The Ultimate Guide to Sending Booze as a Gift
Sending a bottle of booze is a pretty easy way to make someone’s day. Maybe it’s for a birthday, a promotion, a holiday, or just because you felt like sending them something nice. Either way, there’s a little more to it than picking a bottle and punching in an address.
You want something they’ll actually enjoy, of course. But you also need to factor in the occasion and how you’ll get the gift to their door.
This guide to sending booze as a gift covers a few simple choices that can make the whole experience feel a lot more thoughtful.
Choose Booze They’ll Actually Enjoy
The best bottle to send isn’t necessarily the most expensive one. You want to start by figuring out what the recipient already drinks.
If you know they’re a bourbon fan, you’ve got a pretty easy place to start. A familiar bottle like Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey makes a solid single-bottle gift. It’s approachable enough for many bourbon drinkers, but it still has enough character to make the bottle feel like a thoughtful choice.
Shopping for someone who likes whiskey and enjoys trying new things? A gift set gives them a little more to play with. The Angel’s Envy Bourbon & Rye 375mL Gift Set comes with two half-size bottles, one bourbon and one rye. It’s a nice way to let them try something a little different without committing to a full bottle of each.
Decide Between a Bottle and a Gift Set
You don’t need a gift set to make a bottle feel special. A single bottle can be the better choice when you already know what the recipient likes.
A gift set makes sense when you want to give them a little more than just the bottle. The Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey & 2 Glencairn Glasses Bundle, for example, pairs a 750mL bottle of Blanton’s with two Glencairn glasses. So they’ve got the whiskey and the right glasses to enjoy it in.
Want to go bigger? The Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare & Blanton’s Single Barrel Bundle gives a bourbon fan three bottles to work their way through. That’s a pretty fun gift for someone who takes their bourbon seriously.
Match the Gift to the Occasion
The occasion can make the choice a little easier. For a birthday, anniversary, or milestone, you might want to reach for something a little more special. A premium bottle or gift set can do the trick, especially if you know what the person likes.
For a wedding, engagement, or another big celebration, champagne is hard to go wrong with. The Luc Belaire Champagne Bundle is a good fit for someone who prefers a little sparkle over bourbon or whiskey.
And if tequila is more their thing, go that route. The Casamigos Tequila Bundle gives you a way to make the gift feel personal without defaulting to whiskey.
Check the Shipping Rules Before You Order
This is the part you don’t want to overlook. Alcohol shipping rules vary by location, and you can’t simply put a bottle in a box and send it through the mail like an ordinary package. For example, USPS generally prohibits mailing intoxicating liquors, while private carriers have their own requirements for alcohol shipments.
The easiest approach is to order through a retailer that is set up to handle alcohol shipments. Before placing your order, check that the retailer can ship to the recipient’s address and review any delivery requirements.
Here’s something else to keep in mind. Alcohol deliveries may require an adult signature, so don’t assume the recipient can have the package left unattended at their door. It’s usually best to make sure someone, preferably an adult, is available to receive it.
Make Your Booze Gift More Personal With Engraving Options
Choosing a good booze is good, but you don’t have to spend a fortune or find some ultra-rare bottle to make the gift feel personal. Just choose something that makes you think of the person receiving it.
You could also take it a step further with engraving. Adding a name or even a logo to a bottle can turn it into something they’ll want to hold on to long after the booze is gone. Take a look at some custom bottle engraving options and choose one for a spirit they’ll love.
It’s usually nice to add a short note that tells them why you picked the bottle. Even a simple “thought you’d enjoy this” can make the package feel like it came from you rather than straight off a shelf.
And if you know their usual drink, lean into it. A bourbon fan might appreciate a bottle they’ve had their eye on but haven’t picked up yet. If you’re not quite sure what they like, a gift set gives them a little more room to find something they enjoy.
Give Yourself Time to Plan
Don’t wait until the day before an occasion to order a bottle. Shipping times can vary, and some alcohol deliveries require a little more planning.
Before you place the order, check the recipient’s address and confirm that the retailer ships to their location. If it’s for a birthday or holiday, give yourself a little extra time for the bottle to arrive. That way, you’re less likely to end up watching the tracking page while the occasion gets closer.
Send a Gift They’ll Remember
A good bottle can say a lot without making a big production out of it. When you know what someone likes, choosing the right booze can feel surprisingly personal. That’s really the trick with this guide to sending booze as a gift. You don’t need to overthink it. Most of the time, a bottle you know they’ll love is all you need to make the gift feel special.
Choose something that suits the person and give yourself enough time for it to arrive. The bottle can do the rest.
