How to Build the Perfect Gift Basket with New Canaan Favorites

Here at New Canaan Farms, we love the simple joy of filling a basket with good things to eat and passing it along to someone we care about. It’s not about being fancy; it’s about being thoughtful, genuine, and full of flavor.

Start with a few of our Hill Country favorites, add a personal touch or two, and you’ll have a gift that’s as warm and welcoming as it is delicious.

Step 1: Pick a Theme

Every good basket tells a story. Choose a theme to guide your picks:

• Breakfast Bliss: Fill with jams, jellies, pancake and muffin mixes, and coffee.
• Texas BBQ Night: Pack in sauces, salsas, and spice blends to get the grill sizzling.
• Sweet Tooth Treats: Add jams, sweet butters and fruity salsas with cake mix and some chocolate treats 
• The Entertainer: Think great pairings for cheese and charcuterie - ingredient-rich mustards, savory relishes and sweet and pepper jams 

Step 2: Start with the Stars

Every basket needs a few showstoppers. Try some of our New Canaan Farms favorites:

• Peach Amaretto & Pecan Jam – Fragrant, rich, nutty, and unforgettable.
• Fire-Roasted Cantina Salsa – Bold flavor with just the right amount of heat.
• Raspberry Chipotle Sauce – Sweet, smoky, and perfect for glazing meats or topping cream cheese.
• Jalapeño Jelly – An award winning Texas tradition with a peppery golden sweetness that pairs beautifully with crackers and cheese.
• Olive Rosemary Dijon - Our mustard superstar, this is so good that many of our customers confess to eating straight from the jar!
• Pecan Honey Crème as a rich dessert topping.

Step 3: Add the Finishing Touches

Round out your basket with a few thoughtful extras:

• A bag of local coffee or tea.
• Fresh bread or herbed crackers and flatbreadA pretty cheese knife, wooden spoon or small cutting board
• Different textures and colors with a tea towel, springs of fresh herbs or a flash of bright ribbon

Step 4: Make It Beautiful

Presentation matters. Use a sturdy basket, crate, or nice mixing bowl. Line it with shredded paper, thick wood shavings or a cloth napkin, arrange taller jars and boxes in the back and nestle in smaller jars and items  up front. Finish with ribbon or twine and a beautiful notecard for a warm, welcoming look.

A Gift from the Heart

When you build a basket with New Canaan Farms, you’re giving more than good food. You’re sharing a taste of Texas Hill Country, handcrafted with care and perfect for large and small gatherings. So next time you’re looking for a meaningful gift, skip the ordinary and create something heartfelt, homemade, and full of flavor that everyone will enjoy.