World’s Most Expensive Gift Baskets
Everyone has received or given a gift basket at least once in their life, but have you ever given a $75,000 dollar little basket of goodies? We were interested in the over the top gift baskets out there and we compiled a list of what we thought were the most interesting.
Japanese Fruit Baskets- $100+
In Japan, the act of fruit giving is an important tradition practiced between families, businesses and communities. The fruits given as gifts can’t be any ordinary fruit—they . Gifted fruits are usually grown in closely monitored green houses, and only beautiful, blemish-free and uniformly sized specimens are wrapped as gifts. In Japan, a single flawless cantaloupe decorated with a ribbon and placed in a wicker basket sells for anywhere between $100 and $250 dollars—it’s hard to imagine how much a large fruit basket goes for!
Marks and Spencer Christmas Gift Basket- $1,500
For the 2007 Christmas season, the British department store Marks and Spencer put out one of the most expensive Christmas gift baskets in history. The basket contained three bottles of champagne, six bottles of wine and an expansivelarge variety of gourmet snacks. Although it was called a “gift basket”, the items were so numerous they had to be delivered in a leather trunk.
The Chocolate Picnic Steamer Trunk- $15,000
Marie Belle New York makes some of the finest chocolates in the world. With the cost of two chocolates at $7.50, it’s not hard to believe that a chest full of the stuff goes for $15,000. This gift “basket” comes with 500 pieces of Marie Belle chocolate ganache, five pounds of dark and milk chocolate bark and croquettes, four 20-ounce tins of Aztec hot chocolate, one 20-ounce tin of Aztec Iced Chocolate, eight Aztec Hot Chocolate Bars, one Freiling stainless steel teapot with tea infuser, two elegant Rosenthal china tea cups, one leather bound journal, and a collection of books on chocolate and style.
Van’s Gift Cadeau Collection Gift Basket- $75,000
This gift basket is perfect for someone with a sophisticated palate. Contained within the beautiful leather trunk is a magnum bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon Rose, 1996 Krug Clos de Mesnil, gold-plated Armand de Brignac Brut Champagne, 2001 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes, 2001 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, 2004 Opus One, 2005 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon, a year long supply of Godiva chocolates, gourmet coffee, a Francis! Francis! X1 Trio Espresso Machine, and luxury stationary and pens. Just in case you run out of anything, the gift comes with a monthly delivery of additional chocolates, cookies, coffees, teas, sweets and nuts, for a year. Additionally, since food and wine is never as good as in its natural setting, the gift comes with two first-class tickets to Paris, France and Napa Valley, first class accommodations in both locations, private tours, champagne tasting, and a special banquet.
2006 Golden Globe Gift Basket- $40,000
Since the late 1990’s, all of Hollywood’s award shows have been increasing the swag as. Each year Golden Globe hosts, and presenters are given bigger and better gift baskets. In 2006 the bags were valued at $40,000 and included a $2,000 gym membership, a $1,200 diamond pendant, a $475 camera phone, several handbags, an MP3 player and various gift certificates. Unfortunately for future globe presenters (and those of 2006), 2006 was the last year these gift bags were given out due to the fact that the IRS began to tax the recipients.
2007 Grammy Awards Gift Basket- $53,000
Unlike the Golden Globes, the Grammys are still giving away lavish gift baskets to their presenters and performers. Some of the items that might actually fit into a basket (albeit a big basket) are body butter, designer eyewear from Solstice Sunglass Boutique, jean jackets from joluka, nail care products, and a Gibson guitar. Baskets also come with a year-long membership to The Sports Club/LA, a six-month online membership to Netflix, and two deluxe getaways to Morongo Casino Resort Spa in Cabazon, California, and the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa in Canada. Due to recent IRS regulations, the presenters and performers must sign an agreement to pay taxes on the value of the basket before they receive the gift.
2006 Oscar Gift Basket- $100,000+
The 2006 Academy Award Ceremony reached the peak of Hollywood swag. The gift baskets given out to the host, presenters and winners were valued at over $100,000. A few of the things including in the basket were cashmere PJs, expensive cosmetics and mink eyelashes, expensive cooking oils and spices, a Krups kitchen set, an iPod, a vintage Kay Unger silk kimono, a two-night stay at The Carlyle hotel in New York ($2,300), a three-night stay at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina ($3,600), a three-night stay for two (plus a “personal surf-butler”) at St. Regis Monarch Beach & Spa in Dana Point, California ($5,900), an unlimited day of services at Cornelia Day Resort in New York ($3,500), and a three-night stay at San Ysido Ranch in Montecito, California ($3,000). After facing scrutiny from the IRS and a New York Magazine interview where Edward Norton called the 2006 Oscar gift bags “disgusting and shameful” and called for their demise, the Academy decided to put an axe to the tradition. Like the 2006 Golden Globe gift basket recipients, those who were given 2006 Oscar gift baskets were taxed on their full value.
Blossom Festival is almost here!
One of my favorite times of the year is nearly here… the flowering trees growing at the lower elevation along the Columbia River have already begun blooming, and the trees up the valley where our facility is located are about to burst into bloom. We’re talking acres upon acres upon acres of white and pink blossoms from the valley’s pear, apple, cherry, and peach trees. Absolutely stunning. With the forecast for phenomenal weather this weekend (77 degrees and sunny!), those remaining buds will pop open at just the right time.
Naturally we celebrate this gorgeous time of year with the Hood River Valley Blossom Festival, taking place this year on April 19th and 20th. Thousands of people from around the world come to our charming hamlet to view the cheerful blooms set against the looming snow-capped peaks of the Cascade mountains and relish the opening weekend for many of our local fruit, food and craft stands located all along the Fruit Loop.
Here at The Fruit Company we’re cleaning up the store for its one-day-only debut, to happen on Saturday the 19th, before closing again until Memorial Weekend. We fully encourage anyone who is taking the weekend to visit the Hood River Valley to stop by that day, say hi, and snag up any of the delicious gourmet goodies we’ll have on hand. We look forward to seeing you!
No commentsSpring has Sprung!
Oh dear blog, how we’ve neglected thee. In the midst of brewing up healthy recipes, mountain bike riding, running, sampling our amazing grapefruit and kiwis, spring skiing, walking with our teammates through nearby orchards, oh, and Easter, we’ve been busy. We’re still rocking the Live Healthy America competition. In fact Team Oregon Booty De-Lite was ranked #1 in Oregon last week and this we’re #2. We had a tug-of-war on Friday as our friendly, halfway-mark, in-office activity (literally, in-office!).
We’re also happy to announce our Flickr photostream. There you’ll find photos of our favorite fruit and gifts taken in-house, photo shoot outtakes, exclusive behind-the-scenes information and captions, breathtaking shots of the Hood River Valley, and even a few faces of us, friends, and family. Consider it another way you can get to know the people behind those lush, fabulous gifts that arrive at doorsteps around the nation. Please, feel free to click here and see more!
No commentsLive Healthy America, Part VI
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
We’re making this a quick weigh-in results entry seeing as we were late on the last post and am only just now reporting Friday’s numbers. This last week saw a drastic improvement with many of our participants. Everyone either lost weight or maintained their weight. I know for myself that while my numbers didn’t change, I did finally measure myself and found I’ve lost 10 inches! That definitely made a -0 a little less depressing.
Brett is one of the biggest losers thus far with Team Oregon Booty De-Lite. He and his wife are in this together and he had this to say about their efforts to live healthier:
“I am doing the elliptical almost every night. I started with 20 minutes and am now up to 40 minutes per session. I track calories daily (no more than 1700 calories per day) and try to stay away from too much fat and sugar. The single most helpful thing is my wife is involved as well. She’s a really good cook and it is hard to resist seconds. Since we are both in the competition, we have been eating a much healthier diet and watching our portions.”
And now… the results!
Team Terminal Ice
Janelle, -1 (5 week total: -10); Scott, -4 (5 week total: -7); Rhonda, -1 (5 week total: -9); Katelyn, -0 (5 week total: -4); Aaron, -1 (5 week total: -8); Pepe, -0 (4 week total: -9).
Team Oregon Booty De-Lite
Ryan, -2 (5 week total: -6); Machel, -2 (5 week total: -14); Marcela, -2 (5 week total: -8); Brett, -2 (5 week total: -11); Becky E., -0 (5 week total: -5); Steph, -0 (5 week total: -9); Belen, -0 (4 week total: -6).
Keep it up!
No commentsLive Healthy America, Part V
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
Oh, the trials and errors of losing weight. This past week’s weigh in definitely proves that this change is no walk in the park (maybe a light jog?). Some people have slowed down in their weight-loss process, a few gained weight back.
The key thing to remember right now is that while the numbers on the scale might not be what we want, the last thing we can do is give up. One of the biggest difficulties with weight loss is setting realistic goals and realizing that it’s not all going to happen right away. Sure, after the first week we all had a gleam in our eye that hey, maybe we can even double what our 100-day loss would be. But that’s not how our bodies work and we have to keep coming up with new ways to become healthier. Run an extra 5 minutes on the treadmill. Have a larger portion of vegetables and a smaller portion of carbohydrates. Find a new, fun physical activity that will challenge your body more than it’s used to.
Above all, being realistic about your weight loss goals and being determined to continue on your path to overall fitness is the key to your success.
With that being said, here are today’s weigh-in results!
Team Terminal Ice
Janelle, -2 (4 week total: -9); Scott, +5 (4 week total: -3); Rhonda, -1 (4 week total: -8); Katelyn, +3 (4 week total: -4); Aaron, -1 (4 week total: -7); Pepe, -2 (3 week total: -9).
Team Oregon Booty De-Lite
Ryan, +3 (4 week total: -4); Machel, -0 (4 week total: -12); Brett, -0 (4 week total: -9); Becky E., -0 (4 week total: -5); Steph, -1 (4 week total: -9); Belen, -2 (3 week total: -6).
Also, THANK YOU to Troy W. Vincent, the Director of Live Healthy America, who commented on our previous entry! We’re thrilled and flattered that our little account of our company’s healthy living goals have garnered a bit of attention.
Live Healthy America, Part IV
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
Today marks day 25 in our challenge, and to celebrate we had a bit of a competitive relay through our warehouse. It began with a sprint from our office doors, around the outside of the production floor, all the way around to touch the door of our main cold storage facility and back, all while carrying a basket full of fruit (naturally!). Before we could pass the basket on to the next runner, we had to move 7 boxes of pears from one pallet to the next and then do 25 jumping jacks.
Please keep in mind that not only were all the team members there watching and participating, but the entire production floor stopped work to watch us run around like crazy. The warehouse echoed with words of encouragement, of laughter, maybe even a little bit of heckling here and there. In the breathless end my team, Oregon Booty De-Lite, caught up with Terminal Ice and won with a photo-finish.
Speaking of photos, we documented the event for everyone’s enjoyment. Okay, I’m sure a number of us are not going to enjoy these pictures of ourselves (this is easily the worst picture of myself I’ve allowed to go public!), but that’s the idea. Hopefully after the next 25 days we’ll be a little skinnier, a little healthier and look better in these ridiculous pics.
Click on any picture to make it larger!
Next is a hilarious picture of our CEO Scott doing jumping jacks against our Quality Control Manager Belen, who had twisted her ankle during the run!
Here’s a speedy action shot of our Operational Manager Pepe, who’s hat matches the pineapple in his basket perfectly, might I add.
And now it’s Pepe and Brett, coming back from cold storage side by side.
Now we have Marcela and Aaron dueling it out with the stacking pear box relay.
Machel has been running almost every day and it shows during her portion of the relay. Look how happy she is!
Myself and Katelyn were the last contestants, and we finished it all up with a crazy set of jumping jacks.
Finally we have the two exhausted teams catching their breath and re-hydrating with well-deserved cups of water.
And of course, our weekly weigh in results! Almost everyone has been doing a great job keeping it up! A big props to Machel for being the first one to lose in the double digits.
Team Terminal Ice
Janelle, -1 (3 week total: -7); Scott, -2 (3 week total: -8); Rhonda, -2 (3 week total: -7); Katelyn, -1 (3 week total: -7); Aaron, +3 (3 week total: -6); Pepe, -2 (2 week total: -7).
Team Oregon Booty De-Lite
Ryan, -2 (3 week total: -7); Machel, -3 (3 week total: -12); Brett, -1 (3 week total: -9); Becky E., -2 (3 week total: -5); Steph, -2 (3 week total: -8); Belen, 0 (2 week total: -4).
Live Healthy America, Part III
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
Ok, we’re a couple days late with last week’s weigh in. We’re getting ready for Valentine’s Day here at The Fruit Company, which isn’t the greatest holiday when you’re trying to eat healthy. We’re bombarded with stereotypes that you need to get your significant other decadent chocolates or take them out for lavish 5-course meals to honor your love for them. What’s wrong with a box of gleaming, gorgeous Valentine d’Anjou Pears? Sweet and scintillating, they’re just as rich as the truffles you shouldn’t be eating. Sure, we’re biased, but we’re also committed to our goal for living healthy.
With that being said, a little bite of chocolate doesn’t hurt every now and again.
And now for the weigh in results!
They weren’t quite as stellar as our first week, but a few people are still charging ahead with fantastic results. We also lost one team member from Terminal Ice (we miss you Crispin!) and gained one on each team. Without further ado…
Team Terminal Ice
Janelle, -1 (2 week total: -6); Scott, -5 (2 week total: -6); Rhonda, -2 (2 week total: -5); Katelyn, +1 (2 week total: -6); Aaron, -2 (2 week total: -9); Pepe, -5 (1 week total: -5).
Team Oregon Booty De-Lite
Ryan, 0 (2 week total: -5); Machel, -5 (2 week total: -9); Brett, -2 (2 week total: -8); Becky E., -1 (2 week total: -3); Steph, -1 (2 week total: -6); Belen, -4 (1 week total: -4).
I’d like to note that several of us lost HALF pounds as well (ahem! I lost 1.5!), but we’re only registering whole pounds. Just saying!
See you later this week!
Live Healthy America, Part II
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
As employees of a company that provides exceptional healthy fruit it seemed a natural choice that we join the Live Healthy America program. For 100 days we will strive toward a healthier, more active lifestyle with support from each other and the organization, complete with weekly weigh-ins and online journal entries. We’re divided into two teams, Team Terminal Ice and Team Oregon Booty De-Lite, and have a healthy competitive spirit as we try to lose the highest percentage of weight each week.
Every week we will recant our trials, tribulations and triumphs (including pounds lost!) here on The Fruit Company Blog.
(Most of) Team Oregon Booty De-Lite. From L-R: Brett, Machel, Marcela, Ryan and Stephanie. Missing: Becky and Belen.
(Most of) Team Terminal Ice. From L-R: Crispin, Janelle, Aaron, Scott, Rhonda and Katelyn. Missing: Pepe.
Our first weigh in results are in and we all did wonderfully for this beginning leg of the race. But before we get into the weigh in results, I wanted to share a few of the competitors’ plans of action for becoming healthier.
Rhonda, of Terminal Ice, had this to say about her gameplan:
“My goal is to develop new habits that will stick with me after the 100 days. I’ve tried a lot of different ‘diets’ and inevitably lose weight regardless which one I choose. The problem has always been keeping off the weight and not gaining an extra 10 pounds in the process.
I decided I would have to include foods I know I can’t live without or I’d be sure to fail. One thing I can’t live without? PASTA! There are hundreds of recipes for low fat pasta dishes with wonderful, fresh flavor. I have decided to choose a low fat, low sugar lifestyle that includes lots of fresh veggies and fruit (of course!).”
For physical activity Rhonda is getting away from her desk several times a day and taking laps around our giant building.
Machel of Oregon Booty De-Lite sent me her healthy living secrets.
“Since Day One I’ve cut out all sugar and carbs. I think it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done! (harder than labor!!) I’ve also started exercising every morning for 30 minutes and have made my meal sizes and portions much smaller. It’s only been a week and I have already realized that eating less in quantity, eating more healthy foods and exercising makes you feel so much better. It’s not easy but I know it will be worth it.”
And finally! What everyone has been waiting to hear: the cold, dirty numbers of pounds shed. Let’s get to it!
Terminal Ice lost the most weight this week, with an impressive 26 pounds between 6 people. Oregon Booty De-Lite isn’t too far behind, losing a total of 22 pounds in one week, with one person (Marcela) unaccounted for as she’s on vacation. We had two latecomers this week, Pepe on Team TI and Belen on Team OBDL, so their first weight loss will be counted next week.
Terminal Ice: Scott, -1; Rhonda, -3; Crispin, -3; Katelyn, -7; Aaron, -7; Janelle, -5.
Oregon Booty De-Lite: Ryan, -5; Machel, -4; Brett, -6; Becky, -2; Stephanie, -5.
Congratulations all! We’re doing great and only plan on doing better as the weeks go on! Stay tuned for more of our misadventures in dieting, lifestyle changing, whatever you want to call it… LIVING HEALTHY!
No commentsLive Healthy America, Part I
by Stephanie, Graphic Designer - Brand Manager
Every January across the world people make resolutions to better themselves in the new year. Health, happiness and money are often the reoccurring themes of many resolutions, and us at The Fruit Company are no different. This past Wednesday 12 of us joined the Live Healthy America movement, a competitive non-profit program with the goal to motivate and teach how to make positive and lasting changes with one’s health and lifestyle. As employees of a company that provides exceptional healthy fruit it seemed a natural choice. For 100 days we will strive toward a healthier, more active lifestyle with support from each other and the organization, complete with weekly weigh-ins and online journal entries.
Every week we will recant our trials, tribulations and triumphs (including pounds lost!) here on The Fruit Company Blog.
We’ve divided our 12 into two teams of 6. Our CEO Scott named his team “Terminal Ice” after the Terminal Ice & Storage Company, who originally built an innovative cold storage facility here back in 1935. I think he liked it because it sounded mean. The other team (the one I’m on, ahem) is named “Oregon Booty De-Lite”, inspired by our basket Oregon Delight and that part of my workout plan includes the entertaining DVDs Yoga Booty Ballet. Any excuse to use the word “booty” in casual conversation, really.
Group shot of both teams. From L-R: Aaron, Machel, Rhonda, Katelyn, Scott, Marcela, Brett, Stephanie, Ryan, Crispin and Janelle.
While we’re united in our goals, we all have different methods with which we plan on accomplishing them.
Mine? I’m really focusing on increasing my physical activity. I already run 2-3 times a week and am trying to increase that as well as integrate other exercise back into my life. Skiing (thank you season pass at Mt. Hood Meadows!), yoga, snowshoeing, hiking, and my most recent addition, bellydancing classes. I had my first class last night and am totally looking looking forward to more– my abs and sides especially feel the results today! I’m also being more selective about what I eat. While I’ve been eating an abundance of fresh fruit (company perks!), veggies and whole grains for a while, I’m watching portion sizes and trying to discipline myself against mindless eating. Also the indulgences in yummy cheeses and chocolates have to become a little less frequent. And more water! I’m hoping to lose a respectable 15lbs by the end of the 100 days, and already have lost 2!
Janelle, of team Terminal Ice, has been on a different diet plan with her husband for 12 days now. She based hers off of “The Maker’s Diet” by Jordan S. Rubin, which focuses on a 40-day diet of mostly meat, fruit, and vegetables found in the Bible. Broken up into 3 phases, there are foods to enjoy and foods to avoid, complete with weekly menus and recipes. Thus far Janelle has lost 8lbs and her husband as lost an impressive 12. For physical activity she’s been going to Curves 3-4 times a week, and hopes to lose 2 dress sizes by the time it’s all done.
Ryan, team captain of Oregon Booty De-Lite, is hoping to lose 10-12lbs during the duration of the program. He’s planning on running 5 miles three times a week instead of his current 3 miles three times a week and avoiding sugar and calorie-laden foods like cookies, candy and soda. As of today he’s gotten rid of 3.5lbs, so apparently we all seem to be doing something right.
Next week we’ll have more on everyone’s game plans toward success and the results of our Friday weigh-in. Stay tuned, and if you have any tips please feel free to offer them!
1 commentHello Christmas, Goodbye 2007
While many of the area orchards are dormant under a thick layer of fresh snow, our facility is bustling with the final holiday rush. The season thus far has shown unprecedented business at The Fruit Company and we are thrilled to see our family company turn into such a success. Grandpa Roy would certainly be proud.
Just today the Associated Press picked up a great story about us that shows how sometimes even in the midst of the stressful holiday rush, some things just happen for a reason. The AP article reads as follows:
SHIPPING ERROR FROM HOOD RIVER TURNS INTO HOLIDAY DELIGHT
12/21/2007, 2:58 p.m. PST
The Associated Press
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) — A vanished batch of packages from a Hood River fruit company turned into a holiday delight for some cancer patients in Maine.
The Fruit Company, which sells gourmet fruit, typically sends out more than 6,000 gifts a day with little problem. But sometimes mistakes happen.
At the height of the busy season this week, 80 packages disappeared and couldn’t be found. Eventually the recipient called. A technical glitch had sent all 80 boxes to the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine.
The center got to play Santa for the patients — many of whom were struggling through snowstorms to get to their chemotherapy treatment.
The company says they are thrilled the glitch ended in such an amazing way. The Fruit Company created new packages for the 80 intended recipients and sent them overnight to arrive Friday.
Our Customer Service Manager Rhonda was practically in tears over this incredible situation and how, well, miraculous, it ended. We hope that everyone at the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine enjoys their surprise gifts.
We would also like to take this chance to extend a huge thank you to all the customers we’ve had over this past year. Your enthusiasm for sending the finest gourmet fruit and food gifts has made our vision a reality and we are ever so thankful. You refuse to settle and neither do we.
Cherish your time with friends and family this season. From us, our families, and everyone at The Fruit Company, we wish you a happy, healthy and fruitful 2008.
Sincerely,
Scott and Addison Webster
Loading ...