23 Birthday Gift Baskets to Send to a Friend
Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
These birthday basket ideas are a special way to celebrate your loved ones from afar.
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Whether it’s as a comfort gift or a way to celebrate a long-distance birthday, the best gift baskets come curated for celebrations of all kinds. Whether in baskets, boxes, crates or totes, each assortment of items includes several small gifts that—when bestowed upon the birthday boy or girl—are bound to bring a few “oohs” and “ahhs.” Swapping gift cards with these birthday basket ideas feels more personal and adds a bit of surprise to every special occasion.
Birthday gift baskets are also the gift that keeps on giving. Brimming with baked goods, wine and other treats, these goodies come in different forms and cater to almost every giftee. The best part? There are birthday basket ideas for almost every hobby, relationship and budget. Think artisan cheeses, chocolates, charcuterie boards and cakes.
While many of these gift basket ideas work for many recipients, we also included a few birthday baskets for more specific interests. Think craft brew baskets, girly spa day essentials and even a candy cake for the kiddos on your gift list. No matter who you’re buying for, there’s an option that suits every taste and interest below.
For the Budding Bartender
Sophisticated Bar Set
Whether they’re turning 21 or just taking up at-home bartending, this editor-loved cocktail gift box includes all the essentials to start a bar. It comes with two stylish glasses, hand-blown cocktail stirrers, whiskey stones, bitters soda and a tart cherry grenadine cocktail syrup. Each inclusion offers an impactful mission, making this one of the birthday basket ideas you can feel good about giving. Find more top-shelf cocktail kit ideas.
For Your BFF
Happy Box
There’s something to be said about simplicity! With this sweet birthday gift basket containing just a handful of curated products, you can add extra items (for a fee) and personalize a handwritten note. Read our Happy Box review for the full scoop on this birthday basket idea.
For the Picky Partier
Sugarwish Gift
When you don’t know what your coworker likes (or you’re looking for a picky loved one), Sugarwish gifts allow the recipient to pick from an assortment of items, including cookies, candies, cocktail mixers, coffee and more. Product Reviews Home Editor, Madi Koetting, raves about her experience in her Sugarwish review.
“My Sugarwish arrived at my door in a gorgeous candy cane-striped red and blue box. The packaging was a 10/10, and all six snacks I chose were neatly assorted inside their own sealed treat cups,” she says. “It only took three short days for it to arrive, and I was amazed at how fresh the candy tasted.”
For the Savvy Snacker
Boarderie Charcuterie Board
Nothing says “happy birthday” like a meat and cheese spread—and that’s exactly what Boarderie provides with their hand-arranged charcuterie gifts. Content Director, Nicole Doster, celebrated her birthday with a Diletto board and would gladly add it to her guest list again. “I was absolutely blown away,” she says.
“The box arrived in perfect condition with over a dozen meats, cheeses and extra nibbles; it practically looked like a piece of art. In addition to the high-quality ingredients, the board came complete with mini wooden tongs and cheese knives, which made it party-ready in minutes. I’d highly recommend this.” Read my Boarderie review for more information on these ready-to-go charcuterie platters!
For the Fancy Pants
Flamingo Estate Gift Box
Sending a gift of the month club is like sending a gift that keeps on giving. The editor-loved Flamingo Estate gift box is brimming with gourmet gifts like shampoo, olive oil, coffee beans and other high-quality, luxe picks. This gift box is available as either a one-time present or as a quarterly subscription for your extra-fancy friends.
For the International Eater
Bokksu
One of the best snack subscriptions we’ve tried, Bokksu caters to more than just anime fans. Each box features both big and small business finds from across Japan. Expect savory, sweet and spicy snacks that are difficult—if not impossible—to find in the U.S. Snag this snack club as a one-time purchase or splurge on a subscription for the full experience!
For the Health Nut
Fruit and Cheese Club
Gifting a fruit of the month club is a perfect birthday basket idea for someone who appreciates a healthier lifestyle. The Harry & David fruit and cheese club offers a new bevy of freshly picked fruits every month along with a perfectly paired cheese to go with it. From pineapple and SeaHive cheese to honeybells and Wood River Creamery Cheddar Gruyere, each box offers a truly exciting taste experience.
For the Beer Drinker
City Brew Tours Box
This Brew City Tours club really is a club for beer lovers, complete with its own monthly podcast for you die-hard brew fans. It introduces beer lovers to eight different beers every month (or opt for a one-time purchase as a gift). Each selection is curated by Brew City Tours, and each box includes information about the notes and brewery. Plus, get a link to a monthly Zoom discussion with the brains behind the brews!
For the Sweet Tooth
Cheryl's Cookies
Know someone with a sweet tooth? Get them a box filled with Cheryl’s cookies to hold them over for a while. I was so impressed by how pronounced and true-to-life the flavors were. Read my full review of Cheryl’s for the whole scoop—there’s even a vegan option for veg-heads.
For the Midnight Snacker
Chocolate Dream Gift Set
Looking for chocolatey birthday basket ideas for a midnight snacker? This chocolate dream gift box has the best of both worlds—awake and asleep! The included 16-piece dream truffle collection, dream cocoa butter mini chocolate bars, matcha mini petites, forest bath salts, a silk sleep mask and a tin of Palais de Thés loose-leaf tea will have them drifting off in no time. While you’re at it, check out these gift baskets for women, too.
For the Coffee Connoisseur
Aeropress Brew Anywhere Kit
Gift the on-the-go coffee lover something they can use again and again. This Aeropress kit from Bean & Bean comes with the original anywhere coffee maker, a bag of their popular Downtown blend, two steep bags and a reusable tote to carry it all in. For an additional fee, beef up one of these coffee basket ideas with a ceramic coffee grinder or a camp-ready coffee mug.
For the Gluten-Free Friend
Gluten-Free Snack Basket
“Gluten-free” isn’t synonymous with “lacks flavor,” as this delightfully decadent gluten-free gift basket proves. Including dried fruit jerky, chocolate bark, cheddar crisps, chia snack thins and almond butter banana yogurt chips, this gift basket brings a whole host of flavors. Your GF friend will go nuts for this spread!
For the Snack Lover
Classic Birthday Basket
Harry & David are the kings of gourmet baskets—and for good reason! This positively stacked birthday gift basket has a little bit of everything for the one who means everything to you. It’s loaded with Moose Munch, snack mix and a plethora of cookies and candy, then wrapped in a sweet woven container. Talk about one of the best birthday gift ideas!
For the Morning Person
Gourmet Bakery Gift Basket
Why make a cake when you can give ’em everything in the bakery case? This colorful gift basket is overflowing with sweet and tender treats, such as English muffins, shortbread cookies, chocolate scones, confetti Kringle and blueberry loaf cake. Speaking of cake, these are the best birthday cakes you can have delivered.
For Under $30
Birthday Wishes Popcorn Bin
For a delivery that brightens your loved one’s day—without breaking the bank, go for this snack gift basket full of three popcorn flavors and lots of birthday cheer! At just $30, it’s a present you and your wallet can feel good about. (These care packages are always sweet to send, no matter the occasion.)
For the Person You're Trying to Impress
Majestic Grandeur Birthday Gift Basket
There’s no better way to show you’re a true-blue friend than with this stunning cerulean gift basket. Truffles, French pastries and specialty chocolates are sure to make your pal feel special. Plus, it’s the gift that keeps on giving, thanks to the gorgeous embossed metal basket. Speaking of impressive gifts, check out our selection of 50th birthday gift ideas.
For a Kid (or Kid at Heart)
Deluxe Candy Cake
A kid at heart stays that way, no matter their age. This novel gift basket, crafted to look like a cake made of candy, puts its baked counterparts to shame. Each of these two-tiered birthday gift baskets arrives topped with a giant lollipop and layered with childhood favorites such as Nerds, Airheads, Laffy Taffy and Tootsie Pops. Here are more birthday gifts for kids that will make their day extra special.
For the Breakfast Club
Pancake Breakfast Crate
Get the celebration started early with this brunch-ready gift basket. It has the makings for a birthday-worthy stack including buttermilk pancake mix, pure maple syrup, a spatula and even a pancake pen—just add milk, butter and an egg! They’ll flip for these other pancake tools, too.
For the Outdoorsy Type
The Man Box
For a great guy who loves the great outdoors, look no further than this wilderness-inspired gift basket, complete with an insulated cup, coffee grit soap, cedar and sandalwood candle and sheathed knife. Adventure is on the horizon thanks to these birthday basket ideas!
For the Meat Lover
The Bacon Crate
This meaty gift basket, chock-full of bacon, is just beggin’ to be a birthday present. And the assortment doesn’t stop at strips! You’ll find bacon jerky, bacon jam, bacon brittle and bacon seasoning inside these birthday gift baskets. It’s the ideal birthday gift for him!
For the Pitmaster
Grilling Favorites Gift Crate
The grill master in your life meets his or her match with this pit-ready gift basket. They’ll be fired up to receive these sauces, dry rubs and add-ons, including a themed tea towel and silicone basting brush, for their birthday! (Check out these other grilling gadgets if they’re all set on seasonings!)
For the Self-Care Queen
'Girls Night In' Rosé Gift Basket
Give your best gal an evening off with this pretty ‘n’ pink gift basket. She’ll love unwinding with a sampling of champagne gummy bears, white-wine popcorn, chocolate-covered raspberries, cordials and, of course, an oil wrap mask for good measure. Pair it with a bottle of rosé! Then, discover more birthday gifts for her.
For the Cozy Crew
Sending Love and Hugs Gift Box
After they’ve blown out their candles, your loved one can relax with this snuggly gift basket. The soothing selection of items includes a candle, fuzzy socks, honey, a mug and a card for a self-care celebration that is pure bliss. We bet she’d appreciate a Birthdate candle, too.
Originally Published: February 21, 2023
