A fruit basket is a gift that can be given for any occasion! I know this because my brother’s family sent us one recently when my mother-in-law passed away. They sent a fruit basket and a very kind note saying they were sorry to hear about our loss. Even though the passing of my mother-in-law was unexpected and has been very difficult to deal with, receiving a fruit basket was a very nice and welcome gift. Since my brother does not live close, I think that was a very thoughtful thing to send. It arrived in perfect condition, too, with a variety of fruits that we love: a variety of pears and apples. There was also a package of dried fruit included. The basket itself is very attractive and we will put it to good use once the fruit is gone.
My initial feeling when we opened the box was “Yes! A fruit basket!” Since a funeral is a very sad occasion, I got my spirits lifted for a bit. I think that proves that you can send a basket of fruit for any occasion! One thing I noticed is that the fruit was wrapped very carefully and packaged in such a way as to protect it from any damage if the box had gotten dropped or bumped. Because the fruit was so carefully wrapped, the fruit arrived in perfect condition. It was first wrapped in a white spongy mesh “glove”. A few of the pieces were wrapped in green tissue paper. Then they were spaced out in something resembling hay. It was a very sturdy straw-looking type grass. This dried grassy substance kept the pieces of the fruit neatly separated and they never bumped or touched each other in transit. The basket itself was sturdy and it appears to have been made of tree branches. I thought it was wise to ship pears and apples together.
They are about the same size and have about the same weight and consistency. If they had added bananas, the smell of the bananas would have permeated the whole basket and the flavor of the other fruit would have picked up a hint of banana flavor. If they had included grapefruits and oranges, there would have been a citrus smell to the basket. If they had added pineapple, the packaging would have been lopsided. The same lack of balance would have happened with melons. Plus, it is a safe bet to send apples and pears because most people like those fruits whereas only some people like pineapple and grapefruit. The presentation was made pretty with a green ribbon wrapped around the basket that came to a bow on top. I would not hesitate to contact this same company that sent us this basket to send a gift basket for me.
I don’t know if I would ever send a fruit-filled basket for a birthday of someone that was close to me. I think they would hope for something more personal. However, I would send a basket of fruit to a business associate who was celebrating a birthday or wedding anniversary. Perhaps I would send a basket to someone who just got a promotion, as well. I think the only occasion that I would not send a gift basket would be to someone who worked in the produce section of a grocery store! That would be like sending cupcakes to a baker! Nobody would want to receive something they have to work with every day. There are many occasions that a basket filled beautifully with fruit would make a very nice and thoughtful gift! I sure appreciated ours that arrived at such a critical time!
