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When it comes to giving gifts, there are cliches almost all of us are guilty of. No matter how hard we try, sometimes those old stereotypes are tricky to break. Which is why Mum tends to end up with flowers or her favourite perfume, and Dad normally unwraps something beer or gadget related.
However, we at IndyBest always strive to give you some alternative, out-of-the-box ideas for gifting. We’ve found gifts new parents will actually use, such as a baby sling or nest, and toys for your six-year-old that will keep their fascination for longer than a nanosecond. But we’re also realists, and we know that sometimes the most obvious choice is the best. And one option that is always certain to go down a storm is chocolate.
We know, you’re shocked at this groundbreaking revelation, but a classic is a classic for a reason, right? And unless you’re someone who is incredibly disciplined, or you actually have a legitimate, perhaps even medical reason for avoiding the stuff, we know you’re sitting there licking your lips already.
But have you ever actually tried googling “best chocolate gifts”? If you do, you’ll be met with more than 150 million results (we’ll wait while you confirm we’re not fibbing). The choice is overwhelming, and it feels almost impossible to know where to start. Perhaps that’s why so many of us often default to that same old purple box of classics – but no more.
We now present to you our list of the best chocolate gifts. Each product featured would make an excellent gift for a friend, family member, colleague or special someone, all year round. You’ll find no seasonal delights here – even though we are officially in Easter egg territory. Just good ol’ chocolate selections that can work for any occasion.
How we tested
We’ve spent the better part of six weeks testing some of the best chocolate gifts around. From hampers to selection boxes, sweet trees to smash cups, and from familiar favourites to vegan options, we feel like we’ve seen almost all the confectionery the world has to offer. And while it has been a total burden on our part (*sighs dramatically*), we have taste-tested each gift set to bring you our bona fide list of the best chocolate gifts to buy for any occasion. It was a sacrifice we were willing to make – you’re welcome.
The best chocolate gifts for 2023 are:
Best overall – Love Cocoa Happy Birthday luxury chocolate hamper: £70, Lovecocoa.comBest luxury chocolate gift – Laderach pralines classic assorted 144 pcs per woodbox: £270, Laderach.comBest chocolate experience – Red Letter Days chocolate-making class for two people: £70, Redletterdays.co.ukBest value-for-money chocolate hamper – Cadbury classic chocolate basket: £35, Cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk