Holiday Baskets Make Fabulous Gifts!

I was talking to a Canadian friend yesterday who mentioned that there were only 44 days until Christmas. I scoffed. She must be talking about Canadian Christmas that, like Canadian Thanksgiving, comes a month before the American version. She couldn't be talking about my Christmas. Mine is in December. 

Well, as we all know, there is only one Christmas and it happens on the same day everywhere.  Yep, December 25th, and despite the fact that my mind is somewhere back in September (Curse you, unseasonably warm weather!), it is now November, and time to officially panic if you have not yet begun your holiday shopping.

Thank goodness for Melissa's Produce, a longtime sponsor of this blog, and purveyor of the best produce and specialty products around. They have recently revamped their wine baskets and, hang onto your hats, they are fantastic!  Who wouldn't love to receive one of these beauties?!

Melissa's Reserve Wine Basket  (Pictured above)

This charming woven basket holds a bountiful array of over 10 lbs. of mouthwatering fruits.  This basket may vary due to seasonal availability but usually includes: Hawaiian pineapple, crisp apples, buttery pears, specialty bananas, rich mangoes, kumquats and specialty citrus. 

Le Cellier du Chateau includes an exquisite 750 ml. bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, 4 lbs. of the season's best-tasting Asian pears, a bottle stopper, a cloth bag filled with a 10-oz. medley of nuts and nut cracker, and a box of crackers pairing perfectly with an 8-oz. wedge of Parmesan cheese.

Plentiful Pairings Wine Baskets  include a 750 ml. bottle of Pahlmeyer along with a delicious assortment of seasonal fresh fruits, chocolates, and savory snacks all enclosed in a beautiful, large woven hamper. The hamper is brimming with assorted citrus, apples, chocolate toffee almonds, chocolate bridge mix, gourmet sausage and crackers, and assorted nuts with a handy nutcracker.

  A Dream Come True includes a 750 ml. bottle of Pahlmeyer plus a delicious assortment of exotic and tropical fruits, chocolates, and savory snacks, all enclosed in a large, beautiful, woven basket. 

But, wait!  There's more!

Bless them, Melissa's has all of the bases covered when it comes to gift giving. Baskets ranging in price from a mere $30 all the way up to what I call the “Makes me Swoon” basket, but they refer to as The Culinary Collection Gift Basket, at $499.95, that includes six months of fruit deliveries along with it. You know that your parents deserve this basket. If they are grandparents as well, they deserve two! 

The vegetarians on your list will delight to receive the veggie basket:

Baby Veggie Basket The baby vegetables in this basket vary from season to season and therefore may include: baby versions of Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Turnips, Kohlrabi, Cauliflower, Squash, Leeks, Carrots, Potatoes, and Radishes. Each delicately woven basket is brimming with fresh vegetables which are artfully arranged to provide a charming presentation. All baskets are wrapped in cellophane and trimmed with a colorful ribbon.

The adventurous eater will adore:

Melissa’s Grande Medley. With Melissa’s Grande Medley, you can enjoy the distinct tastes of all the world’s eclectic cuisines. All the products provided are sure to deliver the best from Melissa's world marketplace. This sturdy woven basket is overflowing with: Crepes, Raspberry Dessert Sauce, Sun Dried Roma Tomato Pesto, Peeled Baby Red Beets, Organic Grinder Italian, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Dried Ancho Chiles, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Sweet Corn, Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Crystallized Ginger, Tamale Kit, Soy Nuts, Basmati Rice with Wild Rice Pilaf, Tabbouleh, and an assortment of dried fruits such as Strawberries, Mango, Bing Cherries, and Cranberries.

Young cooks can hone their skills with the crepe basket:

My First Cooking Kit - Ideal for beginner chefs and kids who love to be in the kitchen. Included in each kit are Melissa's Ready-To-Eat Crepes, Caramel Dessert Sauce and 3 lbs. of Baby Bananas, as well as a Handstand Kid's chef hat, oven mitt, and matching apron.

While this is just perfect for that special elf in your life:

Organic Fruit Sleigh - This elegant sleigh basket is filled with a selection of the season’s most delicious organic fruits.  The juicy and nourishing fruit will last for days; the sleigh basket will remain for the recipient’s ongoing enjoyment.  What a great centerpiece it would make!

For Santa?  You might just leave this Chestnut Roasting Kit by the fireplace.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Photos and basket descriptions courtesy Melissas.com

This post is linked to:

Seasonal Sundays

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this blog post, but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.