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Inside a Chocolate Gift Basket
Inside a Chocolate Gift Basket
Apr 26 2004 |
By David Silverberg
With Valentines Day amour still in the air, buying thoughtful presents remains a top priority for new couples, long-time spouses and considerate relatives. For that loved one with several sweet teeth, why not satisfy multiple cravings with a chocolate gift basket? The wrapped bounty can contain many delicious goodies, but every chocolate gift basket should hold the necessary riches.
Conventional dessert-lovers often enjoy a small box of chocolates, usually as truffles or an assorted selection. The standard chocolate bar may please the stomach, although true elegance trumps convention: Chocolate-covered cookies or almonds are delightful snacks that complement any package, and note that graham and cherries are popular foods to coat with creamy chocolate.
More veteran chocoholics will look for unusual fare in a chocolate gift basket. Chocolate-dipped biscotti or caramel corn breaks convention, while chocolate roses add a delicate romantic touch. For the alcohol-drinker, Sam Adams Brewery has unveiled a new chocolate-flavored beer, selling 50,000 wine-sized bottles for $15 each. The dark, full-bodied beer is infused with chocolate flavor from cocoa nibs.
A chocolate gift basket can also be shaped upon themes, such as love or sports or animals. Crafting chocolate into a bunny or heart shape is nothing new, but expanding horizons is always appreciated by the gift-receiver. Your loved one fond of nature? Customize the chocolate items to look like trees, mountain peaks, budding flowers or koala bears, for instance. Your mom enjoys Hollywood glitz? Craft a slab of chocolate to look like a film reel, or Kevin Spaceys face. The wonderful thing about chocolate is that it is so malleable, and its transformations are endlessly exciting.
Also, beware the trap of going just for taste. A chocolate gift baskets appearance counts as much as the insides, although the actual goodies can complement the gifts beauty. Opt for chocolate items with attractive packaging, from frilly bows to gold-coloured wrapping. Stylish jars of chocolate spread, for instance, may balance the jutting edges of a chocolate bar, and the same goes for individual candy: mix round and square-shaped singles, blend heart-shaped items with cherry-shaped ones. Most importantly, consider the receivers tastes and shape the chocolate gift basket accordingly.
Lastly, after the lick-your-lips goodness has been chosen, consider the vehicle of the actual gift: the basket. Various forms are available, from wicker baskets to mock-up sleighs to large top hats. Once again, themes can play a role in the basket selection, which also must be wrapped stylishly but firmly to keep the delicious items intact.
Happy gifting!
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