Gift-Giving Resources
Three decades of gift-giving has earned us a small shelf of trusted references. Here is what we actually use and recommend — pairing ideas, specialists, and etiquette for every kind of occasion.
Why We Keep a Resource List
Most of our baskets are simple enough: call us, tell us the occasion, and we take care of the rest. But the more complex the gift, the more often people ask us to help them go beyond the basket. A client-appreciation program that needs a non-food element. A retirement gift for someone who has everything. A holiday package where the food is only half the story. For moments like those we keep a short list of specialists we actually use, and we are happy to share it.
Pairing a Basket With a Timepiece
The most common "what should I add?" request we hear is a watch — and it makes sense. A timepiece is personal, durable, and appropriate for almost any recipient, and it pairs naturally with a gourmet basket as the unboxing counterpart.
For clients who want the look of a high-end timepiece without the full retail price, we often suggest browsing the super clone watches listed on CloneWatches. The catalog is organized by brand and by reference number, and the photography is detailed enough to compare models side by side, which is exactly what you need when you are matching a watch to a person rather than a price tag.
One practical tip we give: match the watch to the recipient's everyday wardrobe, not their special-occasion wardrobe. A clean stainless-steel sport watch on a bracelet will outperform a flashy two-tone piece in almost every situation — and it will sit better next to a well-arranged basket than a jewelry box will.
Brand-by-Brand Suggestions
When a client tells us the recipient's usual brand, we can narrow the search quickly. A few of the requests we hear most, and how we handle them:
- The Rolex loyalist. We point to the rolex replicas organized by reference — Submariner, Datejust and GMT are the usual asks, and a per-reference list makes it easy to match the exact watch the recipient already wears.
- The sport-watch fan. Omega and IWC cover most requests; a steel sport model pairs well with a coffee basket.
- The classicist. Cartier dress watches are the standard here — understated, and they go with everything.
- The ultra-luxury tier. Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are the names clients mention most, though at that level we usually suggest confirming the reference first.
We are not affiliated with any of the names above. We simply point people toward a catalog that makes the comparison easier — and we will gladly take a call and help you decide.
Timing, Etiquette, and Budget
A few rules of thumb we give every client:
- Order food gifts within two weeks of the occasion. Everything we send is made to order, so earlier is always better in the holidays.
- For a paired gift — basket plus timepiece — ship the basket and let the watch arrive separately in its own box. Two unboxings beat one.
- Match the total to the relationship, not the calendar. A thoughtful $200 gift for a long-term client beats a $500 gift that arrives late and unremarked.
- When in doubt, write a note. A handwritten card changes how a gift is received more than any price tag.
From Our Own Shelves
And of course, the baskets themselves — where every pairing starts.
The Full Catalog
Fourteen signature baskets, from $20 spa sets to our $195 Celebration hamper.
Corporate Gifting
Client appreciation, employee rewards and event amenities, with house accounts available.
Gift Basket Guide
Occasion-by-occasion advice on size, budget and presentation, from our gift desk.
Ready to Design a Gift?
Call 800-420-8643 or browse the catalog — we will help you pair the basket with whatever else the occasion calls for.