Seafood Gift Guide: The Best Seafood Gifts to Send

This guide covers why seafood makes a great gift, the best seafood gifts for every budget, ideas by occasion and by recipient, corporate and holiday gifting, and exactly how to send fresh seafood as a gift.

Why Seafood Makes a Great Gift

Seafood is a gift people rarely buy for themselves, which is exactly what makes it feel special. It is a genuine treat, it suits food lovers and entertainers alike, and premium options like lobster and oysters carry a sense of celebration. Because it can be shipped with temperature-controlled express delivery, a seafood gift can arrive across the contiguous United States ready to prepare. And when you are not sure what someone would like, a gift card lets them choose their own favorites and pick a delivery date.

The Best Seafood Gifts

Here are the seafood gifts that impress every time, from the easiest to the most luxurious.

A Seafood Gift Card (The Easiest Choice)

When you want a sure thing, a seafood gift card is hard to beat. It is delivered instantly by email, and the recipient chooses exactly what they want and schedules delivery for when they will be home. It is the perfect gift for anyone who is hard to shop for, or when you are not certain of their tastes.

Live Lobster and Lobster Tails

Nothing says celebration like lobster. Live North Atlantic lobster delivers the full New England experience, while lobster tails are easy to cook and always impressive. Lobster is the classic luxury seafood gift for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.

Fresh Oysters

For the oyster lover, a selection of fresh oysters is like sending a raw bar in a box. Pair it with our guide on how to build a raw bar at home for a complete entertaining gift.

Dry Sea Scallops

A chef favorite, Intershell dry sea scallops are prized for their sweet flavor and firm texture because they are never treated with water-retention additives. They make a thoughtful gift for the home cook who appreciates quality.

Snow Crab and King Crab Legs

Sweet, tender crab legs, such as snow crab and king crab, are a crowd-pleasing gift that feels indulgent and is simple to prepare. They are perfect for a celebratory dinner or a holiday feast.

A New England Fry Kit

For a fun, nostalgic gift, the Fisherman's Platter fry kit brings the classic New England fried seafood experience home, complete with recipe and instructions. It is a memorable gift for anyone who loves fried clams, scallops, and haddock.

Shucking Knives and Tools

For the serious seafood lover, a set of professional shucking knives is a gift they will use for years, perfect for the home cook who shucks their own oysters and clams.

Corporate and Holiday Seafood Gifts

Seafood makes a standout corporate gift that clients and employees remember. Intershell offers a corporate seafood gifting service with wholesale pricing, expert consultation, flexible delivery options, and overnight shipping to eligible destinations. Contact the Intershell team to discuss current products, quantities, recipient locations, and available gifting arrangements. For individual holiday gifts, lobster, crab, oysters, and a raw bar spread are always welcome at the table.

Seafood Gifts by Occasion

Match the gift to the moment:

• ✓Holidays and Christmas: Lobster, crab legs, oysters, or a full raw bar spread
• ✓Birthdays: A gift card or their favorite lobster or scallops
• ✓Thank you and client gifts: A corporate gift box or a gift card
• ✓Dinner party host or housewarming: Oysters and a fry kit
• ✓Father's Day and Mother's Day: Lobster tails for a surf and turf at home

Seafood Gifts by Recipient

Not sure what to pick? Choose based on who they are:

• ✓The home cook: Dry scallops, fresh fish, or a fry kit with recipes
• ✓The entertainer: Oysters, shrimp, and a raw bar spread
• ✓The one who has everything: Live lobster or a premium assortment
• ✓Hard to shop for: A gift card so they choose their own

How to Send Seafood as a Gift

Sending fresh seafood is easier than most people expect. Here is how it works:

1. 1Choose the gift or a gift cardPick a specific seafood gift, or send a gift card so the recipient can choose their own favorites.
2. 2Select a delivery dateChoose a date when the recipient will be home to receive the package, since fresh seafood should not sit out.
3. 3It ships cold on your chosen dateFresh seafood is packed cold and shipped with temperature-controlled express delivery. Depending on the destination and product type, frozen-only orders may qualify for two-day delivery. Intershell currently ships perishable seafood to the 48 contiguous U.S. states.
4. 4The recipient stores each item on arrivalAsk them to open the package promptly and follow the storage instructions supplied with each product. Refrigerate fresh seafood, keep frozen seafood frozen if it arrives frozen, and prepare live seafood per its product-specific handling and cooking instructions. Our seafood storage guide has full details.

Seafood Gift-Giving Tips

• ✓When in doubt, a gift card gives the ultimate flexibility
• ✓Confirm the delivery date so someone is home to receive it
• ✓Point the recipient to a recipe or cooking guide to go with their gift
• ✓Consider any dietary preferences or allergies before choosing
• ✓Order early for the holidays, when delivery windows fill up fast

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best seafood gift?

The best seafood gifts include lobster, crab legs, oysters, and dry sea scallops, or a seafood gift card that lets the recipient choose. Lobster is the classic luxury choice, while a gift card is the safest option when you are unsure of their tastes.

Can you send seafood as a gift?

Yes. Fresh seafood is shipped with temperature-controlled express delivery across the contiguous United States, and frozen-only orders may qualify for two-day delivery to eligible destinations. Choose a delivery date when the recipient will be home, and they can store or prepare each item on arrival per its instructions.

How is seafood shipped as a gift?

Seafood is packed cold with gel packs, insulated coolers, and sometimes dry ice. Fresh orders ship overnight, while frozen-only orders may qualify for two-day delivery to eligible destinations. You select the delivery date at checkout.

What is a good seafood gift for someone who has everything?

A gift card or a live lobster experience is ideal for someone who has everything, because it offers either total choice or a memorable, celebratory meal they would not usually buy for themselves.

Are seafood gift cards a good idea?

Yes. A seafood gift card is delivered instantly by email, lets the recipient choose exactly what they want, and lets them schedule delivery for a convenient date. It is perfect for hard-to-shop-for people.

What seafood gift is good for the holidays?

Lobster, crab legs, oysters, and a full raw bar spread are popular holiday seafood gifts. Corporate gift boxes are also a great way to thank clients and employees during the holiday season.

Do you need to be home to receive a seafood gift?

It is strongly recommended. Fresh seafood should not sit outside for long, so choose a delivery date when the recipient will be home to bring the package inside and refrigerate it promptly.

What is a good corporate seafood gift?

Customizable corporate seafood gift boxes make an impressive, memorable gift for clients and employees. They offer wholesale pricing, flexible delivery, and overnight shipping so gifts arrive fresh anywhere.

How much should I spend on a seafood gift?

It depends on the occasion and recipient. A gift card is available in several fixed denominations, while premium gifts like lobster or crab suit special occasions. The thought and quality matter more than the exact amount.

Can you gift live lobster?

Yes. Live North Atlantic lobster can be shipped with temperature-controlled express delivery for the full New England experience. Just be sure the recipient is home to receive it and ready to cook it soon after arrival.

More Seafood Guides

Keep exploring with these Intershell guides.

• How to Build a Raw Bar
• How to Cook Lobster Tails
• Seafood Portion Guide
• How to Store Seafood