Discover the 26 Gift Baskets That Truly Stand Out After Testing Over 70

As an editor who’s been writing about gifts for years, I take great pride in my ability to select the perfect present for anyone on my list—and anyone on yours, too. Gift baskets are tricky because you have to balance when you send them and when they get delivered. So I highly recommend you order early (like now!) and schedule your Valentine's Day or birthday gift for when you want it to arrive. 

On top of all of that, people have really strong feelings about what they like (and don’t like) when it comes to food. But fear not! I have an easy checklist I use before ordering any gift baskets to guarantee they will make your mom, dad, neighbor, cousin, boss, or friend happy. 

After you’ve narrowed down the delivery window and found a gift basket that can be delivered on time, picking the right one means honoring their dietary restrictions (Lactose-intolerant? Vegan? Keto?) and knowing their favorite snacks. Don't know? Just ask! There's nothing worse than getting a gift basket full of food you can't or don’t want to eat.

The Spruce has tested 70 gift baskets over the past three years (many by me!) and what stands out the most is that preferences are super important. For example, while a gift basket full of velvety truffles might be a great gift for someone you know who loves chocolate gifts, you might want to pick something that's a blend of salty and sweet to share with your work friends.

Even if you don’t know everyone’s specific taste, sometimes the unexpected is a fun surprise and can make a last-minute gift still feel special.

Fruit-Filled Finds

Harry & David The Favorite Royal Riviera Pears

$75 at Harry & David

Harry and David is a well-known company known for its wide range of gourmet gift baskets. We especially loved testing the Favorite Royal Riviera Pears gift basket, a much simpler option and one of the most well-known baskets from the brand, the Harry's Gift Box. I love that this gift basket includes nine juicy pears, all under $50.

While it took almost a month to arrive, we were surprised to find that the pears were not quite ripe yet, so they lasted for a good amount of time. One thing to note: Upon delivery, we found that there weren't any labels on the box letting the recipient know there were perishable items inside.

Shari's Berries Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift Grande

View on Berries.com View on 1800baskets.com

I think there’s no wrong time to gift someone you love a gorgeous plate of chocolate-covered strawberries, and Shari’s Berries makes this process easy and delicious. A bit different than the brand’s signature basket, we tested the Distinctive Fruit Basket & Sweets Gift, which includes an impressive 39 different fruits and snacks—ideal if you're searching for a gift that a family or group of friends can share.

In just six days, the basket arrived in perfect condition, wrapped in cellophane with a bow on top. Everything was packaged very securely, and not a single fruit was bruised. Each item tasted extremely fresh, and the chocolate candies were a welcome pairing to the tasty apples and pears.

Just note that unboxing this basket may get messy because all of the fruit was wrapped individually and then in cellophane, and the basket was filled with paper shreds—but this is a small price to pay for fresh fruit. 

Williams Sonoma Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower

$70 at Williams-Sonoma

I can always count on Williams Sonoma when looking for a food gift basket that feels luxurious. During testing, I was instantly charmed by the high-end feel of the packaging. A twine string held the boxes of the Manhattan Fruitier Chocolate Confections Gift Tower together neatly in a stack, and a decorative gifting bow adorned the boxes, just as pictured.

We were especially impressed by this option's freshness and flavor, which makes sense since it ships perishable foods directly from its vendors. If you're concerned about ingredients and allergens, those are clearly printed on the boxes, but the information is placed so as not to get in the way of the gift's presentation.

Be aware that most gifts cost a minimum of $50, and the basket we selected had a $12 shipping fee—a significant markup.

Bonnie & Pop Snack Attack Tray & Basket

$50 at Amazon View on Bonnieandpop.com

Bonnie & Pop makes a perfect last-minute gift for a loved one who loves a gorgeous dried fruit spread. We loved the fresh-tasting dried fruit combined with the saltiness of nuts and the sweetness of chocolate, all at such a great value. I love that many gifts also come with a collapsible basket or tin that can be repurposed instead of wasteful plastic packaging.

While the brand itself doesn’t have a huge selection compared to sites like Harry and David, we were thoroughly impressed by the variety in this dried fruit basket. The classic apricots were perfectly chewy, while the kiwi was equally fresh and delicious. We felt that the nuts added a nice crunch that complimented the fruits beautifully. 

I love sending seasonal-inspired gifts, and this brand has plenty of limited edition gifts available that come in festive candy-striped tins or arrive in the shape of an apple for fall. Another bonus I found is that their website features a "gifting search tool" that's helpful if you've been sent a gift and you don't know who it's from. Overall, Bonnie & Pop’s speedy delivery, high-quality products, and exceptional value make it a contender.

Delectable Desserts

Levain Bakery Signature Cookie Assortment

$29 at Levainbakery.com View on Goldbelly.com

Known for its incredibly thick and moist cookies, Levain is a coveted brand in the cookie industry. For the longest time, Levain bakeries were only local to the residents of Manhattan and the Hamptons. Fast-forward nearly 30 years, and you can get its cookies delivered right to your doorstep, which I think are perfect for an intimate date night at home.

I had the pleasure of testing the brand's signature cookie assortment, which is available as a four-, six-, or 12-pack. No matter what size you choose, you can expect each cookie to be extremely large, making them ideal for sharing. I found that every cookie I ordered was fresh, decadent, and ready to be enjoyed immediately. I also kept a few in my freezer, so I could enjoy them at any time after a few minutes of heating up. 

Milk Bar Sampler

View on Milkbarstore.com

You don't have to live by Christina Tosi's Milk Bar to delight in one of her outrageous treats—you can just ship them across the country. I tested the brand's sample gift box, which came with truffles (my personal favorite), cookies, and a generous slice of pie for a delicious and varied assortment perfect for sharing with friends and family.

I am particularly impressed by the company's commitment to freshness. The gift basket arrived packaged with cold packs and the tin basket was secured, so none of the treats were broken or damaged during transit.

The basket even included instructions on how to properly store and preserve the treats once opened, in case you don't finish their delicious selections in one sitting. In fact, after I followed their instructions, I found that all the treats tasted just as delicious a few days or weeks later.

FarmSteady Pain au Chocolat Making Kit

View on Farmsteady.com View on Bespokepost.com $35 at Nordstrom

If you and a loved one are staying in this Valentine's Day, a DIY baking kit like this one from Farmsteady is the perfect activity. It can be a little intimidating for amateur bakers (we'll admit), but the results of our chocolate croissants wowed us.

The kit comes with all of the dry ingredients needed for the recipe—you'll just have to provide eggs, butter, and milk or cream. I love that it came with detailed instructions that guide you through the entire process, even though it took a few hours of work.

The end result was delicious and with six hearty croissants, there was plenty to go around.

Drinks & Delicacies

Gourmet Gift Baskets Classic White Wine Gift Basket

$85 at Gourmet Gift Baskets

If you're looking to give a wine gift to a loved one, I've found that Gourmet Gift Baskets has a great variety of gift baskets to choose from, whether your recipient prefers chardonnay, rosé, or pinot.

There are smaller and bigger baskets available, but all wine baskets, including the Classic Red Wine Gift Basket, have snacks that pair nicely with the chosen beverage. There's also a red wine version available, so you can tailor the gift to your recipient's tastes.

In terms of delivery, our basket arrived very quickly, and we found that all items were packed securely to ensure nothing shifted during the shipping process. The basket's other contents tasted fine, but some food items didn't live up to the same quality as others—the wine was clearly the main star of the gift.

Wicked Good Cupcakes Cupcake 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato

View on Wickedgoodcupcakes.com

Wicked Good Cupcakes makes it easy to send a delicious treat and a bottle of wine as a sweet way to say "I love you" to someone special. You can choose up to six of the brand's nearly 30 tasty cupcake flavors that arrive ready to eat in a jar, then add your recipient's favorite wine from Ilo for a great gift that has something for little ones and adults to enjoy.

The cake was moist and looked exactly like the pictures online upon arrival. It's packaged in mason jars so it stays fresh and looks adorable when opened. The clear jars also let you see the delicious icing and ganache before diving in.

I also love the proportions of the cupcakes, with a favorable icing-to-cake ratio. However, I wish there were a few more flavor options.

Gift Tree The Royal Treatment Gift Basket

$100 at Gift Tree

Gift Tree has been around for over two decades and has an impressive selection of gift baskets containing wine, cheese, chocolate, and more for every recipient on your list. We tested the luxurious Royal Treatment Wine Basket, which comes with a bottle of chardonnay, a bottle of Pinot Noir, and tons of snacks that pair nicely with the wine.

Shipping is super quick—our basket was delivered within a week of ordering and by the predicted delivery date. Plus, the two-day shipping option is free! While the wine and snacks were enjoyable, we were disappointed by the lack of a detailed online ingredients list. This would've been helpful for those with certain food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Clif Family Winery Eat Chocolate, Drink Wine Gift Box

View on Cliffamily.com

The Eat Chocolate, Drink Wine gift basket from Clif Family Winery speaks for itself. While I appreciate the well-curated and giftable box it arrives in, the magic is on the inside. Your recipient will receive a bottle of cabernet from the winery and three chocolate bars to taste-test with the rich red wine.

I loved that all of the chocolate varieties came with three individually wrapped bars that I could share with friends or save for later. Plus, a bottle of wine elevates this gift to an experience, rather than just a box of chocolates. My personal favorite was the toffee crunch bar, but the unique Napa Noir chocolate has hints of red wine throughout it for the perfect pairing.

Charcuterie Board Staples

Jasper Hill Farm The Vermonter

View on Jasperhillfarm.com

Cheese lovers will go nuts over this gift basket option from Jasper Hill Farm, which is owned and operated by farmers in Vermont. We loved testing The Vermonter basket, especially partly because the cheeses were delicious and not something you'd typically find at the grocery store. We found that the basket felt very personal and special, and the included crackers and nuts gave us an instant charcuterie board.

While the baskets start at around $100, higher than many on our list, many of the boxes ship free with promotional codes found throughout the site. Given the quality of the products, I think that investing in one of these gift baskets is worth the splurge if your loved one is a cheese enthusiast.

Curdbox Cheese Subscription Box

View on Curdbox.com

Cheese lovers, rejoice! I found the perfect gift for you in the form of a cheese subscription that delivers new artisan cheeses and food pairings directly to your door each month. Because this is a subscription, you have to plan ahead with this box, as the first box will arrive during the next month's scheduled window. 

Upon arrival, the box contained tons of information about the carefully sourced ingredients inside, which I loved. While the items were not damaged inside, I wish they had included one more ice pack to keep the contents as cold as possible, especially during the summer. 

Still, all the different cheeses tasted fresh and delicious. The cheeses were imported, so they felt more special than similar options you can find at your local grocer. At $75 a box, it's definitely a bit expensive, but for the high-quality curated selection, I believe it’s reasonable for someone who loves discovering new cheesy delights.

Platterful Charcuterie Kit + Handcrafted Wooden Board Bundles

View on Platterful.com

Don’t just give a gift; give an experience with this DIY charcuterie kit from Platterful. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create a beautiful board and detailed instructions on how to arrange everything together aesthetically. What truly stood out to me was how every ingredient was labeled on how to keep it fresh and the optimal time frame for enjoying each snack so there’s zero guessing. 

I agree with the manufacturer here: This makes a meal for two to four people and a snack for six to eight people (four of us shared this board and were surprisingly full by the end). Plus, all of the ingredients were delicious, fresh, and unique enough that I can't find them at a typical grocery store.

While I love the interactive experience of setting up and eating this charcuterie board, I don't love the included utensils. They were lacking in quality compared to the food, but this doesn’t take away from the gift as a whole. 

Cool Creations

Salt & Straw The Best Sellers Pack: Classics

View on Saltandstraw.com

For a more sophisticated ice cream gift box for friends or family, I love Salt & Straw. The high-quality taste of every flavor inside, even the vegan flavor, blew us away. With universally enjoyable flavors, the Best Sellers pack is great for gifting with an array of universally loved flavors. If you’re a little bit more adventurous,  the brand also has more sophisticated flavors, including honey lavender, pear, and blue cheese.

As with all frozen treats, they don’t triumph in presentation. When the pints arrived, the box looked a bit wet, which was worrisome, but the pints were covered in ice and completely frozen. Unlike Jeni’s (also on our list!), which has a wide variety of dairy-free and gluten-free flavors, Salt & Straw only has four vegan varieties.

Despite the limited selection, it does not detract from the delicious taste of each one we tried. The only disappointment was vanilla, which was a bit plain and unexciting compared to other great flavors. Still, I think this option is a welcome upgrade to a kid-friendly dessert gift. 

Jeni's Ice Cream Best Sellers Collection

View on Jenis.com

This beloved artisan ice cream brand delivers right to your recipient's door and has dozens of fun flavors to choose from, including Brambleberry Crisp and Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, plus a handful of dairy-free options. Perfect for a movie night at home, you and your family will love taste-testing both unique and classic flavors. 

Testing proved that the quality of the ice cream was phenomenal. You can expect delicious flavors that are packaged well and will arrive within the expected time frame. The included dry ice kept the ice cream frozen and ready to eat.

The packaging is a bit simplistic compared to other options, but the rich and creamy ice cream makes up for it. I think it would make a great host gift, leaving a lasting impression of thoughtfulness and taste.

The minimum order is four pints at $12 each, or you can order a specific collection starting at $58 for five pints. Shipping costs vary depending on your zip code; all orders will arrive one to two days after being shipped. 

Graeters Assorted Chip Wheelies 12-Pack

View on Graeters.com

Skip the traditional pints for “chip wheelies” from Graeters. These mini ice cream/cookie sandwiches are a more fun ice cream treat that tastes just as good as they look. The 12-pack comes with four of each flavor: classic chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and black raspberry. 

We taste-tested these with a partner and found them absolutely delicious. The cookies and the ice cream both taste homemade and are a step above what you’d find in the frozen aisle of a food store. The sandwiches weren’t overly sweet, and you could happily enjoy it in one sitting. 

I love that this 12-pack lasted two people for about two weeks, so they’re great for gifting to a couple or a small family who wants to enjoy them quickly. The playful black raspberry flavor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it offers a unique twist for those who love fruity ice cream. 

For the Early Bird

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit Share the Love Basket

View on Calliesbiscuits.com

Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit makes it easy to throw a perfect brunch with their thoughtfully curated biscuit gift sets. Aptly named, the Share the Love Gift Basket comes with six scrumptious buttermilk biscuits, six cinnamon biscuits, six savory cheese and chive biscuits, and pimento cheese. 

Everything arrives frozen, which ensures you can enjoy the biscuits whenever you want. Like other brands, you don’t feel pressured to enjoy the gift basket right away.

The biscuits took about 15 minutes to prepare, and despite being frozen, their flakiness and delectable taste completely blew us away. We also enjoyed the pimento cheese, which was flavorful and added a tangy, peppery flavor to our biscuits. 

This basket arrived in less than a week, tasted delicious, and could feed a large group. The website says this basket is best for four to eight people, but I think it can stretch even further with 18 biscuits to share, making it a great choice for any group setting.

Stonewall Kitchen Morning Favorites Gift Basket

$90 at Amazon View on Stonewallkitchen.com

For the ultimate breakfast experience in a box, send the Stonewall Kitchen's Morning Favorites Gift Basket. This delicious gift includes jam, rich syrups, and three different pancake and waffle mixes.

I loved that many of the items included were "treat-like"—meaning they weren't necessarily products people would buy for themselves, but they still made for fun pantry items that can be enjoyed over the course of a few weeks or months.

Although the food items are the star of the show with Stonewall Kitchen, you’ll also find a few non-food items that enhance the overall experience of your gift. This particular gift basket came with a tea towel and was packaged in a gorgeous basket that can easily be repurposed. 

Stan's Donuts Donuts & Coffee Lovers Gift Pack

View on Goldbelly.com

Who can resist the delicious combination of coffee and donuts in the morning? This gift set comes with a bag of whole-bean coffee, six donuts to share, and a ceramic mug from the Chicago-based donut and coffee shop. I love that the coffee beans and mug can be enjoyed even after all the treats are gone and act as a sweet reminder of the thoughtful gift.

As for the donuts, they were extremely fresh and tasted just as delicious for three days. The selection of flavors was universally enjoyable and easy to share—even if you don’t like a certain ingredient. It’s worth noting that the box has a small tear to fit the mug inside, so the presentation isn’t the most gorgeous. Despite this, the delicious contents more than make up for it.

Onyx Coffee Lab Collection Box

View on Onyxcoffeelab.com

For some, breakfast means just enjoying a steaming cup of coffee. Surprise these friends and family members with a chance to taste eight specialty coffee brews with unique flavors sourced from different countries around the globe. Even when shared with non-experimental coffee drinkers, we loved nearly every coffee we tried. 

I also love the no-waste packaging that includes information about each coffee’s origin and unique flavor profile. Depending on your brewing preference and the desired strength, this gift could brew up to 60 cups of coffee, so it’ll definitely last a while. It’s also great for sharing with fellow coffee lovers. 

In terms of customization, you can choose between whole or ground beans to fit your brewing style. However, I do wish the individual bags were easier to reseal for use in the future. 

A Full Meal in a Box

Eli Zabar's NYC Deli Weekender Box

View on Goldbelly.com

One of the best perks of ordering from Goldbelly is the chance to experience cuisine from another city in the US that you can't find in your hometown. We recently ordered this box from Eli Zabar’s in New York City, which is filled to the brim with Jewish deli staples, including rye bread, babka, bagels, pastrami, cream cheese, lox, coffee, and more. 

I love that the site gives you the option to choose your delivery date to ensure you can enjoy all of its contents on time. Everything tasted fresh for a few days after arrival, but as New Yorkers, we found the bagels to be a bit disappointing. The taste was closer to a pre-packaged grocery store bagel.

Still, the overall selection and scope of the basket were impressive and a great treat for someone far away from New York.

Katz’s Delicatessen Birthday Box

View on Katzsdelicatessen.com

During busy times, I've found that a new mom or friend will appreciate a gift basket that provides a full meal or two. With this birthday box from Katz, we had enough New York fresh pastrami, corned beef, bread, swiss cheese, pickles, dressing, and more for about eight sandwiches or a few meat and cheese platters to share at a party. 

While the scope of food is impressive, so is the quality of everything included. In fact, we can confidently say this was the best pastrami we've ever had. When shared at a gathering, everyone agreed that everything tasted fresh and delicious. We kept the shelf-staple inclusions (pickles, mustard, and sauerkraut) in our fridge to continue enjoying after the meat and cheese was gone. 

While this option is definitely a splurge, I think it’s worth buying because of the quality of the ingredients and the sheer amount of food you get with each box. 

International Sampling

Mochidoki Signature Box Set

View on Mochidoki.com

For a unique gifting option, I love Mochidoki. The Japanese treat features a glutinous rice cake filled with delicious ice cream for the perfect bite-sized, hand-held dessert. Whether your friend or family member loves trying the latest flavors or has never tried mochi, Mochidoki makes it easy to try out the popular varieties of the traditional treat.

We loved the combination of familiar and unique flavors that made the gift a full experience. We enjoyed trying to guess the flavor based on the color and then confirming with the helpful guide. Just be sure to put your mochi in the freezer immediately upon arrival to avoid melting.

The signature box set comes with 32 pieces and eight popular flavors, so there are some doubles to share with friends. The flavor bundles cost about $3 per piece, while pricier options include extras like tea towels and serving tongs.

Universal Yums Care Package

$40 at Amazon

For any recipient who wants to try something new and international, I recommend the Universal Yums Care Package. Packed with 30 diverse snacks, this gift basket is great to share with family and friends. Some smaller snacks come in duplicates, making it even easier to share.

We shared the gift basket with three snack enthusiasts, who all enjoyed trying the adventurous treats inside and comparing notes. Though we didn't enjoy them all equally and have differing tastes, it was a really fun experience to sample a bunch of sweet and salty treats that we couldn't just walk into a store and purchase.

Each snack is sealed individually, and nothing is perishable, so if it sits outside your doorstep for a few days, don’t worry. While the snacks may seem a bit common at first, I found they come in unique flavors not seen in the United States. This basket acts as a fun activity for families or couples as they try everything and discover new snacks and flavors. 

How We Tested the Gift Baskets

To make sure we are only recommending brands we would want to receive ourselves as gifts, we ordered over 70 gift baskets from every company on this list and many more over the past three years to judge the experience for both the gift giver and the recipient. We evaluated each basket on several factors:

• Shipping: We read through each brand's shipping process and logged how long each basket took to arrive and whether there were any hiccups along the way. We also noted the shipping cost and whether it was included in our purchase or not.
• Variety: We considered the variety of the gift basket selection, the contents within each basket, and whether it was clear from the website what would be included in the gift.
• Packaging: Once the gift baskets arrived, we considered the unboxing experience from the recipient's eyes, including the look of the packaging. We also noted any perishable warnings, ice packs, or other matters to keep the contents fresh.
• Taste: Perhaps the most important fact is that we tasted every element of every basket and determined whether it tasted fresh and delicious or stale and skippable.
• Overall Value: After evaluating all these factors and comparing our experiences with other gift baskets, we determined whether each basket was worth the price and inclusion in this list.

Only the baskets that we thoroughly enjoyed have made it to this list. We added any gift basket that we would send to our friends and family to this list of recommendations.

What to Look for in a Gift Basket

Finding the Right Price

Whether you're buying a gift for a young teen girl or your bestie, gift baskets are an excellent gifting choice because there’s an option for every budget, ranging from $20 to $200—so they work if you're looking for gift ideas for under $50, or if you're ready to spend more. 

However, some baskets have one extra shipping fee, while others (like the Gift Tree Royal Treatment Wine Basket) offer free two-day shipping. When you're looking at pricing, make sure you're taking that into account.

Also, the overall value of the products should be considered. Some baskets, like the Stonewall Kitchen Morning Favorites Gift Basket, offer full-sized products that can be used for entertaining, while other brands include single-serving options that are better for snacking.

Delivery and Shipping

Be sure to order early and research delivery dates and shipping times when ordering a gift basket. Luckily, some brands offer expedited or next-day shipping, but it always helps to choose your gift early to ensure it arrives in time, especially during the busy seasons. Other baskets like Bonnie & Pop Dried Fruit and Nut Gift Basket are available on Amazon Prime, offering members free two-day shipping. 

In addition to determining shipping costs, it’s important to read the company’s delivery statement: Does it deliver in the recipient's area? How do cold items arrive, and how long can they safely stay in the box?

We noticed that the Harry & David Royal Riviera Pears did not come with a perishable warning on the box, so be sure to warn your recipient that it's arriving so they can prepare to bring it inside right away.

For alcoholic deliveries like the Wicked Good Cupcakes 6-Pack & Rosé + Moscato, someone often will have to sign for the package, which is another thing to consider. When sending a gift box around a major holiday, you’ll also want to check for delivery times. Many sites have timetables and order-by dates to give you a pretty accurate estimate. Generally, the earlier you place your order, the more likely it’ll arrive on time. 

Keep Allergies in Mind

When shopping for the perfect gift basket, consider the recipient’s taste and possible allergies. Luckily, many sites selling food-based gift baskets offer allergen information right in the product description. Some baskets with various snacks included may require more research or a quick call to the company, but this becomes vital when allergies come into play.

We love that some options, like Jeni's Best Sellers Collection, have all of the ingredients and nutrition facts listed on the product page as well as on the individual pints. An option like Callie's Hot Biscuits Share the Love Basket is also a great option for friends with allergies because the contents are limited, and the ingredients of every food item are clear and easy to find in the product description.

How Many People the Basket Feeds

Some things to consider: Does the recipient have kids that may want to break into their delicious dessert box (if so, opt for the Levain Signature Cookie Assortment)? Are they a big entertainer, so a larger wine, cheese, and meat basket might be better (think: the Jasper Hill Farm Vermonter)? 

If they live alone, will all included treats stay fresh long enough for them to enjoy? Individuals who drink coffee daily, but prefer not to snack on sweet treats will undoubtedly get through the Onyx Coffee Lab Collection Box by themselves over time. 

Many companies offer various size options or items with a long shelf life, including nuts (Williams Sonoma's Manhattan Fruitier Dried Fruit & Nut Gift Tower), coffee, and even wine (Gourmet Gift Baskets' Classic White Wine Gift Basket). After putting so much time and effort into your gift choice, you want to ensure they can enjoy every part.

Those throwing a party or welcoming a new baby without time to cook will appreciate a full meal in a gift basket, like the Katz Delicatessen Katz's Birthday Box. It has everything to make eight corned beef Reuben sandwiches with ingredients to spare. 

Why Trust The Spruce?

The article was written by Julia Fields, an associate editor at The Spruce, who writes gift and holiday stories and has personally tested nearly a dozen gift baskets with cheese, chocolate, and more inside. She still remembers the delight when her uncle gifted her family a cheese-of-the-month subscription (most likely this one) and the sheer joy that permeated the house when each new cheese arrived.

Her favorite picks she’s personally taste-tested include the Milk Bar Sampler and the Levain Signature Cookie Assortment.