Receiving a gift basket in the mail is one of life’s finer pleasures—especially if that gift box includes cookies or your favorite condiment. But choosing a shippable food gift can feel like an arduous task, too. Will your recipients enjoy their gifts? Will what you see on the website be what you expected? I tested 13 mail-order gift baskets to find out which few are worth the price and truly create a memorable and enjoyable gift for your friends and loved ones. My findings surprised me a bit, especially as someone who has been making and shipping homemade food gifts for two decades.
The Winners, at a Glance
Zingerman’s The Weekender truly lived up to its name: It includes a curated mix of cheese, beef sticks, bread, and baked goods shipped in a vibrant and playful box. It felt like an invitation to have a celebratory weekend—even if you have nothing to celebrate. This would make a joyful gift for a weekend getaway or respite to new parents who need a break from casseroles.
This gift basket was so loaded with award-winning cheeses that it busted a little in shipping! But don’t worry, no wedge or wheel was harmed. There are generously sized cheeses in this box, as well as crackers and candied nuts. With some fresh fruit and vegetables, this is enough cheese to make two crowd-pleasing cheese plates or four smaller snack plates.
This chocolate gift basket from LA Burdick was the only option to elicit actual squeals of delight. While the fresh cookies and chocolate mice and penguins went quickly, the gorgeous one-pound box of high-end chocolates seemed never-ending (in the best way!). This gift box also had the prettiest packaging of all the boxes I tried.
I know you’re thinking: “Really? A box of dried fruit?” And, really, I was too, but Yun Hai has curated a unique experience with its selection of dried fruit in a show-stopping package. I shared the dried fruits with friends on a hiking picnic and they are still talking about the golden pineapple, Irwin mango, wax apple, green mango, and pearl guava weeks later. This is also one of the most affordable gift boxes I tested, meaning I will absolutely be buying it again as a gift—and for myself.
The Tests
- Packaging Inspection Test: I examined each shipping box for damage. For perishable items, I also inspected cool components such as ice packs, cooler bags, or styrofoam coolers.
- Opening Test: I opened each of the gift boxes. Before arrival, I did my best not to read up on the package’s contents so I could experience the surprise and delight of each gift box’s opening experience. I noted if any instructions or information about the contents was included, too.
- Use and Enjoyment Tests: I opened each package, tasting, cooking, and preparing the contents per the box’s info sheets. I also noted how much of each package was able to be used in a given timeframe.
What We Learned
A Gift Box Should Have a Gift Box
It may seem obvious to some, but this was something I hadn’t noticed before having 13 gift boxes shipped to my house over two weeks. Gift boxes whose contents were shipped in generic boxes or shipped in a branded box without any gift packaging (e.g., crinkle paper, wood shavings, or an info card on the boxes’ contents) felt like a routine shipment from Amazon, not a special or thoughtful experience. Novelty gift boxes add to the perceived value of the boxes’ contents, too. All of my favorite boxes included specialty boxes, branded printouts, and additional shipping materials. External shipping boxes were slightly annoying to deal with after receiving the boxes, but the few gift boxes that shipped without a protective box were the few to arrive damaged.
Novelty Added to a Gift Box’s Enjoyment
Gift boxes with everyday items, like the Williams Sonoma Pantry Gift Crate, weren’t nearly as exciting to open as something like the Yun Hai Dried Fruit Gift Set, simply because dried fruit is unexpected. Similarly, packages like Zingerman’s Weekender or Vermont Wagyu’s Breakfast Box that created an experience—like a fabulous breakfast spread or weekend lunch—were also more joy-inducing and memorable to open.
The Number of Items in a Box Increases Its Perceived Value
While the dollar value of these 13 gift boxes ranged from over $200 to under $60, the number of items included in the package added to the perceived value of the gift. For example, the Catskill Provisions Negroni Kit only contained two bottles of liquor, but because it included thoughtful info and recipe cards, it felt worth its price tag of $47. Conversely, the $78 price of the Fishwife starter pack has seven tins of fish but no fancy packaging, making it seem “expensive” comparatively.
The Criteria: What to Look for in a Food Gift Basket
When shopping for gift baskets, look for curated experiences that include unique items. Ask yourself: Could I make this with a visit to the grocery store? If the answer is no, that’s a good benchmark for a giftable box. Read the description carefully, and note if the items are shipped in a shipping box and if the package includes information and instructions. Special gift boxes, recipe cards, and even thoughtful care cards add to the perceived value. I also preferred gift baskets that contained a good variety and number of items.
Our Favorite Food Gift Baskets
What we liked: This gift box has a little something for everyone—savory snacks like freshly baked bread, a hunk of rich cheddar, a big-as-your-hand ginger cookie, and an outrageously delicious brownie. The recipient can enjoy these items individually or use them together for a weekend of meals and treats.
What we didn’t like: The bread loaf had special reheating instructions that kept me from diving right in. This gift box also had a lot of packaging, including the shipping box and the individually wrapped treats.
Key Specs
- Shipping packaging: External shipping box with a branded gift box and newsletter
- What’s included: Zingerman’s Farm Bread, Holy Cow Beef Sticks, Downeast Cheddar, no-nut Black Magic Brownie, Ginger Jump-Up Molasses Cookie, Zingerman’s Peanut Brittle, and a small-scale Sour Cream Coffee Cake
What we liked: This cheese gift box had one of the highest perceived values of all the ones I tested—my family and guests thought I’d gone overboard at our local cheese shop. Instead, I’d just paired all of Jasper Hill’s cheese with items from our fridge and pantry. Your gift recipient can make several cheese plates from the contents and likely still have cheese left over. The four cheeses are crowd-pleasing favorites: a sharp, piquant Cabot cheddar; a buttery wheel of Willoughby; a supple and nutty Whitney (winner of the 2022 American Cheese Society Best of Show award); and a creamy brie-like Harbison.
What we didn’t like: While this gift box had minimal packaging, it was the only box to arrive damaged. A side of the gift box broke under the weight of all that cheese. None of the contents were damaged, but a bit of a bummer for the gift-getter.
Key Specs
- Shipping package: Bubble envelope around a beautiful gift box, which included an ice pack
- What’s included: Harbison (9-ounce wheel), Whitney (1-pound wedge), Willoughby (8-ounce wheel) Cabot Clothbound Cheddar (12-ounce wedge), Brewer’s Sea Salt, Flatbread Crackers (5-ounce box), Sugarbob’s Finest Kind Maple Spiced Pecans plus info cards and a sticker
What we liked: Luxurious, gorgeous, and playful, this chocolate gift basket will have the recipient oohing and ahhing when they open it. While some of the contents should be enjoyed immediately (like the freshly baked cookies), the box of chocolates had such a diverse array of flavors (pistachio and a surprisingly good raisin bonbon) that I savored them over a long period of time. The tiny chocolate mice were such a fun experience for kids and adults alike.
What we didn’t like: It was the most expensive of all the boxes I tested. And as much as I can’t relate (gimme chocolate!) there might be a few people for whom this is too much of one good thing. Also, the chocolate chip cookies contain nuts.
Key Specs
- Shipping package: Shipping box with gift crate inside, small chocolate boxes inside the crate. Smaller crate of cookies shipped separately for freshness.
- What’s included: One pound box of the Everyday Chocolate Assortment, a box of four Chocolate Penguins, a wooden box of 16 hand-piped Chocolate Mice, a box of five chocolate chip walnut cookies, plus flavor guides for each box
What we liked: Possibly the most vibrant and playful of all the gift boxes, the novelty of this dried fruit assortment can’t be overstated. The contents, which included hunks of golden pineapple, slivers of Irwin mango, and little dried guavas, were approachable and unique, so much so that you might want to order a basket for yourself and your gift recipient. The green mango was almost candylike, and my adult friends fought over the last piece.
What we didn’t like: While the gift box is specially designed and the packages of dried fruit are generous, a little more packaging might have made this more novel. Your gift recipient might not understand how exciting the dried fruit is until they try each flavor.
Key Specs
- Shipping package: External shipping box with gift box inside
- What’s included: Golden diamond pineapple, Irwin mango, wax apple, green mango, and pearl guava
The Competition
Also Good
- Vermont Wagyu Best Breakfast Box: Similar to Zingerman’s Weekender, this box felt like a complete experience—you have just about everything you need (except a few eggs) for weekend brunch. While the Wagyu products, including bacon and maple breakfast sausage, were unique, the other contents (pancake mix, maple syrup) were more standard pantry staples.
- Giustamo Party in Cucina Gift Basket: This felt like a party in a box! And I sort of used it as such, making a pasta feast for friends with the Faella penne, olive oil, plum tomatoes, and Cerignola olives. I did injure myself on the rustic shipping box, and I ultimately felt I could curate these ingredients myself for the price—but it was still a nice gift box.
- Fly By Jing Jing Box: I’m a little spice-averse, so I worried it would take me a long time to work through all the spicy sauces. However, I found myself reaching for these condiments over and over again—both for cooking at home and for zhuzhing takeout and leftovers. While I still have jars left, they’re quickly getting used up. You just need to be sure your gift-getter likes things spicy!
- Portugalia Marketplace Anna Hezel’s Tin-to-Table Picks: While I enjoyed Anna Hezel’s cookbook very much, I still (weeks later) have tins of fish to eat up (including tins from Fishwife). You’d need to be certain that the recipient liked fish! If they do, this is a special gift with some great serving ideas presented in the book.
- Bean Box Coffee World Tour: The coffee was delicious and I even discovered a new-to-me roaster to love. Each bag of coffee makes enough for about two cups of coffee, great for tasting but less for making a morning pot of coffee.
Not Our Favorite
- Fishwife Tinned Fish Starter Pack: I’m a big fan of Fishwife and think this is a truly great starter set of tinned fish, but it didn’t really feel gift-worthy.
- Catskill Provisions Negroni Kit: While the gin and amaro are delicious and gorgeous, I wish this package had one more item to make it feel like a kit.
- Levain Bakery Cheers Bundle: The cookies were a bit stale but I enjoyed the flavors very much. This would be a cute pick-me-up for a friend going through a rough patch, but it had the lowest perceived value of the boxes I tested.
- Williams Sonoma Pantry Gift Crate: While perfectly suited for a starter kitchen, this box felt a little boring. It didn’t spark any creativity to use these items together—instead, I tried the olive oil and vinegar with bread and the rest of the spices went into the cabinet. They are great quality, but other gift boxes were better.
FAQs
What makes a gift basket worth the price?
Shipping materials as well as novelty help determine if a gift box is worth the price. Consider if you have the access, time, and knowledge to create or curate the contents and then double your ingredient costs to account for shipping. Most of the time, a gift basket is a considerable saving over making and shipping items yourself. We found that at least three items help a box feel complete!
How many items should a gift box include?
A minimum of three items helps a box feel complete, but gift packaging—branded box, tissue or crinkle paper, as well as info cards—add to the overall gift experience.
Why We’re the Experts
- Meghan Splawn is a food writer and recipe developer who has worked in food media since 2006.
- She worked for 10 years in the test kitchen with Alton Brown and has done projects for sites including Simply Recipes, TheKitchn, and Serious Eats.
- Since leaving her hometown almost two decades ago, she has been shipping gifts to extended loved ones. She even spent a month researching the best recipes and packaging for shipping cookies in 2020.
- For this review, Meghan opened (and recycled) over 13 shipping boxes, made four cheese plates, and is still eating through an extensive collection of tinned fish.