Updated on Apr. 06, 2025
A Christmas gift basket—brimming with delicious things to eat and drink—is just the thing to send to friends, family members and colleagues. Here are the top picks to show you care.
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Editor’s note: These are our top picks for the 2024 holiday season, many of which are now sold out. We plan to update this page as soon as 2025 Christmas gift baskets are available. Can’t wait? Check out other gift baskets you can send throughout the year, no matter the occasion!
I’m all about themed gifts—a collection of three to four items that I handpick to match the recipient’s personality, interests and needs. I’ve done this for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and birthdays, but pulling this off at Christmas proves nearly impossible. When gifting to so many people at once, I’m hard-pressed to find time to plan, buy and package multiple themed presents for each of them.
That’s where Christmas gift baskets and care packages come in clutch. They’re exactly the type of thoughtful gift I’m looking for—but without any of the work. And Christmas gift baskets go way beyond the typical pretzels, popcorn and nuts these days. Although those traditional assortments fit the bill for some giftees, like coworkers or neighbors, there are more niche selections now, too, so you can find perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
The folks at Taste Recipes have tested dozens of Christmas gift baskets over the years. Below are our favorites. While this year’s packaging may look different for some of these options, they still have the same delightful contents that we’ve tried and loved in the past. I hope you, too, find lots of just-right gift ideas on this list for the loved ones in your life. Happy holiday shopping!
Christmas outshines New Year’s Eve in most people’s minds, but if you know someone who’s keeping the Christmas magic going all the way until the 31st, then consider this champagne-inspired gift set. It includes a sparkling nonalcoholic drink akin to champagne, wine-flavored gummies, a champagne-scented candle, a champagne stopper, champagne-infused chocolate-covered popcorn, Compartes chocolate and gold noisemakers.
“The curators did an excellent job collecting items that feel celebratory and festive,” our tester and Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer says. “From the superior packaging to the array of products, this box nails it for any occasion that calls for a cheer.”
We’ve tried several of Harry & David’s gorgeous gift baskets, but this baked goods basket is definitely one of our favorites of all time. Editor Emily Way sampled the signature bakery assortment, which is overflowing with cakes, baklava, galettes, cookies and a cinnamon swirl. “Everything looks fresh, and upon opening the box, it smelled absolutely lovely, like a local bakery,” Emily says of the delivery experience. “There’s a little something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of fruity cookies and cakes or prefer chocolate.” It’s a great gift for him—especially if he has a sweet tooth!
Showcase their love of sweets with a chocolaty, wine-filled gift box. Inside is Moose Munch popcorn, chocolate decadence cake, candies galore and a bottle of red blend wine. “The chest of chocolates and wine were packaged very carefully—some of the best packaging I’ve seen when it comes to keeping items safe and intact,” shares Shopping Editor Mary Henn. “Contents seem a bit smaller in person than what’s pictured online, but there’s a good variety.”
Muffins, croissants and tea bread—oh, my! With this Christmas morning gift basket, they won’t need to prepare their morning meal. It comes with an assortment of goodies and juice mixers to start the jolly holiday off right.
“Each pastry (three pistachio muffins, three blueberry muffins, two raspberry danishes, two apple croissants, two slices of chocolate marble tea bread and one slice of cranberry tea bread) was individually wrapped,” says Mary. “All in all, the pastries were very good. The muffins and bread were excellent and super moist.”
Filled with delicious individually wrapped cookies, brownies, and whoopie pies, this fresh-baked gift basket comes with a sturdy box and a pretty bow for a lasting impression. “Each of the treats was delicious,” says Emily. “From the whoopie pies to the tender nut and fruit blondies, my husband and I were blown away by how fresh everything is.”
Featuring fanciful favorites, this Ultimate Meat and Cheese gift basket is anything but boring. Inside are new cheese knives, premium cheese and crackers, savory sausage, crunchy popcorn, decadent cookies, and a delicious chocolate-covered berry mix to top everything off—all wrapped up in a pretty package.
Know someone who thinks cookies make the world go round? Snag them this Levain Holiday Cookie gift tin. It comes with four seasonal peppermint chocolate cookies, plus Levain’s signature four-pack containing Chocolate Chip Walnut, Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip and Oatmeal Raisin.
“The cookies, as per usual with Levain, were out of this world,” says Senior Editor Katie Bandurski, who has also tested the Levain cookie club. “I’ve got to say the peppermint flavor was one of the best things I’ve eaten lately, and I don’t really like mint that much! Rich, chocolaty and just insanely flavorful. I typically cut one cookie in fourths and eat it bit by bit throughout the week (they’re so big and rich), and I look forward to those little bites with an afternoon coffee or after dinner every day.”
Most Christmas gift baskets are overflowing with sweets and snacks, but maybe, what your special someone really needs this season is an excuse to relax. This thoughtful box boasts a champagne tumbler, monogrammed compact, lip balm, ring dish, candle, bath bomb and personalized postcard. It’s a great gift for her!
The elegant blue and gold packaging of this Ghirardelli gift set calls to mind a city Christmas with glowy holiday lights and a dusting of fresh snow. As far as chocolate lovers are concerned, the contents of the boxes are just as special: hot cocoa, chocolate caramel corn, chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate, chocolate drops and the brand’s signature chocolate squares. See more hot chocolate gift sets!
This splendid assortment has everything the host or hostess could want for a sophisticated holiday soiree. Think crackers, dips (lobster spread, anyone?), popcorn, cookies and nuts. Plus, this food gift comes with three holiday-themed bowls for serving the included delicacies so that guests can graze and gab the night away. We truly can’t think of a better gift than alleviating holiday-hosting stress.
From the classy red exterior of the box to its equally traditional contents, this box of holiday treasures is quintessential Christmas. Perfect for vegetarians, too, this assortment contains pears, apples, mandarin oranges, cookies, jelly candies and chocolates. It’s a gorgeous gift that will warm their hearts during winter’s cold.
This brimming breakfast box that serves up to 10 people is Buddy the Elf-approved. Give them a sugary rush on the best morning of the year with this collection of red velvet pancakes, French toast squares, Belgian waffles, Pop Tarts, Twinkies, favorite candies like Reese’s and M&M’s, sauces and condiments galore such as vanilla icing and Nutella, and so. much. more.
We’re absolutely smitten with this stunningly detailed tea treasure box, and your mom, girlfriend or grandma will be too. The 20 sachets, filled with flavors of jasmine green tea, raspberry violet green tea, coconut almond rooibos and cocoa hazelnut rooibos, were handwoven in France to resemble strawberries, flowers, a crescent moon and a heart. If tea is a wintertime staple that she savors, these packets make her daily cuppa that much more special.
Your favorite coffee lover deserves a caffeine-packed gift they’ll enjoy every morning. This Christmas coffee gift pack, featuring Kona coffee blends they can’t buy at the grocery store around the corner, should do the trick. Dad, grandpa, your coworker—or anyone else who can’t resist a cup of joe—will love this perky gift.
Thinking ahead during the holiday season is harder than it sounds. If you find yourself in a pinch, money- or time-wise, then this Amazon Prime pick is perfect for you. They’ll never know this box, complete with caramel corn, mints, Ghirardelli chocolate squares and chocolate-covered pretzels, was a last-second “Add to Cart.” Check out more Amazon Christmas gifts.
Nuts and Christmas have always gone hand in hand, and any snacker will appreciate this party-ready nuts gift basket. Ideal for a holiday gathering or a post-sledding snack, this tray includes cheese crisps, pecans, pistachios, cashews, dried apricots, salami, olives and mission figs. Plus, it ships for free.
You should trust us because these gift baskets and Taste Recipes have the same basis: food. Whether tested by our shopping editors who sample products, oftentimes consumables, for a living or our culinary professionals who have decades of combined kitchen experience, these baskets were vetted by people who know—and love—food. If we say these baskets contain food gifts we’d be proud to give, we’re confident you’ll agree.
We found the best Christmas gift baskets through research and firsthand testing. We perused the internet for gift baskets with a range of contents and price points (oh, and good reviews) so that both gifter and giftee could feel equally excited about the present. Then, we called in the handful of gift baskets that our readers responded to best in order to ensure they were as great and gift-worthy as we expected. Taste Recipes staffers from various departments and with various tastes took these baskets home to share with loved ones and then provided thorough and honest feedback to our writers.
Yes, gift baskets make excellent Christmas gifts for several reasons. They come in a wide price range, allowing you to spend more for a spouse or parent ($200) or opt for a more budget-friendly option ($25 to $50) for a co-worker or Secret Santa. Gift baskets have become so specialized that you can find one for almost any interest—from beef jerky and coffee to bath bombs and macarons. Plus, they’re designed for shipping, making them a practical option for sending gifts long-distance, ensuring they arrive safely.
While some gift baskets may seem pricier than expected, they often include thoughtfully curated items from multiple vendors and come beautifully wrapped. The cost reflects not only the contents but also the time saved in shopping, wrapping and shipping. Many baskets include festive touches, like ribbons and reusable containers, which can add to the price. However, with options starting under $30, gift baskets can be affordable and worth the convenience and presentation.
Gift baskets usually contain between four and 10 items. Small baskets work well with four to five items, while medium baskets tend to include five to eight. Larger baskets can hold eight to 10 items or more. These are just guidelines; you can customize the number of items to suit the occasion or recipient.
