It’s more or less common knowledge that Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest chocolate holidays of the year, its only other real competition for the top spot being Easter!
This year I’ve got some very tasty, affordable ideas for a Valentine’s treat for your loved ones — and yourself, too!

At the top of my list is always See’s Candies. You really just can’t go wrong, for the mere fact that they have such a huge selection of chocolate and chocolate-covered goodies that everyone can find something they like, and if you don’t have a shop close by you can …read more

You all know how devoted I am to See’s Candies. My mom worked there, my step-mom worked there and I’ve worked there — they’ve been part of my life for 25 years (and much longer for my mom — here’s me holding a See’s box she received in the ’60s!) and with Valentine’s Day coming up their Valentine’s Day Gifts are the very first treat on my wishlist!
I always look forward to Valentine’s Day, especially with kids of my own who will be getting the usual goodie boxes just like my moms gave us! I also like to put …read more

I was recently offered the chance to try out one of See’s Candies new chocolate gifts, a cute little poinsettia box with five See’s chocolates and three chocolate balls in it. It was a nice little treat and I love that I can keep the box out for the season!
Having had two parents that worked at See’s for many years (my mom and my step-mom) and having worked seasonally there myself, we always had See’s at Christmas, particularly the Santa Boxes and foil balls. We always gave our friends the Candy Climbers (which I don’t see anymore!) or the solid …read more

These chocolate gift ideas are, of course, my own personal preference! I’m trying to keep a budget in mind and not going too extravagant. Feel free to comment with any additions you’d make!

I have a soft spot for the See’s Signature Red Heart. It’s such a classic, timeless Valentine’s gift and one that’s sure to please just about anyone. My mom liked it so much that we still have a “vintage” See’s heart box from the mid-60’s tucked away into storage! The satin-covered box holds two pounds of milk and dark chocolates, including Soft Centers, Nuts & Chews, Marzipan, California …read more

I can’t let a gift idea list go without mentioning my beloved See’s! See’s are so interwoven into so many of my holiday memories because my mom was a store manager for over two decades. Christmas in particular always meant Chocolate Santas, Santa Boxes, and foil chocolate balls. Our school friends always got Climber Canes from us kids.

Over the years they’ve introduced new things – Treasure Gift Bags (with milk and dark chocolate foil balls), Chocolate Snowman Boxes, Egg Nog Truffles, Candy Totes, Cinnamon Lollypops, and Sour Stars among many, many others.

And don’t forget the chocolate chips (they’re …read more

Yesterday was my birthday and what better way to celebrate than with chocolate?
My husband found me a chocolate cake with whipped topping frosting and chocolate over top with Oreo cookies. I was only able to get through a sliver of it for fear of sugar overload but there are plenty for leftovers. He and our twins (who helped pick it out) did well!
He also was able to take part of the day off work and took me to the mall for my birthday box of See’s. This has been a tradition for many, many years (my step-mom brought one home …read more

It’s time for the September Chocolate Bytes Contest!
Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year and it also signals the start of safe mailing for chocolate, so this month’s prize is:

See’s Candies foil-covered chocolate leaves! Each box includes nine solid milk chocolate and six solid dark chocolate leaf shapes (15 pieces total) wrapped in fall-colored foil.
These little chocolates make me very happy! I have a longtime affinity for See’s — my mom started working there when I was 8, my step-mom worked there for over 20 years, and I worked there seasonally for several years as well (and …read more

I had a lot of fun coming up with ideas to combine chocolate with going back to school for the First Annual Home & Dining Back To School Showcase!
In The Lunchbox
The most obvious is chocolate in the lunchbox. Mass Recipes has a Lunchbox Chocolate Banana Snackin’ Bar that looks pretty good.
My girls also like the regular old mini candybars for a post-sandwich treat. Just make sure you pack it close to the ice pack for a little while longer.
I came across this Charlie & the Chocolate Factory old-school style lunchbox from Lunchbox.com. I didn’t even know they made the …read more

Hi everyone! I’m very happy to be the new writer for Chocolate Bytes. I have a long, beautiful relationship with chocolate, not the least of which includes working behind a certain chocolate store’s counter for several holiday seasons (where my step-mom also worked for over 20 years!), and doing my first elementary school science fair on how chocolate is made.
It goes without saying that I’m a big fan and though I do it in moderation, I try to have some chocolate every day! I will try to do the site justice as I bring you chocolatey news, products, reviews, and …read more