I love gift baskets...unless they have that horrible processed cheese that tastes like creamy rubbery plastic chemicals (does anyone actually eat that stuff ?) or tiny little jars of stuff that get lost and forgotten in the refrigerator or cabinet. Sorry I can't help with a particular site to buy from.

We used to get Wolferman's every Christmas. The English muffins are way too big and the ones with fruit are overpowering. Did like the cinnamon-raisin mini English muffins.

We also got baskets from Wine Country. I enjoyed the wine. ;)

Couple years we gave gifts from Nueske's and DeBrand Chocolates.

I'm mixed on gift baskets. The ones that are assembled by a person can be really nice. But some of the mail order ones are more box and filling than product which can be disappointing, esp since typically no one is going to like everything included so it seems a waste of money that way.

That being said, I used to love the boxes of oranges and grapefruit my folks would send up from FL...indian river as I recall...and someone once sent me the royal riviera pears from harry and david and they were the most luscious things ever.

i love the wolferman baskets too! otherwise, i would most like a nut basket or florida citrus, tho i am not always that happy with the quality of the fruit i have received in baskets...

My SIL received one yesterday at the church preschool program (she is head of department) that she loved. Customized for her love of making guacamole. I am not big on ones that contain extra calorie food, as the holidays are hard enough to remain in control/avoid overeating.

Talk about Wolferman's English muffins leads me to the place where I had my first one, my favorite deli on the planet: Zingerman's. They have lovely baskets! I will also put in a plug for a local establishment, Delicious Orchards (they are delicious, and they own an apple orchard down the road from the store).

Love a good food gift. My DB has sent pierogies and kielbasa from Millie's .

I do sent my DB organic local dried mushrooms, various varieties and Maine Sea Salt. This year he is getting locally brewed sake, Blue Current

Another gift thread??!!! I almost started a thread yesterday as a joke that said "Post here any gift topics not already discussed". ;)

I really really don't like when people send food gifts b/c 99 percent of the time it is something I won't eat. I just got a very nice gift from Harry and David w/ a bunch of pears and apples. The problem is, I don't eat pears and I will not eat non-organic apples and I have no idea if these apples are organic or not so I don't know what I'm going to do w/ all this. I also don't really like processed meats- not very healthy- so don't like the baskets w/ all the little ham and meat things in them either.

It all depends on your recipient. I think Costco is an excellent resource with a wide variety of food gifts. Free shipping, of course.

I usually hate them. Too much packaging, and always a few things in there that no one wants.

Exceptions are ones you can fill yourself and if you know the person. I think Stonewall kitchen has some yummy things,too.

If i don't send fruit, I send Tate's cookies. I think their cookies (made with butter) are as good as homemade. They have very nice baskets, with things most people like, and packaged in such a way that it can last a while. If you are that kind of person that can slowly work your way through a cookie basket!

Pears are very perishable. We received a gift box including about a half dozen pears, and they were on the ragged edge already. I pureed them and put them in the freezer, vacuum sealed.

The other thing about fruit, TBH, is that I think it is a holdover from an era when grocery stores were less sophisticated. Between Whole Foods, Trader Joes', and our local organic produce store, I can get pretty fabulous fruit easily.

I have sent all kinds. But, I do prefer receiving those that don't have to be eaten right away.

Im from Kansas City and send Christopher Elbow Chocolates. He also has a shop in San Fran with boxes in shops like Dean and Deluca. I send a box to my parents and one for us for Christmas goodies. It's spendy, but it's once a year.

When I was younger Russell Stovers also in KC were great, but they're not the same now.

the royal riviera pears from harry and david and they were the most luscious things ever.

Yes, I remember when that was so, but I just got a box from Harry & David and they were plain old Bartletts, not even as good as the ones from Publix. Harry & David has changed a lot since they were sold.

Iowacommute, totally agree about Russell Stovers.

See's Candy (online) is always good. They gift wrap the box too.

I've had several of the above gift baskets and Wine Country was the worst. The candy was old. Now I think twice before ordering food (except See's) because who knows how old the stuff is?

Diane, you and I must be fairly close. Love Delicious Orchards.

I just sent a gift of Cadbury cookies and candies to my nephew and his wife. Here are some baskets with a British/Irish theme. Or you can just order a selection of foods.

I've ordered from them for several years and they ship really quickly.

Food Ireland

diane_nj -- Ahhhh, Zingerman's!!! UM grad here.

I have sent the reuben sandwich kits from both Zingerman's and Zabars-- both were huge hits.

Vosges truffles have also been a huge hit. They have interesting combos and they send instructions on how to eat.. (let come to room temp, eat one at a time.. so savor and appreciate the pairings)

I WISH i had known about Millies before it was too late to order for Christmas. My parents would have gotten a real kick out of fresh pierogies! All they people who used to make them for them have died.

I always loved the indian river grapefruit.

I guess I should consider the pistachio baklava I make each year a food gift. I have not made it yet this year..

Funky,

Yeah, I am with you on Millies. Sounds so good.

I forgot that i sent Russ and Daughters lox and bagels to friends last year. They loved it.

My town has a few specialty food shops that offer lovely gift baskets. I've used them because I know the source and they thrive on word-of-mouth recommendations, and so they are reliable to do a good job.

Food baskets in general bring to mind the Hickory Farms types of processed foods and jarred goo that can withstand miles of travel under various conditions. It's not like any grocery store shopping doesn't include this already, but it doesn't read savory to me as a holiday gift. Ordering food online has never appealed to me. Even the nice stuff.

I love any kind of *good* food gift basket. Nothing from Swiss Colony, Hickory Farms, et al for me please.

I'll raise a third hand for Zingermans. Expensive but mostly good stuff. I used to like Wolferman's english muffins but don't anymore. All fluff. I've sent cheesecakes too, which is a nice thing if you like them. Penzeys has some nice spice blends which are good if your recipient is a foodie.

I'm giving out Penzey's spice collections to a couple of recipients this year. You can even make your own box with spices you choose, which I did for one of my recipients. Not sure how fast they will arrive if your deadline is Friday... I also sent out a sausage and condiment basket from iGourmet, and I selected the components based on what my brother would like. (He lives halfway across the country, so I'd have no way of knowing his local purveyors of baskets...)

Personally, I like fruit baskets and wine baskets. And I can always take more Penzey's...

I do agree Swiss Colony is to be avoided. Back in the day they were decent -- not any more.

Do check to make sure your recipient doesn't have various food allergies/sensitivities. While I'm sure someone's pistachio basket mentioned above is wonderful, that is the one nut I have to stay MILES away from, as opposed to just a room away. (Sigh, I used to love pistachios...)

EDIT: I forgot to mention my brother sent me via the Internet a wonderful, wonderful large amount of smoked salmon for my birthday (early December), and also a few packages of Cajun spiced bacon. Both of these gifts were/are wonderful! He found quality online sources for these gifts. (And he knows that my sweet tooth is about as active as my appendix...)

As said previously, it really depends on the receiver. I would much rather make up a personal basket than send one a company makes up. We actually did two gift baskets this year. Two couples that for the past few years my husband had flower arrangements (Christmas arrangements) sent to. Well, the florist we used closed, so we decided to do food type baskets. We did baskets with a breakfast theme. Pancake mix, preserves, fried apples, coffee, etc. One is a retired couple who will enjoy the theme, and the other couple are big on their weekend breakfasts.

blubird, yes, Monmouth County.

Delilah66, me too!

+1 for Penzeys, they have a large selection of herbs, spices and flavorings that can be made up in gift boxes.

Just got this, but it's a great idea: how about a local farm/CSA? These are beautiful, and healthy. Sorry, all I have is a FB link.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153381770662734

Our financial advisor is from Louisiana. Every year we receive a tin of the most divine pecans from Cane River from him. Some are plain, some are chocolate covered and some are praline dipped. We fight over them for a couple of days, but then we pace ourselves for the holidays and make them last.

I don't generally enjoy anything along these lines or give anything unless it's something I have put together myself for a specific person or couple.

Outside, I heard similar glowing reviews for Cane River from people here in Louisiana. As a result I gave the Clementine Hunter tins last year to all of our BILs and their wives (including a tin for us). Was disappointed in the quality. I know they source their pecans from a number of southern states. I almost felt like the pecans were old ... not rancid, but not fresh. Maybe we just got a lemon, but that was enough for me to cross CR off my list.

Pinkmountain, I ordered from Wolferman's just once, and never again. I didn't see what the big deal was about their muffins.

Oddly, my DH and sons love fruitcake. We get one from Collin Street Bakery in Texas, famous for their cakes. I didn't order one this year, and I don't eat fruitcake, but I've been craving one!