Welcome to Chocolate Tips

Chocolates just in case

Buy an extra box of chocolates or two when you're out shopping for the holidays. That way, if someone gives you a present you weren't expecting, you'll be ready with one in return. Just be sure to not eat them all before you give them away.

Vermont gifts

If you want to give someone a special chocolate gift, consider a Vermont gift box of chocolates made from sweet Vermont cream. This will be sure to please even the most discerning chocolate lover in your life.

Chocolate gifts for teachers

After a while, teachers collect mountains of coffee mugs from students who want to show their appreciation. Why not do something different for your teacher or your kids' teachers this year and give them something to put in the mug. Gourmet flavored hot chocolate, either store bought or homemade, would make a great gift basket for chocolate lover teacher.

Hot chocolate gift baskets

For the chocolate lovers in your life who would rather sip their chocolate than chew it, consider putting together a chocolate basket of gourmet hot chocolates with a nice mug. To make it more personal, include plastic spoons dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with candy to be used as stirrers.

Chocolate gifts for corporations

Show your appreciation to your clients and employees with a chocolate gift basket. Many fine chocolate companies offer gift baskets with corporate givers in mind. Some even offer discounts for large orders. You'll set yourself apart and make a positive impression that will affect your business in the future.

Decipher your box of chocolates

Some companies will sell you a box of chocolates with a map explaining what each tasty treat has inside. If your chocolate box is without a map, pay attention to the decorations on the top of the individual chocolates. Usually similar chocolates have similar patterns. If you're the type of person to take a bite out of every piece until you find the kind you're looking for, it would be a good idea to get to know a specific brand and stick with it. Your friends and family will thank you for it.

Making chocolate covered fruit

No chocolate lover can resist chocolate covered fruit. If you want to make this delicious treat yourself, choose fruits that are dry on the outside and easily held on one end. Strawberries are a classic, but if you want to make a truly unique chocolate covered fruit gift basket, experiment with apples, oranges, bananas and even grapes.

Give the gift of a good mood

If you're planning on giving a box of chocolates to your favorite chocolate lover, you may be giving more than candy. Studies show that eating chocolate produces a chemical response in our brains that relaxes and uplifts us.

Chocolate birth announcements

Instead of handing out cards when your baby is born, consider chocolates. A good idea for a chocolate gift is a chocolate bar with a personalized wrapper. “Here She Is” for a girl, and “Here He Is” for a boy. Where the ounce information usually is on a chocolate bar, write the baby's measurements.

If you're looking for a chocolate gift that is less cutesy, consider chocolate cigars. They're a sweet twist on the traditional cigar and nobody is likely to complain about the aroma.

The first chocolate gift

When Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez was first given chocolate by the Aztec ruler Montezuma, he knew he had to bring it back to Spain with him. Chocolate soon caught on as the Spanish improvised with their own chocolate recipes. They made the delicacy sweeter with sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Now that's a chocolate gift we can all appreciate.

Chocolate gift variety

For a twist on the traditional box of chocolate gift, consider giving chocolate covered fruit. It takes just a little more forethought, but will make a big impression with the chocolate lovers on your list.

Keep Valentine's Day in your heart all year long

Chocolate gifts aren't just for Valentine's Day anymore. Give chocolate for birthdays, anniversaries, or anytime you want to tell those special chocolate lovers in your life that you're thinking of them.

Calorie-free chocolate gift

Prepare a no-calorie chocolate gift basket for the chocolate lover on a diet. Fill a basket with chocolate scented candles, bath products, lotions and lip balm.

Spa day for the chocolate lover

Ever fantasize about being smothered in chocolate? At some spas around the country it is now possible and even socially acceptable to have chocolate smothered over your body. The antioxidants in the chocolate benefit your skin. It's been proven that antioxidants are a powerful anti-aging substance, and if you rub chocolate on your skin, the antioxidants from chocolate will protect your skin from the effects of sun and everyday pollution. If you're looking for a chocolate gift for that chocolate lover in your life who is hard to shop for, this may just be it.

Chocolate gifts for the socially aware

Show that environmentally savvy chocolate lover that you care with a chocolate basket filled with free trade chocolate. Fair trade chocolate is made with all fair trade ingredients, meaning that the farmers and workers growing the products were paid a decent wage for their hard work.