http://www.cheerychocolate.com/chocolate/gourmet-gifts.html Gourmet chocolate gifts don't have to be bought- give gourmet chocolate gifts that you can make yourself. en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 When we have an upcoming occasion or event where a gift is called for many of us are rushing around trying to find the perfect gift that will stand out and fit their tastes. Sometimes we don't have the time that we need to pick out the ideal gift and other times we might not have the cash to get what it is we would like. Gourmet chocolate gifts can be expensive and can also take some time to deliver if you are ordering them online or through a catalog. But if you have a chocolate lover in your life and you're at a loss as to what to give that person, you can make your own gourmet chocolate gifts! They are sure to be one-of-a-kind and have that added personal touch that will make the gift even more special for the recipient. Handmade Gourmet Chocolate Gifts One of the most useful and imaginative gourmet chocolate gifts that you can make at home are chocolate spoons. They are wonderful to have on hand to mix your coffee or hot chocolate and I am sure both you and the lucky person who receives the gift will come up with all kinds of original ideas. Here's what you will need to make these great gourmet chocolate gifts: 12 ounce package of gourmet chocolate chips- be creative and use whatever flavor you want! Put the chips into a microwavable glass, preferably a deep one and melt the chocolate slowly by microwaving them at half power for a minute at a time. Add one teaspoon of shortening to the chocolate for each cup of chocolate chips. Stir until blended. Dip each chocolate spoon into the chocolate until about an inch above the bowl of the spoon. Lay the spoons on some wax paper to cool. When the chocolate spoons have hardened, you can use some of your creativity and make them into the ultimate gourmet chocolate gift! You can present them in all kinds of different ways. Tie them up with a pretty ribbon and stick them into a gift mug. You can make these gourmet chocolate gifts into something even more special by drizzling them with white chocolate over the milk chocolate or use a flavored chocolate that will add some extra pizzaz. Making your own chocolate gifts will really set you apart at the next party. Another way to be creative with chocolate gifts is with chocolate chip cookies. You can bake them on a stick and make a bouquet of cookie pops, or make one giant cookie and decorate it. You can buy an inexpensive cookie jar and fill it with miniature chocolate chip cookies, or put them in a decorative tin. The options are endless! Of course, if you just want to make a good impression without going overboard, you can buy a small box (four pieces or so) of gourmet chocolates for a reasonable price. You could even go with a gourmet chocolate bar. It's a nice way to say thank you. Anyone can pick out and buy a gift for anyone else, but it will not have the meaning behind it like something that is made by hand and from the heart. Find their favorite gourmet chocolate products and go nuts! Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT