Gourmet Gift Baskets and Gourmet Food Gifts
At
IGourmetShoppe.com we explore all the possibilities in the thrilling
world of designing and giving gift baskets. A gift basket can include
exotic items that a person wouldn’t ordinarily buy, but would
appreciate receiving as a gift.
There are increasingly more diverse and unique offerings out there that
can be bought in a pre-wrapped basket or purchased separately and assembled
in a basket. For creative DIY-ers, this option offers limitless possibilities.
Instead of the standard apples and oranges, gourmet ingredients can
be a pleasant surprise for a friend with discriminating taste. Fancy
wines and champagne also add a touch of romance for which gift baskets
are sometimes known.
Gourmet gift baskets work well as holiday, thank you or birthday gifts.
They can also simply show appreciation and recognition. Fine foods and
beverages impress people who are very particular about what they eat
or drink, as well as open-minded people who just enjoy some gourmet
variety.
Arranging gourmet gift baskets can be an artistic expression that combats
the pressures of choosing the “right” gift. There are many
items that, when arranged correctly, can complete a stunning package
which will demonstrate how much the gift-giver cares and that time was
put into the thought, planning and execution.
The word gourmet was originally a term given to someone with a sensitive
or discriminating palate, but it has come to encompass all food and
beverage items with upstanding quality. In particular it is used for
fancy meats, cheeses and fruits.
It is easy to get carried away with giving items that you would love
to eat or drink, it is important think of the specific dietary needs
of the recipient. Many people have food allergies, especially nut-allergies.
While it is not forbidden for diabetic people to eat chocolate, one
should be sensitive about the amount of sweets going into a diabetic
gift basket. In addition to that, some people simply may not drink coffee
or wine.
Carefully gift gourmet meats such as foie gras, jamon or caviar. Foie
gras is the fattened liver of a duck or goose that has been produced
through gavage – force feeding. Some people may have moral issues
with this practice. Also, no matter how gourmet it may be, most vegetarians
would not appreciate getting meat of any kind.
Putting together a gourmet food basket is fairly simple. Begin by picking
two larger objects; these are the focal points. Sparkling cider or wine
bottles work fantastic for this purpose.
Before placing any of the gourmet items within it, put tissue or Mylar
sheets into the holiday gift basket, now put newsprint over the tissue.
This will create a seal in case any of the contents begins to leak –
an unprotected basket won’t do anything to keep it from dripping
all over. Placing crinkle or fake grass over the newsprint will ensure
that none of it is visible.
Next, arrange the items in the gourmet food basket from largest to smallest.
Put the large items in the back and begin to counterbalance the basket
with various gourmet meats, cheeses, or fruits (pomegranates, fancy
chocolates, smoked salmon, or brie cheese are some examples). Wrap the
package up in a clear plastic and tie it up at the top. Some people
use a heat gun to shrink the plastic around the basket, but this is
not required.
Please browse the other sections of this site for more gourmet food
gift ideas.