Sweet Dreams

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on March 29, 2013 · 181 Comments

With Easter upon us, I thought it’d be fun to profile a few sweet – literally – gift ideas. While it’s probably too late to scoop up any of these treats in time for the Bunny to drop them in your baskets, candy in general makes a great gift year-round. After all, the price point makes it perfect for a variety of occasions (from thank yous to birthdays) and it straddles that line between impersonal (making it appropriate for those slightly awkward to-buy-fors like your boss or mother-in-law) and thoughtful (since people will rarely indulge in treats for themselves). And with Mother’s Day quickly creeping up, may I suggest one of these goodies to tempt her tastebuds?

Shoecolates $24+ @ ChocoStyle
Believe it or not, those fetching ‘painted’ shoes above are actually edible gourmet chocolate – and they’re made right here in Canada. Available in a number of styles and colours, you can also finish off your gift by filling the ‘inside’ of the shoe with chocolate truffles. This is a truly sweet idea for your boss, as a thank you for that promotion, or as an unexpected birthday gift for your closest girlfriend.

Rum Runners Rum Cakes – $7.49+
Enjoy a slice of Maritime history with these traditional rum cakes; loaded with 4 hearty oz of rum and the simplest of ingredients, these classic bundt cakes come packaged in reusable tins or vintage-inspired gift bags for a ready-to-gift excellence. Available in 3 flavours (original, chocolate, and Glen Breton Whisky) and two sizes, I picture these as a funky gift for your father-in-law, or as a birthday cake alternative for your boozy little brother. Also makes a funky housewarming or hostess gift for a happy couple.

Fancy Plaque Monogram Cookies – $43 / dozen @ The Sweetest Tiers
Truth be told, Etsy is a veritable playground for those with a sweet tooth – it’s a snap to find dozens of dessert options to please your loved ones. I personally adore the luxurious cookies from Canadian shop The Sweetest Tiers. Baker Anna creates seasonally themed cookies that wouldn’t look out of place at a Royal family high tea, and she also has a line-up of scrumptious custom treats, like these pretty ombre monogram cookies. Choose your flavour and up to 4 letters (perfect for a family reunion, engagement party, or birthday party) and hand them out as the party favours everyone will be talking about.

Cheesecake Party Wheel – $39.95 @ Harry & David
The dessert wunderkids at Harry & David really cater to Canadians – they actually have an entire section of their site dedicated to highlighting what items you can purchase / easily ship up here. I love their ‘Create-Your-Own’ options, where you can pick a dozen fresh-baked cookies, or mix-and-match some ‘Moose Munch’ popcorn bags as party favours, or this festive cheesecake wheel featuring four varieties of New York-style cheesecake in an attractive, ready-to-serve format. Serve it up as the hostess of your own fete, or bring it as a celebration treat for the office after a big win.

Sweet Jules Caramels – $10.95+
I feel like these very well may be my new go-to hostess, thank you, and just because gift. Having sampled Sweet Jules Gifts’ caramels for myself, I can tell you they are to die for. Each one simply melts in your mouth (if you can resist chomping it down that is) and the variety of flavours all offer something different for the tastebuds. Start with a sampler box to experience the full palette – from classic vanilla to trendy salted caramel to surprising combos like ‘beer & pretzel’ or ‘bananas foster’, this is the treat to beat all others. Best of all, they come packaged in a beautiful gold gift boxes, meaning you can also ship a box directly to a friend or loved one that needs a pick-me-up. Consider them as party favours for your wedding, corporate gifts come the holidays, or stockpile them for the busy wedding shower season that’s upon us.

If you’re salivating for sweets by this point, you may be in luck. One of my super special readers is going to enjoy a half-pound box of Sweet Jules Caramels, all for themselves (I’m not kidding myself – you won’t want to share these yummy goodies). Here’s how to enter:

1) Leave a comment by April 16th with the Sweet Jules caramel flavour you’re most intrigued to try.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around April 17th to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Tweet about this contest up to 3 times over the contest period to earn yourself 3 bonus entries. Be sure to link back to your Tweets in the comments below so I can credit your entries. Limited to one tweet per person per day.