Review of Four Web Sites with Unique and Decadent Items

With spring, comes a season of almost constant gift-giving occasions: Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, teacher appreciation, housewarmings, new babies, the list goes on. Flowers and chocolates are always appreciated, but for gifts that feel more unique or special, the Internet has a world of ordering potential.

Zingerman's Delicatessen

The Ann Arbor, MI delicatessen Zingerman's has a top-notch mail order catalogue at www.zingermans.com with something to tickle everyone's taste buds. For sweet lovers, try the decadent Caramel Dulce de Leche Buenos Aires Brownies, the melt-in-your-mouth Sourcream Coffeecake, or a range of chocolate bars. Its bread is out of this world: caraway rye bread made the old fashioned Jewish way, farm bread, and sweet loaves like cinnamon raisin are among the best. The deli also offers a range of mustards, honey, oil and vinegar. Enough people agree that it recently earned Food Network's top award for deliveries. In addition to individual purchases, Zingerman's offers decadent club memberships of coffee, bread, olive oil, cheese, or a special combination. Since the initial presentation sets the gift's tone, orders arrive in attractive colorful boxes or fancy crates.

Harry and David

Harry and David is the traditional go-to mail order gift (www.harryanddavid.com). Luscious pears and fruits can be given independently or as part of a fruit of the month club. The gift towers and boxes provide myriad treats from cookies to fruit to candies. The Moose Munch is a sure-thing gift for anyone with a sweet tooth and is available in milk or dark chocolate, and assorted or completely chocolate-covered. The relishes and salsas are delicious gifts that spruce up any gift basket. Harry and David even carries coffees, teas, and drink mixes to round out your presents.

Spoon Sisters

The Spoon Sisters (www.spoonsisters.com) have distinct and unusual gifts for just about everyone. The Bag Ladies Tea is "In the Pink" in support of breast cancer research and comes in a whimsical tin filled with 24 tea bags each labeled with a pithy line like "Check each breast - give your doctor a rest!" Crib Notes is a funny book for new parents that contains serious topics such as typical nanny salaries by region and entertaining information such as how to make a balloon animal. A perennial favorite is the Message Bean, which is a tin where the recipient peels the top and bottom foil, adds a half cup of water, and waits for the bean to sprout with a message (options are Thank You, Happy Birthday, Love, and Good Luck).

Red Envelope

For class and style, look no farther than www.redenvelope.com. Give Steady Sticks for the first summer picnic to keep wine glasses and bottles from tipping over in the grass or sand. The plaid leather flask and smokes humidor are classic, yet hip gifts for the hard-to-please man. The sunflower growing kit or blooms in purple pots are living, breathing remembrances that someone loves them. Red Envelope also carries a range of exclusive jewelry, including the Pea in the Pod Necklace with a freshwater pearl nestled in a pendant for each child. And of course you have the option for gifts to arrive in the signature red box.

Each of these merchants offers a range of items and specializes in gift-giving. Order multiple items to keep on hand for last-minute needs or for yourself. Most provide suggestions appropriate for different occasions and all offer fun, beautiful, and/or delicious items guaranteed to make someone smile.