Custom gift baskets: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What custom gift baskets is

A maker assembles gift baskets filled with items such as snacks, wine, spa goods or local products, themed for a person, an occasion or a business client. Baskets are often shipped or delivered, so the maker plans the packing for the trip as well as the look.

Signs you need it

  • You want a basket themed to a person's hobby, taste or milestone
  • You are sending a client or staff gift and want a polished, branded look
  • The recipient lives far away and the basket must travel safely
  • You want a local product basket that reflects a town, a farm or a shop
  • You want the basket assembled and delivered without shopping for each item

What the pro does

  • Talks with you about the recipient, the occasion, the budget and any restrictions
  • Chooses the items and checks their dates, allergens and any restrictions
  • Selects the basket, the filler and the wrapping that fit the theme
  • Assembles the basket so the items are secure and the look is balanced
  • Adds a card or message you asked for
  • Packs the basket for shipping or delivers it to the address you give

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number and type of items in the basket
  • Whether the basket includes food, drink, candles or other regulated goods
  • Basket style, such as a woven basket, a box or a glass container
  • Shipping or delivery distance and the packing needed for travel
  • Custom branding, printing or a custom card
  • Whether the maker sources local or specialty products for the basket

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each item in the basket and its approximate size
  • The basket, filler, wrap and card
  • Shipping or delivery method and the delivery window
  • Packing for travel and what happens if an item arrives damaged
  • Restrictions the maker has applied, such as no alcohol to certain addresses

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you include food or alcohol, and can you confirm it is allowed where it will be delivered?
  • How do you check allergens and dietary restrictions for each item?
  • How are the items packed so they arrive intact?
  • What happens if an item arrives broken or spoiled?
  • Can you add a custom card and a message from me?
  • Which items come from local producers, and can you name them?

Red flags

  • Will not say which items are in the basket before you order
  • Cannot say how food and drink are packed for shipping
  • Does not check allergens or restrictions for the recipient
  • Ships perishable items without a plan for temperature or delivery time
  • Refuses to say where the items are sourced

What you can do yourself

You can make a simple gift basket yourself with a basket, a few items you know the recipient likes, tissue and a card. Avoid perishable food for shipping, and check the recipient's allergies before you add any food or drink. Hire a maker for a themed basket, a business gift with branding, or a basket that must travel safely to another state or country.

Licenses and permits

Food inside a basket commonly needs a health permit or a food handler card from the local office that oversees food safety, depending on who makes it and how it is sold. Selling alcohol commonly needs a license or permit, and shipping alcohol often has its own rules. Ask the maker how these apply.

Custom gift baskets questions

Can a basket with wine be shipped?

It depends on the place it is shipped to and the rules for alcohol. Ask the maker whether the basket can be sent to that address before you order.

What if the recipient has an allergy?

Tell the maker the allergy before you order. A good maker will check the label of each item and tell you which items may contain the allergen.

Can I send the basket to a hospital or an office?

Ask the maker first. Hospitals and offices often have rules for food and gifts, and the basket may need to go to a front desk.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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