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What is a Gift Basket?

Tuesday, March 19th

What is a Gift Basket?

According to the publication Supermarket News, gift baskets are steadily growing in popularity. Originally, baskets typically included mostly food, drink or toiletries. Today, the market has expanded such that entire baskets can be made up of butter, coffee, baby goods or even items related to sports and hobbies, such as golf and tennis.

The question remains, then, "What is a gift basket?" The gift basket is a concept that may be traced back to antiquity. The idea of giving not just a single gift but a selection or collection of items centered around a theme, brand or category carries great power. It also speaks to versatility. Gift baskets are often good choices for acquaintances you do not know well, business associates, and groups of people.

Theme
Gift baskets are typically built around a theme. For example, an online bakery offers breakfast gift baskets that feature its specialty English muffins. Baskets abound that speak to personal interests, hobbies, or that reflect the recipient's affection for a certain industry. Golf, tennis and even bowling gift baskets are available at online and traditional retailers. A scent or color story can also provide a theme for a bath and body or stationery (paper) gift basket.

Product Type
In days past, the question, "What is a gift basket?" could typically be answered by this reply: It is a collection or selection of products of a certain types. Today, product-type gift baskets prevail. You can find varied types of candy, such as chocolates, toffees and brittles in a single basket, or a basket of different types of forms of chocolates, for example, chocolate bars, filled chocolates and chocolate chips. Wines, beers, cheeses and sausages are common product type choices. More esoteric selections such as caviar, pates and olive oils are also available.

Brand
Brand-focused gift baskets have been a part of the U.S. retail landscape for decades. Harry & David and Hickory Farms are two of the best-known of retailers that include only their own brand of goods in each basket. Newer or trendier establishments have jumped on the bandwagon: Starbucks, Jelly Belly and Ghirardelli are among them.

Trend
As with any other area of retail, the gift basket market is influenced by trends. As of 2013, healthy food gifts - such as nuts and low-fat, low-sugar snacks - were popular. As might be expected, the opposite trend, that of the junk-food basket, to include fried chips and high-fat, high-cholesterol selections, is a frequent order. When items such as artisan beers, handmade chocolates or homemade scones become all the rage, gift baskets that include them boast increased sales numbers.

Personalization/Customization
During the materialistic 1990s, when extravagant spending was at a high, personalization in gift-giving was also in demand. Gift baskets lend themselves well to the concept of personalization. Some retailers allow you to choose the items in a basket. Others interview you about the recipient's preferences in the interest of creating a gift that is memorable, tasteful and unique.

So, what is a gift basket? It might be made up of just about any item or item grouping. The key to success in giving is understanding and accommodating the tastes or interests of the recipient.

The Best Gift Basket Companies Compare Gift Basket Companies Compare Gift Basket Company Reviews What are the best Gift Basket Companies Best Gift Basket Company Reviews

Gift Basket Company FAQ

The answer is Yes! Most all Gift Basket companies allow you to inform the receipt that you sent the package and include a short message. For business gifts, personalization options can come in many forms. Many gift basket companies can place a company name on a ribbon or wine crate. Some also offer engraving for an extra fee.
There as so many to choose from. Gift Baskets can include Fruits, coffee and teas, spa, wine, chocolate and, much more. Whether it is a care package, birthday basket, birthday basket, to name a few, there are gift baskets for every occasion.
Companies, for the most part, do not offer subscription gift baskets. Some companies do, however, have services that will call the customer typically a year after purchase and ask if you (the customer) would like to repurchase.
The cost of gift baskets can fluctuate in cost depending on the type and size. Gift baskets typically range from affordable $20 to luxurious $900+.
Of course, a gift basket is wonderful for any occasion whether it is for a birthday, office party, or seasonal holiday. If you aren't sure what kind of gift basket to get for a certain occasion, there's no need to worry. Most companies allow the customer to sort through/view the gift baskets by gift type, price, and/or occasion.
As far as the companies reviewed, the only limitations that may occur are the gift baskets that contain alcohol. Most of the companies allow for international delivery but some require certain ways to place orders for international delivery. Some companies may require the customer to purchase by the phone if the order has an international address.
Depending on the company, the price of shipping can be organized by ordered amount and whether it is standard, 2nd day, same day, or overnight shipping. The price varies largely on where the gift is going and how soon you want it to arrive.
Research has shown that the most popular type of gift baskets are spa, gourmet, and chocolate themed gift baskets. Some companies offer baskets that include alcohol, but shipping restrictions may apply.

Compare Gift Basket Companies

Select any 2 Gift Basket Companies to compare them head to head

best-gift-baskets
  • Zingerman's
  • Gourmet Gift Baskets
  • Design It Yourself Gift Baskets
  • Gift Tree
  • A Gift Inside
  • Harry & David
  • Pemberton Farms
  • Canterberry Gifts
  • Hickory Farms
  • The Best Gift Baskets
Zingerman's vs Gourmet Gift Baskets Zingerman's vs Design It Yourself Gift Baskets Zingerman's vs Gift Tree Zingerman's vs A Gift Inside Zingerman's vs Harry & David Zingerman's vs Pemberton Farms Zingerman's vs Canterberry Gifts Zingerman's vs Hickory Farms Zingerman's vs The Best Gift Baskets Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Design It Yourself Gift Baskets Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Gift Tree Gourmet Gift Baskets vs A Gift Inside Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Harry & David Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Pemberton Farms Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Canterberry Gifts Gourmet Gift Baskets vs Hickory Farms Gourmet Gift Baskets vs The Best Gift Baskets Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs Gift Tree Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs A Gift Inside Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs Harry & David Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs Pemberton Farms Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs Canterberry Gifts Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs Hickory Farms Design It Yourself Gift Baskets vs The Best Gift Baskets Gift Tree vs A Gift Inside Gift Tree vs Harry & David Gift Tree vs Pemberton Farms Gift Tree vs Canterberry Gifts Gift Tree vs Hickory Farms Gift Tree vs The Best Gift Baskets A Gift Inside vs Harry & David A Gift Inside vs Pemberton Farms A Gift Inside vs Canterberry Gifts A Gift Inside vs Hickory Farms A Gift Inside vs The Best Gift Baskets Harry & David vs Pemberton Farms Harry & David vs Canterberry Gifts Harry & David vs Hickory Farms Harry & David vs The Best Gift Baskets Pemberton Farms vs Canterberry Gifts Pemberton Farms vs Hickory Farms Pemberton Farms vs The Best Gift Baskets Canterberry Gifts vs Hickory Farms Canterberry Gifts vs The Best Gift Baskets Hickory Farms vs The Best Gift Baskets
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