News Archives – Holiday Gift Baskets | The Sweet Basket
Why Fruit Baskets Make A Good Gift
If you are at a loss when it comes to the perfect gift for that hard-to-shop-for friend, family member, or neighbor, or are trying to find a suitable gift for a colleague or client, consider a fruit basket. Fruit baskets make excellent gifts, especially for those individuals who have everything. Instead of giving a monetary gift or gift card that lacks personality, consider choosing a fruit basket that includes the recipient’s favorite fruits and healthy snacks. Since the contents are generally healthier fare than the typical junk foods that tempt the taste buds and expand the waist line, a fruit basket can be enjoyed guilt free!
Fruit baskets make great gifts for:
- College students: College students are notoriously poor eaters. Especially during stressful times surrounding midterms and final exams, college kids do not receive the proper nutrition-and proper nutrition will allow them to excel in their studies. Gift your college student with a fruit basket filled with fresh fruit and other healthy, nutritious snacks to show your love and support. Furthermore, since fruit baskets can be consumed, they will not take up precious space in dormitory rooms like other superfluous gifts.
- Campers: For those with younger children, consider sending a fruit basket to your favorite camper to ease homesickness while providing a healthy approach to snacks. Campers enjoy the thought of gifts while away from home, and fruit baskets are perfect for sharing the contents with bunk mates and newly made friends
- Dieters: What better way to show your support of a dieter who has either just begun a newer, healthier lifestyle or is currently working his or her way to the goal line. Fruit baskets will relieve some of the sweet temptations that cause most dieters to stray while showing the individual that you support their decision to eat and live healthier
Business Associates: When it comes time to purchase gifts for those in the business world, the task can be quite daunting. Unwritten rules in the business world provide razor-thin guidelines for what gifts-and price ranges-are appropriate, so instead of trying to figure out who receives what, send a fruit basket instead. Perfect for new clients or old business relations, fruit baskets allow you to express a sentiment without having to worry about what to buy and how much to spend. Also, fruit baskets can be shared within the company easily, so everyone can enjoy the gift. -
Elderly friends, neighbors, or family members: Elderly friends, neighbors, or family members: Many elderly individuals find themselves faced with too much “stuff” in their lives. Especially if they are downsizing to a more comfortable home, these extras can quickly overwhelm their homes. Instead of purchasing gifts that will only add to the space problem or sit unused, consider sending a gift basket instead. Gift baskets are perfect ways to provide elderly friends, neighbors, or family members with healthy fare while giving a lovely gift.
- New Homeowners: If you have been recently invited to a housewarming party or know of a couple or family who has just moved into a new home, then consider giving a fruit basket. Especially when faced with meeting new neighbors, a fruit basket is an excellent gift that everyone will enjoy. Furthermore, a fruit basket will provide the family with a bit of healthy food while the cupboards are still being stocked.
- Anyone: Regardless who you gift, a fruit basket is the perfect idea. Allowing you to provide a gift that requires thought without knowing a great deal about the recipient, a fruit basket will save you a great deal of time, hassle, and worry about finding that perfect gift.
Oprah’s Chocolate Set by Godiva
 |
Oprah’s signature is one of the only set pieces not made of edible chocolate.
Dedicated designers created this wall mosaic using a variety of chocolates, and chocolate is the glue that holds it all together.
 |
This one-of-a-kind chess set, is hand carved out of white, milk and dark chocolate
To make logs for the fireplace, Godiva designers filled mailing tubes with milk chocolate. Then, once hardened, they peeled the mailing tube away and carved the chocolate tube into a log of wood
Intricate white chocolate flowers sprout from an equally indulgent vase.
 |
Designers worked for more than 20 hours to create this chocolate chandelier. They strung each strand using a needle and wax thread.
To create pieces like this clock, designers used heated knives, to melt the chocolate. That way, they could create any shape they wanted!
Oprah gives away a bottle filled with chocolate candies to a lucky audience member.
Visit our website thesweetbasket.com today for great Godiva chocolate gifts and gift baskets with free Canada-wide shipping.
Wine Gift Basket Ideas
A fine combination of food and drink, a wine gift basket is appreciated even by those who never indulge. Looking for that great Bordeaux in a special setting? Wracking your brain to think of the best way to present that perfect port? A wine gift basket is the answer.
A wine gift basket may hold just the vintage you’ve been seeking. Everything from a creative Cabernet to a zingy Zinfandel can be found nestled among a dozen other delightful treats.
A wine gift basket can hold that precious Syrah you’ve been dying for months to try. Or the centerpiece may be a quirky new item you heard about at a party yesterday.
Bottle sizes range from miniature hotel-type samples to a magnum of champagne. A wine gift basket could be filled out with a dozen small bottles of a favorite variety. Or, it might be a breathtaking variety that allows you to sample a new wine every month. A giant bottle from your favorite region in France or Italy can form the centerpiece of an outstanding package.
But the wine itself is only the beginning. A wine gift basket is filled with traditional and creative items. Delicious gourmet crackers sit beside irresistible truffles. Chocolates go well with a fine Sangria. Dried apricots and other fruits are the perfect companion to a stellar Chardonnay.
Wine gift baskets are among the finest of an already elite set of options. Filled with fresh fruits, cookies, nuts, and more they make for a gift that will be remembered long after the outstanding Chablis is gone.
Brut champagne might be more to your taste. Surrounded by a fine set of gourmet cheeses, a wine gift basket of champagne will make for a memorable afternoon that can go on late into the evening.
Even the container itself is part of a great wine gift basket offering. It can be a traditional dark wicker that reminds you of old Italy. Or it can be a contemporary computer age metal. You may like a sentimental porcelain, or you could go for an all-business gray made from Stealth jet composite plastics. The designs are endless.
Wine gift baskets are appropriate for any occasion. An anniversary is the perfect time to deliver a great vintage. Celebrate with a glass while you munch on a gourmet cracker. There’s no better time than a promotion at work to deliver that great Rose partnered with a fine garlic bread stick.
Whether for a personal celebration or a corporate event, a wine gift basket is the finest possible choice. Appreciated by everyone, they’ll be treasured for years.
Call us today at 1.866.683.3885 to order a wine gift for that special occasion!
Creative Ways to Entertain in Style
with Godiva Biscuits, Hot Cocoa and Coffee
Tip number One
 |
Top biscuits with mint-infused pastry cream or whipped cream, and, if desired, add a pomegranate seed, a hazelnut, chocolate-covered coffee bean, or candied orange rind.
Tip number Two
Crush several biscuits and sprinkle over ice cream, being sure to garnish with one whole biscuit.
Tip number Three
Nothing makes a more beautiful display than an abundance of beautiful food; stack large numbers of biscuits in neat rows for presentation. Add some color (mint, basil, rosemary, raspberries, etc.) for garnish.
Tip number Four
Serve a cup of hot cocoa with a biscuit on a saucer, helping your guests know that you’re serving the top-quality brand (of both biscuit and cocoa).
Tip number Five
Top hot cocoa with whipped cream, then shake cocoa powder through strainer to garnish. The same can also be done with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.
Tip number Six
Use cocoa to make chocolate-infused whipped cream.
Tip number Seven
Create cocoa meringue morsels using Godiva flavored cocoa. Meringue cookies are generally made using unsweetened cocoa, but the flavored alternative adds a creamy touch to this light and airy treat.
Tip number Eight
Use fresh, dry coffee grounds for presentation; spread onto a plate, add some piles of whole beans, and arrange biscuits on top and alongside.
Tip number Nine
Freeze brewed coffee into cubes for making iced coffee that won’t get diluted by ice.
Tip number Ten
For both coffee AND cocoa, dust a little cocoa onto brewed coffee for a little mocha vibe.
A Sweet Gift For Any Time of the Year
Many different types of chocolate are available for consumption, but what is the real difference between dark, milk and white chocolates? Chocolates are classified by the percentage of cocoa in the mix and the other ingredients that are included. The exact percentages are outlined in the Nodeworks online encyclopedia and are summarized here:
Unsweetened Chocolate (also known as “Baking” or “Bitter” Chocolate) – Chocolate liquor is purely made from roasted chocolate beans and unsweetened chocolate is simply the solid form of this chocolate liquor. The center of the cocoa bean is literally ground into liquor. Nothing is added yielding a rich, deep and strong straight-from-the-bean chocolate flavor. Unsweetened chocolate is primarily used in recipes and in baking desserts such as brownies and cakes. Since it has no sugar, it isn’t normally eaten.
Bittersweet Chocolate – Take unsweetened chocolate (chocolate liquor) and mix in some sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin, and vanilla and you’ll have delicious bittersweet chocolate. To be defined as bittersweet, the mix must contain at least 50% chocolate liquor.
 |
Semi-Sweet Chocolate – Like bittersweet chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate has sugar, cocoa butter, lecithin and vanilla mixed in. The difference is that semi-sweet has more sugar and less pure chocolate liquor (minimum of 35%) than its bittersweet counterpart.
Dark Chocolate (also known as “Plain” or “Sweet” chocolate) – The rules regarding classification of chocolate in this category vary throughout the world. However, the one constant is that this type of chocolate contains no milk solids, but has sweeteners and cocoa butter added to the mix. In Europe, dark chocolate must consist of at least 35% cocoa solids while in the U.S., it must have a 15% concentration of chocolate liquor.
Milk Chocolate – Like you’d guess from the name, milk chocolate is made with condensed or powdered milk. In Europe, milk chocolate must consist of at least 25% cocoa solids, while in the US, it must have a 10% concentration of chocolate liquor and a minimum of 12% milk solids. Milk chocolate is primarily used for eating and is the most popular form of chocolate in the U.S.
 |
Couverture Chocolate – Chocolates under this classification are true gourmet chocolates that are rich in cocoa butter (upwards of 35%) which creates an extremely high fat content. Cocoa butter is the fat extracted from chocolate liquor. These chocolates contain a very high percentage of cocoa which is the solid powder left after the cocoa butter is extracted from the chocolate liquor. Most of the world’s finest gourmet chocolatiers such as Lindt, Scharfenberger and Guittard fall into this category.
White Chocolate – The name given to white chocolate is a misnomer because it isn’t really chocolate at all. Strictly speaking, chocolate is defined as any product 100% based on cocoa solid. White “chocolate” doesn’t contain any cocoa solids and is made from cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar.
Which version is your favorite? There are so many different variations and brands of chocolate, it would be hard to try them all.
Order your favorite chocolate gift basket today or for that special someone! Call us at 1.866.683.3885 today!
Godiva Chocolates – Great Gifts for Everyone
When many of us think about gourmet chocolates, we immediately think Godiva chocolates. They have made such a name for themselves that they are now one of the most successful chocolate manufacturers in the world. From its small and early roots right through today, it’s world-renowned. They have maintained only the highest standards of quality. What makes Godiva chocolates so special?
All of this exposure has surely not made Godiva overexposed. They are remain one of the more popular chocolate gifts given for every occasion. Next time you are in a dilemma about what gift to give for an upcoming event, remember that you cannot go wrong with a wonderful chocolate gift from Godiva!
What Sets Godiva Chocolates Apart from Other Chocolates
There are a great many things that all great producers of gourmet chocolates share, starting with the ingredients used:
- Godiva chocolates are made from the finest and most flavorful cacao beans that are chosen for their quality, they are then finely ground for an exquisite smoothness in the chocolate.
- The highest quality dairy products are used as ingredients in the fillings of the various Godiva chocolates. This includes heavy cream and Grade A butter.
- They are constantly coming up with new products that stretch the limits of creativity and reinforce the ingenuity of their top chocolatiers.
- One of the most popular chocolate products in Europe is hazelnut praline and their European chocolates are made with very finely processed hazelnuts, chocolate, and sugar.
- Even the fruit used in fruit-filled Godiva chocolates is processed in their own unique way. They do not conventional freezing methods but rather use their own method that captures the freshness and flavor of the fruit.
- All of the fruit syrups used in Godiva chocolates contain no artificial ingredients, which provides a flavor and intensity that cannot be matched by artificial alternatives.
- Would you believe that the cherries they use in their cherry cordials are hand sorted to make sure that no pits end up in the final product?
It is no wonder that gourmet chocolates cost more than standard, ordinary chocolates that use cheaper ingredients and methods. This is also why Godiva chocolate gifts or other forms of Godiva chocolate are so special. The satisfaction that one derives even from a single gourmet chocolate is much more than that which you get from a candy bar from the supermarket!
Corporate and Business Gift Giving Etiquette
The Do’s and Don’t of Corporate Gift Giving
In the corporate and business world it is customary for companies and businesses to give clients, customers, suppliers and employees a gift at Christmas or other special occasion. Corporate or business gifts are a great way to thank your customers and develop goodwill, which in turn develops your business! Giving gifts to employees is very effective for recognizing their contribution to your success as well as promoting loyalty and good performance. Whether an employee or client, everyone appreciates being recognized with a special gift, but what is the correct etiquette when giving a corporate gift?
Some Do’s and Don’ts in Corporate Gift Giving
There are some do’s and don’t in corporate and business gift giving etiquette though. It is important to make sure that your gift is not of a personal nature unless that client or employee happens to also be a very close friend. If you are choosing different individual gifts for each recipient then be careful in giving gifts of alcohol which could be inappropriate for that particular person. As well, make sure that the client to whom you are giving a basket of smoked meats to is not a vegetarian.
Be careful when considering using your logo
Some companies will have their logo placed on jackets, vests, or other articles of clothing to be used as corporate gifts. This is an area that requires some caution too. While some employees may not mind wearing a jacket that has the name of their employer on it, you may find that clients, suppliers and customers are insulted by the idea of advertising your business on their clothing! If you do decide to put your logo on a gift, make sure that it is small, subtle and tasteful. That will go much further at promoting you than something large or garish.
Be consistent in gift giving to employees
When giving gifts to employees, try to be consistent from year to year. If it has been a company tradition to give a certain type of gift to each employee, consider carefully before discontinuing or changing the tradition. Instead of being grateful, employees can sometimes grumble about the gift they got this year when compared to the years that came before. If you are cutting back on the expense of employee gifts for financial reasons, make sure this is communicated to your employees so that they won’t feel you are not appreciating them. Then try to find other ways to show your appreciation to them. Perhaps you could suggest the whole company put money towards sponsoring a child somewhere for that year.
Ever wonder how National Boss’s day got started? The history of Bosses’ day is quite recent. In 1958 in Deerfield, Illinois a secretary by the name of Patricia Bays Haroski wanted to honor her boss – her white-collar father, who helped his children with good advice throughout their careers.Remember that corporate and business gifts are a excellent way to promote your business and and services, and choosing the right gift will go a long way in making your clients and employees know that you value them.
History of Boss’s Day
His daughter Patricia registered the day – October 16th – with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Four years later, Bosses’ Day was backed by Illinois Governor Otto Kerner who officially proclaimed the day in 1962.
Although it is not an official holiday, Boss’s Day is a great opportunity to tell your boss that he or she is doing a great job and you appreciate them!
National Bosses Day is traditionally celebrated with greeting cards, gifts and a few extra smiles in honor of the big Boss Man or Lady.
Fine Chocolate Care Tips
Want to keep a secret stash of your gourmet chocolates fresh? Here’s some fine chocolate care how-to’s:
Fine dark and milk chocolate are made without preservatives and are generally meant to be consumed within 2-4 weeks, although if you store gourmet dark chocolate carefully in a dark, cool place, it can keep much longer.
- Unfilled milk and white chocolate can be kept up for 7 or 8 months.
- Unfilled dark chocolate can keep for up to a year.
- Filled chocolates last about 2 or 3 weeks tops. Nut fillings can last a little longer. So eat up and enjoy them!
Place in an airtight container, keep the temperature around 60 – 65 degrees (humidity should not be higher than 50%) to store for a long time. As chocolate absorbs surrounding odors, don’t place them near your onions and make sure they are well-sealed. If you live in a hot, humid climate and can’t eat your chocolates within a day or two, you’ll have to refrigerate them.
If you absolutely must do this, first wrap the package in foil, then in an airtight plastic container so it doesn’t pick up other food odors. Dark chocolate actually improves with age, like fine wine. Don’t hesitate to set aside a few pieces for a special celebration down the line. You may even want to experiment and make notes about the taste after different periods.
When you remove them from the refrigerator, don’t unwrap immediately but allow enough time, even up to an hour, to gradually warm up to room temperature. This will prevent moisture condensation on the chocolate which creates that grayish white “bloom”. Most agree that this bloom doesn’t affect the taste , however, some devoted aficionados will disagree.
Gift Basket Ideas!
There’s no better to place than the internet to find fantastic gift baskets.
Are you looking for that perfect gift for a business associate or a friend? Just think what gastronomic joy you could give when you choose that ideal gift from a wide selection of gift baskets.
Some great gift basket ideas for those you know with a hearty appetite, what could be better than a gift of delicious meats?
When you do your shopping online, you can select from marvelous gift baskets featuring smoked salmon or delicious cheese and crackers.
And, let’s not forget nuts (also a popular item not only during the holidays, but year round.} Fresh, delicious shelled pecans and pecan treats are all available in a wide assortment of eye-pleasing baskets that would be a welcome gift for anyone on your list.
And have we mentioned chocolates. No one could really resist a gift basket of mouth watering decadent goodies including chocolate covered nuts and regional favorites from around the country all beautifully packaged and wrapped to delight any connoisseur of fine eating. In fact, one doesn’t have to be a connoisseur to enjoy a good piece of chocolate!
And when you’re shopping, keep in mind the favorite jams and jellies and crackers that can make the ordinary extraordinary! Gift basket ideas abound with these delightful temptations that will please any family. And, they’ll think of your thoughtfulness when they’re enjoying their morning toast and coffee.
When you want to send something that’s not too personal, yet shows you’re thinking of the recipient, a gift of food is always appropriate. Gift baskets not only offer you a wide choice of content, but also a wide price range to suit your gift giving budget.
Call us today to order your gift basket brimming with fine chocolates, prime wines, fresh fruit and nuts and so much more! Enjoy free Canada-wide delivery to Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax and all cities in between.
