NYC's Best Stores For Holiday Gift Baskets
Gift baskets have come a long way since stale crackers and popcorn. From must-have cosmetics to a variety of kosher goodies, here are five holiday baskets that are sure to please. By Carly Petrone.
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Hottest Toys | Sports Gifts | Feed Your Foodie | Men's, Women's Fashion
Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's has the perfect holiday gift basket for the foodie, the sugar addict, the snack lover, and everything in between. If you want your loved one to enjoy a little taste of everything this classic store has to offer, then opt for the Stew's Choice basket ($59.99.) This package comes with savory and sweet snacks, ranging from dairy fresh cheese and chocolate chip cookies, to ground coffee and caramel popcorn. Those looking for something with a little more holiday flair can pick up the Holiday Santa Belt gift basket ($39.99.) This adorable Santa basket is reusable and filled with all kinds of goodies, like white chocolate covered pretzel trees, sugar coated tree gummies, and plenty of gingerbread men. Whiskey drinkers will be happy to know that Cedar Ridge Distillery holiday gift packs ($69.99) are also in stock this season. Sip on award-winning whiskeys including Iowa Bourbon, Solera Single Malt, Single Barrel Single Malt, Malted Rye, and Wheat.
Birchbox
Birchbox makes it easy to shop for the beauty addict in your circle of family or friends. Their Limited Edition: Cult Classics box ($60) is sure to please, thanks to all of the fun products that have won over A-list celebrities and beauty gurus alike. Try the popular beauty blender application sponge with your new foundation, give your hair a tousle with a deluxe sample of Oribe Dry texturizing spray, and revitalize your skin with Shiseido White Lucent Powder Brightening Mask. Plus, it all comes on an adorable rose gold tray. Guys can also get in on the action -- opt for the Limited Edition: Clean and Classic box ($58) and let him test out everything from a full-sized Harry's Winter Winston razor and shave cream to the Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser and Esquire Classic Straight Comb. There are also plenty of holiday-inspired gift sets, ranging from facial kits to lipstick sets. It's easy to get beautified this holiday season!
Zabar's
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If you really want to splurge on an authentic NYC-centric holiday gift basket, then head over to Zabar's. Breakfast eaters will enjoy the Zabar's Bagels & Nova Brunch Box ($209), which includes a dozen bagels, plain and scallion cream cheese, nova, cinnamon rugelach, and their own blend of special coffee. You can also bring NYC to someone special with their Don't Be Homesick Crate ($229). This reusable wooden crate is spilling over with goodies, like Zabar's signature sourdough rye bread, kosher all-beef salami and pastrami, Lazzaroni Amaretti cookies, bagels, coffee and more. You can also find the perfect gift for your favorite Broadway fan. The Broadway Bakery Basket ($185) comes in a jumbo picnic hamper and is filled with chocolate babka, Erica's apricot raspberry rugelach, Walker's shortbread petticoat tails, Dancing Deer lemon daisy cookies, Donsuemor traditional French Madeleines, Eleni's sugar cookies, and more.
Jacques Torres
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Jacques Torres has teamed up with Edible Arrangements this holiday season to bring customers the 18-piece Edible Signature Chocolate Box. Flavors range from hazelnut crunch and pineapple, to caramel and passion fruit - a pretty sweet collaboration! If you know someone who can't wait for hot chocolate season to start, definitely get them the Hot Chocolate Combo Gift Set ($60) .This mostly dark chocolate blend of hot cocoa is combined to make both classic and "Wicked" mixes and also includes two Jacques Torres mugs. Chocolate lovers can indulge in the "Chocolate Covered Everything!" gift basket. This one contains a selection of Jacques' favorites, like Milk Chocolate Cheerios, Dark Chocolate Graham Crackers, Milk Chocolate Pretzels, Malt Balls, and much more. Of course, you can always stop in for a Christmas lollipop or chocolate Menorah. Learn more here.
The Honest Company
New moms and dads will be happy to receive a gift set or bundle from The Honest Company. Send a Baby Arrival Gift Set ($49.95) for expectant parents, which includes seven essential items that are made with safe and natural ingredients to make those first days even more delightful for both baby and mom. Inside this reusable wooden box (made from sustainable paulownia wood) is diapers, wipes, shampoo, body wash, face + body lotion, orange hand sanitizer spray, healing balm, and a silicon baby teether. Another option is to send new parents a monthly bundle for them to enjoy throughout the year. Choose from eco-friendly diapers and wipes to personal care and home cleaning essentials. New parents will certainly appreciate these thoughtful and useful gifts.
Target
Whether you want to send a bucket of Mrs. Fields Nibblers or an assortment of kosher goodies this holiday season, Target has got you covered. Kick off this festive time of year with a Traditional Bloody Mary Gift Box, which includes bacon salt, Tabasco, seasoning, and cheddar snack mix, or send a decorative Alder Creek Holiday Classics Gift Basket that's chock full of cheese, candy, brownies, wine, meats, and cutlery. There's a gift idea for every budget, starting as low as $4. Check it out here.
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Carly Petrone is the founder of Petrone on the Rocks, a lifestyle site about food, drinks, beauty, travel, and more. She lives in New York City.