I received a box of Merci Chocolates and a promotional item for my honest review.
I received no monetary compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.
If your December calendar looks anything like mine, you’ll be attending several holiday parties. I am always looking for great hostess gifts. What could be better than chocolate? Merci chocolates seem to be made for saying “thank you.” I think the name alone gives that away! And indulging in a piece of yummy chocolate is such a great way to wind down after a whirlwind party.
Each box of merci includes a delicious selection of rich, European chocolates in flavors like milk chocolate, hazelnut-almond, marzipan, dark mousse, and coffee and cream. I think my favorite, however, is the praline-creme. Such a delicious treat paired with a cup of dark roast coffee!
As someone who enjoys entertaining in my home, I know how much goes in to party planning. I don’t think there is anything out-of-the-ordinary that makes a great hostess, though, as long as she is having a great time too. Enthusiasm is contagious! I do appreciate always being greeted at the door, and taking guests special needs into consideration is always appreciated, too. (These are things that I try to do myself.)
I’m really looking forward to our Christmas movie party in a couple weeks, so you can bet I’ll be keeping in mind what I enjoy when I attend someone else’s party. Basically three things: good friends, good food, and good fun. Sounds simple, but I think it’s true! I will also be bringing a gift of merci to my mother-in-law’s on Christmas Eve as a token of thanks for always having a lovely holiday dinner and making everyone feel welcome.
The sweet people at merci have generously offered to give away a gift pack to one of my readers so that you can also say “thank you” to someone!
Rules
- Open to U.S. residents 18 and over only.
- Giveaway will close at 12 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, December 19, 2013.
- Winner will be chosen by Random.org and posted on the blog the next morning. To enter, please leave a comment telling me what qualities you think make a great hostess OR a party that you are looking forward to this holiday season.
And don’t forget to check out merci’s Facebook app, the Thank-You-Maker! You can send a friend a meaningful thank you, and in return receive a Buy One Get One Free coupon for merci chocolates! If you’re on Twitter, send a tweet about giving a meaningful ‘Thank You’ using the #merciHoliday hashtag.
You can find merci chocolates at many stores including World Market, Target, and Amazon.com.
Thanks to you, my readers for supporting my blog. And good luck with this giveaway. Trust me, the winner will truly enjoy these scrumptious chocolates!
I think a good hostess makes all of the guests feel welcome and engages them in conversation.
I think a good hostess, makes their guests feel welcome and of course has delicious food!
I had these for the first time ever a few weeks ago. Aldi’s had them. I got one piece, Lorelei took the rest for snack time at school lol. They are amazing! But such a great idea for a hostess gift!
I love chocolate AND coffee, so count me in for this giveaway 🙂
Hope you’re staying warm, it’s pretty cold here and I’m also hanging by the fire and doing some present wrapping 🙂
I’ve never tried these chocolates but they sound amazing.
I’m looking forward to our life group party tonight. We’re all bringing something tasty to eat and playing Dirty Santa.
Wow, tough question! Being a great hostess isn’t easy — making guests feel welcome, making sure people are having a nice time, introducing guests to each other, having enough food and drink, keeping positive even with spills and kitchen disasters. Side note: one year my aunt decided to serve each guest a Cornish game hen for Christmas dinner. They were so undercooked and she was racing back and forth from the oven to the table all night long and freaking out. So maybe a great hostess knows not to take on too much!!
A good hostess is attentive to her guests’ needs, be it dietary, additional food or drink (but not too much) and is able to relax and enjoy their company while doing all the above.
A good hostess makes sure all guest are enjoying themselves and also enjoys the event by not stressing over details.
I look forward to getting together with friends and family regardless of the occasion!
I think a good hostess is one who makes each guest feel welcome. That is easy if the party is for friends and family, but when the get together is for a work function or maybe includes spouses, it takes a great hostess to make sure everyone is engaged and enjoying themselves.
I’m looking forward to our Christmas Day party with the family!
I good hostess has everything planned ahead and done before guests arrive so they have time to entertain and socialize with their guests!! sharoo1975@yahoo.com
Can sisters-in-law enter?? LOL
I love chocolate, and these look yummy! I don’t know that there is a specific party I will be looking forward too (though I wish we lived closer to see you guys!). I think my favorite part will be seeing the kids, especially Emily, Christmas morning!
I think what makes a great hostess is just making sure everyone feels included. There is nothing worse than going some place and being the person sitting with tour back to the wall looking inside your glass and not having anyone to chat with
I think a good hostess is well planned, informing people of actual times and with a general idea of what will happen (is it a bday party? will gifts be exchanged? should they bring food? etc.) 🙂 none of this “whatever happens” stuff 😉
Oops, hit send too soon. I think all a hostess needs is warmth, confidence, and empathy. The rest takes care of itself.
Mmm … those look incredible! I am very much looking forward to our preschool parties with our adorable three- and four-year-olds. Can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when Santa arrives in the classroom! 🙂 I’m also looking forward to spending Christmas with Jeff’s parents. A good hostess … I think it’s important not to stress out, even though you might feel stressed … because if you are stressed, then people around you will pick up on that mood.
Looking forward to our friend’s annual New Year’s open house. This would be a great hostess gift!
A great hostess makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome, and she makes sure she plans and prepares as much ahead of time as possible so there is time to interact with her guests instead of working in the kitchen through the entire party!