The average American eats approximately three chocolate bars a week, and over 90% of Americans plan to buy some type of chocolate gift box for the holidays.
If you’re considering giving the gift of chocolate, you’ll be sure to spread happiness. But whether you’re buying a gift basket with chocolate for a holiday or as a corporate gift, the sheer volume of chocolate available can make the entire process a bit daunting.
The good news is that you can make the process much smoother by learning what to focus on.
Keep reading this guide to learn how to choose the perfect gourmet chocolate gift box for your special occasion.
Consider the Special Occasion
The very first thing to do is think about the special occasion you want to give a gift for. Whether it’s a holiday, birthday, or a gift for an employee, it will have a specific theme.
Think about what types of chocolate gift box ideas will represent your theme. Holiday gift boxes are pretty easy to get, and you can easily find a variety of designs.
Even better, most gift box collections will work for holiday occasions and give an excellent selection of chocolates.
If you give a corporate chocolate gift box, consider how long the employee has been with the company and your relationship. You might consider a truffle set or something else that’s work-friendly.
Once you have this part figured out, you can move on to choosing cards, ribbons, notes, and other packaging extras. This way, you’ll keep up with the theme of the gift occasion, and it also allows you to customize your gift more.
In most cases, chocolate gift boxes come with a ribbon and some decor, but you may want to add more.
Planning this will allow you to get what you need to customize your chocolates perfectly.
Determine Your Budget
Ensure you have enough dough before splurging on presents, especially if you’re playing Santa for the whole crew.
Gourmet chocolates can also come in a wide range of prices. You’ll find casual chocolates at one end of the spectrum and specialty gourmet chocolates at the other.
Overall, your current finances should determine your budget. Don’t worry too much if you can’t afford the most expensive chocolate. Taking the time to buy a sincere gift and writing a note is more than enough.
If you’re buying chocolate gifts for corporate clients, it’s best to set a realistic budget for corporate gifts at the beginning of the year. This will give you time to figure out crucial budget details before spending.
Research Chocolate Companies
Next, you’ll need to research to find a reputable chocolate company with a quality chocolate selection to order your chocolate gift box from.
Taking the time to research is well worth it since you’ll find a company you can continue using for all your chocolate gift-giving occasions.
First, you’ll want to do a quick Google search of companies in your area. You should also look for well-known chocolate companies with various locations that will ship their chocolates.
For example, Teuscher Chocolate has been making chocolates for 80 years. Choosing a company like this will ensure you get unique, hand-crafted chocolates from master chocolate makers.
Checking Google reviews is a great place to start since it will give you a good idea of how past customers felt about their products. Be sure to visit the company website to learn about product selection and shipping and get a general feel for the company.
You can even place a small order and see how you find their service.
Finally, to know more about a company’s overall reputation, you can always check the Better Business Bureau for ratings, reviews, and complaints.
Consider Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
While allergies directly related to chocolate (cacao) are rare, it is possible. Most people have sensitivities rather than true allergies, but you don’t want to risk this. In most cases, people have allergies and sensitivities to the other ingredients found in chocolate. These ingredients include:
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Wheat and gluten
- Soy
- Corn
- Berries
Allergies to nuts can be severe, so you must consider this beforehand before purchasing a chocolate gift box. Additionally, any chocolate products made in facilities that aren’t nut-free can still contain allergens.
Some people also have other dietary preferences like vegan, organic, or gluten-free foods for various reasons. Be sure you get the information you need about the person’s allergies, food sensitivities, and preferences before you buy.
Place Your Order Early
Finally, don’t make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to start figuring out your chocolate gifts.
It’s no secret that holiday shopping can cause everybody to panic, and you may end up with chocolates arriving late. Furthermore, if you’re placing a larger order for a holiday party or a corporate event, you should do this well in advance.
The best way to avoid this is to start planning at least a month before ordering by determining what chocolates to buy. This will give you time to begin your research. Make sure you have a good understanding of shipping options and times for your area.
Place large orders at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. This will give you more time to deal with any delays in the process.
Buy the Perfect Chocolate Gift Box for Your Special Occasion
These tips will help you pick the perfect chocolate gift box for every occasion.
If you’re still looking for chocolate that stands out, you can turn to Teuscher Chocolate of Switzerland for all your chocolate gift box needs. We started making chocolate in the Swiss Alps over 80 years ago and are now masters in our craft.
Our main factory is still in Switzerland, but we have locations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and San Francisco, CA. We offer free shipping on larger orders and are committed to our customers’ happiness.
Our chocolates contain no fillers or additives, and we use only high-quality ingredients. Make sure to visit us online today to browse our selection of quality chocolates, truffles, jams, and other chocolate gift boxes!