25 Great Foodie Gifts: #1 Harry and David Gift Baskets
I thought that I would start the gift idea list with an idea that is very traditional, never out dated and always tasty, gift baskets from Harry and David.
Who are Harry and David?
Harry & David Operations Corp. was officially established in 2005 as an umbrella organization over the company’s fruit, rose, and other business ventures. However, the company really had its beginnings much earlier, just after the turn of the 20th Century.
Samuel Rosenberg, father of Harry and David, was a successful hotel owner in Seattle, Washington, but his true love was agriculture. In 1910 he traded the luxurious Hotel Sorrento for 240 prime acres of pears in Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley and named them Bear Creek Orchards after the nearby waterway.
Following Sam’s death in 1914, his two sons, Harry and David, took over the family orchard business. The brothers were schooled in agriculture at Cornell University and they put their agricultural training to good use. Harry and David decided early on to specialize in the Comice pear for which there was a good export market to the grand hotels and restaurants of Europe. The Rogue Valley proved even better suited to the Comice pear than its birthplace in France. Harry and David named their luxurious pears “Royal Riviera” to set them apart from varieties grown elsewhere. Throughout the Roaring 20’s, the fame of Royal Riviera pears spread, and business boomed.
Then came the Crash and Great Depression and Harry and David’s affluent market vanished. There was no question that the Royal Riviera pears were unsurpassed in quality, but how would Harry and David find new buyers? Always innovating, the brothers came up with the idea of selling their pears by mail. In 1934, they made their famous sales trips to San Francisco and New York to visit the captains of industry and pitch their pears as ideal business gifts. Soon orders were rolling in. It was the beginning of Harry and David as America’s premier direct marketer of fruit and food gifts. We are proud to be one of the nation’s oldest catalog mail order companies.
Today, the company continues to grow and plan for the future and develop new ways to capitalize on Harry & David’s brands and our reputation for unmatched quality and costumer service.
There is a large variety of ideas at the Harry and David website. You can choose from gift baskets, sweets, Fruit-of-the-Month Club, or check-out their Holiday Gift Guide.
They have gifts by the price and even last-minute gift ideas. Standard Delivery orders need to be placed by December 6, 2006 for Hanukkah and December 15, 2006 for Christmas. For further delivery information and dates go here.
While you place your gift order check about ordering something for yourself or your family. Maybe something to take to the family dinner or a treat for your Holiday Party table.
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POSTED IN: Misc. Foodie Stuff
2 opinions for 25 Great Foodie Gifts: #1 Harry and David Gift Baskets
Jon
Dec 5, 2006 at 9:32 pm
Not sure if you are working top to bottom or in any special order, but my Number One food gift would always be something home-made by the giver.
I think a home made gift of holiday cookies, candies, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, dried fruits, nuts, even somethign as simple as Chex mix says more and is more appreciated than a mail order food gift.
While I do enjoy a packaged gift of food, such as one from the over-priced and a bit dull (but always safe) Harry & David or Omaha Steaks; I think something unique is more fun.
Last year I received some interesting and unique food gifts, including some great balsamic vinegars from O&CO, special olive oil from a boutique producer in Napa CA, and a gift box from La Tienda including some great cheese and (I hoping for a reorder) Spanish white anchovies.
Tracey
Dec 6, 2006 at 8:49 pm
I agree, homemade food gifts are great to give and receive and you have read my mind. Some of those more personal gift ideas will be making the list, stay tuned. Thanks for sharing some of your favorite gifts.
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