Top 10 Chocolate Favors for Weddings and Showers – Part I

Big day approaching? In all likelihood, you, your family and friends have most of the wedding planning taken care of, so now you can move on to some of the fun details….like how to incorporate chocolate into the celebrations! The team at The Happy Chocolatier has compiled a Top 10 list that gives you some great ideas for how to include chocolate as favors for wedding or shower guests, thank you gifts, or as a fantastic addition to your dessert. Science and experience tell us that it’ll bring a little happiness to everyone!

1) Chocolate Lobster Table Favor – Planning a seaside wedding or event? One of our handmade milk or dark chocolate lobster pops makes a great addition to the napkin. Personalize with your own custom bow in your colors with the names and date!

2) Cubze 2- or 4-Piece Gift box – Brides and grooms love the concept of sharing their happiness with guests. Take it one step further with our signature truffle Cubze wrapped in gorgeous jewel-toned foils with an inspirational thought on happiness in each piece! They work well for a shower, rehearsal dinner or wedding favor.

3) Twin Chocolate Hearts – Two hearts coming together as one, just like the bride and groom! Milk, dark or white chocolate – pick your favorite or a combination and we can package them with a bow of your choosing.

4) Chocolate Roses – Another take on the chocolate lobster favor concept for those wanting something more traditional. You can choose the type of chocolate – milk, dark or white – and select a finishing bow to dress them up for the day.

5) Assorted Chocolates Favor – Are delectable sea salt caramels or truffles your favorite chocolate confection? We can make a chocolate cup and fill it with your preferred selection of chocolates. Again, customizable with a colorful monogrammed bow on the package.

These are just a few ideas to think about. Maybe one of them will spark a creative idea of your own! At The Happy Chocolatier, we can hand make chocolates in many different thematic molds and will work with you to create something that reflects the theme and tone of your wedding or event. Stay tuned for more great ideas in Part II. And remember, Happiness is like a kiss…you must share it to enjoy it!

Top 10 Chocolate Favors for Weddings and Showers – Part II

In our previous blog post, the team at The Happy Chocolatier gave you the first half of our Top 10 chocolate favors for weddings and showers. Here we’ll give you the low down on the second half of our ideas to incorporate chocolate into any of your celebrations. They’ll bring a little happiness to everyone sharing in your joy!

6) Seashells, Starfish and Sand dollars – For those planning a summery seaside wedding, our assortment of gorgeous seashells, starfish and sand dollars are a fantastic addition to your dining tables or dessert display. Choose your choice of milk, dark or white chocolate – or mix it up for color and varying tastes. Add an occasional foiled shell that complements your colors and you’ll be thrilled with the results! The finishing touch can be one of our ribbons or your own custom monogrammed ribbon in a color of your choosing.

7) Cubze, Our Signature Truffles – Simple but elegant, our signature Cubze are beautiful in jewel-toned foils. They add an extra element of happiness to your day with the inspirational thought on happiness wrapped up in each piece! A couple of our favorites: Happiness is like a kiss…you must share it to enjoy it and Some pursue happiness, others create it. Don’t take our word on how tasty these are, read what the Boston Globe and WBZ’s Jordan Rich have to say about them!

8) Chocolate Love Favor – Tuck one of these into the napkin and ring at each place setting at a Jack and Jill shower or at the wedding. They’ll add a contemporary flare to your celebration décor. You can choose the type of chocolate – dark, milk or white – along with the ribbon to accent each favor. If you would like to use a custom monogrammed ribbon to match your colors, we can assist you!

9) S’mores – A fun favor with a hint of summer for all your guests. One couple came in to look at our selection of chocolates and undecided, they purchased our handmade s’mores for the car ride home –the deal was sealed! The s’mores are made with graham cracker and marshmallow and hand dipped in milk chocolate. The bride and groom purchased small boxes for each pair of s’mores, bowed them and displayed them as favors for each wedding guest. They would also be a great treat to have placed in guest rooms at the hotel reserved for your wedding.

10) Chocolate Photo Frame – A great “thank you” gift for special guests or your bridal party that gives you the opportunity to share a photo of you and your beloved. Get creative! Beautiful and delicious in milk, dark or white chocolate, the frames can be gift boxed or presented in a clear bag with a ribbon.

Some excellent ideas are shared here and we have many others, as well. The team at The Happy Chocolatier can hand make chocolates in a variety of thematic molds and work with you to create something that reflects the theme and tone of your shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding or guest gift. Have an idea of your own? Give us a call or come in and we’ll be glad to work with you. Be happy. It’s one way of being wise.

Filling Easter Baskets & Feeding Those Less Fortunate

Chocolate bunnies have been part of the Easter tradition for a very long time. This year, we at The Happy Chocolatier will again add another element to the Easter chocolate and candy tradition: feeding those less fortunate.

Parents fill Easter baskets with chocolate bunnies and other treats every year. Easter Sunday is a time of joy as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is also a time of celebration and fun for children as they awake to find their Easter baskets brimming with treats like chocolate bunnies, buttercream eggs, foiled chocolate eggs, jelly beans and much more.

This year when people purchase Easter chocolates and candy from The Happy Chocolatier, they will be adding another element of joy to the season. The Happy Chocolatier is going to donate a portion of sales from Easter candy purchases to Acton Community Supper and Food Pantry.

So, while we are all enjoying the holiday with our families, we can also know that a part of our Easter celebration helped to feed those less fortunate. Jesus did ask us to feed the hungry, right? Acton Community Supper and Food Pantry distributes 291,275 pounds of food to an average of 754 individuals each month. That’s a lot of families and we’d love to help them out.

Habits of Happy People – A Perspective

A recent column from INC. Magazine provided a “scientific” view of what made people happy. It is an entertaining read: “9 Daily Habits of the Happiest People You Know According to Science.” While we don’t necessarily concur or embrace all of them, several did resonate with us at The Happy Chocolatier:

#5 They give their time and money away.

We think volunteerism and donating to good causes does indeed make one happy. In our experience it is always a good feeling to help another. So, we try our best within our means to give back to our community.

#6 They are grateful.

Focusing on what we are thankful for – even the small things – does indeed make us happier. Starting a small business and growing it despite many challenges makes us happy. Instead of focusing on the challenging problems, we think about the things that have gone well. From that, we have the energy and focus to work through the problems that inevitably arise.

Nothing brings us a smile – and consequently some happiness – than a short anecdote from a customer about how our chocolates brought someone a little bit of happiness. We are indeed grateful for the comments.

#7 They are more physically active.

While we aren’t out there running any marathon, we do believe that activity is good for the mind, body and soul. There is definitely a link between activity and happiness. Activity can express itself in many ways…from a nice relaxing walk in the woods to running around the shop during the busy season!

One more for good measure.

We would add one more “habit.” A small treat – in our case a truffle Cubze perhaps – each day can be a little respite from a busy day and provide a small bit of happiness.

Why Do Businesses Only Give Gifts at Year-End?

Businesses have reasons throughout the year to express thanks to business associates. Yet, generally businesses only send or give gifts at the end of the year. Why? This seems like a disconnect.

There are many reasons to give chocolates at various times during the year. Here are some ideas from our customers:

A professional services firm sends a box of chocolates along with a thank you note to clients who have recently completed a project.
A contractor sends a box of chocolates along with a hand-written note to customers at the completion of large jobs.
A designer/contractor personally presents our truffle Cubze to new customers at the initiation of a job.
A large corporation ordered chocolates to present a large chocolate buffet to employees. They chose a variety of chocolates and set them out on a buffet for employees during lunch. Employees were able to enjoy the chocolates and mingle with co-workers.

What we’ve heard from our business gift customers:

“My clients love your chocolates & so do I! I dropped off the chocolates at a few of my clients & received a call the same day saying how delicious they were!”

“Thank you – I’ve already received some great compliments.”

“Absolutely awesome … people loved them, as always!”

“I know for sure your chocolates will bring smiles!”

Why wouldn’t businesses want to have customers or employees feel this way throughout the year?

Here’s what we offer at The Happy Chocolatier:

Ongoing Mailing Program: Businesses provide us note cards which we keep on file. Once a week, we receive an email with a list of contacts to send the notes and chocolate selection. This is a very easy and affordable, yet memorable, way to say thanks to customers or a referral source.
Chocolate Buffets: Businesses work with us to develop a chocolate selection they think appeals to their employees. We provide the chocolates in bulk and they are set out in a common area for employees to enjoy. Or, we can take care of the whole process by bringing the chocolates and setting up the chocolate buffet.
Customized Chocolates and Packaging: To mark a milestone like a new product launch, company anniversary or sales achievement, businesses work with us to develop either a custom chocolate piece or a customized box of chocolates. These chocolates are presented to business associates at events or on a launch day.

So, if you really want to stand out and spread some chocolate happiness, give business gifts throughout the year. We’re happy to chat with you about what you can do and create customized gifts to meet your needs. You can reach us at (978) 429-8485 or info@thehappychocolatier.com.

Why Not Host a Chocolate Buffet at the Office in the Early Spring?

Everyone loves a great ice cream buffet in the summer. So in the winter and early spring when everyone’s cooped up inside and wishing for summer, why not surprise employees with a chocolate buffet? Choose some chocolates, spread them out in a common area and let employees enjoy. Or, surprise employees by placing small chocolate selections on each employee’s desk. These are both great low cost ways of spreading some cheer at the office or simply letting employees know you appreciate them.

Here are some ideas from our customers:

A large corporation ordered chocolates for a large chocolate buffet for employees. They chose a variety of chocolates and set them out on a buffet for employees during lunch. Employees were able to enjoy the chocolates and mingle with co-workers.
Here’s what they told us: “Everyone loved the chocolates and was excited to be able to pick out what they wanted. I think it was a big hit!”

A small office came in and purchased petite boxes of chocolate to leave on every employee’s desk.
Here’s what they told us: “The office loved the chocolates!”

A mid-size company worked with us to develop a custom box of chocolates and they then strolled around the company with a cart and passed out the chocolates to employees at their desks.

Here’s what we can do for your business at The Happy Chocolatier:

Chocolate Buffets: Businesses work with us to develop a chocolate selection they think will appeal to employees. We provide the chocolates in bulk and they are set out in a common area for employees to enjoy. Or, we can take care of the whole process by bringing the chocolates and setting up the chocolate buffet.

Customized Chocolates and Packaging: To mark a milestone like a new product launch, company anniversary or sales achievement, businesses work with us to develop either a custom chocolate piece or a customized box of chocolates. These chocolates are presented to business associates at events or on a launch day.

If you really want to let your employees know you appreciate them and spread some chocolate happiness, give us a call. You can reach us at (978) 429-8485 or info@thehappychocolatier.com.

Corporate Gifts Aren’t Just for the Holiday Season

A Box of Chocolates is A Great Way to Stand Out

Every holiday season business gifts are sent and received. Generally they are appreciated. However, if you really want to stand out from the crowd, you should give business gifts throughout the year. We all get busy with projects and deadlines, and often miss an opportunity to mark some milestone. Celebrating something that may have been mentioned in passing can show your clients, customers and employees that you are really listening and appreciate them. There are many reasons throughout the calendar year to send or give a business gift:

A deal closing
Acknowledgement of a referral
Introduction of a new product or market
Reaching a business milestone
A job promotion
Celebration of life events such as a new baby, a wedding or even birthday

And of course, there is always the simple “thank you for your business” gift.

We are not suggesting extravagant gifts. Many times a small box of chocolates is appropriate and will communicate the value you place on your relationship. A small but unexpected gesture during the year will be appreciated by your client, customer or employee and remembered.

Celebrating Five Years of Spreading Chocolate Happiness…Despite the Odds

Based on statistics from the Small Business Administration, The Happy Chocolatier is in the 50 percent of businesses that make it this far. Yes, half of all small start-up businesses don’t make it to year five. We are proud that our simple idea has matured into an established business in our community. It hasn’t been easy. There have been many challenges – some we should have anticipated and some we couldn’t have

Nagog Park Location

imagined. We’ve reached the five year milestone thanks to the hard work and commitment of our team, continued support from family and friends, learning from all of our challenges and successes, and persistence.

It seems like we were just writing a business plan, thinking through the chocolate line and deciding on packaging. It all started with a conversation about making a cubed truffle and sharing some “chocolate happiness.”

Acton Woods Plaza Location

Launching and managing a small
business has been the toughest professional challenge we’ve experienced. No longer were we focused on performance reviews and promotions to measure success. Now, continuing to pay our bills and the mortgage, while investing in a new business defined success.

We are very pleased with what our dedicated team has accomplished in five years:

Created a new brand and built solid consumer awareness in our market area
Opened and then moved a local retail store, and developed a local following
Expanded our corporate gift business by providing “chocolate solutions” for business needs
Increased the number of gift, specialty food and fine wine shops that sell our signature truffle Cubze
Broadened our product line (and had fun doing it)
Employed members of our area communities including over a dozen high school and college students
Hosted fun, educational chocolate making events for moms’ nights, scouts, school groups, clubs and birthday parties
Supported our local community through donations to: Household Goods Recycling, The Miracle League of MA, Acton Food Pantry, Beacon Santa, United Way, Girls Inc., area elementary, junior high and high schools, local houses of worship, The Discovery Museum and too many more to name.
Created a fun video with our truffle Cubze dancing to Pharrell Williams – take a look, it’s fun!

Our competition is fierce. People can purchase chocolates at the grocery store, drug store, specialty food shop and the mall. People can also choose to buy mass produced chocolates simply because the products cost less. Yet, we are still pushing ahead. We remain focused on our mission: “To offer consumers an indulgent and affordable chocolate experience that makes them happy and enables them to pass the happiness along by sharing.”

We deeply appreciate all of our customers. We thank you for shopping locally, because it enables us to continue supporting the local community and economy. And, that makes us happy.

Corporate Gift Choices: Unique is better than Ubiquitous

Many times a well-known brand signifies quality. However, a nationally branded product is ubiquitous – available at all types of outlets from department stores to warehouse clubs. These products by virtue of their wide-spread availability aren’t particularly special. If you want a truly memorable gift that demonstrates how much you care about your relationship, then searching out a unique gift is something to think about.

There are many choices for local, hand-crafted or artisanal gifts. Food is a particularly fun way to present a unique gift that isn’t readily available on the mass market. Whether it is hand-crafted chocolates, or locally made wines or cheese, you can choose a special gift that will demonstrate the extra care you put into the selection and complement your message of “thanks.”

Going the extra step in choosing your corporate gift will remind your customers, clients and employees how important their relationship is to you. Instead of going online to the “gift basket” Web site or dropping by the local warehouse club, contact a local business.

Many small businesses, like The Happy Chocolatier, offer a complete corporate gift service creating a customized gift collection and shipping the gifts.

Corporate Holiday Gift Planning: 4 Simple Steps

It doesn’t have to be a stressful experience

Giving gifts is a perfect way to show appreciation to customers, clients, referral sources and employees. A quality business gift provides a memorable means of making contact or staying in touch. This is the time of year when many businesses start the “fire drill” of figuring out what the company’s corporate gift program will entail for year end. It can be a very simple process. Here are four steps to get you started:

Determine the budget and gift recipient list
Start with the budget. When determining a budget, evaluate the size of your list of recipients and plan for quality. Sending a cheap gift tells the recipients you don’t really appreciate them. A budget will also help focus the types of gifts you consider. No sense looking at a particular item if it is beyond your budget. Some smaller companies will work with you to develop a spending plan and possibly segment the recipient list by size of client/customer and provide you a customized spending proposal.
Research: look online AND poll your network
The Internet is helpful and a great start. However, word of mouth is even better. Poll your network (business associates and family) and find out what company others may have used. Ask about their service experience. Ask about the feedback from recipients. Better yet, look around town and find a local supplier that isn’t just some anonymous online Web site. Like anything else, word of mouth is the most meaningful recommendation. If the gift you choose is a food product like chocolate or cheese, be sure to check out customer comments about the quality of the company’s offerings.
Choose a partner that provides value-added services
Make your life easy by choosing a corporate gift partner that not only provides quality gifts, but also provides additional time-saving services for you:
– Utilizing your recipient list in the way you wish to provide it (e.g. print or spreadsheet) vs. how it fits into their online system
– Developing custom gift selections to meet varying budgets linked to different segments of your gift list
– Personalizing your gifts through inclusion of your greeting card, business card or marketing materials
Ask who will work on your order
You want to be confident that your order will be handled professionally and with attention to detail. If you can’t get the name of a key contact (i.e. not customer service), then move on. If the contact name you are given is the business owner, then you should feel confident placing the order. It is critical to have a contact person who will be responsible for ensuring that your order is completed on time and that each gift is packaged with care.

Follow these four simple steps and you will choose a partner that will make you and your corporate gift program a success. In the holiday season, you want to hear kudos from your customers or clients, not complaints about the quality of the gifts.