Gift Baskets for Clients and Coworkers

Buying for a client list or a whole team is harder than buying for one friend. You do not know every taste, and someone may not drink or may avoid certain foods. This page helps you set a budget, decide about alcohol, and pick a basket that a whole office can share.

Start with the budget and the size of the group

Decide who is getting what before you look at a single basket. A thank-you for a coworker who covered a shift sits in a different place from a gift for a key client. A common approach is two tiers: one modest basket for the wider team and a more generous one for the few people who matter most to the business. Then check whether a basket is meant to be shared. A box with several kinds of snacks goes further in a break room than a single item.

For a team gift, a savoury and sweet mix is a safe start. The Fruit & Cheese Snacker's Gift Box pairs five pieces of fresh fruit with cheese, crackers, chocolate truffles, cookies and nuts, so it has something for most people. The Thanks a Million Gourmet Goodies Gift Box is a simple thank-you in gift box form.

Decide whether to include alcohol

Wine looks generous, but it does not suit every office. Some people do not drink, and some workplaces prefer to keep gifts alcohol free. If you are unsure, leave it out. If you know the recipient enjoys wine, a single bottle with food is a tidy choice. The Cab Sauv & Gourmet Gift Box and the Sauv Blanc & Gourmet Gift Box each hold one bottle of Barkan wine plus gourmet items, so you can choose red or white.

For a bigger gesture to a client you know well, the In Good Taste Wine, Cheese & Fruit Gift Basket holds California red and white wine, cheese, seven pieces of fresh fruit and gourmet snacks in an oval wooden basket. The Wine & Gourmet Quartet Gift Tray has four bottles and four gourmet snacks on a wooden tray, which is a lot of wine for one recipient. It suits a client you know well, or a small team that will open it together.

Choose fruit for the widest appeal

Fresh fruit is the easiest choice for a mixed group. It is easy to share and people can take a piece when they like. It also reads as a considered gift without being personal. The All Fruit Extravaganza Gift Basket has 18 pieces of farm fresh fruit piled high, which suits a busy reception desk or a team kitchen. The Simply Fruit Gift Basket has 29 pieces including a pineapple, in a two-handled oval woven basket, so it is the one for a large office.

For a smaller team, the Fruitful Feast Gift Box offers a 12-piece assortment in a decorative gift box. It is a neat option when you want fruit alone and a lower-key look.

Add fruit and gourmet for a client-facing gift

When the gift should look polished, choose fruit with gourmet extras. The CEO Fruit Gift Basket is fresh fruit and gourmet food, and its name suits a gift for a senior contact. The Fifth Avenue Fruit Gift Basket has a 10-piece fresh fruit arrangement plus a wide assortment of gourmet delicacies. The Showstopper Fruit & Gourmet Gift Box is a smaller box option for a more modest gift that still looks the part.

Pick a gourmet or snack basket when fruit will not travel well

If the gift may sit on a desk for days, or the recipient is often out of the office, a basket without fresh fruit is a calmer choice. The Ambassador Gourmet Gift Basket is an international collection of gourmet sweets and suits a client who works with overseas partners. The Classic Charcuterie Collection Gift Box is a thank-you box built around charcuterie. For a team that likes to graze, the Super Snacker's Gourmet Gift Box is a snack feast in a box.

How to choose

• Match the size to the group. Counts of fruit pieces and snack varieties tell you how far a basket will stretch.
• Leave out alcohol when you are unsure. Choose a fruit, gourmet or snack basket instead.
• Choose fruit for mixed groups and a gourmet basket when the gift may wait on a desk.
• Look at the name and the wording. Titles such as Thank You or CEO signal the tone of the gift.
• Choose one gift style for the whole team, so nobody feels the gift was ranked.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to send wine to a client?

Only if you know they drink. If you do not, a fruit or gourmet basket is the easier choice.

Should I send one big basket or several small ones?

For one shared office, one large basket is simple. For people in different places, send separate smaller gifts.

How do I handle dietary needs?

Read each basket's description and contents before you order. Some are marked kosher, and one is sugar free. If you cannot be sure, choose an all fruit basket.

Can I send the same gift to clients and coworkers?

You can, but many buyers choose a step up for clients. It shows you have thought about the relationship.