When putting together such an order, one thing decides everything—something that is easy to forget when looking at attractive photos: whether the contents require refrigeration.

A basket containing fresh cheese, sliced cooked cold cuts or pâté sold by weight must reach the recipient within a day and go straight into the refrigerator. This limits it to hand-to-hand delivery on the same day. It works when visiting family in the same city and practically nowhere else.

A basket made up of shelf-stable products can be sent by parcel anywhere, placed under the Christmas tree two weeks before the holidays and given without explaining that “it needs to be eaten quickly.” For corporate gifts, this is the only sensible option, because you never know when the recipient will be at their desk.

What works in a basket: honey, dried and matured products, pâtés and preserves in jars, dried fruit, nuts, tea and chocolate. All of these withstand transport and have a longer shelf life than the basket is likely to spend in the home.

What is better left out: fresh cheeses, sliced cooked cold cuts, bread and fruit. One spoiled product can ruin the impression made by the whole basket.

It is also worth checking one mundane thing before ordering: not every regional-food shop sells alcohol online. If you picture a bottle of wine in the basket, it is better to confirm this than assume they will “surely add it.”

Corporate orders involve three additional issues that people do not consider with a family gift. First, consistency—twenty baskets must look the same, so the contents must be available in that quantity. Second, shipping to different addresses, often homes rather than the company headquarters. Third, timing: with larger orders, assembling begins a week in advance, and even earlier in December.

Companies from our region are in a convenient position here, because gift baskets from Lower Silesia can be collected in person or delivered locally, while part of the order can be sent by courier outside the voivodeship. Ordering in October still leaves plenty of freedom when choosing the contents.

Finally, there is one question worth asking before placing an order: will the basket be sent as a parcel, or will you hand it over personally? The answer determines everything else.