Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure.
Gift baskets can make a great gift for someone who hits a major life milestone. We’ll explore a variety of gift baskets you can give to people in your life, regardless of the occasion.
Overview: Our Top Picks
Unique Gift Baskets for a Baby or New Parents
- Pampers Diaper Starter Kit ($138.54)
- Simple Joys by Carter's Unisex Long-Sleeve Onesies ($13.20-$15.10)
- The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD ($15.99)
Unique Gift Baskets for a Boss or Colleague
- Original Donut Shop K-Cups ($26.72)
- Mueller French Press Double Insulated ($29.97)
- Pop Ball Fidget Toys ($8.99)
Unique Gift Baskets for the Holidays
Unique Gift Baskets for Delivery
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Unique Gift Baskets for a Baby or New Parents
- Unique Gift Baskets for a Boss or Colleague
- Unique Gift Baskets for a Birthday
- Unique Gift Baskets for the Holidays
- Unique Gift Baskets for Delivery
Whether they’re meant to be encouragement gifts or standard holiday or birthday gifts, you’ll find something fun for someone you care about.
Unique Gift Baskets for a Baby or New Parents
Having a new baby can be overwhelming. No matter how much shopping you’ve done ahead of time, you quickly realize you have needs that you never really anticipated. Here’s how to help with practical gift baskets:
1. Diaper gift basket
Diapers can be really pricey. When new parents stock up, they might get sticker shock. As a result, they often buy fewer diapers than they’ll actually need. Babies go through a lot of diapers!
A diaper gift basket is a great gift for expectant parents. You can get different brands so they can see which ones they (and their baby) prefer. You can also get them in different sizes. Babies can go through growth spurts overnight. The parents will be grateful to have a few diapers on hand in bigger sizes when the time comes.
2. Clothes basket
When parents are expecting a baby, people often buy lots of newborn clothes. The parents may feel like they’re set for life, but babies grow fast. Those newborn clothes barely last three months!
Give a gift basket stocked full of simple onesies in a range of sizes. This way, the parents will have at least a few items to tide them over after an unexpected growth spurt. These wardrobe basics are a great staple to have on hand.
3. Sleep basket
When you have a baby, people say, “Sleep when the baby sleeps!” But what happens when your baby never sleeps? There’s a gift basket for that! You can pull together a gift basket that features lots of sleep resources.
It could include “The Happiest Baby on the Block” DVD, different swaddling blankets and sleep sacks, and a white noise machine. These items can be expensive and there’s no guarantee they will work. Parents may not be able to afford to try them all out on their own. But they may be very grateful for a gift basket that gives them new sleep solutions to explore.
Unique Gift Baskets for a Boss or Colleague
You may spend a third of your life at work. We might see our boss and coworkers more than we see certain family members.
Work becomes a much better place to be when you have a boss and coworkers you actually get along with. You can make work a pleasant place to be by giving them appreciation gifts. Gift baskets are a great way to show your gratitude.
4. Coffee-themed basket
Many offices have a distinct coffee culture. People call dibs on a special coffee mug or bring in their own flavored creamers.
Put together a fun basket for a coffee-loving coworker. It can include K-Cups or ground coffee in your coworker’s preferred flavors or roasts. You can also include a nice travel mug or a personal French press. This kind of basket is endlessly customizable.
5. Snack basket
The duo of “office” and “snacks” goes together like peanut butter and jelly. How many times have snacks kept you sane at work?
Put together a gift basket full of your coworker’s favorite snacks as a nice gesture. It will help keep them nourished and sustained both physically and emotionally.
6. Desk toy gift basket
It can be challenging to keep yourself busy during work downtime. Fun fidget toys can be a great way to occupy idle hands. Things like wire puzzles, fidget spinners, and miniature zen rock gardens can be great when presented in a gift basket.
Unique Gift Baskets for a Birthday
Birthdays are a great day to show people just how much they mean to you. It’s the one day of the year when you have the perfect excuse to go over the top and shower them with gifts. So why just settle for one gift when you could give a whole gift basket? Check out these birthday gift basket ideas.
7. Cupcake gift basket
A cupcake gift basket is a thoughtful gift in lieu of a birthday cake. You can usually work with a local bakery to pull together a fun assortment of flavors and frostings.
Have it delivered to your loved one’s office or pick it up for a family party. It’s a great way to get them to indulge in celebratory cake, even if they’re not the kind of person that usually makes a fuss.
8. Personally themed culinary gift basket
Many people enjoy certain types of food or drink. Does your friend or loved one enjoy food? If your sister loves IPAs, you can pull together a craft beer gift basket featuring beers from several different breweries.
If your brother adores beef jerky, put together a gift basket with different jerkies with exotic meats or seasonings. It’s easy to come up with a themed gift basket when you know your loved one’s tastes. A gift like this makes you look incredibly thoughtful.
Unique Gift Baskets for the Holidays
Holidays are another great time to celebrate the people we care about. Many retailers offer elaborate gift baskets you can purchase for anyone on your shopping list. However, you can also create your own DIY gift baskets during the holiday season. Here are some fun suggestions.
9. Fun activity basket
Kids often get fun games and toys for Christmas. Why can’t adults get them, too? Pull together a gift basket filled with activities for adults. It can feature a board game or trivia cards, along with crossword puzzles and sudoku books.
You can also get fun adult coloring books and nice colored pencils. These gifts will give the adults something fun to do while the kids play with all their new toys.
10. Gourmet gift basket
The holidays are a good time to indulge. If you’re shopping for a foodie, you can pull together a gift basket full of extravagant foods and condiments.
Put together an assortment of items like truffle oil, exotic vinegar, and an assortment of finishing salts. Every time your foodie friend serves a meal, they’ll think of you.
Unique Gift Baskets for Delivery
When you make a gift basket, you generally want to fill it with hardy items that won’t break. This is doubly true if your gift basket needs to be shipped. For example, if you’re sending a long-distance relationship care package, you want it to arrive in one piece. Here are some suggestions for gift baskets that can be easily delivered.
11. Fruit baskets
Many companies offer gorgeous fresh fruit for delivery. Around Christmas, you can get juicy pears delivered by high-end companies like Harry & David.
You can order beautiful bouquets of fresh-cut fruit from companies like Edible Arrangements or preserved fruit, like candied apricots. Fruit gift baskets can be simple, but can also be high-end and unique, depending on where you source them.
12. Local interest gift basket
A loved one who lives far away may be missing certain things from home. Round up local snacks and delicacies or anything that will travel well, then send it to your faraway friend.
Your loved one will be grateful for a little taste of home.
These Special Gift Baskets Work for Many Occasions
There are endless reasons to get someone a gift basket. Maybe you like to send sympathy gift baskets to help loved ones cope with their grief. Perhaps you want to express your gratitude to someone who has helped you.
Maybe you want to send a gift “just because.” Regardless of the reasoning, a gift basket can be a lovely and thoughtful gesture.
