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Thanksgiving Gift Baskets

Hostess gifts that stay out of the oven, harvest treats for fall, and early thank-yous for clients and faraway family.

Updated By the Gift Baskets Market Editorial Team

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8 hand-picked gift ideas

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Thanksgiving Gift Baskets Buying Guide

Thanksgiving gift baskets cover three gifts most people forget to plan: the hostess gift, the client thank-you and the box for relatives you can't sit down with this year. It's a holiday built around food and gratitude, so a basket of maple candy, apple butter or spiced pecans fits the occasion better than almost anything else you could bring.

This page covers host gifts that won't compete for oven space, fall and harvest baskets full of apple, pumpkin and maple flavors, and gratitude gifts for clients timed to land before the December rush. Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the US, leaving a short window between Halloween and the winter holidays, so we've included timing advice as well. Hosting your own gathering? Browse our fruit gift baskets for a colorful, no-cook centerpiece.

Thanksgiving Gift Baskets: at a glance

When is it?
The fourth Thursday in November in the United States
Best for
Hosts, clients, faraway family, neighbors and coworkers
Typical contents
Maple treats, apple butter, pumpkin bread mix, spiced nuts, cider spices, cheese
Host-gift rule
Bring something to enjoy later, never a dish that needs the host's oven

Our Picks, Explained

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

Fall Harvest Gift BasketBest OverallBest for: Hosts, grandparents and family you can't visit this year

A harvest basket gathers the flavors of the season in one place: maple syrup or candy, apple butter, pumpkin bread mix, spiced nuts and cookies. It suits a host who'll enjoy it the morning after, and it travels well enough to send to relatives you won't see around the table this year.

  • Maple, apple and pumpkin treats together
  • Mostly shelf-stable pantry items
  • Often in a reusable basket or crate

See it in the shop

Vermont Maple Syrup Gift SetBest ClassicBest for: Breakfast lovers and hosts of the morning-after brunch

Pure maple syrup in glass bottles, often with maple candy or maple cream, is a host gift that gets used the morning after the big meal. Sets that show off different grades, from golden and delicate to dark and robust, turn Saturday pancakes into a tasting.

  • Pure maple syrup, often in several grades
  • Maple candy or maple cream in some sets
  • Glass bottles make a handsome gift

See it in the shop

Mulling Spice and Hot Cider Gift SetBest BudgetBest for: Cozy-evening hosts and anyone who loves a warm mug

Mulling blends of cinnamon, clove, allspice and orange peel turn a jug of plain apple cider into a pot that makes the whole house smell like fall. Sets often pair spice sachets with a mug or two. They take up almost no room, and the host can save them for a quiet evening once the guests have gone home.

  • Cinnamon, clove, allspice and citrus blends
  • Simmers with cider on the stovetop
  • Sachets or loose spices in a tin

See it in the shop

Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Gift SetEditor's PickBest for: Hosts who cook, and anyone stocking a new kitchen

A bottle of good olive oil and an aged balsamic is the definition of a host gift that won't compete for counter space on the day. It goes straight into the pantry for later, and many sets arrive in a gift box with pour spouts or a dipping dish.

  • Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic
  • Often includes pour spouts or a dish
  • Pantry-stable; no refrigeration needed

See it in the shop

Wine Accessory Gift SetBest for: Hosts who open a bottle with dinner

Arriving with wine is a Thanksgiving habit, and an accessory set gives the host something that outlasts the bottle: a waiter's corkscrew, stoppers, a pourer and an aerator in a wooden case. Add a bottle you pick up at a nearby wine store, because these sets generally leave the wine itself out.

  • Corkscrew, stoppers, pourer and aerator
  • Wooden or boxed presentation case
  • Add a bottle bought locally

See it in the shop

Cheese Board and Knife SetBest for SharingBest for: Hosts who entertain from Thanksgiving through New Year's

A bamboo or acacia board with a slide-out drawer of cheese knives keeps working well past Thanksgiving, through every holiday party that follows. It also solves a common holiday-season scramble: where to set out appetizers while the main course finishes cooking.

  • Wood board with cheese knives and tools
  • Many have a hidden storage drawer
  • Useful for every holiday gathering

See it in the shop

Roasted and Candied Pecan Gift TinBest for: Clients, coworkers and neighbors

Pecans are as tied to Thanksgiving as pie, and a tin of roasted, candied or praline-coated halves is shareable, shelf-stable and easy to ship to an office. It's a smart gratitude gift for clients in November, when your thank-you won't get lost in the December flood.

  • Roasted, candied or praline-coated pecans
  • Shelf-stable and easy to share
  • Tins ship well to offices

See it in the shop

Apple Butter and Fall Preserves SamplerBest for: Faraway family and fans of biscuits and toast

Jars of apple butter, pumpkin butter and seasonal preserves bring fall to the breakfast table and keep for months unopened. A sampler is a thoughtful gift for relatives you can't visit, since it arrives ready to spread on leftover dinner rolls the day after the feast.

  • Apple, pumpkin or pear butters
  • Shelf-stable until opened
  • Pairs with biscuits, toast and cheese

See it in the shop

Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts That Stay Out of the Oven

The golden rule of Thanksgiving host gifts: bring nothing that needs the oven, the stovetop, a spot in the fridge or the host's attention while the turkey rests. The kitchen is the most crowded room in the house that day, so aim for gifts meant to be enjoyed later.

  • For the morning after: maple syrup, pancake mix, good coffee or jam for the leftover rolls.
  • For the pantry: olive oil and balsamic, a spice sampler or a tin of candied pecans.
  • For the table: a cheese board, cloth napkins or an unscented candle, since scented ones compete with the aroma of dinner.
  • For the bar: wine accessories paired with a bottle you picked up locally. Our wine gift baskets cover glassware and pairing sets.

Hand it over with a quick "This is for you to enjoy after everyone leaves," so the host doesn't feel obligated to open or serve it on the spot. Bringing flowers? Arrive with them already in a vase so nobody has to hunt for one in the middle of making gravy.

Fall and Harvest Gift Basket Ideas

Autumn has the most recognizable flavors of the year, which makes theming a fall gift basket easy:

  • Apple: apple butter, cider mixes, dried apple chips and caramel dip.
  • Pumpkin: pumpkin bread mix, pumpkin butter and roasted pepitas.
  • Maple: syrup, leaf-shaped maple candy and whipped maple cream.
  • Pecan and cranberry: candied pecans, dried cranberries and cranberry-orange scone mix.
  • Savory: aged cheddar, crackers, mustard and summer sausage for the grazing table.

A wooden crate lined with a plaid napkin looks right for the season and doubles as decor afterward. For ready-to-ship assortments of sweet and savory treats, browse our gourmet gift baskets. Nuts and dairy turn up in many harvest baskets, so check the ingredient list and allergen statement before sending one to someone with allergies.

Thanksgiving Gifts for Clients and Coworkers

Thanksgiving is an underused moment for business gifting. A thank-you that arrives in November doesn't get buried under December's pile of tins and towers, and the holiday's theme of gratitude makes the message feel natural rather than salesy. Because it's a national rather than religious holiday, a gratitude message suits most clients.

  1. Deliver the week before or early in Thanksgiving week. Many offices close Thursday and Friday, and some staff take the whole week off.
  2. Choose shareable and shelf-stable. Nut tins, popcorn and harvest baskets can sit in a break room for days.
  3. Write a real thank-you. Mention a specific project or milestone from the year, not just the company name.
  4. Remember Canadian clients. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October, so their thank-you should go out much earlier.

Our corporate gift baskets guide covers bulk ordering and gift policies, and our thank you gift baskets work any time of year.

Sending Thanksgiving Baskets to Family You Can't Visit

Not everyone makes it home for Thanksgiving, and a box that arrives before the meal is a way of pulling up a chair from a distance.

  • Aim for arrival by Tuesday. Most carriers don't deliver regular packages on Thanksgiving Day, and the days leading up to it are busy.
  • Include something from your table. A handwritten recipe card for the family stuffing or pie, or printed photos from past years, makes a store-bought basket personal.
  • Plan a moment together. Schedule a video call during dessert and have them open the box on screen.
  • Remember college students. Students who stay on campus over the break appreciate a care package with snacks, cocoa and a note from home.

Once the leftovers are gone, holiday shipping gets busy fast. Our Christmas gift baskets guide covers December deadlines so you can plan the next round early.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Thanksgiving in the US?

Thanksgiving in the United States is the fourth Thursday in November, so it always falls between November 22 and November 28. Canadian Thanksgiving comes earlier, on the second Monday in October. For shipped gifts, aim to have the basket arrive by the Tuesday before, since most carriers don't deliver regular packages on the holiday itself.

What is a good hostess gift for Thanksgiving?

Choose something the host can enjoy later rather than serve that day: maple syrup and pancake mix for the morning after, olive oil and balsamic, a cheese board, a tin of candied pecans, or wine accessories with a bottle bought locally. Avoid anything that needs the oven or fridge space, and skip strongly scented candles for the table.

Is it rude to show up to Thanksgiving dinner without a gift?

It isn't rude, especially if you're bringing a dish the host asked for, but a small gesture is always appreciated. Ask ahead what you can contribute. If the menu is covered, a modest host gift or a handwritten thank-you note sent afterward is a gracious way to show appreciation for the work that goes into the meal.

When should I send Thanksgiving gifts to clients?

Aim for delivery the week before Thanksgiving or early in Thanksgiving week, no later than Tuesday. Many offices close Thursday and Friday, and a basket that arrives to an empty building can sit until Monday. If clients work remotely, confirm home addresses in advance. Our tips on writing a gift card message help with the note.

Can a gift basket be delivered on Thanksgiving Day?

Almost never. Thanksgiving is a federal holiday, so there's no regular mail delivery, and UPS and FedEx pause most of their services that day too. Schedule the basket for Monday or Tuesday of Thanksgiving week instead. If you miss the window, send it anyway with a note saying you're thankful for them; that message holds up just as well a few days late.

What goes in a fall gift basket?

Fall baskets lean on seasonal flavors: apple butter, maple syrup or candy, pumpkin bread mix, spiced nuts, caramel popcorn, cider or mulling spices, and cheese with crackers. Add a cozy extra like a plaid napkin, a mug or a small candle, and use a wooden crate or woven basket for a harvest look.