Because we just moved here to Florida, we thought we'd send baskets (or, more precisely, boxes) of mixed Florida citrus to family and friends up north this year.

Such a thing used to be quite cool (I remember this from Christmases in Illinois); but what with oranges and so on available year 'round in grocery stores these days (albeit not Florida oranges, most of the time), I don't know whether these baskets carry the cachet they used to.

Any opinions/advice on this from people in cold-weather parts of the country? Thanks, HPH

 

No, sir, they are not at all tacky. So since I consume anywhere from five to eight pieces of fresh fruit each and every day, I say send a bunch my way, Doc.

 

I think they are great...lots of people send Indian River grapefruit. I give food items to people on my gift list. Go for it...

 

....but make sure they are top quality. We got a Florida Citrus box from a neighbor kid's fundraising thingy a year or two ago; the quality was no better than the local SuperFresh....for 3X the price

Personally, I like to receive food items....much better than stuff that I don't need/ want I even like fruit cake

 

Please add me to your list . We usually buy a couple/boxes of Indian River navel oranges from a local charity and make fresh orange juice in the morning. It is a favorite of +1 and we miss them when they're gone.

 

I agree with everyone above. Everyone can eat food items or give them away if they can't or won't. Some gifts I have received over the years ended up in Goodwill's or Salvation Army's.

 

Well, thank you all very much -- unanimity is always reassuring.

And may Santa (who has your addresses, something I don't have) leave a big, juicy Florida orange in your stockings on Christmas Eve! HPH

 

Doc

I once sent a big case of oranges to friend of mines mother. They're Alaskan natives, Yupiks. Her Mother lives the traditional way.

They sent me 25 caribou tails in return, and I've been tying tarpon flies with them ever since.


Fruit makes friends.

fltsfshr

 

Citrus rocks. I run a fruit drive here in New England semi-annually for my community symphony. We get fruit delivered directly from one of the groves. It's wonderful.

Big thumbs up on fruit baskets. Big thumbs down on fruitcake.

 

Part of my family lived in Charlotte County, FL for decades. They used to order and ship the Red River grapefruit/ oranges combo. It was invariably and indubitibily wonderful to receive, on an above freezing day.
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