Heavenly Divine at Hotel Chocolat Boston

By: Finance Foodie 

Nothing puts me in a better mood that the approach of the Christmas season! The sight of the bright lights that illuminate the forest-like trees on Commonwealth Ave and the festively decorated shops ablaze with jolly shoppers can turn my frown upside down any day of the week – even when I have a case of the Mondays!

Now, one of the main reasons I love the holidays is that it’s my excuse to indulge in whatever fattening food delicacies I desire (because there’s always New Year’s Resolutions around the corner). After a rather gluttonous Thanksgiving trip to Texas (aka the land of larger portions and low prices), I resolved to at least cut back somewhat in my return to Boston (as my “fat pants” probably would not be appropriate attire for the numerous Christmas parties I plan to attend). However, this resolve was all made before I passed by the Hotel Chocolat store (ironically) on my way back from the gym…

UK-based Hotel Chocolat (pronounced Shok-o-LA) recently opened its first US based outpost on Boston’s trendy Newbury Street in September 2009. As I entered the sleek upscale European chocolatier’s shop, I was greeted by a lovely “chocolate concierge” who offered me samples of their exquisite milk chocolate bark and various other goodies. “MMMM!” I thought, thankful that I spent an extra 15 minutes on the treadmill.
As I walked around the store, my mouth salivated with the sight of every new product I encountered. When I left the store, wallet lighter but bag heavier, I felt as giddy as would a (nerdy) Nervous Nelly that found out they got into their top choice grad school!

****Giveaway*****

Congrats #154 - Cecilia

So readers, as a way to spread the Christmas cheer (and calorie consumption), Hotel Chocolat has agreed to giveaway one Deluxe Chocolate Gift Box (retail value: $40) to one lucky reader! The gift box includes: a package of Snowball Munchkins, a package of Cinnamon Almonds, a Cinnamon Crunch Slab, and a selection of 6 Caramel Pralines and Gianduja chocolates.
There are FOUR ways to enter:
1. In my comments section, tell me about your favorite type of chocolate (i.e. milk, dark, white, brimming with nuts or dried fruits).
2. Follow Finance Foodie on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
3. Follow Hotel Chocolat on Twitter (leave separate comment telling me this)
4. Reblog / Retweet this giveaway (leave separate comment telling me this)

Contest ends Dec 9, 2009 at 5pm EST. Winner will be announced on the financefoodie.com site shortly afterwards that night. Good luck and happy holidays!