UK Equivalent to Harry & David's?

Mom got this brilliant idea that we should send a Harry and David's tower thing to Tim's parents for Christmas. GREAT IDEA...until we saw that Harry and David charges an additional $50 for international orders.  I figure, there's got to be a UK equivalent company that we can order directly to, and what better group to ask?

For those of you who don't know what Harry and David's is - it's a company that does gift baskets and "tower of treat"s. They send stuff like fresh fruit,  candy, popcorn,cookies, beef sticks, etc.

Or would it be better to order something through Marks & Spencers?

Sorry Darlin but if it has the beef stick things in it..they won't let it in the country. I have tried for years to get Swiss Colony and Hickory Farms to ship here...it's a no go!

Something to do with importing meat products I think...Some one correct me if I am wrong...........


Ooops sorry I read that wrong..I'm tired..late night shopping...can't suggest anyone place. But if they like chocolate I can highly recommend Hotel Chocolate..they do FAB selection boxes with holiday flavours in them!

Sorry Darlin but if it has the beef stick things in it..they won't let it in the country. I have tried for years to get Swiss Colony and Hickory Farms to ship here...it's a no go!

Something to do with importing meat products I think...Some one correct me if I am wrong...........

You're right MeShell -- this is from the customs page for LHR:

Prohibited Imports
Prohibited items include unlicensed drugs, offensive weapons, indecent and obscene material featuring children, counterfeit and pirated goods, meat, dairy and other animal products, and pornography.

Restricted items include firearms, explosives and ammunition, live animals, endangered species, certain plants and their produce and radio transmitters.

You could try Fortnum and Mason's.  They do "hamper" type things.  Expensive, but we got one as a "present from everyone" last year and every single thing in that hamper was delicious.

Google 'hampers.' Just about every shop does hampers at this time of the year. Not just shops, either. There are loads of online places that do them as well.

Ooops sorry I read that wrong..I'm tired..late night shopping...can't suggest anyone place. But if they like chocolate I can highly recommend Hotel Chocolate..they do FAB selection boxes with holiday flavours in them!

It's okay.  I wasn't planning on sending a gift that had fruit or meat in it, but they had this really nice Tower full of candy, fudge, and popcorn...but adding the $50 for int'l makes the darn thing over $100! I love my in-laws, but if I'm going to spend $100 it's going to be more than just fudge and popcorn!

You're right MeShell -- this is from the customs page for LHR:

Really? Tim's parents took back a stick of Lebanon Bologna from the farmer's market here and AFAIK, didn't have any issues with it. Not that I'm advocating going against the custom rules, but I wonder what the difference was?  Preserved meat vs fresh?  Although, if MeShell said she ca'nt get a Hickory Farm stick...that'd be almost the same as the Lebanon Bologna. Very strange.

Google 'hampers.' Just about every shop does hampers at this time of the year. Not just shops, either. There are loads of online places that do them as well.

Thanks! We'll try this route! I hadn't even thought to call it a hamper. I was looking for "gift basket".

Really? Tim's parents took back a stick of Lebanon Bologna from the farmer's market here and AFAIK, didn't have any issues with it. Not that I'm advocating going against the custom rules, but I wonder what the difference was?  Preserved meat vs fresh?  Although, if MeShell said she ca'nt get a Hickory Farm stick...that'd be almost the same as the Lebanon Bologna. Very strange.

Did they fly through Dublin as well? No UK Customs or Immigration Controls.

Even when coming into the UK directly people bring in stuff all the time and just breeze on through the 'Nothing to Declare' or 'Green Zone'. Doesn't make what they did right. The prohibited list does not differentiate between preserved or fresh meats.

Thanks! We'll try this route! I hadn't even thought to call it a hamper. I was looking for "gift basket".

Yeah, I was confused when I saw adverts calling them hampers too.  I would specifically check out Marks and Spencer.

Tim's parents took back a stick of Lebanon Bologna from the farmer's market here and AFAIK, didn't have any issues with it.

They're lucky they didn't get stopped.  A big stick of Lebanon Bologna must have stunk to high heaven.

They're lucky they didn't get stopped.  A big stick of Lebanon Bologna must have stunk to high heaven.

LOL! I hadn't thought of the stink factor! Was it carry-on or checked? If it was carry-on, I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be sitting near them on the plane! 

How about this: http://www.hampergifts.co.uk/hampers.cfm?gift=346

I would love some Lebanon right now.  My parents get theirs at Dietrich's Meats and it comes wrapped in a linen sack. 

I would love some Lebanon right now.  My parents get theirs at Dietrich's Meats and it comes wrapped in a linen sack. 

Danish Salami is close but it doesn't have that kick.  Or smell quite so much.

Thanks mirrajay, I'll check it out.

WebyJ, I don't know if they flew via Dublin or not. I do know they flew on AirCanada because of the extra legroom.

I've never noticed lebanon bologna to smell - but there's the lunchmeat kind and then there's the snack stick kind.  The snack stick kind wouldn't need refrigeration until the wrapper was pened.

ETA - great website   I found the perfect basket that has a bottle of whiskey with it (Tim's dad prefers whiskey over wine/beer).