Friday, February 27, 2009

My Pleasure. . .and YOURS! A Giveaway!

I've posted before about my reminiscent love of chocolate, and of my childhood memories of my grandmother's hand dipped chocolates which she sold at Gloria's Confection Connection. I've confessed to puncturing the bottoms of her beautiful creations to see just what was inside.

I called her at Christmas, and sure enough, she was coating the kitchen in chocolate as she dipped hundreds of pounds of chocolates for her loyal customers, years and years after closing her store. My mouth watered. I love her chocolates. But she is on one coast, and I, the other. And I didn't put my order in with enough notice.

How delighted I was then, shortly after that phone call to be serendipitously contacted by a rep from See's Candies, who asked if I'd be willing to do a review of their chocolates on my blog. Are you kidding me?

But I played hard to get. I thought of you, loyal reader, and I couldn't have all the chocolatey goodness to myself.

"Sure, I'll do it," I replied, "but only if you offer something for a giveaway too."

I waited with bated breath. Had I just screwed up my chance for free chocolates? No! Because, as it turns out, not only are See's Candies the next best thing to Grandmom's, the kind folks at See's are also generous and giving. And they were happy to oblige. So for you, gentle chocolate-loving reader, there will be a drawing for a $25 gift card to any See's Candies, in person, or online. Aren't you lucky?



Well, let's face it, I was the lucky one. The one pound box of assorted milk and dark chocolates arrived on Monday. We gathered around and unpacked it from the box as if it were some ancient relic to be handled with only the utmost care. The lid was lifted, and there they were, all lined up in their little papers and shiny. Smiling, even, I'm not sure.

Which one first?

Like it matters. Oh, the joy! At first, I cut each one into pieces so we could share the different flavors, and then the gluttony set in, and I kicked everyone else off the project in the name of 'research'. I had to hoe this row alone.

My favorites? Well, the caramels. The toffees. The creams. The coconut. The chewy nutty ones. The milk chocolates. The dark chocolates. The caramels. (Did I already say that?)

Heaven, it was.

I take my kids to See's Candies after they go to the dentist. That's right. If they had a good check-up. It's right across the street from their dentist, and I figure it's a justified reward for proper brushing and flossing. And I want some.

I love how the nice people at See's always give a free chocolate away for tasting. Even when you walk in with 6 kids. I let each child choose 4 or 5 favorites, which get tucked in his/her own little See's bag. It is so hard to choose!

See's also has an assortment of gift packages, which can even be custom ordered, so you're sure to please anyone. If you don't want nuts? No nuts. If dark is your favorite? No milk. Whatever you want. See's knows how to keep you coming back for more. And what Easter Bunny doesn't need a little help come springtime? Head on over to See's for the best Easter candy and Easter gift boxes. You're sure to score points.

Well, it has been my pleasure. I'm always happy to tell you how much fun it is to eat chocolate. But I'm even more delighted that because of See's, I can share the joy with you. So, all weekend long, leave a comment if you want to be entered into the drawing, which will take place Tuesday morning. And in the meantime, head on over to Sees.com and start selecting your favorites! You have plenty of time left to do what I do: buy your Easter candy, eat it all, and then buy it again!

Thanks, See's!

31 comments:

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Okay, my mouth is watering just looking at the picture, and I'm sure it's still too early in the morning for a chocolate fix. Then again, who's going to know. :) Good contest.

Megan said...

I love See's. It's a California tradition! My mom always wanted See's truffles for her birthday. Now that she's gone, I find myself wanting to connect with her and that little gold box of heaven. :)

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

We have no See's in Canada. It's a travesty. I remember the delightful smell of their shop in downtown Portland when we lived there...~happy sigh~

I'm...umm...going down to Utah in the Spring and I'll be going to their store gift card or no, but I'd love to buy some extra.

For my family...yeah...them...

Melissa said...

I love See's as well!! I haven't had them in a long time. PICK ME!! Please?

templework said...

sob....it ate my reply!

MUST try again!

OH! YES!
I am well acquainted with SEE's chocolates - both online and off!!!
(maybe too well acquainted...??? - NO! LOL)

We were raised properly...knowing the See's was the BEST!
(just ask DAD! SMILE)

I LOVE to surprise my sister with her favorite Darks and the wonderful Molasses Chips! YUM!!!
but
I almost feel like I'm sinning if I actually buy some for myself...
soooooooooooo
this opportunity is to die for!!!

Thank you! THANK YOU! for thinking of us too!
((HUGS))
WOW!

Wonder Woman said...

I've never had a See's candy....mostly because I rarely go to the mall, and when I do, I spend my dollars very preciously on clearance at Kirkland's.

But I realize that See's is for the true chocolate lover, which I myself am. I will most DEFINATELY be back. (One entry/day, I assume?) I'm so glad you played coy and begged for chocolate for your loyal readers, too. (Kissing up nver hurts, right?!)

Josi said...

Not that I don't LOOOOVE their chocolates--but have you ever had their peanut brittle? They sell it at the Salt Lake Airport and man oh man, it is tooooo diiiiiie foooooor.

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Oh, pick me! See's is awesome. I love their chocolate-covered caramels...

Crayl said...

See's chocolates are delightful, and I agree, I love that they give away samples, to anyone! Thanks for thinking of us! :)

Sarah said...

I am all over this one! Even though I just devoured a 2lb box that Josiah got me for Valentine's! I've never had the pleasure of sampling your grandmother's, so in my eyes, (or mouth for that matter!) See's are the best chocolates around!

Turleygirl said...

Well yes I want to be entered into the drawing. One of my favorite memories of Sees candy is my Dad bringing them home at Christmas time. He was a mailman and his customers would give them to him as a thank you. Of course we all loved it. We usually got 3-6 boxes each season. My Mom would always hide a few in her cedar chest. Unfortunately for her we all knew her hiding spot so they didn't last too long.

Amber said...

How cool! I absolutely love Sees! My sis in law gave us a box for Christmas last year and it didn't last nearly long enough. They make some awesome chocolate!

Luisa Perkins said...

See's is the BEST!!!! How I wish there were one here in New York.

My very favorites are the Bordeaux. They come in milk and dark, and both are perfection.

I often order See's for Easter, and the Easter Bunny always brings me some Bordeaux when I do.

family said...

Kira came home from preK with a funny comment. A dental hygentist had visited her school and told her that she should eat chocolate. So now Kira tells me, "Mom, we should be eating chocolate RIGHT NOW!" OK, twist my arm!

Anonymous said...

Sorry Jenna but my mom has worked for Aunt Charolettes Candies in Merchantville for 25 years and to us that is the best chocolate in the world. We are so spoiled with it I can not have anything else!!!

your friend
Jen Gordy Burnham

Rachel Sue said...

Mmmmmm. See's is a tradition at my house. Every christmas my dad gets each of us a one pound box of See's Milk Chocolate. So very good.

Anonymous said...

ooooh, I'm in for sure. cross my fingers!

Jennifer said...

Oh how I miss the See's gift certificates I occasionally got from students. Here's hoping for one last certificate....

Mindy said...

I feel like I'm missing out on something here because I've never had See's chocolates, and I thought I was a chocolate lover! I would love to try some though. That picture and your description made my mouth water as I ate my last chocolate from Valentine's day that I bought for myself.
And I thought I was the only one that used to poke little holes in the chocolates to see what was inside!

Carolyn G said...

Oh I love See's Candies. I used to get them when I lived in California but I can't get them now unless I go online. ANd thank god for online!! I love all their chocolate but they have these suckers/lollipops that are the best thing in the world!

Sarah said...

So is this one of those, the more you comment, the better your chances are of winning? Or is it more a way to get lurkers to comment and you only get your name thrown in once?

Reva Skie said...

We don't have a See's here, I make it a point to stop at ones in airports when we are traveling. It makes traveling better.

Raelene said...

Jenna, pick me*!* pick me*!* I worked at See's in CA when I was pregnant with Brandy in 1974. I worked from before Thanksgiving until January 1975. I had a doctor's appt. before I started working and one afterward. Believe it or not I only gained 5 lbs. Working there, you could taste as much as you liked. O, how I love the dark chocolate covered almonds...mmm

Raelene said...

I forgot to mention, they did not have maternity uniforms, so I had to wear a larger size, white dress with black bow. My tummy stretched it out, and being only age 21 I felt very self conscious.

Wonder Woman said...

Not sure if this is allowed, but I thought I'd take a chance, anyway. I really need to gain 5 lbs, this would be great. ;)

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