Well, there’s really nothing much in it for the consumer, aside from the fact that the candy bars you continue to buy will still be benefiting the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, but that should give you some warm fuzzies (especially if you check out some of the videos and stories from alumni on the site).

However, in recognition of the school’s 100 anniversary, starting this January you’ll get it in writing with a special “thank you” on the backs of the king and regular sized milk chocolate and almond bars. The thank you says: “Every Hershey’s product you’ve enjoyed has helped support children in need through Milton Hershey School. Thank You for making a difference!”

[image used with permission from hershey.com]

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In the suit, Mars, who is asking for a jury trial, claims the Hershey ads for Bliss, which began airing in October, copy the Dove ads by using “an image of a silky scarf-like image, a pillow shape emerging from a pool of chocolate, a series of laudatory words displayed in a distinctive white and gold cursive script …[and] an image of the head and shoulders of a smiling woman with long brown hair.” The Dove ads have been airing since March 2008.

The suit also claims that at least two former Mars employees who worked on the Dove advertising campaign were hired by Hershey and helped create the Bliss chocolate commercials. Ouch!

I can’t seem to find the Hershey ad online, but I have noticed the similarities when it’s been on TV, and figured it was a rip-off on Hershey’s part. Personally, I prefer Dove anyway since the Hershey’s tastes like, well, Hershey’s.

[images: amazon]

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A box of Leonidas Belgian Chocolates comes in 1 lb, 1.5 lb and 2 lb sizes. The pretty box already comes wrapped and with a bow!

If this Chocolate Gift Basket were the only thing under the tree for me this year, I would be one happy camper! It comes complete with Ghirardelli chocolates, truffles and truffle cookies, hot chocolates and candies.

Produced by Scharffen Berger, the Essence of Chocolate cookbook would be a fun addition to any chocolate lover’s cookbook collection.

One of my most favorite movies, Chocolat starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche is one I never get tired of watching. Check out the novel, too.

Who wouldn’t love a box of candy bars? This package of 30 bars from M&M’s/Mars could be divvied up for stocking stuffers or just wrapped and put under the tree!

Timothy’s has a box of White Hot Chocolate made specifically for the Keurig coffee brewer. The two-pack comes with 22 K-cups each.

Chocolate-covered pomagranate seeds would make a perfect stocking stuffer. I didn’t even know these existed but it’s been added to my wishlist!

I could totally make room on my counter for a hot chocolate maker. I’ve already got an electric kettle, though, so I don’t know if I could justify another similar appliance!

You don’t have to drink chocolate to keep warm! How about a Snuggie in chocolate brown microfiber?

Every day can be delicious, even if you’re kicking off 2010 with a diet! This 2010 wall calendar features a decadent chocolate treat for every month.

[images: amazon]

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Call the Nestle Crunch hotline at 1-800-295-0051. Sit through the welcoming little spiel and the English/Spanish option, and then wait about ten seconds. You’ll get a whole new set of menu options. Press 4, and then 7. After listing to option 7, back out (by pressing 9) and check the rest of the options as well (I thought 7 was the funniest).

Which was your favorite?

[image: flickr]

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Pylones USA has now introduced another fun chocolate (but not really) gadget just in time for the holidays. If someone on your list has an iPhone, this will make the perfect stocking stuffer: A protective iPhone case made to look just like a thick bar of milk chocolate.

The iPhone slips right into the silicone case, which keeps it protected in your purse or bag. Just don’t let anyone go snooping or they might think they’ve found their after lunch snack.

At only $15 a pop, it’ll fit perfectly, both size-wise and financially, into anyone’s stocking this Christmas!

[image: pylones usa]

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Participants were asked to tell us what their favorite part of the holidays were, and there were so many great responses, ranging from being together with family, to the music, gifts, and of course, the food!

I’ve drawn a random winner from the entries, and am happy to announce that the winner is:

Heidi Gail!

About her favorite part of the holidays, Heidi said: “My favorite part of the holidays is when family and friends get together to celebrate. I love seeing familiar faces as well as new ones in the crowd. It’s so surprising to see how much the kids have grown and how well the little ones are talking since the last time I saw them.”

Congrats, Heidi!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway. Don’t forget to check out See’s Candies, both online and locally, for some great Christmas and holiday candy ideas!

Winner has been notified as of 11:00 am PDT, November 28th and has 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

[image: see's candies]

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However, Dove sent me some samples this past week and I’ll admit, I’m very glad they did! I hadn’t realized that it was white chocolate and dark chocolate, with bits of peppermint candy in the white chocolate half which provides a bit of a nice little crunch.

Like the rest of the Dove Promises chocolates these have little quotes on the inside of the foil wrapper, though these have holiday entertaining tips from Martha Stewart instead of the usual uplifting or inspirational thoughts.

These are great as little treats on their own, of course, and while I snacked on one I thought they’d also be great chopped up into chunks for cookies or brownies. Like any Dove chocolate I’ve had, they’re smooth with a real chocolate taste, which is more than I can say for the majority of chocolate you can pick up at the grocery store!

[image: dove]

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From now until Friday, November 27th, you’ve got a shot to win a $25 gift card from See’s Candies. Use it on yourself, or use it to buy someone else a very tasty holiday treat. It also fits quite nicely in a stocking (I should know, my awesome husband puts a card in mine every year!).

(Don’t forget to check out their great Thanksgiving candies, too!)

To Enter:

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment here telling me what your favorite part of the holiday season is. The music? The gifts (both giving and receiving!)? The family and friends coming together? Or how about the food and yummy treats? There is no wrong answer!

….

~ Contest ends Friday, November 27 at 5:00pm PST. One winner will be randomly drawn and notified by email, and will have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.

~ Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

~ One winner will receive one $25 See’s gift card.

[images used with permission from See's Candies]

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The “bin Laden Bites” are made by Harbor Candy, a chocolatier and long-time supporter of PETA, who say they were inspired to make them after reading an article about how hard it is for troops to get chocolate in Afghanistan. Biting off bin Laden’s head is just an added bonus, I guess.

PETA says they’re using the chocolates as a way of protesting bin Laden’s “torture and killing” of animals in the days following the attacks on the U.S. in 2001 when the “guardians” of said animals were killed, leaving the animals to die of starvation, toxic fumes and dehydration. And oh yeah, they oppose the attacks too.

Whew, talk about reaching.

Anyway, you can pick up the dairy-free vegan chocolate for $15 a pop at PETA.org, though they won’t ship until January.

[image: peta.org]

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All orders of Patric’s yummy chocolate, whether it’s the bars, the drinking chocolate or baking nibs, made between now and Thanksgiving Day will receive the free shipping offer.

Chocolate is the perfect gift for any occasion, but especially during the holidays when people you don’t expect to give you a gift actually do — just pull out a chocolate bar (maybe with a cute little gift bow) for one of those “Oh I got you a gift too!” moments

Patric’s chocolate line-up includes:

~ Single Estate Madagascar 67% bar
~ Single Estate Madagascar 70% bar
~ Single Estate Madagascar 70% bar with Nibs
~ Single Estate Rio Caribe Superior 70% bar *NEW*
~ Single Estate Madagascar 75% bar
~ Single Estate Madagascar 100% Drinking Chocolate
~ Single Estate Madagascar 100% Roasted Cacao Nibs

[image: patric chocolate]

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