Finding the perfect gift for a friend, family member, or coworker can be quite tricky. Thankfully, you can never go wrong with gifting people food. Edible gifts tend to be especially appreciated by everyone because they can evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and comfort.
Whether you’re looking to surprise a loved one, cheer up a college student who’s been living on instant ramen, or simply send a thoughtful token of appreciation to a coworker, food gifts are always guaranteed to be a hit.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best food delivery gift ideas. These food gifts are designed to be sent by mail, and should last for a long time (which is great news if you want to send a delicious treat to someone who lives across the country). Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Tony Luke’s Cheesesteaks
For years, Tony Luke’s cheesesteak shop in South Philly has been a must-visit for cheesesteak lovers — and now, you can enjoy their famous cheesesteaks no matter where you are. Tony Luke’s prepares their cheesesteaks fresh. They then freeze them, and send them directly to your home.
These frozen sandwiches make excellent gifts for anyone who loves comfort food — especially college students from Philadelphia who are missing home. All the recipient has to do is bake the frozen cheesesteak(s) in the oven for 20 minutes, and they’ll be rewarded with the same juicy, flavorful experience they’d get at Tony Luke’s cheesesteak shop.
Tony Luke’s uses 100% ribeye beef with no fillers, antibiotics, or steroids, and the bread is authentic Philly-style, baked right here in Philadelphia. It’s the perfect food gift for that friend who misses Philly (or anyone who loves Philly cheesesteaks — which, let’s face it, is everyone!).
Comfort Food Package
The best gift is often something simple that provides a lot of comfort. You might consider gifting friends or family members who could use a pick-me-up a gift package from Spoonful of Comfort. You can choose from several different soups (like chicken noodle, Italian wedding, or broccoli cheddar).
Since they’re packaged in food-safe containers, these soups will arrive fresh and ready to heat. For this reason, a comfort food package could make an especially great gift for a busy college student or someone who’s recovering from an illness.
Gourmet Cookie Box
Gourmet cookies are a timeless gift — they’re perfect for birthdays and holidays, but you can also get them for someone “just because.” Cookies by Design offers a delightful Two Dozen Gourmets Box, which includes options like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, red velvet, and white chocolate macadamia nut.
Oil Dipping Spice Kit
If your loved one enjoys cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, you should consider gifting them a gourmet oil dipping spice kit. These kits include a selection of international spices — like Italian oregano, French herbs de Provence, and Spanish smoked paprika.
This type of gift is particularly versatile — it’s a fantastic gift for the person in your life who’s always hosting dinner parties, or even a college student who’s looking to add a little bit of flavor and spice to their meals.
Which Types of Food Gifts Keep Well in the Mail?
The problem with shipping food in the mail is there’s always a chance it might perish or crumble, especially if you’re sending a loved one something delicate. We’d recommend prioritizing food items that travel well. Sturdy snacks or frozen foods usually keep best. Here are some ideas:
Dry Snacks
Nuts, trail mix, granola bars, or jerky are all excellent choices when it comes to care packages. Not only are they delicious and nutritious, but they’ll hold up well in the mail.
Baked Goods
Sturdier baked goods (like shortbread, biscotti, or pound cakes) tend to ship quite well. Frozen food items (like Tony Luke’s frozen cheesesteaks) are a great choice if your gift recipient prefers something savory.
Sweet Treats
Hard candies, toffee, caramels, and non-melting chocolates all make excellent gifts. They also tend to ship pretty well, especially during the colder months (they’re perfect for the holidays!).
The Best Food Gifts for College Students
College students are often super busy. This means they don’t have a lot of time to cook decent meals for themselves. You should consider getting the college student in your life a food gift for this reason — they’ll sure appreciate it! Here are some of the best food delivery gift ideas for college students:
Frozen Cheesesteaks
Tony Luke’s frozen cheesesteaks are hearty, comforting, and easy to prepare.
Snacks
Granola bars, popcorn, or jerky are great for college students to have on hand. Sometimes, students will only have time for a quick snack between classes. These snacks (which are easy to ship) are simple, require no preparation, and are easy to eat.
Sweets
Cookies or brownies are sure to be a hit with college students, especially if they’re gourmet-quality.
Packaging and Shipping Tips
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to prepping, packaging, and shipping food items by mail. We’d recommend following these tips:
Use Airtight Containers
Seal baked goods or snacks in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
Use Plenty of Cushioning
Use bubble wrap to protect fragile items (like glass jars or baked goods).
Use Cold Packs
For perishable items, use ice packs and choose express shipping to minimize the transit time.
Conclusion
Food gifts aren’t just practical, they’re also quite personal. They show thoughtfulness — for example, gifting a college student who misses Philly one of Tony Luke’s frozen cheesesteaks might just make their day because they’ll know that you’ve been listening to them regarding their homesickness.
Whether you’re shopping for a food-loving friend, sending a care package to a college student, or surprising a coworker, you can never go wrong with gifting someone food. From Tony Luke’s frozen cheesesteaks to gourmet cookies, the options are endless. Just remember to package and ship your food gifts properly!
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