Chocolate Party Favors - Questions and Answers
by Carrie`s Chocolates

What are some ideas for customized party favors?
Some ideas that I`ve seen are puzzles, magnets, CD`s, and of course chocolate bar party favors. Of all these, I like the chocolate bars the best, mostly because I`ve been a Chocoholic for all my life. Nothing is stopping you from having more than one favor, however, so if you have the budget for it. Go for it!

How do I choose between different providers of party favors?
If all you are doing is buying wrappers, then the design is the most important factor. If you find the perfect design from one company, buy from them. Don`t ask another company to copy their design... if they do, they are simply proving that they are not honest, and will copyright infringe.

If the company you wish to buy the wrappers from prints their wrappers up in large quantities, they cannot change the location of your text, or add other features to the design that might be important to you. (i.e.. adding some tropical flowers to the brides hair to signify where she is from, or where you are going on your honeymoon, etc.) If you wish this sort of service, then you need to look for a provider of customized graphics.

Ask for samples!!! Most wrapper vendors don`t mind sending out a sample or two of designs they`ve done for other couples. Start looking early enough to have samples mailed out to you.

What if I don`t see what I like on a vendors website?
Have a good idea of what you want, if at all possible. Take some time to look over the vendor`s whole website, and if you don`t see what you like there.. email them and ask if they have a design that`s more in tune with what you need. Many of us are so busy making new designs, that we don`t have time to post everything on the web, but none of us want to lose your business, so please write and ask!

Is it possible to have whatever I want on my bars?
Absolutely!!! When you contact a customized wrapper provider, you should count on getting whatever you want on your bars. If you have a family tartan, and want it incorporated somehow with a claddaugh to symbolize a marriage between a scott and an irishperson.. there should be no problem at all in doing so. If you like white daisy`s, but want a red ribbon on the wrapper.. you can have it! It`s up to the graphics provider to incorporate the different elements onto the design, yet still make it into one beautifully designed wrapper...

Are there any imprinting / set-up / or design charges?
There could be.. and it is up to each vendor, so be sure to ask. If your wrappers are printed on commercial printing equipment, there could be a plate charge for each color used, or set-up charges. Many companies, including my own, print their wrappers on their own color laser equipment, thus eliminating all imprinting or set up charges... although design charges could still be levied by some, especially after multiple revisions to the original designs.

Any other possible hidden charges that might take me by surprise?
If you are importing the bars, or wrappers from another country, there could be duties, and taxes levied to you by your government.

Why won`t you wrap a Hershey bar in your wrappers?
Most label providers do not produce the bars themselves, instead using commercially obtained bars, such as Hershey`s, Nestle Crunch, Aero bars, KitKat bars, or other nationally known name brand bars. Those bars should NEVER BE SOLD with their wrappers removed!! (Like copyright infringement, removing a wrapper from a bar is not acceptable.

Also, with the new crinkle wrap wrappers that are coming out on the commercially available candy bars, a providers only choices are to tape down the crinkle edges, re-foil the bar, then re-wrap the bar with their labels. That`s all too much trouble for me, as I make my own chocolate bars, and foil them myself. They have clean lines, and great looking foil, and the wrappers look awesome on them, and since I do produce my own bars, I won`t purchase commercially available ones. I will, however, still produce the wrappers and let you put them onto your own Hershey bars if you should wish to. It`s a great money saver whenever shipping the chocolate would cost too much.. i.e., if you require the wrappers fast, or if you live where it`s hot, or if it`s in the summer time.

Should I buy Chocolate with the wrappers?
Chocolate is delicious.. but only if you get good chocolate, so be sure that the person who is providing you with chocolate can assure you that it is good. Ask for a sample. Although hard to provide during warm, summer months.. they are fine to ship most places during the colder winter months. Start early, and ask for your samples during the winter. If you are buying wrappers for bars you can buy over the counter, then you already know what the chocolate tastes like, and can simply choose the wrapper by it`s design.

What kind of chocolate should I choose?
When choosing gourmet chocolate, European chocolate can be pretty fantastic. I have tasted great chocolate from Holland, and from Belgium.. but for a long time, Belgium would not export their chocolate. It was a wonderful day when they finally changed that policy, and now I use it almost exclusively in my bars. (Exception is the regular size bars, those are made with Nielson`s chocolate.) Although Belgium chocolate is expensive to work with, and to buy, the quality shows through, and I think special occasions demand special chocolate.

Whatever your budget, you can have customized candy bar wedding favors that are in keeping with your colors, and themes.. and can make great photo album keepsakes, and help make a memorable occasion, even more so.

Carrie`s Chocolates