Best Boxed Chocolates for Valentine's Day
Valentines Day Chocolate
by Kat Kinsman
Nothing's sweeter than giving V-Day chocolate to a loved one, but don't you wonder what's gonna be under the lid? Our panel popped the tops off 22 heart-shaped boxes from $.99 drugstore counter specials to $55 chi-chi boutique bon-bons so you can help guide Cupid's arrow straight to your beloved's sweet spot. In ascending price order... (read on)
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Producer: Elmer
Verdict: DEFINITELY NOT
Style: Small cardboard heart box
Contents: 4 chocolates
Weight: 2.4 oz
Price: $.99
Website:elmercandy.com
Note: Every single person spat theirs out.
Our panel said: "Bleeeaaaauuugggh!" "Awful - plastic-like." "Way, way too sugary. I could almost taste the granules."
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Producer: Russell Stover
Verdict: GOOFY & SWEET
Style: Looney Toons Mini-box
Contents: 3 chocolates
Weight: 1.75 oz
Price: $1.29
Website: russellstover.com
Note: It's also available with a Bugs Bunny or the Tasmanian Devil design.
Our panel said: "Totally darling!" "I'd be so excited to get this." "Great for giving out at school."
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Producer: Gillham & Grand
Verdict: CUTE & FUN
Style: Novelty tin with "kiss / hug / tickle" spinner
Contents: 3 chocolates
Weight: 1.5 oz
Price: $3
Website: hallmark.com
Note: Gillham & Grand is made by Fannie May exclusively for Hallmark Gold Crown Stores.
Our panel said: "Very cute! You could give this to anyone." "Fun!"
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Producer: Russell Stover
Verdict: WEIRD CONCEPT, DECENT CHOCOLATE
Style: XOXO Just For Him cardboard heart
Contents: 6 assorted chocolates
Weight: 3.5 oz
Price: $2.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: More deluxe editions come in metal, tire-tread embossed tins.
Our panel said: "Why is this for men in particular? Are they beef and sweat flavored or something?""Pretty standard, but yummy."
Rachel Been for AOL
Producer: Russell Stover
Verdict: HORRIBLE
Style: Foil-wrapped cardboard heart
Contents: 7 assorted sugar-free creams, chews and crisps
Weight: 4 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: A sugar-free pecan candy assortment is also available.
Our panel said: "Tastes like a tire. Rubbery." "If your sweetie is diabetic, just get them flowers or something instead."
Rachel Been for AOL
Producer: Russell Stover
Verdict: HIT OR MISS
Style: Foil-wrapped cardboard heart
Contents: 13 assorted creams, chews and nuts
Weight: 7 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: russellstover.com
Note: This is the #2 best selling heart-shaped box assortment in the US. The 1 lb selection is #1.
Our panel said: "Seems a little old-fashioned. Not that there's anything wrong with that." "It really depends on which pieces you get. Some are great and some are kind of nasty." "Not for me, but my Mom would love this."
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Producer: Reese's
Verdict: CAN'T GO WRONG
Style: Cardboard heart
Contents: 30 miniature Reese's peanut butter cups
Weight: 8 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: reeses.com
Our panel said: "You know exactly what you're getting, and it's GOOD!" "You can never go wrong with Reese's, even if the package design is cheap." "The taste is classic goodness. I'd be thrilled to get this. As muchas I'd like to be high-end, I can't escape my love for Reese's."
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Producer: Hershey's
Verdict: GOOD, BUT GO WITH THE REESE'S
Style: Cardboard heart
Contents: 54 Hershey's Kisses
Weight: 8 oz
Price: $4.99
Website: hersheys.com
Our panel said: "Who doesn't love to get Kisses?" "Cute & romantic." "I love this, but it seems a little plain." "It's nice knowing just what you're getting."
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Producer: Godiva
Verdict: OKAY IN A PINCH
Style: Miniature heart gift box
Contents: 6 foil-wrapped milk chocolate hearts
Weight: 1.1 oz
Price: $5
Website: godiva.com
Our panel said: "Cute, but not impressive." "Good valentine for the teacher."
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Recent Comments
inot33 04:46:49 PM Jun 05 2009
Russell Stover, you must be out of your mind. See's is the best. I've tried many of the so called best. See's is IT!Looks like Russell Stover paid for this.
trevanoreen 10:50:48 AM Mar 03 2009
Elephantdc beat me to it !I'm a native Californian and real chocoholic who has travelled widely. Believe me, Dear Readers : nothing can compare to the heavenly taste of Grandma See'sCandies! Once,speaking to friends, I had momentarily forgotten the name of the brand, and blurted out, " Impossible ! It's like forgetting my mother's name !" That says it all !
trevanoreen 09:30:58 AM Mar 03 2009
Elephantdc beat me to the punch! I am a California native and chocoholic who has travelled widely. Dear Readers, believe me : nothing can compare to the heavenly taste of Grandma See's chocolates. On one occasion, when I had a moment's memory lapse regarding the SEE'S brand name, I blurted out - "I can't have forgoten that - it's like forgetting your own mother's name !" That should say it all !l
daviebear4566400 02:41:22 PM Feb 27 2009
I agree with elephantdc Sees candy is one of the best I wish they had some in mid west or just here in Fort Smith Arkansas or in Walmart here like the boxes or something
Bocamal 05:55:40 AM Feb 17 2009
The best chocolate ever tasted was Gertrude Hawk in Pa.
Ethelschmidlkofe 11:07:25 PM Feb 16 2009
Hershey's kisses dressed up in a cheap cardboard box. Will not impress me!Buy the 12 oz.bag, save $2.00 and show me how smart you are, then you will impress me.Oh! By the way that cheap looking box with the ruffles and fake flower, I know it is tacky NOW, but when I was 6 it was the box I begged my Dad to buy for my Mom, she may have ACTED like she loved it, but she kept it around for years, keeping some of her sewing in it.
elephantdc 11:15:31 AM Feb 12 2009
Where were the "Sees". For the prices you hit on the high end you missed out on the West Coast Best! I have to tke these every time I fly to visit, had to send boxes for friends to give; including my son0in-law for my daughter. Nothing beats Sees. Have your panel try it and I'm sure they'll agree.
