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Williams Sonoma Gift Baskets

Gift crates, peppermint bark and gourmet treats from the cookware retailer, plus similar baskets you can compare.

Updated By the Gift Baskets Market Editorial Team

Shop Williams Sonoma Gift Baskets & Similar Gifts

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Williams Sonoma Gift Baskets Buying Guide

Williams Sonoma gift baskets appeal to the cook in your life: gift crates, hampers and food sets built around sweets, cheese and charcuterie, and seasonal favorites like the company's Original Peppermint Bark. The retailer began as a cookware shop in Sonoma, California, in 1956, and its food gifts carry the same polished, entertaining-at-home style.

Williams Sonoma sells through its own stores, website and catalogs, so you'll buy its baskets directly from the company. In this guide we explain what its food gifts are known for, how to order, and which premium gourmet baskets sold elsewhere offer a similar feel. Our picks are those similar alternatives, not Williams Sonoma products, and we're not affiliated with Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

Williams Sonoma at a glance

Founded
1956 by Chuck Williams in Sonoma, California
Moved to San Francisco
1958
Parent company
Williams-Sonoma, Inc., whose brands also include Pottery Barn and West Elm
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Known for
Cookware and kitchen tools, plus seasonal food gifts such as The Original Peppermint Bark, created in 1998
Sales channels
Its own e-commerce websites, retail stores and direct-mail catalogs

Williams Sonoma Gift Baskets: at a glance

Best for
Home cooks, hosts, housewarmings and holiday gifts
Typical contents
Sweets, cheese and charcuterie, cocoa, pantry treats and seasonal favorites
Where to buy
Williams Sonoma stores, website and catalogs
Our picks
Similar gourmet gifts sold on Amazon, not Williams Sonoma products

Our Picks, Explained

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

Gourmet Food Gift Crate (Similar Style)Best OverallBest for: Clients, hosts and anyone who loves to entertain

A wooden crate packed with crackers, spreads, nuts and sweets captures the hamper look Williams Sonoma is known for, and the crate doubles as storage afterward. Compare contents lists closely, since some crates lean sweet and others savory, and note any items that need refrigeration.

  • Sweet and savory gourmet snacks
  • Reusable wooden crate
  • Check for refrigerated items

See it in the shop

Peppermint Bark Gift Tin (Similar Style)Best ClassicBest for: Holiday hosts, teachers and coworkers

Williams Sonoma's 1998 recipe helped spark a peppermint bark trend, and other chocolatiers now sell layered dark and white chocolate barks in gift tins. Compare chocolate types and tin sizes; most are sold seasonally, so order early in the holiday season for the best selection.

  • Layered dark and white chocolate
  • Crushed peppermint candy topping
  • Usually sold in the holiday season

See it in the shop

Italian Pantry Gift BasketMost UniqueBest for: Pasta lovers, newlyweds and housewarmings

Italian pantry baskets bundle imported pasta, olive oil, sauce and pesto, sometimes with biscotti or balsamic vinegar, the kind of ingredients a serious home cook reaches for. They make a satisfying dinner-in-a-box gift, and most contents are shelf-stable until opened.

  • Imported pasta, olive oil and sauces
  • Often adds pesto or balsamic
  • Shelf-stable until opened

See it in the shop

Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Gift SetBest BudgetBest for: Home cooks, salad lovers and hostess gifts

A pair or sampler of extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars is a compact, useful gift for a cook. Look for harvest or best-by dates and clear origin details on the listing, and choose infused flavors only if you know the recipient's tastes.

  • Extra virgin olive oil and balsamic
  • Sampler or two-bottle sets
  • Check harvest or best-by dates

See it in the shop

Pancake & Maple Syrup Breakfast Gift SetBest for: Families, new neighbors and holiday mornings

Breakfast sets pair pancake mix with maple syrup, preserves and sometimes coffee or a whisk, a cozy gift in the brunch-at-home spirit. They're a warm welcome for a new home or for relatives staying over the holidays, and the contents keep well in the pantry.

  • Pancake mix and maple syrup
  • Often adds preserves or coffee
  • Shelf-stable breakfast treats

See it in the shop

Hot Cocoa & Marshmallow Gift SetBest for: Kids, teachers and snowy-weekend gifts

Gourmet cocoa collections with marshmallows, peppermint stirrers or mugs are a cozy winter gift that travels better than filled chocolates. Choose a set with several flavors for a family or a two-mug version for a couple, and check whether the mix calls for milk or water.

  • Several cocoa flavors or a mug set
  • Marshmallows or stirrers included
  • Less heat-sensitive than truffles

See it in the shop

Charcuterie Board & Knife Gift SetBest for SharingBest for: Entertainers, weddings and housewarmings

Since Williams Sonoma is first a cookware store, a serving gift fits the brand's spirit. A bamboo or wood board with cheese knives and small bowls gets used for years, and adding crackers, jam and nuts turns it into a complete basket.

  • Board plus cheese knives and forks
  • Bamboo or other wood finishes
  • Add snacks for a full basket

See it in the shop

What Williams Sonoma Food Gifts Are Known For

Williams Sonoma made its name selling French cookware, but its food gifts have become a holiday tradition of their own.

  • The Original Peppermint Bark: developed in 1998, when founder Chuck Williams asked his team for a treat that recalled the candy shops he visited as a child. It layers Guittard chocolate with peppermint oil and crushed peppermint candy, and it's sold in tins, sampler sets and gift crates.
  • Gift crates and hampers: themed collections that bundle sweets, cocoa and entertaining treats in a keepsake crate or basket.
  • Food gift sets: the company highlights cheese and charcuterie sets, chocolates, fresh fruit and gourmet entrées among its top food gifts, many from artisan producers.

The lineup changes with the seasons, and the holidays bring the biggest selection. Shopping outside the holiday season? Browse the current gift crates before you plan around a specific item, since the assortment rotates.

The story behind the brand

Chuck Williams opened his first shop in Sonoma to sell French cookware he had discovered in Europe but couldn't find at home, then moved the store to San Francisco in 1958. The company launched its mail-order catalog in 1972 and introduced the Cuisinart food processor to the American market in 1973, long before it sold gift crates online.

How to Buy Williams Sonoma Gift Baskets

Williams Sonoma sells through its own stores, e-commerce website and direct-mail catalogs, according to its parent company's annual report, so buying direct is the way to get its gift crates and hampers. When we searched Amazon, Williams Sonoma listings were mostly cookbooks rather than its food gifts, which is why the picks on this page are similar items from other makers.

A few buying tips:

  1. Shop seasonal treats early. Holiday favorites such as peppermint bark are seasonal, so earlier orders get the best selection.
  2. Check shipping details on perishables. Sets with cheese, charcuterie or fresh fruit may have specific delivery windows.
  3. Ask about business gifts. Williams Sonoma runs a corporate gifting program with bulk ordering and personalization options.
  4. Use its loyalty program. The Key Rewards program covers the Williams-Sonoma family of brands, including Pottery Barn and West Elm.

Similar Premium Gourmet Baskets to Compare

If you like the Williams Sonoma style but want to compare prices or delivery dates, look for gifts with the same qualities: good ingredients, attractive packaging and something the recipient can cook with or serve.

  • Gift crates: a wooden crate of sweet and savory snacks mirrors the hamper look.
  • Italian pantry baskets: pasta, olive oil and sauces suit cooks; see our Italian gift baskets.
  • Baked treats: cookie tins and biscotti feel homemade; browse our cookie gift baskets.
  • Fruit and gourmet classics: Harry & David gift baskets pair Oregon pears with sweets.

For a broader range, compare our gourmet gift baskets, and read ingredient lists and allergen statements before you order, especially for baskets with nuts, dairy or gluten.

Make an alternative feel special

Presentation is a big part of the Williams Sonoma appeal. Choose gifts packed in crates, tins or boxes that can be reused, then add a handwritten recipe card or a favorite kitchen tool. Our guide to empty gift baskets and DIY supplies covers containers and filler if you'd rather assemble your own.

Best Occasions for a Cook's Gift Basket

A food gift with a kitchen angle works for more occasions than you might expect:

  • Housewarmings: olive oil, a serving board or a pantry basket helps stock a new kitchen; find more ideas in our housewarming gifts.
  • Holidays: peppermint bark, cocoa sets and gift crates are natural December gifts; see our Christmas gift baskets.
  • Weddings and anniversaries: a charcuterie board set or a breakfast basket feels personal without being fussy.
  • Thank-yous for hosts: a small tin or an oil-and-vinegar pair says thanks after a dinner party.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Williams Sonoma sell gift baskets?

Yes. Williams Sonoma sells gift crates, hampers and food gift sets through its stores, website and catalogs, with themes that include sweets, cocoa, cheese and charcuterie. The selection changes with the seasons, and the holidays bring the widest choice, including peppermint bark gifts. Our picks on this page are similar alternatives from other makers.

Can I buy Williams Sonoma food gifts on Amazon?

When we checked, Williams Sonoma's gift crates and food sets weren't for sale on Amazon, and its parent company lists its own websites, stores and catalogs as its sales channels. Amazon searches mostly turned up Williams Sonoma cookbooks. If you spot its food items from other sellers, check who is selling them; for the real thing, order directly from Williams Sonoma.

When did Williams Sonoma create peppermint bark?

In 1998. Founder Chuck Williams challenged the company's team to create a treat that evoked the candy shops he visited as a child, and The Original Peppermint Bark was the result: layers of Guittard chocolate with peppermint oil and crushed peppermint candy. It has become one of the company's signature holiday gifts.

Does Williams Sonoma offer corporate gifts?

Yes. Williams Sonoma runs a corporate gifting program for thanking clients and recognizing employees, with bulk ordering and personalization options on selected items. Contact the program directly for large orders, and check recipients' gift policies before sending food to a business.

Who founded Williams Sonoma?

Chuck Williams opened the first store in Sonoma, California, in 1956 to sell French cookware he couldn't find in the U.S., and he moved it to San Francisco in 1958. Today the brand belongs to Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a San Francisco-based company whose brands also include Pottery Barn and West Elm.

What's a good alternative to a Williams Sonoma gift basket?

Look for a gourmet crate, an Italian pantry basket or an olive oil and balsamic set with clear ingredient lists and attractive packaging. Add a serving board or a cookbook to give it a cook's-gift feel. Compare delivery dates and read allergen statements, especially for baskets with nuts or cheese.

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