Gourmet fruit baskets quickly emerged as a way to deliver a gift of special items that the recipient would never buy for himself, but would probably enjoy. Depending on the tastes and experiences of the recipient, gourmet fruit gift baskets can contain almost anything imaginable. In addition to the usual assortment (high-quality, peak-of-ripeness fruits; rare aged cheeses; or jams and jellies), gourmet bottled items -- such as chestnuts in brandy, various wines and assorted breads and crackers –- are often the dominating items in the basket.