Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Baskets: Squares, Cocoa & Towers

Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Baskets Buying Guide

A Ghirardelli chocolate gift basket is an easy crowd-pleaser: familiar enough that almost everyone enjoys it, yet a clear step up from a checkout-lane candy bar. The company dates to 1852 in San Francisco, and its individually wrapped SQUARES, introduced in 1999, are what most people picture when they think of the brand.

This guide covers the main Ghirardelli gift formats, from SQUARES bags and custom mixes to cocoa sets, brownie mixes and gift towers, and explains who packs the baskets you'll find online. You'll also get tips for shipping chocolate in warm weather and building your own basket. We're independent and not affiliated with Ghirardelli or its owner, Lindt & Sprüngli.

Ghirardelli at a glance

Founded: 1852 in San Francisco by Domenico (Domingo) Ghirardelli
Headquarters: San Leandro, California
Parent company: Lindt & Sprüngli (since 1998)
Known for: SQUARES chocolates (introduced in 1999), baking chocolate, hot cocoa and hot fudge sundaes
Flagship shop: The original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop at Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco
Where to buy: Ghirardelli website, its chocolate and ice cream shops, grocery stores and a Ghirardelli store on Amazon

Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Baskets: at a glance

Best for: Thank-yous, holidays, teachers and office sharing
Typical contents: SQUARES, chocolate bars, hot cocoa, brownie mix, caramel or fudge sauce
Ships well?: Best in cool months; Ghirardelli adds ice packs and limits some options in heat
Custom option: Ghirardelli's website lets you build your own mix of SQUARES

Our Picks, Explained

What each gift is, who it suits and what usually comes inside.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift BasketBest OverallBest for: Thank-you gifts, birthdays and families

Pre-made baskets bundle SQUARES bags, full-size bars and hot cocoa packets, sometimes with caramel sauce or cookies. Many on Amazon are assembled by independent gift companies using Ghirardelli products, so compare the contents list, the basket or tin size and the seller before you choose.

SQUARES, bars and cocoa packets
Often in a keepsake basket or tin
Compare contents and seller

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli SQUARES Premium AssortmentBest BudgetBest for: Office candy jars, teachers and stocking stuffers

A big bag of assorted SQUARES, with flavors such as milk chocolate caramel, sea salt caramel and 60% cacao dark, is the simplest Ghirardelli gift and one of the best values. The individually wrapped pieces are easy to share and make a ready-made filler for a basket you assemble.

Individually wrapped mixed flavors
Large bags suit sharing
Easy filler for a DIY basket

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift TowerBest for SharingBest for: Offices, families and holiday parties

Towers stack several boxes of Ghirardelli treats, such as caramel squares, chocolate-covered pretzels, cookies and cocoa, under one bow. They look generous on arrival and divide easily among a group, which makes them a popular office thank-you; check who assembled the tower before ordering.

Several stacked boxes of treats
Often squares, pretzels, cookies and cocoa
Easy to divide among a group

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Mug Gift SetBest for: Winter birthdays, teachers and cozy-night gifts

Cocoa sets pair Ghirardelli double chocolate hot cocoa mix with a ceramic mug and extras such as marshmallows or peppermint stirrers, and some include two mugs for sharing. They're less fragile than filled chocolates in transit and make a comforting thinking-of-you gift.

Hot cocoa mix plus a ceramic mug
Often adds marshmallows or stirrers
Travels better than filled chocolates

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix Baking BundleMost UniqueBest for: Home bakers, newlyweds and housewarmings

Ghirardelli's double chocolate brownie mix makes a practical gift for anyone who likes to bake, since it needs only water, oil and an egg. Bundle a few boxes with a baking pan, a spatula and a bag of SQUARES for a basket that gets used rather than just admired.

Double chocolate brownie mix
Needs water, oil and an egg
Pair with a pan and spatula

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark SQUARES TinBest for: Holiday hosts, coworkers and stocking stuffers

Peppermint bark SQUARES are one of Ghirardelli's holiday flavors, and the keepsake tin makes a ready-to-give present for coworkers, neighbors or hosts. Because it's a seasonal item, look for it ahead of the holidays; once the chocolate is gone, the tin is handy for storing cookies.

Individually wrapped peppermint bark squares
Reusable keepsake tin
Seasonal holiday flavor

See it in the shop

Lindt LINDOR Truffles Gift Box (Sister Brand)Editor's PickBest for: Truffle lovers who want a soft, melting center

Lindt & Sprüngli owns both Ghirardelli and Lindt, and LINDOR truffles offer a different style: round, individually wrapped chocolates with a smooth, melting center. Gift boxes range from small token boxes to large assortments, so they're easy to pair with a Ghirardelli basket.

Individually wrapped melting-center truffles
Token boxes to large assortments
Milk, dark, white and other flavors

See it in the shop

Ghirardelli Gift Formats and What's Inside

Ghirardelli gifts range from a single bag of chocolates to a stacked tower, but most draw on the same building blocks:

SQUARES: individually wrapped filled and solid chocolates, introduced in 1999. Lindt describes Milk & Caramel as the most popular flavor.
Bars: full-size bars, including dark chocolate options with higher cacao percentages.
Hot cocoa and sauces: double chocolate cocoa mix, caramel sauce and chocolate fudge sauce appear in many baskets.
Baking mixes: brownie mixes and baking chocolate for the cook in the family.

Who packs the baskets?

Ghirardelli sells its own gift boxes, bags and baskets, plus a custom mix option for building your own SQUARES assortment. Many baskets and towers sold elsewhere, including on Amazon, are assembled by independent gift companies using Ghirardelli products. There's nothing wrong with that, but check the seller, the contents list and the packaging photos so you know exactly what's arriving. If you're near one, Ghirardelli's own chocolate and ice cream shops, including the original at Ghirardelli Square, also sell its chocolates in person.

How to Build Your Own Ghirardelli Gift Basket

A homemade Ghirardelli basket can feel more personal than a pre-made one, and it lets you pick every flavor.

Choose a container: a basket, crate or oversized mug works; our guide to empty gift baskets and DIY supplies covers sturdy options and filler.
Add a centerpiece: a big bag of SQUARES or a custom mix of their favorite flavors.
Layer in extras: a couple of full-size bars, hot cocoa mix and a jar of caramel or fudge sauce.
Pick a theme: cocoa with a mug for a cozy night in, brownie mix with a pan for bakers, or chocolate with coffee for a morning treat. Our coffee and tea gift baskets have more pairing ideas.
Finish with something baked: cookies or biscotti round out the basket; see our cookie gift baskets for shipped options.

Write a short note and tuck it on top so it's the first thing they see.

Shipping Chocolate in Warm Weather

Chocolate and heat don't mix, so timing matters as much as the gift itself. Ghirardelli packs chocolate orders with ice packs, bubble wrap and cushioning, and during warmer months it limits some delivery options, such as standard shipping, based on temperatures at the fulfillment location and the destination. Because ice packs only last so long, the company recommends accepting deliveries promptly and storing chocolate in a cool, dry place.

The same logic applies to baskets from any seller:

Choose expedited shipping when temperatures climb.
Order early in the week to avoid weekend layovers in a warm truck or warehouse.
Send cocoa sets, brownie mixes or baked goods instead of filled chocolates in the hottest months.
Check the delivery date Amazon shows for the recipient's ZIP code, and make sure someone will be home to bring the box inside.

Ghirardelli vs. Godiva and Other Chocolate Gifts

Ghirardelli sits between everyday candy and luxury truffles. Its gifts feel generous and shareable, which suits offices, teachers and big families, while Godiva chocolate gift baskets lean more formal, with truffles and gold boxes that suit anniversaries and milestones.

If you're shopping for the holidays, a Ghirardelli tower or cocoa set fits right in with our Christmas gift baskets. For a simple show of appreciation, a SQUARES assortment is one of the easiest thank you gifts to send. To compare more brands side by side, start with our main chocolate gift baskets page.

Matching the gift to your budget

Budget-friendly: a big bag of SQUARES or a seasonal tin.
Mid-range: a hot cocoa mug set, a brownie baking bundle or a small basket.
Splurge: a multi-box gift tower or a large basket with bars, sauces and cocoa for a family or office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Ghirardelli?

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli has owned Ghirardelli since 1998. Ghirardelli still runs as its own brand, with its headquarters and a manufacturing plant in San Leandro, California, and its historic flagship shop at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco.

When did Ghirardelli start making SQUARES?

Ghirardelli introduced filled SQUARES in 1999, according to the company's own timeline, starting with favorites such as Milk & Caramel. Lindt, Ghirardelli's parent company, describes Milk & Caramel as the most popular flavor. Today SQUARES come in many filled and solid varieties, plus seasonal flavors around the holidays.

Can I order a custom Ghirardelli gift?

Yes. Ghirardelli's website offers a custom mix option that lets you choose your own assortment of SQUARES in a bag or box, alongside ready-made gift boxes, bags and baskets. It also lists business gifts for larger orders. A custom mix makes it easy to leave out flavors the recipient doesn't like.

Is Ghirardelli the oldest chocolate company in America?

Ghirardelli describes itself as the longest continually operating chocolatier in the United States. Its story starts with Domenico Ghirardelli, who opened a store in Stockton, California, in 1849 and a confectionery shop in San Francisco in 1852, the year the company counts as its founding.

Can you visit the original Ghirardelli shop?

Yes. The original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop is at Ghirardelli Square on San Francisco's northern waterfront, where the company moved in 1893; the city named the square an official landmark in 1965. Ghirardelli also runs a small number of other shops, mostly in California, known for hot fudge sundaes.

How should I store a Ghirardelli gift basket?

Keep chocolate in a cool, dry place away from direct sun and heat sources. Ghirardelli ships warm-weather chocolate orders with ice packs, but those only last so long, so bring deliveries inside promptly. If the basket includes cocoa, brownie mix or sauces, check each label for storage directions and best-by dates.

Gift Baskets Market is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli and related names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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