School is coming to an end, the days are longer, the weather is warmer and all we can think about is spending long and lazy weekends by the pool with our closest friends! With the aroma of fresh cut grass and neighbors carefully unloading their new grills, our thoughts immediately turn to when can we have the gang over for an afternoon of fun. You of course load the grill with huge burgers, juicy chicken, T-bone steaks and an assortment of vegetables, but what to serve to drink? My advice, keep it simple.

For all of the men who rule the grill at their house, there is probably nothing more necessary than a spatula in one hand a cold beer in the other. Sure, you can indulge in the summer favorites like Corona, Samuel Adams Summer Ale and good old Bud Light with Lime, but how about something a bit more refreshing like a Mike's Hard Lemonade. The flavors are delicious and crisp are would make an excellent addition to the summer barbecue cooler.

For a truly refreshing summertime drink, you can't go wrong with a white or rose wine. However it is crucial to ensure your wine is properly chilled for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. A light sweet Moscato or a fruity and vibrant California Chardonnay would fit the occasion perfectly as both are light-bodied and slightly sweet, and that makes for a perfect afternoon on an inflatable raft!

And lastly, a refreshing cold picture of Sangria made with red, white or pink wine and a whole host of fresh fruits will make any backyard barbecue one to remember. Crisp white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc make the ideal companions to sliced strawberries, oranges, blueberries or peaches. You could even treat your barbecue host to a Chardonnay Gourmet Gift Basket as a way to show your appreciation for their invitation, plus you would be prepared with additional snacks!

The grilling season is upon us, it's up to you now on how to celebrate and what to serve, but hopefully the suggestions above will give you an idea as to how to get started. Enjoy all that summer offers with an invigorating drink as you grill till your heart is content!

Memorial Day, the meaning has changed over the years as times have modernized, but the true reflection of this day lies with those men and women that laid their lives down for the ultimate price, freedom for our country. Although this long three day weekend generally symbolizes the start of summer with backyard pool parties, baseball games and beach outings, we must remember that the true meaning of this day stems back to 1971 when congress passed resolution to celebrate May 30 as the first official Memorial Day. Prior to that and dating back to the Civil War, a holiday was created to observe the fallen on May 30, then known as Decoration Day. Friends and family would decorate the graves of those brave soldiers with flowers as a yearly memorial of their sacrifice.

Just after the Civil War, divide occurred when the north and south didn't exactly see eye to eye in regards to honoring each other's soldiers, however after World War I, our great nation came together. We bonded in the same cause in that a soldier is a soldier, no matter what part of the country they originated from. And today we honor and remember all fallen soldiers in all forms of battle that defined what it means to be an American. We celebrate on the last Monday of May with festive parades and celebrations and hang our American flags high as a tribute to all of the brave men and women that gave their lives for our freedom.

For those that do celebrate with barbecues and family pool parties, not only can you show your respect and admiration for the fallen military, but you can have some fun while doing it. The Mrs. Fields American Cookie Gift Box will make the perfect patriotic gift basket to take to your host as a small way of showing your appreciation for inviting you to such a longstanding celebration of freedom. Or the Patriotic Summer Gift Basket full of ice cream toppings for watching fireworks late into the evening. No matter your preference, a gift of American pride to share with all of your friends and family will just enhance the patriotism we feel in our hearts as we observe Memorial Day.

From elementary school to graduate school, the time honored tradition of graduating is one we hold near and dear to our hearts. From an early age, as soon as spring hits and warmer weather is upon us, the idea of long lazy summers and no more school is all we can think about. No more studying for hard tests, no more late nights at the library researching topics for lengthy papers, no more class projects that you end up having to work on at home, it's all done! And each spring, especially for those milestone graduations, we celebrate all of the hard work that the special student has accomplished to make it to the next level. Now we ask, how exactly should I congratulate them? The Gift Basket Pros can help.

The most common gift idea is to give cash. Once the young high school student now blossoming in the workforce, they will need money for gas, a new wardrobe for a more professional job and even textbook money for when they enter college. The possibilities for a cash gift makes up a long list, but perhaps your ideal graduation gift is a bit more personal.

Another popular gift idea would be a computer or laptop that the new college student can take with them as they venture into the world of higher education. Albeit expensive, a laptop would provide years of use as long as they don't drop it while taking a power bar out of their backpack in between classes.

A third idea would be luggage! Either a nice overnight bag or a set of luggage as the young adult enters the world, in whatever direction it takes them. Having something for spring break trips or for moving into their new apartment sure would be nicer than tossing everything into a moving box. A nice piece of luggage could be something they take with them throughout their lives.

However for those that aren't into spending a small fortune on a computer or expensive set of luggage, a simple Graduation Gift Basket just might be what they would truly appreciate! For example, with the Graduation Snack Gift Box, a plush bear doting a graduation cap and gown next to a host of tasty snacks like sugar cookies, jelly belly candies and chocolate caramel popcorn, could be the perfect gift for late nights with friends or weekend getaway trips during the summer. Or how about a Mrs. Fields Congratulations Cookie where he or she can snack the next few weeks away as they can finally relax and get some much needed rest.

The ideal graduation gift is out there for that special grad to help celebrate and commemorate this special occasion, just deciding on what to do for them is the fun part. If you ever need any help, The Gift Basket Pros will always be here to lend a hand.

The new baby has finally arrived, what a happy day! Gifts of diapers, receiving blankets, stuffed animals and precious keepsakes are sent to the new baby as a celebration. Many of these adorable items will remain keepsakes for the new baby boy or baby girl for years to come. But what about mom? Although her gift may be this new treasured bundle of joy she will now carefully raise for the next eighteen years, most don't think to send something specifically for mom to enjoy that is simply hers. And what does mom need now? Relaxation!

She has carried this little tyke for the past nine months and her body is in desperate need of tender loving care, and what better way to do that then with a luxurious Spa Gift Basket! She can spend an afternoon soaking in a warm beautifully scented bath while dad and nanna take care of baby. With scents like lavender, vanilla and coconut, mango and mandarin, pear and coconut, and so many more, she is guaranteed to be relaxed and rested so she can give 110% to the bouncing baby.

Each gift comes exceptionally presented with a whole pampering collection of generous bath and body products so she can instantly be whisked away to a happy place, at least for a while! For example, the Relaxation Spa Basket not only contains heavenly scented Vanilla and Coconut shower gel, bubble bath, body scrub, body lotion and more, but also an indulgent bath sponge and ultra plush waffle slippers, perfect for slipping into after bath time.

The Lemon Verbena Spa Basket holds an impressive collection of pampering bath and body goodies like body lotion, soap, lip balm, hand soap and even lemon tea cookies and citrus tea for enjoying during her alone time. This beautiful gift not only provides mom some personal time, but she will return feeling more like herself. Her batteries will be recharged and she will be able to dive into all of the necessary duties that a mother performs for her child.

It always seems to be a bit more simplistic to purchase a birthday gift for women than for men. However, when it comes to purchasing a gift for a special lady in your life, there are so many more options to choose from. Would she prefer chocolate or something spa themed instead? Well no worries, we have a few great options below to help you decide when it comes to our wide selection of Birthday Gift Baskets.

For those chocolate obsessed, sending a Godiva Birthday Celebration Chocolate Basket will make her day! This beautiful and elegant gift holds an assortment of Godiva's best including chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate bar, along with festive birthday ribbon that will make her feel like a million bucks! Godiva is the ideal go-to gift when it comes to quality chocolates.

And for those ladies that love a tall glass of wine and a relaxing afternoon at the spa, then the Tranquil Spa and Wine Basket is what she will love! From birthday's for mom to your little sister and your best friend, this relaxing gift will make her day joyous. Included are two Rock Falls Vineyards wines in addition to mango mandarin scented bath and body products, perfect for enjoying on a Saturday afternoon. This luxurious gift will deliver a pampering glow from ear to ear.

The third suggestion is a mouth-watering collection of fresh from the orchard fruits we call the Happy Birthday Fruit Basket. This selection of freshly picked apples, pears and oranges is the perfect gift for the health minded woman. With a festive Happy Birthday ribbon, this succulent gift will make any mom, daughter, sister, aunt or family friend so very excited to receive it!

We treasure the wonderful women in our lives and should honor them on their special day, and can do just that with a beautiful and fun-filled gift by The Gift Basket Pros!

As the special men in our lives get closer to turning another year older, we often start to worry about finding the perfect gift. What will he like, what are his favorite hobbies, what will be meaningful to him? The answer to those questions is truly quite simple, a gift basket! Yes, a good old fashioned gift basket full of sweet and salty treats that will bring a smile to his face from ear to ear. So now you know a gift basket will make the perfect gift, but what kind? This is where the fun begins, deciding on the ideal gift that will make his birthday extra special.

When it comes to selecting a Birthday Gift Basket for him, there are certainly many choices you have. Generally, most guys like cookies and brownies, and if you are not a baker, then sending a Mrs. Fields Happy Birthday Tin will make the perfect gift. There are a variety of sizes to choose from and who doesn't love a delicious chocolate chip cookie anyway?

Some guys love to play the pastime of golf, and we have you covered there too. Our Gourmet Wine Golf Basketallows you to choose between a Merlot or Chardonnay wine, and comes with a whole host of goodies such as crackers, cheese, gourmet mustard, smoked salame, pretzel nuggets and even a cutting board! He is sure to tote this along on his next golfing trip as the golf bag cooler will hold all of these amazing snacks to keep him fueled. By sending gourmet snacks, wine and a golf cooler you may have just scored your very own ace in the hole!

Then there are men that love a beer. If the workday was long, they just might like to come home and relax with their special brew and what better way to help them unwind on their birthday than with a gift that provides multiple beer options! The All Occasion Beer and Wine Basket is a handsome container that boasts not only a Cabernet wine, but also six boutique beers that he may have never tried before. From the traditional Budweiser to a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, this gift along with a variety of snacking treats is guaranteed to make his birthday extra special.

So as you can see just a few of the options above, sending a gift to a special guy friend, father, son, brother, uncle or even a co-worker, has never been so much fun. With so many great gift options to choose from, you are sure to make his special day one to remember!

All across the world mothers everywhere are treated extra special on one day of the year. In the United States we send beautiful Mother's Day Gift Baskets, flowers full of colorful blooms, take over the chores for the day, and generally even treat her to a special meal. But that makes me wonder, how are mothers shown across the world just how exceptional they are?

In the United Kingdom, Mother's Day is known as Mothering Sunday, where families join together to celebrate moms and other mothering figures like step-mothers, grandmothers and mother-in-laws. These special ladies are showered with greeting cards, chocolate gifts and flowers. This day is routinely observed on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, however the fast that is observed during Lent was lifted so mom's everywhere could enjoy the abundance of sweets that are showered upon them.

In the neighboring country of Mexico, this day has become known as an observance instead of a public holiday. As with other countries, children will shower their special mothers and mother figures with flowers, chocolates and other gifts that show her how appreciated she is.

For the mother's in France, much like the United States, gifts of flowers, cards, cakes and handmade gifts are showered upon mom as a show of love and recognition. Families will gather around the table and host a huge meal or celebratory lunch and devour multiple courses including elaborate toasts and honoring mom with her most favorite dessert.

One common theme stands true, no matter what country you are in, around the world we recognize moms and special mother-like figures as the glue that holds our families together. And year after year, we will continue to show those beautiful ladies just how important they are to our lives. From a Sunday brunch to a gift full of special treats, showing them we care is tradition that spans the globe.

Have you ever wanted to say something in a big way that is guaranteed to make an impression? Have you wanted to treat someone to something that they would remember for a very long time? Then do we have an idea for you! Head over to our Cookie Gift Baskets store and hand pick your thoughtful gesture with a Mrs. Fields giant cookie cake. Made with the finest quality ingredients like pure vanilla, real creamy butter and fresh whole eggs, your recipient will devour this unique treat without question.

These scrumptious cookie gifts are available in a whole host of flavors including Chocolate Chip with or without nuts, Peanut Butter, Triple Chocolate, Cinnamon Sugar, White Chocolate and Macadamia Nut and last but not least, Oatmeal Raisin with Walnuts. They are 12" round and can be gobbled up with a fork on a plate or right out of the box with a tall glass of milk. And did we mention they are equal to fourteen regular sized cookies? We are talking mouthwatering and plenty of it!

Deliciousness also comes in a collection of thoughtful and practical themes. Know someone celebrating an important birthday? Then the Happy Birthday Cookie Cake will make the occasion extra special. How about when you need to send a gift to a deserving recipient for a job well done such as completing a big project or when your college student passes their exams with flying colors, then the Mrs. Fields Great Job Cookie is just what is called for! Other themes include Get Well, Happy Anniversary and Congratulations.

So now you know that a giant mouth-watering cookie gift is available, what are you waiting for? Stop by and pick out the perfect cookie theme, enter your recipient's address details, create a thoughtful gift card message and sit back and relax knowing you just brighten someone's day. Job well done! Now, someone should treat you to a giant cookie cake for being so considerate!

Soothing spa gift baskets, thoughtful thank you gifts, bountiful birthday treats and world class wine gifts are just a few of the gift ideas waiting for you, all with Free Shipping! The Gift Basket Pros are a leader in gift design and customer service, and we have hand picked a large number of exceptional gifts just waiting to be sent to brighten their day. Generally only online stores provide free shipping during the rush of the holiday season, however we have an abundant variety of gift baskets available with free shipping year round.

Although we still provide incredible discounts all throughout our store, free shipping is the icing on the cake when it comes to gift giving. If you plan ahead, sending someone a Birthday Cookies Gift Box at a phenomenal price, including free shipping, will not only make their day, but will make yours too! This treat contains a bakers dozen assorted cookies and with free shipping, your task of selecting the perfect birthday gift can now be checked off of your to do list. Who doesn't like cookies?

Is wine your preference? Then gifting the With Gratitude Wine Basket is the ideal choice. This abundant gift contains a Cliffside Cabernet Wine with a whole host of gourmet goodies including cookies, cheese, crackers, Godiva chocolates and so much more. And what is the price for shipping? Zero! You can send this handsome choice to whomever you choose and not pay one cent for ground shipping.

So as you can see, with over seventy different gifts available with free shipping, and more to be added very soon, sending a beautiful gift for a special occasion will not only make you feel good, but will make your wallet happy as well. The days of paying grand amounts for shipping are behind us as we provide this to our customers all throughout the year. With so many different occasions and reasons for sending a gift, we have the select item just waiting.

As we move past Easter into the warmer spring days, each year our thoughts turn to setting aside one special day to show gratitude and appreciation to our mothers.We send lovely, heartfelt cards, bouquets of lavish flowers and gifts abundant with treats, so we can show her just how extraordinary she is. Although Mother's Day is celebrated in many different ways across the world, the history of this iconic day still represents its original meaning.

Dating back to the 1900's, the determined efforts of Anna Jarvis to honor her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, was successful with a little help. After her mother passed away, Anna wanted to create a day that showed acknowledgement and gratitude for all of the efforts and sacrifices that mother's everywhere took upon themselves for their children. With some help by a Philadelphia department store owner, John Wanamaker, in May 1908, she coordinated a celebration at a Methodist church in West Virginia that celebrated all mothers, and that day became the first official Mother's Day.

Due to her efforts to continue this new tradition, Anna resolved to add this day to the national calendar, which at the time were predisposed to celebrating the accomplishments of men. In 1914, President Wilson signed an order officially commencing that the second Sunday of May, would from then on be celebrated as Mother's Day.

Although originally starting out as a personal event for families to celebrate, the involvement of florists and greeting card companies soon jumped into the mix. After years of disgust at how the holiday had become so commercialized and companies were simply looking to make a profit, she began a life long campaign speaking out against those who looked to simply make money and bypass the true meaning of this special day. By the time she died in 1948, Anna had completely disavowed Mother's Day altogether and actually worked to have the holiday removed from the calendar.

In today's times, we still send our mother's beautiful and creative gifts, cards, flowers and Mother's Day Gift Baskets that show we care. It has become one of the most popular holidays in terms of spending. Many families will treat mom extra special, maybe by taking her out to lunch instead of expecting her to cook, or assisting in chores around the house while she relaxes in a nice long bath. What special treat will you shower upon your mother this Mother's Day?