<p>I thought the friend was on a diet. That being the case…don’t send food. Harry and David’s has some nice plants too.</p>
<p>Nice tea if she drinks tea. Teavana. Or nice coffee is she is a coffee drinker.</p>
<p>Does she like tea or coffee? Teavana has some great looking (and tasting) tea gifts.</p>
<p>Despite what some others have said, I also vote for Edible Arrangements; of course it’s pricey - you’re paying for more than the fruit. You’re paying for someone to spend a decent amount of time to carve the fruit into a festive arrangement.</p>
<p>I love fruit, but I am not a fan at all of the edible fruit arrangements. There is too much fruit and it goes bad quickly.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.theonion.com/articles/continued-existence-of-edible-arrangements-disprov,19856/[/url]”>http://www.theonion.com/articles/continued-existence-of-edible-arrangements-disprov,19856/</a></p>
<p>If she’s not a spa person, how about something like specialty coffee or teas, as mentioned. Also, nice candles that are a bit unique may work for someone not in the accumulating household decor phase. </p>
<p>Not to knock Edible Arrangements, but here are some considerations with them:
-quality varies widely by franchise and season
-they are pretty, but can be a cumbersome surprise due to being highly perishable (this time of year, my fridge is always full of local produce)
- the format won’t fit in many fridges without disassembly</p>
<p>I am sure that your friend will appreciate your thoughtfulness.</p>
<p>My sister has a good trick with finding a good local florist from which to send flowers…she calls a local funeral home and asks which florist in town does the best job.</p>
<p>Daughter got sent a box of fruit from harry and david and the pears were to die for - even somebody on a diet can eat fruit. Although edible arrangements is cool - since the fruit is sliced it does not stay fresh that long.</p>
<p>You guys are all awesome!! Thanks so much for the great ideas! Now it’s off to Google to narrow down the choices :D.</p>
<p>p.s.Consolation, this friend lives in Minneapolis</p>
<p>There are many on-line gift basket companies that will make a basket of just fruits and nuts. Just google a few…Harry & David is a great suggestion and I’m sure you can do just a fruit and nut gift basket and withhold the chocolate…or add some teas & coffees instead…</p>
<p>Another vote for the Pears from Harry and David…they are fabulous!</p>
<p>I have received Edible Arrangements and although it was nice, my reaction (very practical person here) is that the quality of the fruit is undermined by its having been cut up so much in advance of eating. I prefer to keep my apple, strawberries, etc., whole until serving.</p>
<p>Whole fruits and nuts, as mentioned above, are a different story as they keep longer.</p>
<p>What about high quality no-smoke candles with or without a nice pair of candle holders? scented drawer sachets?</p>
<p>I once was sent a lovely potted orchid – very nice as it keeps.</p>
<p>Some specialty jarred foods could be an option as well – keep and could be used for company.</p>
<p>if you live in the metro NYC area then you know about Stew Leonard’s. If not, google it They have a huge gift basket division that ships food products all over the world. Not all are fattening either. Always a favorite.</p>
<p>Can’t argue with Harry and David pears, but have one more idea…fancy olive oil, perhaps flavored, or vinegar. My daughter gets them for me at local stores when she travels, and they are special and useful.</p>
<p>Yes, cooking oils, olive oils, mustards, sauces, jams,etc. make nice gifts. Williams-Sonoma and Stonewall Kitchen have interesting things online.</p>
<p>Yalemom, how about you go with whatever you like for your friend, and you can send the Harry & David gift basket to me? :D</p>
<p>For a person who is trying to lose weight, I’d suggest Penzey’s spice mixtures. They make a lot of things that are wonderful on foods like fish and a grilled boneless chicken breast. They are great for easily adding big flavor to all kinds of foods, and have the advantage of not being obvious “diet.” And of course they keep, which fruit does not. I cook a lot of different authentic cuisines, and usually use whole spices and make my own mixtures, but Penzey’s is the exception. Unfortunately, the organization of their web site is bad, but it is worth persisting. :)</p>
<p>[Spice</a> at Penzeys Spices Products](<a href=“HomePage | Penzeys”>HomePage | Penzeys)</p>
<p>I don’t really like any of their gift assortments, but you can pick out your own. My faves:</p>
<p>Tsardust Memory
Southwest Seasoning
Mural of Flavor
Sunny Paris
Balti Seasoning
Barbecue Seasoning of the Americas
Greek Seasoning</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<p>Chili 3000
Bangkok Seasoning
Singapore Seasoning</p>
<p>I’m sure their other Indian mixes are good, but I haven’t tried them because I make my own. Same with chili powders.</p>
<p>Their gift packaging is very nice.</p>
<p>If you want to send fruit, Harry and David’s pears are indeed fabulous. Their chocolates and pseudo petit fours and so on are schlock, IMNSHO.</p>
<p>American Spoon also has really great mail order foods, and if you concentrate on grilling sauces and relishes and the like very good for adding flavor punch to low calorie foods. I highly recommend them. </p>
<p>[Home</a> page :: Artisanal Fruit Preserves and Condiments](<a href=“http://www.spoon.com/]Home”>http://www.spoon.com/)</p>
<p>For someone in Minneapolis, a gift certificate to the Guthrie? Is there such a thing?</p>
<p>What a coinky-dinky…I was just going to suggest [Penzeys[/url</a>] and [url=<a href=“http://www.spoon.com/]American”>http://www.spoon.com/]American</a> Spoon Foods](<a href=“http://www.penzeys.com/]Penzeys[/url”>http://www.penzeys.com/). I’ve sent gifts through their websites as well as from their retail outlets with great success.</p>