Gifts for Non-Drinkers and Special Diets

Some people at the table don't drink, or can't have sugar, or keep kosher. A standard wine basket won't work for them. This page helps you pick a gift that fits the person, and shows what to look for in the contents.

Start with the alcohol question

If the person avoids alcohol, you don't have to give up the toast. Some baskets swap the bottle for a non-alcoholic version and keep the cheese and crackers around it. These suit hosts, new parents, and anyone who wants to join in without explaining why they're not drinking. Check that the name says "non-alc" or "non-alcoholic" before you order. Many wine baskets look much the same in a photo.

If you'd like something with a little more of a party feel, there is an Italian sparkling version. It comes with antipasto, so it leans savoury rather than sweet. It works well for a small celebration or a dinner-party gift.

Skip the wine altogether with fruit and cheese

Sometimes the easiest answer is a basket that never had wine in it. Fruit and cheese gift boxes give you fresh fruit alongside crackers, chocolates and nuts. They suit almost any occasion, and the box is often labelled for one: birthday, thank you, get well, congratulations or sympathy. Read the description for what is inside, since some add biscotti or bruschetta and others keep it simpler.

Be careful with baskets that sit beside wine in the same range. The wine, cheese and fruit baskets are labelled clearly, so they're easy to avoid. For a non-drinker, pick from the fruit-first baskets.

When the fruit is the whole point

Some people want nothing but fruit. That can suit someone watching what they eat, or a recipient who simply loves it. All-fruit baskets vary mainly in how many pieces come in them and how they are packed. A twelve-piece box is a neat gift for one household. A basket of nearly forty pieces is for a crowd, or for someone who eats a lot of fruit.

If you want something with a finer look, the "fancy fruit" basket in an oval wooden basket is arranged to look more formal. Pick that if presentation matters.

Sugar free, and what that means on the label

For someone who watches their sugar, look for baskets that say "sugar free" in the name. Two are described this way. One pairs fresh fruit with cheese, crackers and sugar-free goodies. The other is built around no-sugar treats. The first suits someone who likes a mixed snack. The second suits a sweet tooth who has to be careful. Fresh fruit still has natural sugar in it, so if the person has strict limits, ask them or their family, and read the contents list.

Be wary of baskets with chocolates, cookies, honey or preserves if sugar is the concern. Those are lovely, but they aren't the right fit here.

Kosher baskets

Kosher baskets are labelled as such in their descriptions. Several are shiva baskets, made for a house in mourning. One is a general gift with kosher gourmet food and fruit. The ones with only fruit are the simplest choice, since there's little to check. The ones with baked goods and tea are more of a comfort basket. If you're unsure about the level of observance in the household, choose the all-fruit one and, where you can, ask the family.

Another shiva basket adds strawberry preserves, crackers, chocolates, cookies and nuts to a seven-piece fruit assortment. It suits a family who will have many visitors and want things to nibble on.

How to choose

• Read the name first. Words like "non-alcoholic", "sugar free" and "kosher" tell you what the basket is made for.
• Look at what sits beside the fruit. Cheese, chocolate, honey, meat and baked goods change who the basket suits.
• Count the fruit pieces. The description usually says how many.
• Match the size to the household. A small box is enough for one or two people.
• When in doubt, ask someone close to the recipient. A quick question is better than a wrong guess.

Questions people ask

Can I send a wine basket and just leave out the wine?

Not usually. The baskets are packed as a set. It is simpler to choose one made without alcohol.

Is a sugar-free basket right for someone with diabetes?

It may help, but it isn't a substitute for their own guidance. Check the contents and ask the person or their family.

Which kosher basket is the safest choice?

The all-fruit shiva basket has the fewest items to worry about. It is made for a house in mourning, so it isn't right for a birthday.

What if I don't know their diet at all?

Choose a plain fruit basket. It avoids alcohol, and it is a friendly gift for most people.