Buyer's Guide to the Best Gift Baskets

In today's world, family and friends can be spread out across the country making it difficult to send gifts to those you really care about. Of all the options available, gift baskets may be the best solution, offering a wide variety of options to suit a myriad of tastes. Clearly, you wan't to choose from the best gift baskets available.

With the rising popularity of the Internet, mail order gift giving has never been more popular, and there is a lot of competition for your business. Want to send unique gifts? Christmas gifts or other holidays? Birthday gifts? Is it for family or do you need corporate gifts to promote your business? Or are you simply looking for great gift ideas? It can be a time consuming job to navigate through all the companies and keep track of all the information.

This article is designed to cut through all the fancy ribbon and guide you to the best gift baskets available. Included you will find links to the individual companies, what they offer, approximate cost for the items plus shipping charges, and which credit cards are accepted for payment. In short, a large part of your work has been done. Peruse the listings below and you are sure to find a business offering exactly what you want (and many ideas you didn't even know you had). Happy gift basket shopping!

Founded in 1934, Zabar's is a New York institution. Featuring coffees, teas, fresh spices, roasted goose, rack of lamb, foie gras, smoked salmon, deli meats, cheeses, housewares, caviar, and a wide variety of other items. They also have an "on sale"section, plus a "down-loadable" corporate gifts catalog. You can also create a custom gift basket with a basket and items you choose.

Least expensive item: Under $10.00

Most expensive item: $3299.00 - (Jura Capresso IMPRESSA Z5 automatic coffee and espresso center).

Shipping based on total order: $7.50 (on orders less than $25.00) and up.

Usually ships within two business days.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa

Founded in 1977 in SoHo, NYC., Dean and Deluca specializes in meats, cheeses, bakery goods, pantry items, herbs and spices, coffee and tea, wines, side dishes, foie gras, caviar, truffles and truffle products. Many gift baskets to choose from, or buy ala carte.

Prices: $10 and up.

Shipping: About $13.50 and up.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa

Offering specialty foods to American Chefs and adventurous home cooks, Earthy Delights offers fresh produce from the farm straight to the kitchen in the shortest time possible. They offer wild mushrooms and other wild-harvested items, including specialty produce, hand-crafted cheeses, balsamic vinegar, exotic spices and hard to find ingredients.

Least expensive item: $5.00

Most expensive item: $178.00

Baskets from $24.99 and up.

Shipping: About $13.50 and up.

Accepts Amex / Discover / MC / Visa

Offering a large variety of lean meats from grain-fed Omaha Beef, Omaha Steaks offers the most popular cuts of steaks, ribs, roasts, special cuts, as well as seafoods, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Items arrive fresh-frozen in a Styrofoam cooler

Prices: $14.99 (12 - 4 oz. Omaha Steak burgers) and up.

Shipping: $13.99 to $21.99 (Depending on product cost)

Accepts: Amex / MC / Visa

Offering a large selection of Game and Specialty Meats, Exotic Meats features over 38 varieties, including: Alligator, Antelope, Bison/Buffalo, Caribou/Reindeer, Crocodile, Elk, Frog, Kangaroo, Kobe Beef. Lamb, Llama, Rabbit, Rattlesnake, Snapping Turtle, Venison, Wild Boar, Yak, Duck, Goose, Guinea Fowl, Ostrich, Pheasant, Quail, Squab, and Wild Turkey (at the time of this writing, they are out of Lion and Black Bear). Select from Steaks, Burgers, Ribs, Roasts, Sausages and more.

All of their products are farm raised and free of growth hormones and antibiotics. Recipes and nutritional information is available for each products.

Prices: Less than $10.00 and up

Example: 2 - 8 oz. Buffalo sirloin steaks - $19.30. Sampler packs $90.00 to $159.00

Minimum order: $90.00

Shipping $59.81 and up (overnight delivery)

Accepts: Discover / Mastercard/ Visa

For over three decades, Lobster Anywhere has provided live Maine lobsters and premium seafood to restaurants, hotels, large institutions, and now the home chef. Their live Maine lobsters are taken fresh off the fishing boats of local lobster fisherman to sophisticated live-holding systems, and immediately hand selected and packed for your delivery overnight. Other items include Steamer Clams, Mussels, Baked Shrimp, Steaks and Ribs, Sea Scallops wrapped in bacon, chowders, soups, bisque, and desserts.

Representative prices: Least expensive item $6.00 / Least expensive live lobster (2 lbs) - $28.00 / Steamer Clams 19.00. / Prince Edward Island Mussels - 2 lbs. $16.00

Shipping: Overnight $24.00 and up.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa

For over 70 years, Harry and David has been sending fruit baskets and fresh fruit, and now features many other items. Offering some of the best gift baskets, choose a fruit basket, wine baskets, bakery baskets, healthy baskets, ham, turkey, truffles and chocolates, sweet treats, breakfast items, cheese cakes, cakes, pies, flowers, and plants.

Basket prices: $39.99 - $299.00.

Shipping: About $10.48 and up.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover Card / Diners Club

Offering a wide variety of wine gift baskets, Wine Country also offers a plethora of other gift basket choices. They also sell baskets featuring spa items, candy, chocolate, gourmet food, baked goods, and much, much more. Wines offered are California vintages from several different wineries.

Basket Prices: $22.46 - $150.00

Shipping: $5.95 and up

Many non-wine baskets offer free shipping

Accepts Amex, MC, Visa

Called by Zagat's survey the #1 wine shop in Los Angeles, Wally's offers a variety of fine liquor gift baskets. You will also find wine baskets, champagne baskets, and beer baskets, accompanied by gourmet snacks and crackers. They also offer kosher, non-alcoholic, and custom made baskets.

We offered products for the ladies. Here is where you'll find men gifts. All single items are also available individually with several gift wrapping options. Shipping to London, Paris, Canada, Tokyo are also available. Call for details.

Least expensive item: Some single bottles of wine for less than $10.00

Basket prices: $59.00 to $995.00

Shipping: Depending on size of order and location, about $25.00. (A single bottle of wine ships for about $13.00.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover

Having achieved an iconic status in the word of chocolates, Godiva uses premium cocoa beans and dairy butter and always ships fresh. They don't use artificial flavors or preservatives, which less expensive brands often do to achieve a longer shelf life. Instantly recognizable, Godiva chocolates is always an impressive and appreciated gift idea.

Least expensive item: $4.00

Most expensive item: $325.00

Shipping approx $12.95

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa / Discover

Founded in 2003, Candy Baskets offers unique gift candy arrangements and gourmet gift baskets. This family-owned company features gourmet chocolates such as Godiva, Mark Avenue Chocolates, new Ghirardelli boxed chocolates, Koppers chocolates, Lindt truffles, Jelly Belly, Fudgie Wudgie fudge, Buddy Squirrel Nuts and more. Gourmet gift basket arrangements also include gourmet coffees, teas, roasted garlic toasts, Bruschetta snacks, pretzels and gourmet mustards.

Basket prices: $18.99 to $49.99

Shipping: Depending on location and size of order about $6.00 and up

Accepts Amex / Visa / MC / Discover

While the company is incorporated in Minnesota, Cookie Gift Baskets bakeries are distributed across the country and ship to anywhere in the US. Items are baked and shipped on the same day to insure maximum freshness. A large selection of cookie bouquets are available, and offer both crunchy and moist and chewy selections.

Basket prices: $17.00 to $136.00

Shipping and Handling: Depending on location and size of order, about $9.95 and up.

Accepts Amex, MC, Visa

Offering bath gift baskets and a variety of body and bath items, Bath and Body products come in a variety of fragrances and nourishing ingredients for the lady who likes to pamper her skin and soul. Body lotions, body butter, bath gels, and more are sure to please any female recipient. Gift sets are also available.

Gift baskets: $14.00 to $80.00

Shipping and Handling: Depending on size of order, $5.95 and up.

Accepts / Amex / MC / Visa

A customized gift basket service and retail store located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, fill-r-up offers original, high-end gift baskets for every occasion. Searching for a Christmas gift? Almost every imaginable theme is available, including all major holidays, spa and beauty, items for the gourmet cook, and even pet baskets. Many candies, sweets and whimsical items are offered. Choose from one of their pre-designed baskets or build your own.

Least expensive: About $10.00

Most expensive: $306.76

Shipping: About $14.00 and up.

Accepts Amex / MC / Visa

With this guide to the best gift baskets available on the internet, you are sure to find a basket that suits your needs and budget. Visit your favorites using the links provided to see the wide range of choices each company has available. Hopefully, you will now find your on-line shopping experience satisfying and hassle-free. Happy shopping!

NOTE: The author has no affiliation with any companies listed in this article. No financial considerations have been made. Information is deemed to be accurate as of the time of this writing.