Christmas Gift Baskets: 20 Ideas to Buy or Build This Year

A note before the list: we make Tribute, the group video maker, and Storybook, and they're the first two picks. Everything else comes from other brands.

What are the best Christmas gift baskets?

Good baskets have a theme, not a pile. Breakfast, cheese board, sweets, a pantry upgrade: pick one and fill it with things the recipient wouldn't buy for themselves. Then add something personal, because the basket itself is the easy part. Here are our two picks for that.

1. Tribute group video (our pick, we make this)

Tuck a card in the basket with a link that plays messages from 20 people who love them: neighbors, cousins, old friends. Tribute makes the video. Tribute is a group video maker that turns messages from friends and family into one surprise video. It works by inviting everyone to record a short clip from their phone; Tribute compiles the clips, music and photos into a finished video you share or play together.

Open it 2 to 3 weeks before Christmas and set the deadline a few days before you deliver the basket. Over 8 million videos have been sent on Tribute, and it holds 4.9 stars from 7,000+ reviews.

• Look for: A 7-inch Video Book with Concierge if you want something physical to set in the basket
• Price: Free to start a draft; from $35 when you publish, $149 for Concierge with Video Book (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas gift baskets for families sent from far away.

Why it works: Unlike a card everyone signs, the basket arrives with everyone's voice and face.

👉 Start a Tribute

2. Storybook video book (our pick, we make this)

Building your own basket? Put a book that plays video in the middle. Storybook is a square hardcover video book by Tribute with a screen inside where a page would be. You upload videos and photos, put them in order and pick a song in the online builder; we load the film, print the book and ship it, and it plays when they open the cover.

• Look for: The 7-inch size, which fits in most baskets
• Price: 5-inch $49, 7-inch $88, 10-inch $129, free US shipping (as of October 2026)

Best for: A memory basket built around one person's year.

Why it works: Compared to a framed photo, it holds the whole year, with sound.

Which xmas gift baskets cost under $60?

These ready-made xmas gift baskets ship from the maker and cost under $60 as of October 2026.

3. Harry & David Royal Riviera Pears and Truffles Holiday Gift

Harry & David's own-orchard pears, one wrapped in gold foil, with milk chocolate truffles in a holiday box. The Royal Riviera Pears and Truffles Holiday Gift is the classic among Harry and David Christmas gift baskets.

• Look for: The single gold-foil pear
• Price: $44.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Neighbors, teachers and in-laws.

Why it works: Fresh fruit stands out among the cookie tins.

4. Harry & David Holiday Tower of Sweet Treats

Stacked snowman boxes of Moose Munch popcorn, yogurt pretzels, mini mints, truffles and shortbread. The Holiday Tower of Sweet Treats is topped with a bow.

• Look for: All shelf-stable sweets, so it ships easy
• Price: $44.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas gift baskets for friends.

Why it works: Five treats to unstack, one box at a time.

5. Harry & David Royal Riviera Gold Pear Gift with Hard Pear Cider

A box of gold-foiled pears with a bottle of Harry & David hard pear cider. The Royal Riviera Gold Pear Gift with Royal Riviera Hard Pear Cider is a grown-up take on the classic.

• Look for: Alcohol shipping rules by state; recipients must be 21+
• Price: $59.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Adults who like a toast.

Why it works: Pears and cider from the same orchard tell one story.

6. Hickory Farms Happy Holiday Flavors Gift Box

Two beef summer sausages, a smoked gouda blend, Belgian ale mustard, snowflake pretzels and a s'more bar. The Happy Holiday Flavors Gift Box weighs almost 2 pounds.

• Look for: No shipping to Hawaii or APO/FPO addresses
• Price: $55.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Snack boards on Christmas Eve.

Why it works: It's dinner-party appetizers, already done.

7. Cheryl's Grand Happy Holidays Gift Tin

Twenty-four cookies, each in its own wrapper, from snickerdoodle to buttercream-frosted gingerbread. The Grand Happy Holidays Gift Tin is easy to share.

• Look for: Individual wrapping for a big household
• Price: $59.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Families with kids and visitors.

Why it works: Twenty-four cookies go further than a fancy dozen.

Which Christmas gift baskets are worth a splurge?

For the host, the boss of the family kitchen or a whole household, these run $60 to $160.

8. Milk Bar Sampler

Cake truffles, one of each Milk Bar cookie and a slice of Milk Bar Pie in a windowed tin. The Milk Bar Sampler is the bakery's greatest hits.

• Look for: One cookie contains peanuts; all are wrapped one by one
• Price: $60 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Dessert people.

Why it works: It's an unusual Christmas gift basket that tastes like a trip to New York.

9. Stonewall Kitchen Holiday Batter Bowl Gift

A Winter Birds batter bowl with a spatula, holiday jam, holiday syrup and pancake mix. The Holiday Batter Bowl Gift is breakfast in a bowl you keep.

• Look for: The bowl isn't microwave safe
• Price: $64.95 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The family that does pancakes on Christmas morning.

Why it works: The container is part of the gift.

10. Cabot Salty & Sweet Gift Pack

Three Cabot cheddars with Lake Champlain chocolates, salted maple crackers, raspberry mostarda and a cheese cleaver. The Salty & Sweet Gift Pack is a Vermont cheese board in a box.

• Look for: The included cleaver
• Price: $68 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Cheese lovers.

Why it works: Cheese, crackers, chocolate and a cleaver: the board is done.

11. Harry & David David's Holiday Gift Tower

Stacked boxes of pepper and onion relish, Moose Munch popcorn and chocolate-covered cherries. David's Holiday Gift Tower is wrapped with a red ribbon.

• Look for: The savory relish, for a household that likes both
• Price: $79.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: In-laws who have the sweets covered.

Why it works: Sweet and savory in one tower.

12. GODIVA Holiday Wishes Gift Set

The 2026 GODIVA advent calendar with 24 chocolates, plus two 9-piece Holiday Stars boxes. The Holiday Wishes Gift Set is a December-long gift.

• Look for: Delivery before December 1 so the calendar starts on time
• Price: $88.20 on sale, regular $98 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Chocolate lovers.

Why it works: One gift, opened 24 times.

13. Best of Hickory Farms Gift Box

Three summer sausages, four cheese blends, sweet hot mustard, mints and bonbons: over 4 pounds. The Best of Hickory Farms Gift Box sets a party table.

• Look for: Milk, wheat and soy in the ingredients
• Price: $90.49 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Christmas hamper baskets for a big family.

Why it works: It feeds a holiday open house.

14. Zingerman's Classic Christmas Goodies Gift Box

Swedish gingersnaps, chocolate-covered figs, peppermint bark, a small stollen and spiced pecans in a cartoon box. The Classic Christmas Goodies Gift Box serves 5 to 7.

• Look for: The arrival date, chosen at checkout
• Price: $100 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Food lovers who've had every cookie tin.

Why it works: Stollen and chocolate figs feel like a European Christmas market.

15. Wolferman's Deluxe Christmas Bakery Basket

Thick English muffins, New York bagels, preserves, pastries such as a cranberry orange loaf cake, and caramel pecan coffee. The Deluxe Christmas Bakery Basket is built for one morning.

• Look for: Heat-and-serve pastries
• Price: $109.99 (as of October 2026)

Best for: The family hosting overnight guests.

Why it works: It takes Christmas breakfast off the host's list.

16. Zingerman's Holiday Meat & Cheese Gift Box

Salami, crackers, goat cheese, cheddar and more for a holiday cheese board. The Holiday Meat & Cheese Gift Box serves 8 to 10.

• Look for: The Classic size
• Price: $160 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Hosts feeding a crowd.

Why it works: A full board for ten, with no shopping.

What are Christmas wine gift baskets?

Christmas wine gift baskets pair a bottle with snacks. Order straight from a winery, and check that the recipient is 21+ and that the winery ships to their state.

17. Duplin Winery Christmas Gift Set

Duplin's Christmas Wine, Naughty & Nice and Frosty Fifty, plus Jolly Juice mix in a gift box. The Christmas Gift Set comes straight from the North Carolina winery.

• Look for: No substitutions on the wines
• Price: $54 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Sweet-wine fans.

Why it works: Three bottles for a whole season of parties.

What are DIY Christmas basket ideas?

Building your own lets you match the person. Homemade gifts are a holiday staple: in a 2013 Pew Research Center survey, about six in ten Americans planned to give homemade items such as baked goods. Basket ideas for Christmas start with a theme: a pantry upgrade, a movie night, a cocoa bar, a breakfast. Here are three components to build around.

18. Fly By Jing Chili Crisp Trio

Three Sichuan chili sauces in a gift box: the original crisp, a sweet and spicy sauce and an extra crunchy crisp. The Chili Crisp Trio anchors a savory basket.

• Look for: The Xtra Crunchy jar for nut allergies
• Price: $45 (as of October 2026)

Best for: Spice lovers.

Why it works: Add noodles and dumpling wrappers, and the basket is dinner.

19. Graza Drizzle

A finishing olive oil in a squeeze bottle. Graza "Drizzle" is made for bread, salads and pasta.

• Look for: Packs of 2, 6 or 12 if you're building several baskets
• Price: $21 (as of October 2026)

Best for: A pantry basket with bread and cheese.

Why it works: The squeeze bottle feels new to most cooks.

20. GODIVA Masterpiece Assorted Holiday Bag, Set of 6

Six holiday bags of Masterpiece chocolates, each piece wrapped. The Masterpiece Assorted Holiday Bag, Set of 6 splits across several baskets.

• Look for: One bag per basket
• Price: $45 for six (as of October 2026)

Best for: Building baskets for several friends at once.

Why it works: Chocolate tops off any theme.

How do you build a Christmas basket for a family in need?

Many families build a basket for a neighbor or a food drive, at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas. The need is real: the USDA found that 13.7% of U.S. households were food insecure at some point in 2024. Ask your local food bank what it needs, and favor shelf-stable staples, a grocery gift card and something festive for the kids.

Planning the rest of the season? See our Christmas gift ideas, small fillers in our stocking stuffers under $25, a family year in review to tuck in the card, and the full Christmas ideas guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Christmas gift basket?

Pick one theme the recipient loves, such as breakfast, cheese or sweets. Harry & David, Hickory Farms, Zingerman's and Cabot all sell ready-made boxes from $44.99 as of October 2026.

How much does a Christmas gift basket cost?

Ready-made baskets on this list run from $44.99 to $160 as of October 2026. A DIY basket can cost less if you build it around one or two nice items.

What do you put in a DIY Christmas basket?

Start with a theme and a container you'd keep, then add four to six items: a main treat, a snack, a drink, something sweet and a card. A link to a group video makes the card the best part.

When should you order Christmas gift baskets?

Order by early December, and check each maker's shipping dates; some ship perishables only on set days. Wine gifts need an adult to sign for them.

What are good Christmas gift baskets for families?

Breakfast baskets, cookie tins with single-wrapped cookies and big meat and cheese boxes feed a whole household. Add a group video from relatives far away for the moment they open it together.

Can you send a gift basket to someone far away?

Yes. Most makers ship nationwide, though some exclude Hawaii and military addresses. Send a video message link by text the same day so they know who it's from.

👉 Start a Tribute and put everyone's voice in the basket.