baskets over the years, and her top picks include those with desserts. She’s particularly fond of Jeni’s Holiday Collection, which features five seasonal ice cream flavors. It’s not available for purchase until November, so she suggests checking out the Fall Collection, with flavors like Caramel Apple Crumble and Skillet Cinnamon Roll, in the meantime.
