# Any gift food ideas - upscale Hickory Farms-ish? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 16, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432 "2009-12-16T01:43:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/1 "2009-12-16T01:43:20Z")
I want to send a friend a gift basket for Christmas. I don’t want a ton of fru fru stuff in there. I’m thinking a good version of Hickory Farms. Real food (meat cheese, nuts) that doesn’t suck. Any ideas? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/2 "2009-12-16T01:44:39Z")
I’ve used [iGourmet.com](http://igourmet.com/) in the past. Very good stuff, but, of course, not cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/3 "2009-12-16T01:52:28Z")
[Harry and David?](http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/store/home___) They have chocolate and fruit, but there are also [meats and cheeses](http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/store/product ____ shop-gifts-by-type_gourmet-food-entertaining-gifts_5002952). ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/4 "2009-12-16T02:13:44Z")
You can go to Whole Foods and stroll the aisles picking out things you think your friend would like, and they’ll supply the basket and wrap it up. I just did this for my sister-in-law who lives overseas and misses some American standards (even though she isn’t American.) ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/5 "2009-12-16T02:14:32Z")
I like [www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com](http://www.winecountrygiftbaskets.com) ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/6 "2009-12-16T02:39:10Z")
Zingerman’s Deli has really nice high end meats, cheeses, breads, candy, etc. > **[Gift Baskets & Boxes for sale. Buy online at Zingerman's Mail Order....](https://www.zingermans.com/Category.aspx?Category=gift_baskets)** > > Ship great food anywhere in America from Zingerman’s Mail Order. Gift boxes of bread, cheese, meat, pastry and more. You really can taste the difference. Definitely NOT cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/7 "2009-12-16T02:56:46Z")
[Southern Supreme Fruitcake Company](http://www.southernsupreme.com/) - small family owned business in my hometown. Their fruitcake is divine…not like any other fruitcake you’ve ever had. They make other yummy delights as well and have gift baskets available. Everything I’ve ever had from there is scrumptious. They will ship too. [A Southern Season](http://www.southernseason.com/Default.asp) also has very nice gift baskets. I’ve heard lots of good things, but I haven’t actually tasted any of their food. Either choice will set you back a pretty penny, but will be appreciated a lot more than a Hickory Farms or similar type gift. If you want to give meat, try Omaha Steaks or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/8 "2009-12-16T03:20:36Z")
I sent you a PM with a suggestion. The suggestion is one of my clients, and I didn’t want to pimp their site out here in public. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/9 "2009-12-16T18:53:15Z")
Maytag Blue cheese is unbelievably good: [http://www.maytagdairyfarms.com/aspx/welcome.aspx](http://www.maytagdairyfarms.com/aspx/welcome.aspx) I’ve often ordered from the Wisconsin Cheeseman, and am usually satisfied: [Wisconsincheeseman.com](http://Wisconsincheeseman.com) Lands’ End offers some candy now: [Lands' End | Swimwear, Outerwear, Casual Clothing and more](http://www.landsend.com/ix/index.html?store=le&action=newSearch&search=food&imageField.x=18&imageField.y=9) As does L.L. Bean: [http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=food-gifts&categoryId=505794&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1](http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=food-gifts&categoryId=505794&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1) And Crate and Barrel: [http://www.crateandbarrel.com/tasty-treats/gifts/1](http://www.crateandbarrel.com/tasty-treats/gifts/1) ---
**Author:** ![Taverner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Taverner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taverner)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/10 "2009-12-16T18:55:10Z")
Williams and Sonoma always works… ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/11 "2009-12-16T18:55:38Z")
ETA: Fixed link. > **[Wisconsin Cheeseman | Cheese, Food Gifts, Meat, Bakery](https://www.wisconsincheeseman.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=competitors&utm_campaign=competitors&gclid=CLe6vM_Q254CFdx05Qod6QpVJQ)** > > The best in local award-winning cheese, specialty meats and handcrafted pastries and confections. Perfect for entertaining and gift giving. ---
**Author:** ![Taverner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Taverner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taverner)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/12 "2009-12-16T18:59:51Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > ETA: Fixed link. > > [http://www.wisconsincheeseman.com/?utm\_source=google&utm\_medium=CPC&utm\_term=competitors&utm\_campaign=competitors&gclid=CLe6vM\_Q254CFdx05Qod6QpVJQ](http://www.wisconsincheeseman.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_term=competitors&utm_campaign=competitors&gclid=CLe6vM_Q254CFdx05Qod6QpVJQ) Oooh! I vote for EH’s suggestion over mine any day ---
**Author:** ![spoike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/13 "2009-12-16T19:08:16Z")
They only sell fruit-based things, so they might not be quite what you’re looking for: [Edible Arrangements](http://www.ediblearrangements.com/) I’ve ordered their chocolate-covered fruit on a few different occasions, and the recipients were always delighted with the gift. The fruit is of very high quality and is beautifully presented. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/14 "2009-12-16T19:19:46Z")
I’ve gotten lots of meats from [Father’s Country Hams](http://www.fatherscountryhams.com) before, and also sent out [gift packages](http://www.fatherscountryhams.com/products.asp?dept=35) from them. It’s reaaaallly good, but beware: this is REAL country style meat. Meaning, some people might find it too salty. The ham is almost a cross between ham and cheese, if that makes any sense - it’s really flavorful, so much so that you wouldn’t, for example, make a big ham sandwich out of it. It’s better in small quantities. It’s definitely an authentic gift, though, and if you (or your giftee) are the type of person who’d like such a thing, you won’t be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/15 "2009-12-16T19:33:37Z")
To the OP: I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you that your name sounds like a Hickory Farms product. “Get a spifflog for the holidays!” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/16 "2009-12-17T01:52:38Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > …I’ve often ordered from the Wisconsin Cheeseman, and am usually satisfied… To clarify: their cheeses, meats and candies are always good; their baked goods are often dry, relatively tasteless and/or broken up in shipment, IME. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/17 "2009-12-17T02:23:06Z")
> [@Hockey\_Monkey](#): > > [A Southern Season](http://www.southernseason.com/Default.asp) also has very nice gift baskets. I’ve heard lots of good things, but I haven’t actually tasted any of their food. I have. It’s very good, but more expensive than I myself would be willing to pay. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/18 "2009-12-17T02:39:35Z")
> [@Carl\_Corey](#): > > “Get a spifflog for the holidays!” Now, it that was a _spliff_log, you’d have a customer! ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/19 "2009-12-17T02:59:57Z")
> **[Smoked Hams, Country Bacon, Sausage, Steaks & Pork Chops | Amana Meat Shop](https://www.amanameatshop.com/)** > > The Amana Meat Shop & Smokehouse has been selling the finest Smoked Hams, Country Bacon, Sausage, Steaks & Pork Chops for more than a century. I’ve sent their good and had rave reviews from people. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432/20 "2009-12-17T14:06:10Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I sent you a PM with a suggestion. The suggestion is one of my clients, and I didn’t want to pimp their site out here in public. What if we ASK you to? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-gift-food-ideas-upscale-hickory-farms-ish/521432.md?page=2)