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All of us, however, have high standards for food (it's what we're paid to do) and want to make sure we maximize what we paid for, especially if it's a gift. We also researched top-rated food gift baskets in all categories across the internet, adding a few more top picks we'd overlooked. We were recently in charge of coming up with some budget-friendly gift ideas for a work event. With a price point of about $20 per gift we knew we had to get creative to come up with some gifts that people would actually enjoy/want! It took a little planning and one night to put them all together but they turned out wonderfully and were a hit with the recipients.

Thankfully, we had done hours of research before deciding what to test, so all of the baskets we tried passed our review with flying colors. The list also includes a few other top-rated gift baskets from our research we weren't able to test in-person. We sent more than a dozen gift baskets to our editors to test at home—it's a hard job, but someone has to do it—rating them on their variety, value, freshness, presentation, and size. Just like you, our editors have different preferences and requirements for an edible gift. Some of us are gluten-free, some prefer savory over sweet, and some would choose tea over coffee.
Best home and kitchen gifts under $50
Whether you’re planning an engagement party or bridal shower — or, simply want to have fresh blooms sent to your door for your big day — look no further than Flowers. The brand has a full suite of picturesque options to choose from and, even better, just announced its 2023 Flower of the Year. One of the most adored parts of wedding planning is taking your partner to a bakery to indulge in a sweet cake-tasting. With an overwhelming amount of options, Kay shares why the flavor isn’t the only aspect to look into.

Bring Italy right to their very own kitchen with this gift basket that features artichoke lemon pesto, olive spread, crackers, flatbread and much more. From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods. It’s also home to a whole host of one-of-a-kind items made with love and extraordinary care.
Easy-to-Build DIY Firewood Shed Plans and Design Ideas
In addition to the typical toiletry offerings of soap, bath salts, and body butter, the gift basket includes a box of fancy matches and a candle with the phrase “You Are Amazing, Remember That”. Anyone in need of encouragement would love to receive this cute basket. When a friend is under the weather or grieving the loss of a loved one, this beautiful basket is a great gift idea. The French lavender scents of the bath bombs, soap, candle and lip balm provide calm and relaxation when the recipient is feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
You’ll also have to let the recipient know that the present was from you—gift messages are not an option at checkout. All of the fruit comes nestled in a cardboard box with plenty of cushioning, along with directions for accessing online ripening guides so you know exactly when to enjoy each fruit at peak ripeness. This box’s presentation isn’t fancy, but the fruit is so visually appealing, it makes up for that. Each Jasper Hill cheese is tastefully wrapped in butcher paper and all of the gift items arrive carefully tucked into a bed of wood shavings, so the aesthetic is appropriately rustic. This basket from an award-winning cheese maker had the best-tasting cheeses and crackers of all the options we tried. We talked to Taste of Home’s Executive Director of Visual Production, Stephanie Marchese, to get the inside scoop on how to create a wow-worthy gift basket.
School Supplies Gift Basket
I know so many people who’ve got it together enough to give homemade baked goods at the holidays every year (fortunately for me…). If your baker is a gifter, include these Christmas baking labels in their basket. Throw in an inappropriate doormat, housewarming candle, an always-appreciated gift card and anything else you think they’ll need, and your housewarming gift basket is complete. Don’t forget the pineapple – aka the international symbol for hospitality.

The spices are delivered in a pretty, hot-pink cardboard box, each jar nestled snugly within, with colorful illustrated labels on their lids that function as both decoration and information. The flavors change periodically, and not all those we tried are currently available. Among our favorites, the blueberry lemon jam stood out because it tasted like a slice of fresh berry pie. Blenheim apricot jam, the first flavor We Love Jam produced, offered a striking and fresh apricot flavor. It was far more nuanced than even the better-quality jams you can find at the store, such as those from Bonne Maman. Vanilla blackberry jam had a mellow sweetness, while raspberry mango passion fruit jam was tart and incredibly balanced—somehow all three flavors shined.
Girl’s Night Gift Basket
You can browse through a good number of unique tea blends and tea accessory sets, including artisan tea samplers, matcha kits, tumblers, and tea gifts. This gift basket lost some points for ordering and selection, as it stood out to us that most gifts cost a minimum of $50 and the basket we selected had a $12 shipping fee—a significant markup if you're on a budget. After testing the gift baskets, staff members discussed the merits of each one. Our testers provided tasting notes on each of the 14 gift baskets we tried in 2018.
Our testers loved the moist cake that looked exactly like the pictures online upon arrival. However, some wished there were a few more flavor options and a non-alcoholic pairing option for younger recipients and non-drinkers. Our tester felt that every individual product included was unique, and all contents were curated well together. You can also email the recipient so the package doesn't get lost, as well as add a custom-written message and video—great if you're gifting from afar.
With a half-dozen bagels, a pound each of cream cheese, smoked salmon, and coffee, and a chocolate babka, it's a generous weekend meal for six. Magnolia Bakery is a New York City institution, and its cupcakes and banana pudding are particularly famous. With this sampler pack, you can send a taste of its beloved desserts to friends, family, and coworkers anywhere in the United States.

The inspiring messages on the items will help nurse anyone back to health of mind and body. If you’ve got an artist, you can easily make a custom basket just for them. Fill it with a personalized leather paintbrush roll and add some supplies from your local arts and crafts store. Top it off by including these specialty mugs, and you’ve got yourself a cool themed gift basket fit for an artist. It comes with four pouches of loose-leaf tea from four different countries. The gift box also includes a postcard from each country with the story behind the tea.
If you are looking for the perfect gift basket ideas for new moms, look no further than these comprehensive boxes. This basket includes new baby essentials such as a receiving blanket, onesie, storybook, and Boogie Wipes. To pamper mom, there is a facial mask and scrub, lip balm, lotion, and nipple salve. This all-inclusive basket will certainly be her favorite baby gift.
Wirecutter contributor Anna Perling, who wrote our original guide to gift baskets in 2018, previously covered food and lifestyle topics for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. For this guide, she collaborated closely with editor Winnie Yang, who has worked in the food industry and has written for Art of Eating, Saveur, and Condé Nast Traveler, among others. Winnie is also something of a gift basket expert because she has sent and received many of them.
While many of the items on Etsy are handmade, you’ll also find craft supplies, digital items, and more. Plan that bachelor and bachelorette party with Airbnb Experiences. You have the option to filter by location to see things to do, like nature tours, wineries and more. Oh, and for your cake, opting for fresh flowers vs. handmade buttercream flowers is a cost-saving tip when it comes to wedding cakes. Couples are also hiring private chefs to personalize their tasting menus for an unforgettable and intimate experience. “For a more budget-friendly option, there are a lot of different ways to incorporate this trend, such as creating appetizers or desserts or even rehearsal dinner meals,” Kay highlights.

I love the fact that the snacks are put in a popcorn bucket, it makes it look very authentic and fun. Stress has such a massive influence on people nowadays, and although it might not solve all problems, I definitely think that receiving this gift, would ease the worries even just for a little while. It is always nice to know that when you are struggling, there is someone out there thinking of you.
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