The 5 Best Gift Baskets to Send Right Now

Gift baskets are the perfect present for the holidays: filled with incredible surprises handpicked by stores or gift-giving experts, gift baskets take the difficulty out of gift giving. They’re easy, effortless, and enjoyable.

There are so many different possibilities when it comes to gift baskets. You can choose from various Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and general holiday themed gift baskets.

Yet gift baskets don’t have to be a holiday season treat. You can send a gift basket any time of the year. From carefully curated beer and wine gift baskets to toy-filled baskets to chocolate lovers’ gift baskets and even boxes loaded with cosmetic, spa, or beauty products, there’s a perfect fit for any occasion and every budget.

Send a loved one something special, or impress a business partner with a value-packed gift basket that’s ready to deliver right now. To help you find the best choices, we did the research for you. Here are 5 of the best gift baskets available today.

1. Night Before Christmas Crate: Olive & Cocoa, $214

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and buying gifts was a chore, but the kids were excited about the box of goodies dropped at their door.

Olive & Cocoa is known for amazingly soft plush gifts that give comfort to people of all ages. This Christmas gift basket is delivered in a handcrafted wooden crate and contains a cigar box bed for two plush mice plus a load of sweet treats, including:

• Holiday-themed cookies with colorful icing
• Candy canes
• Gumdrops
• Marshmallow poles
• A gingerbread house cookie

This Christmas gift basket isn’t only for children; you can bring out the kid in anyone with the quality delivered in this keepsake box.

2. The “Sweet” Holiday: Thoughtfully, $69.99

Thoughtfully gift sets are one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, and the company’s unique approach to mail-order gifts makes them an incredible option any time you need to give a present.

Each gift set is thoughtfully designed for people who share a common interest. The “Sweet” Holiday basket is a baking set that encourages people to revisit the holiday tradition of baking Christmas cookies. Your recipients will receive the following items:

• A gingerbread-shaped cast iron skillet
• A tree-shaped cast iron skillet
• A star-shaped cast iron skillet
• A stainless steel whisk with ceramic handle
• 3 bags of white chocolate chip cookie mix
• Holiday sprinkles

The cast iron skillets are big enough to make one cookie at a time, and the set allows you to make 3 cookies. Use any cookie or cake mix you like to bake additional batches. This is the perfect way to introduce children to baking as they make fresh cookies for Santa.

3. Thanksgiving’s Most Delicious Dessert: Edible Arrangements, $108-$130

Edible Arrangements is the leading provider of home-delivered fresh fruit bouquets and fruit gift baskets. This basket is their special selection for Thanksgiving, and it will look amazing as the centerpiece on your holiday table. If you can’t make it home for the holiday, sending a bouquet of carved fruit will tell your loved ones that you’re there in spirit.

Each dessert basket includes the following fresh goodies, gathered together as an edible bouquet:

• Fresh pineapple “leaves”
• Chocolate-dipped strawberries with orange swizzle topping
• Fresh pineapple cut into the shape of apple slices and dipped in chocolate with swizzle topping
• Caramel and chocolate-dipped apple slices with sea salt topping
• Fresh cantaloupe, grapes, and strawberries

You also get 3 Thanksgiving balloons and can select from a small, medium, or large bouquet.

4. Chocolate Cheer Tower: Gift Tree, $39.95

Forget sending just one gift basket; make a memorable splash by sending a tower that includes 5 decorative boxes of delicious treats. Perfect for the winter season, this gift basket isn’t limited to a particular holiday. The boxes are tied together with a red satin ribbon and delivered to the doorstep of your choice.

The tower includes:

• Chocolate-covered cherries, cinnamon apples, raisins and pretzels
• Chocolate marshmallow snowflakes
• Chocolate pomegranate crème truffles
• Fudge swirl truffle
• Ghirardelli dark chocolate and caramel squares
• Lindt milk chocolate truffles
• Tuxedo espresso beans
• White chocolate coconut almonds

So much chocolate, so little time to indulge. Send this winter gift tower to someone who deserves something sweet.

5. Festive Gift Basket with Wine: Harry & David, $69.99

This is the perfect gift basket for someone who’s in need of a little relaxation. Delivered in a blue and silver woven basket with a bottle of 2013 Harry & David Merlot, it’s great for any season.

Who doesn’t need a little wine? Other treats in the basket include:

• Chocolate blueberries
• Chocolate-covered grahams
• Dried fruit mix
• Milk chocolate truffles
• Mixed nuts
• Moose Munch S’mores bar
• Yogurt-covered pretzels

The basket is packed with enough goodies to keep someone special munching for days.

Make Gift-Giving Simple With Beautiful Gift Baskets

Gift baskets have come a long way from cellophane-wrapped bundles of fruit! Today, giving a gift basket is a special, meaningful option that shows you know just what the recipient needs.

There’s a gift basket for every budget, too–just do a little online shopping of your own to find the perfect present at the right price point. The possibilities are endless, whether you want to send a get well basket filled with chicken soup or a birthday basket featuring a special spa treatment.

The right gift basket awaits. Explore the many choices and creations online, and you’re sure to leave your recipient smiling.