Tasty gift baskets in each country

7 Feb. 2567

At the end of the year, it's a time of joy worldwide as people eagerly anticipate the upcoming New Year. In Europe and America, they prepare for Christmas celebrations throughout the month. Meanwhile, in China, people are gearing up for the Chinese New Year festivities in February. This is the season when people start looking for gifts, creating lists of friends and relatives to whom they'll send their best wishes. Among the perfect and perennially popular gifts for the festival of joy and fresh beginnings, is a bouquet of flowers. Is it true?

Today, let's take a look at the New Year's gifts from each country and see what stories of happiness they can tell us.

Thai baskets – colorful tropical colors

spa basket

Normally, we often see gift baskets from various brands, fruit baskets, or items like coffee, cookies, and general pastries. It's not common to come across something that distinctly represents Thai culture. However, for those who want to give a gift basket to foreign friends or customers and are looking for something with the essence of Thailand, something that reflects the vibrant colors of the tropical city, it's hard to escape the influence of the Thai herbs that are ingrained in our daily lives.

Thais not only use herbs in their food but also in traditional Thai massage, skincare products, and incorporate them into drinks to alleviate various health issues. The idea of Thai gift baskets, including items like soap, lotion, massage oil, aromatic candles, etc., infused with Thai herbs or scents like coconut, seems to be a perfect and accessible choice. These baskets, when presented in woven baskets with an Asian touch, make for a trendy and sophisticated gift option in 2016, symbolizing a fresh and relaxing start for the recipients.

French hamper – the art of eating and drinking

"Pairing Wine with Cheese"

In fact, wine and cheese are classic pairings for Christmas celebrations in almost every country. However, when it comes to wine, the French deserve special mention as they regularly enjoy wine, whether with lunch or dinner. Many times, there may also be crackers involved in the celebration because these three elements – wine, cheese, and bread – are considered the Holy Trinity of Food by the French.

The discovery of pairing wine with cheese initially happened serendipitously, but as food science advanced, it was found that the delicious combination had a scientific basis. The high fat content in cheese, when consumed, coats the roof of the mouth on the inside. Meanwhile, our taste buds for bitterness are located at the back of our tongue. When we swallow wine, the back of the tongue comes into contact with the fat in the cheese, which mitigates the perception of bitterness. This interaction enhances the sweetness of the wine.

Example Wine and Cheese Pairings

In terms of meaning, why are wine and cheese considered perfect gifts during festive seasons? The answer lies in the fact that both have evolved in taste over time. Besides elevating cheese and wine to high art, it also symbolizes strong friendships, close relationships, and honors the long-standing experiences of the recipients.

Photo Credits :

igourmet.com/wineandcheese.asp
winefolly.com/tutorial/wine-cheese-pairing-ideas/

Italian Basket – A Meal Everyone Loves

Sometimes, pasta is packaged in a pouch with pasta sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, etc. Occasionally, a pasta pot may be used instead of a pouch.

coffee basket

Is it true that Italian gift baskets won't have pasta? Well, it's not just pasta; Italy is renowned for many iconic foods, earning it the title of the world's top culinary destination. In Western restaurants, almost none exclude dishes inspired by Italy. Whether it's pasta, pizza, lasagna, risotto, or bruschetta, Italian cuisine is celebrated globally. Particularly, pasta has been honored as the World’s Favorite Food. Italy's culinary influence extends beyond meals; it leads in coffee, gelato, and Italian-style ice cream, delighting palates worldwide.

It is believed that a key factor contributing to the global popularity of Italian cuisine is the simplicity of its recipes. Almost every dish can be prepared with just 3-4 ingredients. However, Italians emphasize the quality and naturalness of the ingredients. Whether it's tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, or basil, Italians prioritize carefully selecting their ingredients. If we compare Italian cooking shows with those from other countries, we can see that Italians spend an extensive amount of time discussing ingredient selection, while the actual cooking demonstrations are often short and straightforward.

As for the gift basket of coffee, even though coffee didn't originate in Italy, one could say that the coffee-drinking culture worldwide was crafted here. Whether it's Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, or Barista, all are Italian words because they were born here. Coffee first arrived in Italy in the city of Venice. More than 200 coffee shops were opened along the canals of Venice, and the coffee culture gradually spread to Verona, Milan, and Turin, shaping the lifestyle of Italians today. Coffee has become a social status symbol in various aspects, including art, medicine, and luxury. Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, mentioned that his inspiration for creating the globally renowned coffee shop came from his travels in Milan.

Caffè Florian is the oldest operating coffee shop in the world, located in the city of Venice. It has been in business since 1720.

Photo Credits :

vwmin.org
designityourselfgiftbaskets.com
caffeflorian.com/en/venice

Chinese basket - rich, lucky, long life

The basket emphasizes items that nourish health. With wine and chocolate

This gift basket reflects the preferences of the Chinese people and is appreciated by many in the Asian region. It successfully blends its own cultural elements with the popular items from the West.

Timeless and highly coveted gifts, especially for adults, are health supplements that align with the concept of maintaining balance and well-being, such as bird's nest, fish maw, and abalone. These items are known for their rarity and high cost, serving as symbols of status for both the giver and the recipient. Although advancements in industrial technology have made these items more affordable and accessible, their prestigious status appears to remain undiminished.

It can be observed that the gift basket includes items from Western countries, such as wine and Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Chocolate is considered exotic and highly esteemed among the Chinese, with the chocolate market in China growing by 40% in 2008, compared to the global growth of 10%. Chinese consumers tend to prefer international brands over domestic ones, with popular choices being Dove, Ferrero, Cadbury, and Leconte (the only Chinese brand). Ferrero, in particular, has gained significant popularity in China due to its characteristics that align with Chinese preferences. The golden wrapping is considered auspicious, and the round shape of the chocolates resembles harmony, which is favored by the Chinese. Additionally, the Chinese have a penchant for consuming nuts, and Ferrero chocolates are coated with hazelnuts, aligning well with this preference.

Wines and other alcoholic beverages are also popular choices for gifts, as they are seen as a way to celebrate and wish the recipient good health. Similar to chocolates, these beverages are often given as gifts among friends or presented in business settings. The preference for international brands, especially those not readily available in China, adds to the appeal, making the gift more impressive to Chinese recipients.

The 'World Chocolate Wonderland' theme park in China features numerous chocolate creations, including army figurines, the Great Wall of China, cars, waterfalls, and scenes reminiscent of the movie 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.' This park serves as a testament to the Chinese people's strong affinity for chocolate, showcasing the extent of their love for this sweet treat.

Photo Credits :

florist.sg/shop/fortune-grandeur-chinese-new-year-hamper/
triviahappy.com/articles/can-you-handle-chinas-seven-craziest-theme-parks

Indian basket – fragrant with the scent of spices

"The gift set from 'The East India Company London' comprises Indian tea, biscuits, and spiced chocolates, blending the essence of India with the English tradition of Afternoon Tea."

The spices, the culinary heroes of Indian cuisine, reflect the crucial cultural exchange in the world. India is a country that not only embraces foreign cultures but also disseminates its own culture extensively. Indian spices have been introduced to the West since the time of Portuguese exploration in Asia, and another significant period is when England established colonial rule. During this era, India profoundly influenced the cuisine of Southeast Asia, much like the impact it had on our own Eastern Asian culinary traditions.

As for tea, even though India is now second to China in terms of tea exports, Indian tea has a well-established reputation. The preparation of Indian tea is unique, often involving a blend of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, or black pepper. This blend is known as Masala Chai or sometimes simply Chai.

Tea is a way of life in India, with people enjoying it both at home and outside. If you visit India and don't have tea from a roadside stall, it's like you haven't really been there. In India, you'll find people brewing and selling tea everywhere, known as Chai Wallahs. Their setups can range from carts and small tables to sometimes just sitting on the ground with brewing equipment. Each Chai Wallah has their own unique style of brewing. Purchasing tea from them not only provides a chance to savor the taste of the tea but also to enjoy the experience and artistry of the tea maker.

A tea shop in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Chai Wallahs, is making a secret cardamon tea recipe.

Who has plans to travel to which country during the New Year holiday and is planning to buy New Year gifts for friends and relatives from there? I hope this article can provide some ideas. However, there is one important rule: when giving gifts to foreign friends, we should avoid buying items that represent their home country, unless we are certain that we truly understand that item, choose it genuinely, and it may be hard to find in Thailand. This approach is considered acceptable. In general, it's a risky option because the locals often know the details better than us, and buying a gift that may not be well-received can be seen as stereotyping their culture.

Photo Credits :