Interesting timing here. Was about to send Harry & David to kid's partner's parents and was told by dh that it was...well, something akin to tacky, so we had to look for something more.....hmmm...what's the best word - fashionable?

I would move to a different gourmet catalogue -- how about Americano Spoon or Zingerman's.

I know I've had Harry & David pears that were better than any I had bought at a grocery store. But I also got a crate of duds this past spring -- none of the pears ever ripened. It was awful. Before that, I never had had a bad experience.

It’s meh. The treats in Tower of Treats are nothing special. I can get pears and apples that are just as good at the grocery store.

Anonymous wrote:Pears are so basic.

This is where it's helpful to know your recipient because I'd love a big gorgeous box of pears, but I'm not much of a cheese, chutney, jam, person.

Olive and Cocoa?

Pears are so basic.

There are some people on dcum who call anything and everything tacky. Don’t let them get in your head.

Anonymous wrote:I think most people would be fine to receive it. There will be some who have "moved on" to something "better" but that's pretty much always the case with anything, be it cars, kitchen cabinets, what have you.

NP here. Can you give examples of what that would be?

I think it depends on the person. My father loves this sort of thing and will immediately open and sample everything. I am not a snacker and don't enjoy things like cheese, meats or soup mixes. Fruit, on the other hand, is always appreciated. Just my .02.

They have excellent fruit. How fancy can fruit get? We receive an assortment of expensive, fancy sweets each year from a business acquaintance, but they’re not the kind of thing we’d normally eat. I’d be thrilled for my kids to dig into juicy pears instead.

If you’re willing to spend a lot of money, there are some nice cheese and charcuterie assortments available online that look impressive and would be a nice alternative to all the holiday sweets (assuming your recipient eats meat).

I think most people would be fine to receive it. There will be some who have "moved on" to something "better" but that's pretty much always the case with anything, be it cars, kitchen cabinets, what have you.

Harry & David is very nice.

OP again to clarify that I want to make sure what I send this person is considered "nice." For myself I'd be very thrilled to receive a Harry & David tower!

I used to like Harry & David. I love the tower of treats, the pears, the chocolate-covered cherries, and so on. I'd like to send a gift basket to someone who did me a very big favor, but somehow I get the impression from this site that Harry & David is like the Olive Garden of food delivery. What are people's opinions?