Giulia and I both got spoiled with chocolate this past Valentine’s day. We don’t know what our boyfriends were thinking. Although I love chocolate, I’m not the type who gets all giddy over a box of assorted chocolates. It’s just… there are more practical, original things out there to surprise me with. But hey – don’t think I’m hatin’ on my bf’s V-day gift to me. Because what he got me was actually my all-time favourite type of chocolate – peanut M&Ms. And not only did I get one, but TWO large bags of them. Pretty sure the first thing that came out of my mouth when I opened the pretty pink gift bag was: “Oh my god. Are you trying to kill me?” That’s because his wonderful mother got me the exact same thing for X-mas and they were all gone in 3 days! *Sigh… they are my ultimate weakness.

But because of this, I thought: February is the perfect month to feature a chocolate gift/favour idea. And if you can personalize it… even better! Check out MyMMs.com to make your own custom M&M candies. They could work for many occasions, like anniversaries, baby showers, weddings, or corporate events. You can add logos, faces, and personalized messages. It’s quite amazing actually. Simply go to the website, pick from 20 different colours, type in a message or upload a photo, then pick you packaging, and voila! In about two you’ll have something sweet and original at your doorstep.

Unfortunately they do not print on the peanut ones. Too bad for me. But I still think it’s super cool.

{images from dwof, Valerie Renee, ucfgrl15, and artsy T on Flickr}

A regular came into the shop I work at the other day and started talking to me about these cookies that are customizable, yummy and quick to order, and best of all – located in Toronto. She had me at ‘cookies’… It was funny that she mentioned this because just a day earlier I came across this web site for customizable chocolate bars, and I thought: “what a fantastic-ly awesome idea!” Sweets with lots of choice – now that’s what I’m talking about!

Both the Sweet Flour bake shop and Chocri schokolade offer up a playful collection of ingredients for your sweet tooth to choose from. From Sweet Flour (who also make custom muffin tops and cookie sandwiches – mmm mmmm!), you can choose items like Cappuccino Chips, M&Ms, and Mini Pretzels, and as for Chocri, well the list just continues on, featuring items like Banana Chips, Cinnamon, Licorice Drops, and Rice Crispies. If you wish to be more daring, you could even try putting Jalapeños, Chives, or Wasabi Peanuts in your chocolate bar. How about trying something fancy like adding Real Gold Flakes or Candied Lilac? Well they have it! Even if you’re not going to order a chocolate bar, I suggest heading over to the site just to make your own bar and check out all the options. It’s quite fun!

Both the custom cookies or bars would make great favours or a wonderful treat to serve during your event. There is also a little occasion coming up known as Valentine’s (not sure if you’ve heard of it), but… I think that cookie place might be my date option for that day.

{images from Sweet Flour and Chocri}