Chickadee, very interesting article. I'm not a TjMAxx shopper but I am a HomeGoods shopper and they play me "like a prize fiddle" as they say.

FWIW Here is something else I just ordered. If you have a honey gourmet (not a gourmet honey) in your midst, and don't mind overpaying for pointedly utilitarian packaging. : )

http://www.beeraw.com/gifts/honey-flights/9-varietal-honey-flight.html

Mtn, they're all owned by the same company.

http://www.tjx.com/index.html

This isn't what you had in mind, but I ordered their cinnamon buns last year for my family, and I'm going to send some to my sister-in-law in NH this year too. We eat at this cafe when we're in that area of Maine. The buns are not cheap, especially when you add in the shipping, but they're large, at least 4" square and out of this world, melt in your mouth delicious. They're not frozen when they're shipped. I'm in PA and got them with the 2 day shipping last year and they were fine. I froze them. The icing is packed separately. I was going to send some to my other sister-in-law in NC too, but I decided not to risk it with the longer shipping time.

https://www.thecupboardcafe.com/

I'm not much of a sweets fan (give me something savory to indulge on) but my SIL brings me an assortment of these every year when she returns from her holiday in Kona, really delicious. I've had all but the shortbread and find them exceptionally good.

https://konacookies.com/product-category/cookie-gift-boxes-assortments/

Chickadee, yes, I know that was why I mentioned it. They do the same thing w decor. We have a beach house in the very South of Maine, will have to find a reason to drive up there for sticky buns! Yum.

Morz, funny you should mention that. Just late last night I ordered a gift box of Honolulu cookies for my DD. She is at boarding school and exams are coming up, so I sent a big box to coincide with exam week. A few years ago when we were in Hawaii, we kept coming across the Honolulu cookie company, and their free samples. We were hooked! Only issue is, as a gift people kind of wonder, why Hawaii? They are all pineapple shaped. Also they mfr in HI only and the shipping costs are stupid high. But I am a cookie afficianado and these are TDF.

Ida. You have tried those apples? I like the fact that is it not all candy. Are the apples themselves petite?

It's my understanding that the petites are indeed smaller than "regular" apples. We had the regular-sized apples, and they were pretty big. When I first saw the box I wasn't overly excited ... caramel apples, meh ... but once I cut into the first one and had a taste, I was hooked. They're just a wonderful treat, and I think I now have to order some just for us, as even thinking about them has made my mouth water. The apples were so juicy, the caramel so buttery, the chocolate so ... chocolatey. ;-D

Perfect, I know just who will love them. Thanks for posting them!

My husband had a bunch of (get well) food gift items delivered recently and most we gave away or tossed. The large popcorn variety pack tins were high in salt and sugar (neighbor kids got that) The large Italian theme ones were the worse and were filled with a bunch of fatty sausages, lots of stale crackers and weird so so pasta sauce. I'm not trying to sound unappreciative but think sometimes people do not think of what ever health issues one might have. Our favorite was this edible arrangement. Husband loved the fresh fruit and I loved the chocolate bits.

For those who are putting together their own gift boxes, I saw that Trader Joe's also has what they call their "Rainbow of Honey" sampler, with six 4 oz jars. I have not bought it yet but it certainly sounds good.

Those Edible Arrangements are so pretty, but they're so expensive! I ordered one for someone at work, and picked it up myself. It was pretty small and right at $100. I was shocked!

Yep, pricey! I do like getting them though. I don't know why but I hate washing and cutting fruit. It's so handy and fun to just have it all pretty and ready to eat.

Tishtosh, darn, I bet that is a FAR better value.

Ida, I have never recd one but I did send one and they said it was quite good.

The large popcorn variety pack tins were high in salt and sugar (neighbor kids got that) The large Italian theme ones were the worse and were filled with a bunch of fatty sausages, lots of stale crackers and weird so so pasta sauce.

Jterri, I heartily agree it can be hard to find a good food gift. The vast majority are, IMHO, very poor quality. And yes, a lot of people do not WANT something highly caloric or fatty.

ETA - my kids are like that. Whole fruit can sit in the basket for days. When I cut it and serve it with a meal, they are arm-wrestling over it. Never underestimate how much progress we can make by making it the path of least resistance! We long ago got into the habit of serving a platter of fresh fruit at every dinner.

Sugarfina candy collections. The champagne gummy bears are delicious.

Fun2B, thank you-- champagne gummy bears are perfect little extras for 2 on my list!

Question: would anyone know of small but quality chocolate baskets? Small but really good?

I can only recommend the ones we discussed up thread-- Vosges and Mariebelle.

I'd MUCH rather have something I can cook, than a bunch of sugary stuff that will eventually end up in the dumpster. Gummy bears.... Immediate dumpster here. (I won't directly tell you that but that's the outcome... I seriously can't think of a less-gustatorably-edible item on the planet, including the things I am allergic to.)

At least tree nuts have some benefits, and I won't be embarrassed to pass them on.

Last year, I got an awesome gift basket when I was down with a broken ankle. The food had variety, didn't just assume one food group, and although I had to pass a couple items onwards, this was with joy and happiness to share.

I didn't think to post about this company until now when I posted about their biscuit mix on the Cooking forum. This is a small (very high quality) organic farm that specializes in growing ancient grains. They have beautifully packaged products and gift boxes. I especially like their pilaf and sage biscuit mix. I regularly buy those and their white whole wheat flour and some of their ancient grain flours. I love what they are doing and supporting their business. I have mail ordered their things when I haven't traveled to their area for a while (when I stock up) and they have great service, too! eta, they also sell local honey, berry syrups to go with their pancake mix, etc.

Bluebird Grain Farms

Gifts

Artmeis, like any gift, a food basket is only successful if it is selected with great thought about its recipient's interests and preferences.

Justerrilynn, Sees Candy is still a favorite of ours. It was more special when you could only buy it in SanFrancisco, now they have kiosks in many malls.

Lots of choices and sizes available.

Sees Candy

I would really like to support these smaller companies, but the shipping is almost as much as the products. I was about to purchase the I Love Farro gift box from Oly's Bluebird Grain Farms but the cheapest shipping was $20 on a $32 product. I guess I'm just too used to free shipping.

It's true, Joanie. I don't know if it is because they are trying to profit on shipping (for many years companies did) or if it is because they do not have the power to negotiate cheap rates. In any event, I have really noticed shipping costs on a number of things this year.

Forgive me if this has been mentioned, but you can put together an amazing food basket inexpensively at Home Goods, Tuesday Morning etc...

Not a food basket, but we have occasionally ordered Trappist bourbon fudge from Gethsmani farms as gifts (and for ourselves). Really good fudge :).

https://www.gethsemanifarms.org/fudge.aspx

For cookies:

http://www.comfortcookiesinc.com/index.html

:)

Mimi, for the original purpose (good quality but not exotic, requires no prep) I have decided to take Jterri's advice and buy things myself.

However in the interim I have bought some specific and unusual food gifts for a variety of people I know well.

Joanie, I didn't realize shipping was so much. Ugh, but I know when I ship anything USPS or UPS, it is outrageously expensive. Of course, all our "free" shipping is folded into the cost of our purchases.

I don't think Bluebird is padding the shipping (maybe rounding up) but in their defense, they are in a tiny, tiny community where options for shipping are very limited. One of the downsides of living in an extremely rural area and trying to do business.

I just thought to check, and their stuff is available on Amazon, eligible for free shipping, but I didn't see the gift boxes, nor compare prices with their website. (just in case anyone is interested in their products.

Thanks, Joanie

Shipping costs have gone up a lot over the last few years -- first when fuel costs were so high, but now that fuel cost is back to half of what it was, shipping costs have gone up 2 or 3 times (instances, not a multiple).

Joanie -- that box (if I am looking at the right one) has four pounds of product plus the packaging and any additional shipping box (if used). The shipping weight would be at least 5, possibly 6 lbs, and the shipping costs I found were $15-$19 and those are for drop off rates. Package pick up would add another dollar or so. They may get a discount, but they have labor costs too, so I don't think they are trying to profit on the shipping charges.

Anyone have a suggestion for nut-free food gift baskets? Looking at chocolates etc. assortment.

Oly and Lascatx......thank you. I looked on Amazon and you have to buy two-packs so for four...like in the sampler gift box....the price comes out about the same. I didn't think shipping was being padded, I know those costs have gone up.....I guess I'm just so spoiled now by free shipping that when I see the shipping rates I'm aghast. I plan to go ahead and order....I think my vegan son and gf would enjoy the products and they will be something new for them .....and I do like supporting these small companies.

I'm another See's Candy fan. What's nice is they also have children's Christmas boxes. I have this bad habit of ordering a box of butter cream filled chocolates. Want my address? ;)

Also, their chocolate is always fresh, or so it seems.

ETA: I can vouch for Mrs. Prindable's. I received them as a gift years ago sent via QVC. That's how I learned QVC sold food.

Sometimes when it comes to gifts, and one that is unique and right on target, you need to "forgive" the shipping. I look at what I owe as the total, and don't break it down.

Jungle Jims does shipping

Mimipadv, See's allows you to customize most of their assortments. We buy for people who don't like nuts and prefer dark chocolates. See's is perfect. And note the shipping limited time offer, flat $5 for orders over $35 an free over $65.

I don't know if it is the same company but I have a friend that orders a smaller basket of the apples for herself every year. She says thy are delicious.

I've used La Maison du Chocolat.

Joanie, I am also spoiled by free shipping.

Not a food item, but an interestng food GC might be Blue Apron. A little outside the box, but what a timesaver for teachers, and have heard the meals are pretty good.

Patty,

The gift can't require prep, its for a group of people who work together.

That said, we've been getting Blue Apron for a year now. I'm not sure if I would really call it a timesaver. Of course it is in the sense that they shop for the ingredients. But I find most of the meals take between 45 minutes to an hour to prepare. A lot of people don't realize that. The quality is excellent, my only qualm is that for us, it's is too heavily skewed toward Asian flavors. We get meals for 4, 2x a week and one is always Asian. Usually we would not have that cuisine as often.

IdaClaire,

Thank you, the petite Prindables were a big hit!

I love these threads because they give me such great ideas! I thought I'd throw this out there for anyone looking for something different.... They're a local candy creation -- totally unique -- and everyone loves them at the holidays. They ship now and come in several varieties, but I'd go with the original if you've never had them. :) They're Nora's Turkey Joints!

ETA: I'm another fan of See's candy.

Thx, Party.

Hmm, it probably will not be long before we can send someone a gift basket of joints in the mail. ; )

I ordered 2 gifts from mariebelle and of course I had to sample a bit for myself. It is beautiful and delicious! And I'm a long time See's Candy fan. I love that you can totally customize a box.

I belong to a Facebook page for our town in Colorado. Someone posted a question asking for ideas for a weed gift basket :) We don't have any dispensaries in our county but there are plenty nearby. Most people post asking for suggestions about repairmen and Doctors.

These people make the best baklava

I had to order a sympathy gift basket but forgot all about this thread, unfortunately. I used Harry & David, after a few people told me it was reliable. Oh my word they are pests! I get at least 2 emails every single day. I will unsubscribe once I'm sure the basket was received and I don't need to contact them for any problems.

And I expect to be inundated with catalogs. I'll use catalog choice to opt out once I have the first catalog and the mailing label. Pestering me is not the way to entice me to become a return customer.

Mtn, thinking ahead for your teens, one of my most appreciated gifts ever during exam season was a huge fruit basket my parents sent me. My dorm mates and I all greatly appreciated the vitamins in amongst all the pizza and pork schnitzel.

I guess you could guarantee any food basket will be appreciated by also sending a small marijuana sampler basket. ;-)

Robo,

I'm with you, i swear I can feel the vitamin C boost when I have a "yummy" orange or grapefruit.

I sent my DD, who is away at BS, the Honolulu Cookie Company basket, which she loved. They have fresh whole fruit out and available at the cafeteria 24/7, which she says she does eat! It's the green veggies I worry about, but a basket of those would not be welcome!

Harry & David Royal Riviera pears or grapefruit from FL are my favorites. We all suffer from sugar overload after the holidays and fresh fruit is perfect.