<p>I’ll have to try Gearhart’s sometime since it comes from Charlottesville. One of my kids spent 4 years there and we have made many visits to Charlottesville but have never heard of Gearhart’s before now. But buying chocolates wasn’t on our agenda then! Hope to try them someday so thanks for the idea. They seem to have some interesting things.</p>
<p>I am from Richmond Virginia and have had Gearhardt chocolate many times. They are so yummy and fresh. I have also received them as gifts in the mail and they come packaged beautifully. The carmels… OMG. Good luck.</p>
<p>CecilTurtle, thank you for PM. Love the olive oil idea. We have a local producer and it is definitely on my short list.</p>
<p>[TCHO</a> - New American Chocolate](<a href=“http://www.tcho.com/]TCHO”>http://www.tcho.com/)</p>
<p>The only chocolate made in SF!</p>
<p>somemom, I have a hard time getting past the fact that the person who wrote the copy cannot spell “ganache” and acts as if Callebaut–which they also cannot spell–is some special, exotic chocolate choice, when in fact it is the lowest common denominator of Belgian chocolates. (Personally, I use a single-bean origin line from Venezuela.)</p>
<p>There are some things about them that sound good; for example, they use the real liqueur instead of a flavoring. They are certainly very pretty, if you like that style. Linxe of Maison du Chocolat is about the only chocolatier whose stuff I’ve had in recent years that I <em>really</em> like. The flavors are excellent, the texture is luscious, it isn’t too sweet, and they aren’t overdecorated. But I haven’t tried that many for the last few years because I really should not be eating sweets.</p>
<p>If you are open to non-California products, American Spoon Foods in Petoskey, Michigan has delicious stuff and sends very attractive gift boxes.</p>
<p>We had S1’s fianc</p>
<p>Harry and David’s Royal Riviera pears are to die for.</p>
<p>I really dislike See’s chocolates, they are way too sweet. I do like chocolate though. I love the idea of a really good olive oil. My aunt gave me Harry and David pears for Christmas one year that were amazing. Personally, I’m always happy to get a bottle of wine. :D</p>
<p>I wouldn’t send a gift that requires refrigeration since you never know how crowded the refrigerator or freezer are.</p>
<p>Frans chocolates are wonderful but I must point out that they’re from Seattle, not CA! (Unfortunately, I am way too familiar with their salted chocolate covered caramels.)</p>
<p>I think olive oils would be a great gift.</p>
<p>mathmom, I feel the same way about See’s and I am not a chocolate snob by any means. Wine is nice if you know for sure they drink and I would want it to come from the parents if D is underaged. I also like the olive oil idea, especially if the hosts are foodies. (If not, they may not appreciate it.)</p>
<p>Are you from the Bay Area? I often bring a loaf or two of sourdough as a hostess gift. It travels pretty well. </p>
<p>[Welcome</a> To Boudin Bakery](<a href=“http://www.boudinbakery.com/index.cfm]Welcome”>Home - Boudin Bakery)</p>
<p>Harry and David pears. YUM! Sourdough - never occurred to me it could travel. I should not be reading this thread before eating.</p>
<p>I have heard that cuties are hard to come by in the east. Also there are cara cara oranges in Costco here. Maybe citrus from California grower</p>
<p>I like the flower idea - have your child send the flower arrangement (as others said to arrive the day before as her thank you) and you can send the local citrus or olive oils (to arrive after as your thank you)</p>
<p>Westparent- I don’t know where in CA you are located but Temecula Olive Oil Company has olive oil and vinegars to die for! Their sampler sets- either three olive oils or three vinegars are wonderful.</p>
<p>Wait…
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<p>Wouldn’t that kind of be like an alcoholic working in a liquor store? I have to admit… I could never have that kind of willpower to eliminate chocolate from my life, especially if my job demanded I come into contact with it everyday!</p>
<p>Actually, one does tend to grow tired of it when around it all the time. :)</p>
<p>Now, ask me if I would like a baked potato or a great baguette or a plate of spaghetti carbonara…THOSE are the things I crave, but can’t have.</p>
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<p>You mean, I just need to fill my house with it, having it oozing out of the pantry, refrigerator and freezer??? I kind of like that idea!! </p>
<p>Just got back from a quick stop at the grocery store with H to pick up stuff for dinner. He asked, “Do you want some ice cream?”… code for, ‘do you need a chocolate fix?’. I told him no. Now if I’d only read your post before we made that stop, I might be on my way to fixing my addiction.</p>
<p>Such great gift ideas! It’s hard to gift things to people you don’t know too well. You want them to like it but it’s not as easy as buying a Personlized Holiday Green Snoscapes Mug (<a href=“http://www.dailycuppacoffee.com/personalized-holiday-green-snowscapes-mug[/url]”>http://www.dailycuppacoffee.com/personalized-holiday-green-snowscapes-mug</a>). They would be perfect for a friend who loves coffee and you can pair it with a gourmet coffee from Daily Cuppa Coffee. Of course truffles are a great gift anytime… but if the family loves steak then there’s no need to look furthur.</p>
<p>We sent this to college kids studying for finals: [Specialty</a> Treats](<a href=“http://christopher-chocolates.com/specialty-treats/]Specialty”>http://christopher-chocolates.com/specialty-treats/)</p>
<p>Kinda low brow, maybe not the most obvious choice in hostess gifts, but my family would love hammering a 10 lb chocolate bar to pieces.</p>