10 Gourmet Foods for the Bridesmaids Gift Basket

Putting together a gift bag for your bridesmaids is both easy and terribly difficult. You can buy a bunch of simple stuff from the grocery store, Hershey’s bars and Vitamin water, or pick special, gourmet foods.

If you have the opportunity and time to plan, go with the latter. Your bridesmaids will be so grateful (and their tummies too) that they receive a handmade chocolate bar rather than a commercial grade.

I have been on the search for delicious foods to put in a gift basket for the girls and after attending one of the largest food shows, the Winter Fancy Food Show, I was inspired by all the amazing treats out there.

Besides that Tiffany box, you probably don’t want to eat it, here are my 10 favorite gourmet food ideas for your bridesmaids:

Wellness Teas – Stress, fatigue, crankiness, are all symptoms of wedding planning. Brides and bridesmaids, you are not all alone. Besides the usual lecture of “get more rest and don’t stress too much”, it is hard to avoid it. The Republic of Tea created a special Wellness line to help with all things we need: becoming gorgeous, active, stressfree. Even though their line was not directed for the wedding audience, I think it is secretly made just for us!

You can gift them in mini tins of six packs, which I adore, or in larger tin boxes of 36.

The Republic of Tea is available online or in fine retail stores.

Ocho Chocolate Bars – Like most women, I love chocolate. Good, dark, rich chocolate. The one thing I hate then is wasting calories on milky, sugary commercial grade chocolate. When I met Scott of Ocho Chocolates, I couldn’t be happier that someone else takes making candy bars seriously. How serious? ALL the candy bars are handmade and 100% organic. They come in four flavors: Caramel and Peanuts, Coconut, Peanut Butter, and Mocha. YUMMY!

Available at speciality stores and online at http://www.ochocandy.com/store. (FYI that the Caramel and Peanuts and the Mocha bars contain egg whites, which may not be suitable for some)

More Chocolates – There are thousands of chocolate bars out there and these are just a few of my favorites:

jcoco chocolates – A Seattle chocolatier, they make five chocolate bars, from dark (Noble Dark) to the funky (Edamame Sea Salt or Black Fig Pistachio), these bars will allow your bridesmaids to indulge and feel like royalty. Besides making delicious chocolates, they also come in bright, colorful packaging, perfect for matching your color theme!

Available through gourmet shops, check the store locator to find near you.

Bittersweet Chocolate – Bittersweet Cafe is a chocolate lover’s paradise. It is a café made to satisfy your hot chocolate and brownie cravings. If you are not in California to enjoy them firsthand, then you can always buy their handmade chocolate bars. Rich, nutty, fruity (talking about flavors, not fillings!), their single origin bars are to die for. Really, why would you ever buy a Hershey’s again?

Buy online at Bittersweet Cafe and available at selected retail locations in Northern California.

Popping Popcorn – When it comes to healthy snacks, popcorn is all the rage today. 479 Popcorn has turn popcorn eating into a Michelin star affair. Lovely packaging – check. Delicious flavors – check. Healthy – check.

From Black Truffle + White Cheddar to Sea Salt Caramel popcorn, there is something for everyone. And what bridesmaid wouldn’t love something decadent and healthy?

Available online or at speciality retail stores.

Going Nuts – At some point during wedding planning, you go nuts. Why not really go nuts with a handful of pistachios? {Har har, get my joke?!}

Chai Time – For those of us needing a chai fix, means spending thirty minutes watching tea boil, adding spices, straining and drinking. That’s not really possible when a wedding is days and hours away. Tipu’s Chai Now teas are perfect. A one serving fix to get your chai needs fulfilled. Available at gourmet retail and tipuschai.com

Hot Oats – Oatmeal for breakfast may not be sexy but it can be healthy and delicious. Love Grown Foods created these cute “to-go” cups of oatmeal, perfect for bridesmaids during last minute planning and dressing. Available from lovegrownfoods.com.

Chutney in a Squeeze – I never thought the day would come when you can have chutney that comes in a sexy, squeeze bottle. Seriously?! How do you not love these chutney bottles from Bandar Foods. And the spicy mango and mint chutneys are good, really good. Why buy those old mason jars with peeling labels when you can buy these guys?

Available online or contact them for large orders.

Ginger Candies – We South Asians love ginger. In our tea, in our curries, in our dals, there really isn’t anything we don’t have ginger in. Finally, some folks in the US realized the same thing: ginger is delicious and healthy and can be added to just about anything! My two favorite products from them are the Ginger Syrup and the Gin-Gin candies.

You never knew that ginger could be so sexy, did you?

Buy wholesale online or at a store near you.

Baked Lentil Chips – Mediterranean Snacks figured out a way to make chips healthy and still tasty. Most of us crave chips at one point or another and this bag of Cracked Pepper or Roasted Red Pepper will have your taste buds dancing and keep your pant size happy. Win win for all! Oh, and it is delicious with Bandar’s chutney.

Available at most retail stores or check online for locations.

In addition, you can include water or coconut water for hydration and other snacks. You don’t need to pick all the foods from above. Pick your favorites and add in whatever else you feel your bridesmaids will love. Go for quality over quantity.

And of course, don’t forget a thank you card and something personal (an inspiration article on DIY personal items coming up!).