How to Send Chocolates
Sending chocolate successfully depends on chocolate choice, temperature and shipping options. Locate local chocolatiers to give a regional taste to your chocolate delivery that your recipient cannot find elsewhere, or rely on larger chocolatiers that ship nationally and internationally. In some cases, the chocolatier will take the guesswork out of shipping for you. If you are shipping chocolates yourself, rather than having them sent from a chocolatier, you will need to take special precautions to ensure that they arrive undamaged. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose a chocolate gift for your recipient that you think they'd like most. Ask close friends and family members about flavors they like and don't like, as well as chocolate preferences (dark, milk, white or from specific chocolatiers).
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Place an order via a local chocolate shop, or consider online retailers such as Godiva, Jacques Torres or Moonstruck Chocolates (see References). Keep in mind that Jacques Torres and Moonstruck Chocolates only ship within the U.S., while Godiva will ship internationally if you call them at 1-800-9GODIVA.
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Request fast, careful shipping when sending chocolates during hot weather. Jacques Torres specifically expedites shipping and uses gel ice packs to ensure that chocolates stay cold when the destination city has a temperature over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and charges shipping accordingly. Other companies may do the same, but it is up to you to make sure they do.
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Ship chocolates yourself using gel ice packs and the fastest shipping you can afford to ensure that chocolates arrive in good condition and without melting. Expedited delivery services are available through companies including the U.S. Postal Service, UPS and FedEx, each of which ships worldwide.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase gel ice packs wherever you can find insulated lunch bags and boxes. Back-to-school time is the easiest time to find them, because they are sold with school supplies in stores that do not normally carry them. Try sporting goods stores, office supply stores, and general merchandisers such as K-Mart, Meijer and Target during the rest of the year.
Be especially wary of allergies when sending chocolate gifts. Make sure you know whether or not the person to whom you are sending the chocolates has any allergies, such as to nuts, dairy or even chocolate itself. Be prepared to ask any potential chocolatiers about whether their chocolates are produced in a facility that handles nuts or other allergens if your chocolate recipient is allergic to those things.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit chocolate image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
