Santa Barbara Gift Baskets: How to Build One Locals Love (Ideas by Budget)
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The best Santa Barbara gift basket is one you build yourself from things the recipient will actually use: a Turkish towel, a Santa Barbara candle, an embroidered cap and a few small local touches, tucked into a beach tote that becomes part of the gift. At The Riviera Towel Company in downtown Santa Barbara, you can pick every piece in our shop or online, and we'll gift wrap it with a handwritten card and ship it anywhere in the US.
We don't sell pre-made baskets, and honestly, that's the point. A basket you put together says "I thought about you," not "I clicked the first thing I saw." Here's how to build one, with ideas at every budget.
What should I put in a Santa Barbara gift basket?
Start with one hero piece, add two or three smaller gifts, and finish with something that says Santa Barbara by name. That simple formula keeps a basket feeling generous without filling it with clutter.
Here's the formula we use when helping people in the shop:
- The hero: a Turkish beach towel, a cotton throw blanket or a robe. This is the piece they'll use for years.
- The scent: a candle or room spray that brings the coast indoors.
- The everyday item: a cap, a tea towel or a set of coasters.
- The little extra: a coin purse, a bracelet or a travel tin candle.
- The "basket": a beach tote instead of a wicker basket, so nothing goes to waste.
Why use a beach tote instead of a basket?
A tote is a container they'll keep using, while a wicker basket usually ends up in the garage. Our Essential Medio Beach Tote (from $38) or the SB Embroidered Medio Beach Tote (from $32) holds a folded towel, a candle and a cap with room to spare.
After the gift is opened, the tote heads to East Beach, the farmers market or the Funk Zone. For a bigger haul, the Essential Beach Tote - Large (from $48) fits a blanket too. Browse every option in our beach bags and totes collection.
What are good Santa Barbara gift basket ideas by budget?
You can build a thoughtful Santa Barbara gift basket for under $50, and a truly memorable one for around $125 to $200. The table below uses "from" prices on our site, so totals are starting points; colors and sizes can change the final price.
| Budget | What goes inside | Starting total |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50: the little hello | Sun n' Surf Santa Barbara Tea Towel ($18), Santa Barbara / California 4oz Travel Tin ($14), Sun n' Surf Bear Santa Barbara Coin Purse ($12) | About $44 |
| $50 to $100: the hostess basket | Santa Barbara Turkish Towel (from $32.98), Santa Barbara 8 oz Candle ($28), Set/4 Ca Bear Cork Coasters in Drawstring Pouch ($18) | About $79 |
| $100 to $150: the beach day tote | LOVE from Santa Barbara Beach Towels (from $48.98), Santa Barbara Embroidered Baseball Cap ($38), Essential Medio Beach Tote ($38) | About $125 |
| $200 and up: the cozy weekend | Umbria Throw Blanket ($88), Essential Turkish Bathrobe ($68), Pacific Ocean 8oz Candle ($28), Waffle Hand Towel ($18) | About $202 |
Two money notes worth knowing. Orders over $95 ship free, so the two larger baskets ship at no extra cost. And when a basket includes two or more Riviera towels, blankets or robes, our "Buy 2, save 10%" offer applies automatically at checkout.
Which Santa Barbara gift basket fits which person?
Match the hero piece to how the person spends their free time, and the rest of the basket falls into place.
For the beach lover
Build around a Turkish beach towel. They're light, quick-drying and fold small, which makes them perfect for a day at Butterfly Beach or Leadbetter. Add a cap and a tote, and they're ready to go. Our guide to the best beach towels in Santa Barbara can help you pick a style.
For the home cook or host
Lead with the Santa Barbara Dish Towel ($25), then add a candle and coasters. It's a lovely thank-you after a weekend stay.
For someone who moved away
Anything that says Santa Barbara by name does the heavy lifting here. The LOVE from Santa Barbara towel and a Santa Barbara candle together feel like a postcard they can use.
For new parents or a new homeowner
A soft throw and a robe make a calm, cozy basket. Our Turkish cotton blankets and throws are easy to wash and look good draped over a sofa.
Can I build a gift basket online and have it shipped?
Yes. Add your pieces to your cart at rivieratowel.com, choose gift wrap with a handwritten card ($10) on the product page, and we'll ship it nationwide. Orders over $95 ship free.
To make it even easier, we gathered our favorite basket-friendly pieces in one place: Santa Barbara gift basket ideas.
If you're not sure what goes together, our Santa Barbara gifts collection and The Gift Shop are good places to start. You can also call the shop at 805-560-1571 for ideas.
Where can I build a gift basket in Santa Barbara?
Visit The Riviera Towel Company at 17 W. Gutierrez St., in downtown Santa Barbara just off State Street. You can see and feel the towels and blankets in person, mix in candles, caps, jewelry and pillows, and walk out with a wrapped gift.
Our towels are hand-loomed from Turkish cotton in Turkey, with colorways designed right here in Santa Barbara. That local story is a nice detail to mention on the card.
What about custom or logo gift baskets for a business or event?
For branded towels, embroidered names or bulk gifts for clients, a team or a wedding, our sister company RivieraGift.com handles custom woven, embroidered and printed towels, blankets, robes and totes. Request a quote or a virtual proof there and they'll walk you through options.
For more inspiration, see our Santa Barbara gift guide and the coastal holiday gift guide.
FAQ
Does The Riviera Towel Company sell pre-made Santa Barbara gift baskets?
No. We don't sell pre-made baskets. Instead, you can build your own Santa Barbara gift basket from our shop in person or online, and we'll gift wrap it with a handwritten card and ship it.
What is a good budget for a Santa Barbara gift basket?
A small gift basket with a tea towel, travel tin candle and coin purse starts around $44. A beach day tote with a LOVE from Santa Barbara towel, an embroidered cap and a tote starts around $125.
Can you ship a gift basket from Santa Barbara?
Yes. We ship nationwide, and orders over $95 ship free. Add gift wrap with a handwritten card for $10 on any product page.
What can I use instead of a wicker basket?
A beach tote works well because it holds everything and becomes part of the gift. The Essential Medio Beach Tote and SB Embroidered Medio Beach Tote are popular choices.
Where is The Riviera Towel Company in Santa Barbara?
Our shop is at 17 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, in downtown Santa Barbara just off State Street. You can call us at 805-560-1571.
Building a gift basket? Visit our shop at 17 W. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara or call 805-560-1571. We offer free shipping on orders over $95, and 5% of our net profits go to organizations that heal and protect the ocean we all love, with $76,439.30 donated so far.
