Wholesome Wishes

Wholesome Wishes: The Basket That Says "I Have Not Forgotten You"

There is a particular kind of week that nobody plans for. The hospital admission. The diagnosis. The new baby and the missing sleep. The funeral notice. The friend who is suddenly carrying something they did not see coming. The right thing to send is rarely a bouquet on its own. It is a basket of fresh fruit she can pick at from the bed, a loaf of banana bread her partner can slice when there is no time to cook, a bottle of cold Appletiser for the kettle-less hospital ward, and a small box of Lindt Lindor for the moment she needs the smallest, easiest thing on the bedside table. This basket is that. The "I have not forgotten you" gesture, sent properly.

Hand-packed in our Claremont studio since 1999. Rated 5-star across 5,800+ verified customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Loox. Same-day delivery in Cape Town and Johannesburg if you order before 12pm.

What is in the Basket

• Fresh seasonal fruit, hand-selected on the morning of dispatch: green and red grapes, red apples, a juicy pear, a clementine, a yellow papaya, bananas, and two passion fruits. The full spread for picking at over a long, slow week.
• Sliced banana bread (or seasonal bake), the soft, easy-to-eat bake that handles a bedside table without crumbing the duvet. Pre-sliced for a partner or visitor to hand across.
• Appletiser (275ml), the chilled, lightly sparkling apple juice. The non-coffee, non-juice-from-a-box drink that lifts a hospital room or a quiet kitchen.
• Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate, the smooth, slow-melt Swiss truffles in the iconic red box. The small bedside reach for the moment that needs the smallest thing.
• Sally Williams Nougat Sticks, the chewy South African artisan nougat in stick form, easy to hand around, properly indulgent.
• Dried Citrus Slices, finished with a small bag of sun-dried orange or citrus slices for the bedside snack drawer.
• White Wicker Carry Basket, the hand-finished basket with handle that the recipient keeps long after the fruit is finished. Reusable for picnics, garden harvest, baby washing, or as a kitchen-counter fruit bowl.

Everything hand-packed by our team in the morning, with the freshest fruit available on the day of dispatch. Optional handwritten card at checkout.

Who This One Is For

The friend whose surgery is on Friday. The colleague whose mom just went into hospital. The new mother whose first week is the hardest. The neighbour who has just had bad news. The sister recovering at home. The dad post-procedure who is on a soft-food week. The mother-in-law who fell. The work mate who has been signed off for a fortnight. The "I want you to know I am thinking of you" gesture that does not need an occasion.

This is one of our most-loved get-well soon gifts, a leading pick from our get-well soon hampers, get-well soon gifts for her and get-well soon gifts for him edits. It is also a strong pick from our birthday gifts for her range for the recipient who would rather have fresh fruit than chocolate, and a favourite Mother's Day basket from our Mother's Day hampers and Mother's Day flowers collections for the new mom.

For card-line inspiration, our top gifts for her from her read covers the women-to-women angle and anniversary messages for wife is the long-marriage primer when this is going to a partner recovering at home. For Mother's Day milestones, fabulous birthday wishes for mom has 100+ heartfelt lines.

How to Use It

Set the basket on the kitchen counter or beside the bed. Pour the Appletiser into a glass with ice. Slice a piece of the banana bread and put it on a small plate. Halve a passion fruit and spoon it over yoghurt. Peel a clementine for the moment she needs the smell of citrus to lift the room. Save the Lindt Lindor for the bedside drawer. The basket lasts a week if you pace it. The gesture lasts longer.

Pairs Beautifully With

If you want flowers alongside the basket, the white peony silk flower is the timeless feminine option that needs no water. The pink wax flower silk stem is the gentle, dried-flower aesthetic. The Ivory Edit silk bouquet is the neutral, hospital-friendly pick (no pollen, no scent, no maintenance).

For fresh-flower energy, our peonies collection is the most-romantic pairing, with pink peonies for soft femininity, white peonies for clean recovery-friendly neutrality, or red peonies for the bolder warmer pairing. The orchids collection is the longer-lasting alternative, and our wider silk flowers edit covers the no-maintenance hospital-friendly options.

For the alcohol-free pairing, add a bottle from our non-alcoholic champagne edit at checkout for the celebratory recovery moment.

Sending to a Johannesburg recipient, see Sandton flower delivery, Hyde Park flower delivery, Bryanston flower delivery, Rosebank flower and gift delivery, Randburg flower delivery, Boksburg flower delivery or Bedfordview flower delivery for area-specific same-day delivery options.

For more on the studio behind the basket, see our story, or browse our happy customer reviews for the proof.

Delivery You Can Trust

This is a fresh-fruit basket, so delivery is same-day in Cape Town and Johannesburg only, for orders placed before 12pm, Monday to Saturday. We do not courier this basket nationwide, because the fresh produce will not survive a 2 to 4 day transit. For recipients outside Cape Town and Johannesburg, see our nationwide gift hampers and gift boxes for a non-perishable equivalent.

We have been doing this since 1999, with 5,800+ verified customer reviews across Google, Trustpilot and Loox combined, and a 5-star rating across all three platforms. Every basket is hand-packed by our team in Claremont on the morning of dispatch, with the freshest fruit available on the day.

Pay in full at checkout or split it over 2 to 6 interest-free instalments with Stitch BNPL.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in the Wholesome Wishes basket?

Fresh seasonal fruit (green and red grapes, red apples, a pear, a clementine, a papaya, bananas, two passion fruits), pre-sliced banana bread (or our seasonal bake), a 275ml bottle of Appletiser, a box of Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate, Sally Williams nougat sticks, and a small packet of dried citrus slices. All hand-packed in a white wicker carry basket on the morning of dispatch.

Is the fruit fresh on arrival?

Yes. We hand-select the fruit on the morning of dispatch from our regular Cape Town and Johannesburg suppliers, and pack each basket on the day of delivery. Recipients receive the basket within hours of packing.

Can I send this basket anywhere in South Africa?

No, only Cape Town and Johannesburg. Because this basket contains fresh fruit, we deliver same-day in Cape Town and Johannesburg only, for orders placed before 12pm, Monday to Saturday. The basket cannot survive a 2 to 4 day nationwide courier transit, so for recipients outside these two metros, please see our nationwide gift hampers and gift boxes for a non-perishable equivalent.

Is this gift basket suitable for a hospital visit?

Yes. It is one of our most-ordered hospital, get-well, and post-surgery baskets. The fresh fruit, banana bread, Appletiser, and Lindor all sit well on a bedside table and pace easily across a week-long stay. If she has been signed off for a longer recovery at home, the basket also works as the "we are thinking of you" gesture sent to the house.

Can the fruit be tailored to a dietary requirement or allergy?

Yes. If she has a fructose intolerance, diabetes, an allergy to a specific fruit, or a vegan or gluten-free requirement (the banana bread is not gluten-free), please add a note at checkout and we can swap items where possible before dispatch.

Will the exact fruit selection match the photograph?

The brief stays the same (green and red grapes, apples, pear, clementine, papaya, bananas, passion fruit) but the exact selection can vary slightly with the season and what is at peak ripeness on the morning of dispatch. Every basket is built to look as generous and abundant as the photograph.

Who is this gift basket best suited for?

Anyone who is unwell, recovering, or who has had a hard week. Hospital patients, post-surgery recipients, the new mother in the first month, the neighbour who has had bad news, the colleague signed off for a fortnight, the friend whose hard quarter needs a bedside basket. It is also a strong celebration basket for a recipient who would rather have fresh fruit and Appletiser than another bottle of wine.

Is this basket suitable for a sympathy gift?

Yes. The wholesome, gentle nature of the basket sits well as a sympathy gesture for someone recently bereaved, especially when paired with white silk flowers or our white peonies fresh option. The basket gives the family something easy to eat across a hard first week.

Can I add a personalised card or message?

Yes. At checkout, you can add a handwritten gift card with your message at no extra charge. We write it out by hand at the studio and tuck it inside the basket before it goes.

Can I send this with flowers?

Yes. Add a hand-tied bouquet at checkout from our peonies or orchids collections, or pair with one of the low-maintenance silk options linked above. The silk options are recommended for hospital deliveries where pollen or scent may be restricted.

How long does the fruit stay fresh?

The fruit is at its best within four to seven days of delivery if kept in a cool spot. The bananas should be eaten earliest. The apples, grapes, and pear hold longest. The Lindor, Sally Williams nougat, dried citrus, and Appletiser keep for weeks unopened. We do not pack anything close to its best-before date.

Is the basket itself keepable?

Yes. The white wicker carry basket is hand-finished, properly built, and useable long after the contents are gone. Recipients keep it for picnic carries, garden harvesting, the kitchen-counter fruit bowl, or for laundry.

Why should I trust ordering from Fabulous Flowers?

Three reasons. One: we have been doing this since 1999. Two: we are rated 5-star across 5,800+ verified customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot and Loox combined. Three: every basket is hand-packed and checked by our team in Claremont on the morning of dispatch. Read more about the brand on our our story page, or browse our happy customer reviews.

Is the basket ready to give or do I need to wrap it?

Ready to give. White wicker carry basket, hand-finished, optional handwritten card. No additional wrapping required.

The Fabulous Promise

We believe in creating unforgettable moments with our flowers and gifts. Our Fabulous Promise is your reassurance that you have come to the right place for the best possible care, service, and floral and gift designs appropriate for every occasion and special event in your life.

Fresh Blooms and Unique Flower Arrangements: Our team of South African florists handpicks the freshest blooms and crafts them into beautiful bouquets and arrangements that our customers adore. Our reviews speak for themselves. We specialise in fabulous moments and heartfelt occasions, from birthdays and farewells to hotel installations or “just because” flowers that make any day extraordinary.

Same Day and Nationwide: Need to send an urgent gift? We offer same-day delivery within Cape Town and nationwide delivery anywhere in South Africa for our delightful gift boxes. Your thoughtful surprises will always arrive on time.

Luxurious Gift Hampers: Our gift hampers are packed with goodies that are sure to bring moments of happiness and joy to your recipients. From gourmet treats to pamper sets, we have the perfect hamper for all occasions.

Weddings and Events: Make your big day even more special with our stunning wedding and event flowers. We will work with you to make the perfect floral décor so you can relax and enjoy every minute.

Business Gifting: Show your clients and employees how much you appreciate them with our business gifting options. From fantastic flower bouquets and gift packages filled with care, we make gift giving as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Mission and Values: We are more than a florist and gift shop. We're a lifestyle brand that wants to help you celebrate, gift, and love the people who mean so much. From birth to death, we're about making moments—and memories—that last. Read Our Story and Our Difference. 

We believe all customers are royalty and continue striving toward your happiness through our premium service and exquisite design. We constantly seek new ways to make the experience of gifting more fabulous.

Why Fabulous Flowers?

Quality: Our products include only the best quality flowers and materials. 

Convenience: Shopping is made easy online while ensuring your delivery is in good hands.

Personal Touch: Every order is made carefully.

Customer Satisfaction: We will go the extra mile to bring a smile to make you and your recipient feel fabulous.

With 25+ years in this business, we know how to create stunning flowers and gifts that are made from our hearts and delivered to your homes. In 2024, we celebrate our Jubilee! 

Experience the Fabulous Difference.

Fabulous Flowers and Gifts Fresh Flowers Care Instructions

Fresh Flowers

Find a Vase: Your lovely blooms need a drink! Put them in your favourite vase with fresh water as soon as possible.

Trim Those Stems: Keep those stems fresh by cutting them at an angle. This allows more water up the stem. Checking and trimming the stems every few days will keep them sound.

Gently Strip Leaves: Remove any excess leaves, especially from the part of the stem that will be submerged. This helps to avoid rot and bacteria, which can shorten your flowers' life span.

Remove Old Blooms: Drooping flowers release ethylene gas, which may accelerate the aging of other flowers. Strip off any dead or dying flowers to keep the rest of the bouquet looking bright and fresh.

Keep Them Cool: Place your flowers away from heat sources such as heaters, televisions, or ovens to retain the beauty of your flowers.

Clean Water: Always place your flowers in clean water. Refresh your vase with water daily or at least every second day. 

Gift Boxes

Storage Tips: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to keep contents in perfect condition.

Handling with Care: Handle this box gently so as not to damage the delicate items inside.

Freshening: If your gift includes foods or beverages, please refer to the individual product use-by and expiry dates and the informational materials regarding storage recommendations:

Plants

Watering: Ensure your plants are hydrated but avoid overwatering. Check the soil's moisture regularly and water it when the top inch feels dry.

Light: Place your plants in a spot where they receive the appropriate amount of light. Some prefer bright, indirect light, while others thrive in low-light conditions.

Feeding: Feed your plants with a balanced fertiliser every few weeks during the growing season to keep them healthy and vibrant.

Pruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and trim back overgrown branches to encourage new growth and maintain the plant's shape.

Humidity: Some plants thrive in high humidity. If needed, mist your plants occasionally or place a humidifier nearby to create a favourable environment.

Artificial Flowers and Plants

Dusting: Your artificial flowers and botanicals should be lightly dusted regularly with a soft cloth or feather duster.

Light Washing: For deeper cleaning, please use a cloth lightly dampened with water and a small amount of mild detergent. Gently wipe the leaves and petals.

Avoid Direct: Sunlight Do not place under direct sunlight in order to prevent colours from fading.

Fluff and Arrange: Just fluff up petals and leaves to remain fluffy. Set them in position as desired to look natural.

Personalize: Gift your flowers, Gift Boxes, and Artificial Flowers and Plants with the Care They Deserve; they will be a Source of Joy and Elegance for you. The charm of fresh flowers, the delight of a thoughtful gift box, and the endless beauty of an artificial plant—all special moments created by Fabulous Flowers and Gifts.

Please Note: Due to the seasonal nature of flowers and availability of specific items, the contents of our bouquets and gift boxes may vary throughout the year. We strive to substitute any unavailable items with products of equal or greater value, ensuring that every gift you receive is fresh, beautiful, and of the highest quality. Thank you for your understanding and for choosing us to celebrate your special moments.