Finding the Best Candy & Chocolate Gifts: Our Tips & Adice

Let’s talk the best gifts of candy and chocolates!

Yes, taste is important. To that end, we did a blind taste test of several popular brands . . . yes, a tough job, but somebody had to do it.

Yet just as important as flavor, we also considered presentation. A heart-shaped box is nice, but sometimes foil wrap and other touches are just as a classy. Sure, this is a judgement call, but these are the ones we think looked the best (as well as tasted best).

When it comes to ordering candy and chocolate gifts, consider these tips:

• Does it ship with a cold pack? The best chocolate and candy gifts are shipped in a box with a cold pack to keep them from melting. Obviously, this only works so well during certain times of the year and for certain climates. 

• Remember that chocolate melts at around 86 to 90 degrees. If you live in an area that will be warmer than that during arrival of your package, factor this into your decision on the timing of your order.

Here are the best candy and chocolate gifts from our taste tests:

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

How We Pick Products To Recommend

We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.

In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.

To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!