The Best To You received over two hundred written testimonials and hundreds of votes during the contest from our valued clients, fans and friends. We are very grateful to all who supported us in the contest!

Here are just a few of the hundreds of testimonials that were posted on our A-List page:

The Service Was Superb! The quality of the gifts were excellent,  and we appreciate the effort that went into making each gift special for our new homeowners! From Tuesday S.

Although we have used The Best To You for years, they never fail to have unique gift baskets and products. Our clients always comment on the high quality gift baskets they receive. I never have to worry – The Best To You always makes me look good! Terie T.

The first time I saw The Best To You’s baskets I did a double-take. Really. To say I was impressed would be an understatement! Linda & Barry are committed to “Wowing” every customer, and it really pays off. A team of us took a basket to a TV station with our “message” and managed to get air time! The Best To You really is the best.   Jan R

The Best To You makes the most beautiful baskets, the presentation is always breathtaking. “Wow!” is the first thing you hear when their baskets are delivered. I have used this company for over 10 years and the service is always outstanding, whether it is one unique basket or a corporate year end gift program of hundreds of baskets…they are the best.  Tish D.

Of  thousands of gift basket companies across the U.S., The Best To You was chosen to have a healthy gourmet basket featured in the national magazine for the industry

Are there gourmet items that are healthy, beautifully packaged and taste really great? The answer is a resounding yes!

• First of all, there are many dark chocolates (full of anti-oxidents) that are beautifully packaged and especially delicious! Other suggestions include:
• Apple Butter from the apple orchards in Julian and whole grain crackers makes a delicious breakfast addition or snack.
• Just Vegies and Just Strawberries are fresh fruits and vegetables that are all natural, freeze dried, fullof nutrients and have the texture of popcorn. You have to try them to understand the sweet flavor and addicting crunch! Sneak them in the movie theatre and you won’t even miss the popcorn filled with artificial butter!
• Salmon fillet comes in an elegant package and is a healthful and delicious appetizer or snack spread on whole grain crackers or can turn an average salad into a very special gourmet lunch.
• Almondina Biscuits are low calorie, healthy cookies made mostly with almonds. They come in different flavors including chocolate. I always have some with me when I go to Starbucks for coffee. They are delicious and satisfying. I love the sesame and the chocolate!
• Dried apricots, mixed nuts and organic fruit and nut mix  all make great munchy snacks at the office and will help you pass on the not so healthy snacks being passed around.Vanilla Creme Spice Organic Tea is delicious and a great way to unwind. Indulge in that instead of the late night snack!
• Last but not least, of course is fresh seasonal fruit. Mangos, Kiwis, pears, bananas, oranges, apples and fresh pineapple to name a few. The Jazz apples in season at the store now are so sweet, crisp and juicy! Fresh blueberries. rasberries, blackberries and strawberries make an elegant and healthy desert in a wine glass topped with cool whip and a sprig of mint leaf. Most everyone loves fruit and few of us eat enough, we just don’t always have it around us! That is why fruit baskets are so popular, and no one does them better than The Best To You!

Do you have any healthy snack suggestions to share?

I have been thinking how lucky Barry and I are to have so many good friends! They lift our spirits and make us laugh. They listen, inspire and encourage. During life challenges they are by our side or asking how they can help. They have helped us expand our business and celebrate each success. What would we do without these special people in our lives?

Sunday, August 2, is National Friendship Day. But every day  is a good day to acknowledge and celebrate our friends. In today’s hectic world we may not get to see our friends as often as we would like. There is work, often overtime, family responsibilities, Household chores, errands and much more. Before you know it months may have flown by and you haven’t gotton together with some of your best friends. There are health benefits to a visit with a friend or even chatting on the phone. In fact research has shown that people with strong social support systems have stronger imune systems! It is well worth the extra effort to work more time with friends in to our weekly routines!

A friend can:

• Help you to more easily deal with stress.
• Laugh and find humor in life. (Laughter has many health benefits!)
• Help you to relax.
• Rid you of negative emotions.
• Lift your spirits and lower your blood pressure
• Make you feel cared for and supported.
• Help you to enjoy the present moment.
• Inspire you to achieve your goals
• Support you in your business endeavors

There are also those old friends that we have lost contact with. Perhaps they moved, changed jobs,  got divorced or for whatever reason you lost touch. Take a moment and look for them today. You can search on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Most likely they have been thinking of you as well and hearing from you would really make their day!

For the current friends, why not get out your calendar right now and schedule some regular friend time  over the next several months to do  the folowing:

• Schedule ten or fifteen minutes per day to call one friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile and catch up. (Make a list) You can schedule the call during your morning coffee, lunch time, afternoon break or in the evening.
• Call your best friends today and tell them Happy Friendship Day! Tell them what they mean to you.
• Send an unexpected card to a friend at least a couple times per month.
• Invite a friend over for dinner or to meet at a restaurant.
• Invite a friend to meet for coffee before work or for lunch.
• Plan a picnic or fun outing with a friend.
• Catch a movie with a friend
• Go walking or jogging
• Attend one of the free summer concerts in the park together.

When you need a special gift for a friend, (whether it is a birthday, get well, thank you or just because, ) we can custom design the perfect gift to match any personality. Visit us at www.thebesttoyou.com.

Win A Hundred Dollar Gift Basket Or Other Raffle Prizes!

We would like to hear your stories of old friends found, what your best friend means to you, fun things you do with friends, How a friend changed your life, etc. The winner will be anounced by August 15th and will win a beautiful gift basket valued at $100. The runners up will be entered in a raffle drawing . Winners of the raffle will receive small gift baskets, gift items or confections.

Just click on make a comment to enter your Friendship Story.

Vote For Us!

The Best To You is honored to be nominated on the Best Of 10 News A-List and competing for the category of best gift shop in San Diego. Every year Channel 10 in San Diego has a contest to discover the best local businesses in 113 different categories. The winners will be announced the week of September 4th on 10News.com.

The Best To You is known for unsurpassed presentations, unique gifts and elegant gift baskets. However we think it is our company philosophy that has been responsible for our success and the award winning design team’s dedication, creativity, excellent customer service and attention to detail. You see we do not just deliver gift baskets, we deliver an experience and create memories.

While many companies have been competing for several weeks already, The Best To You has only been on the list since July 24th and very grateful to our wonderful fans, clients and friends who are voting immediately and  pushing us up in the contest standings.

Please take a moment to vote for The Best To You. Voting is easy. You can vote for us  and recommend us at

http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/the-best-to-you/biz/390393.

To thank you for your time when you vote for us and post a testimonial, we will offer a 15% discount off any gift basket ordered. This offer will be valid through November 2009. Just mention 10 News A-List when ordering. Your support means a lot to us!

It is fun to go through the list and vote for your favorites in different categories. Just a few of the other categories include:

• Best hamburger
• Best restaurant
• Best wine bar
• Best coffee shop
• Best hair salon
• Best sport bar
• Best day spa
• Most romantic restaurant

Who are some of your favorite local companies in the other categories?

The Gardener Gift Basket

Whether you are in the building industry or have a friend or family member moving to a new home, there are many types of housewarming gifts to choose from.   To design the perfect gift we would first ask some questions.

• Is this their very first home or their second, third or fourth?
• Will you be giving the gift the day they move in or a few weeks later?
• Is the home a fixer upper, a mansion, or something in between? Is it near the ocean, on a golf course,  out in the country, or  is it a modern condo downtown?
• What are they most excited about? Is it the area and attractions, hosting back yard barbeque parties, having a beatiful garden, relaxing by the fireplace, creating dinners in the modern new kitchen, having parties and entertaining, or spending time in the roman tub or spa?

The Best To You also thinks “outside the basket”. For example the container can be a picnic bag  if they are excited about being near the beach. The bag has a compartment for wine or sparkling cider, cutting board, cheese knife, silverware, glasses, linen napkins, bottle opener, plates and an insulated compartment for the picnic. They can even be embroidered.

A garden hose filled with gardening gloves, flower seeds, gardening book, garden tools and gardener’s hand cream is a great gift for the gardening enthusiast.

If their home has an Italian theme or they are near Little Italy, an elegant stainless steel colander and pasta serving plate makes a great container and can be filled with pasta, breadsticks, pasta sauce, olive oil, cappucino, and chocolates. candles and a musical CD like “A Taste of Italy” add nice finishing touches.

A few other suggestions: (We have dozens more!)

• A tall vase with elegant gifts  and gourmet goodies coming up out of the top makes a striking gift.
• A “Move In Survival Bucket” filled with hand soap, dish soap, Windex, picture hanging kit, dish towel,  coffee, and snacks.
• A detailed, hand painted bird house in the shape of a  home (adorable)
• Hand painted, blown glass candle vase with scented candle inside in a satin keepsake box.
• Elegant leatherette wine caddy or martini case (only if you know they drink)
• Swivel cutting board.  Looks fantastic on the counter as a cutting board, doubles as a party server on the buffet table swiveled open with cheeses and sausage on top. Includes four stainless steel cheese tools that store inside.

Housewarming is just one of our many themes we offer and is a specialty. We also do Birthday, get well, condolence, Anniversary, Wedding and new baby gift baskets. For more information please visit our website at www.thebesttoyou.com.  Please comment and let us know which type of gift you would prefer if you were moving in to a new home. We would love to hear from you.