Let me start by saying I'm a huge nut enthusiast, so when I got my hands on this NUT CRAVINGS Gourmet Collection, I was beyond excited. The wooden tray is gorgeous – it's the kind of presentation that makes you feel fancy just looking at it. That red and gold ribbon? Chef's kiss.

The variety is impressive – 12 different types of nuts! My personal favorites were the honey glazed pecans (sweet but not overpowering) and the roasted salted macadamia nuts (so buttery!). The crunch of the corn kernels added a fun texture contrast.

I used this as a centerpiece during my book club meeting, and it was perfect for sharing. The wooden tray made passing snacks around so easy, and everyone kept complimenting how elegant it looked. Pro tip: This would make an amazing hostess gift!

Now, about freshness – mine arrived in perfect condition, but I did see some reviews mentioning staleness. Maybe I got lucky with a fresh batch? The nuts in mine were crisp and flavorful across the board.

The only minor downside? Some cross-flavoring happens since the nuts aren't individually wrapped. If you're super particular about flavors mingling, this might bother you. Personally, I didn't mind – it added to the 'mixed nuts' experience for me.

Would I buy again? Absolutely! It's become my go-to gift for hard-to-shop-for relatives. Just maybe avoid shipping during extreme weather to prevent any potential freshness issues.