We all know Valentine’s Day isn’t all about romance. Many shoppers will also be looking for gift ideas for the kids in their life, which is why we’re sharing inspiration for fun and easy gift ideas that are sure to make any kiddo feel the love this Valentine’s Day.

Photo credit: Nandy’s Candy

Valentine Bento Box

The perfect gift for young friends, teens and candy lovers this Valentine’s Day! RCI member Nandy’s Candy fills stock Valentine boxes with an assortment of individually wrapped treats, such as chocolate-covered sandwich cookies and foil-wrapped chocolates, but also small heat-sealed bags of conversation hearts, gummies and hard candies come together as a small sampler of treats.

Photo credit: Water’s Edge Chocolates

Chocolate Tic-Tac Toe

Win shoppers’ hearts with this clever chocolate tic-tac-toe board! RCI member Water’s Edge Chocolates has transformed a chocolate-covered graham cracker into a miniature tic-tac-toe board, packaged with chocolate heart pieces and a cute, coordinating gift tag. This concept could also be applied to square chocolate bars or chocolate-covered crispy rice treats as the board, while conversation hearts or jelly beans could also be used for the game pieces.

Photo credit: Reids Chocolate

Chocolate Grams

Make it easy for families with kids to show their love by creating ready-to-gift valentines with the chocolate already included. Create and print your own custom Valentines on card stock before attaching your chocolate lollipops. Not only will these generate interest in store and on social media, they also add value for many busy families. RCI member Reids Chocolate sells assorted styles of their “Choc-o-Grams” individually or as a 4-pack. For ease, it is noted for online customers that assorted styles are selected at random.

Photo credit: Marie’s Candies

Chocolate Heart Necklace

This chocolate heart necklace is just about as simple as it is sweet! RCI member Marie’s Candies carefully crafts these necklaces out of two foiled chocolate hearts (back to back) and a festive ribbon to be sold separately or added to Valentine bundles for kids. What little one wouldn’t love to wear this necklace with pride…even if it doesn’t last very long?!

Photo credit: HGTV

Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies

There’s something fun and nostalgic about opening up a fortune cookie as a child. For something unexpected dip fortune cookies in chocolate and package them in a cute take-out container, which can be found at most craft shops.

Consumers with kids in their life are sure to fall in love with these adorable treats this Valentine's Day! Make sure to share plenty of photos of your Valentine’s Day treats on social media and your e-commerce site for greater exposure and sales potential. If you plan to make a small batch of these fun treats, let consumers know they’re available for a limited-time only in your social media posts and your online store. This will cover you if you do sell out (we hope you do!) and also encourage shoppers to buy by creating a sense of urgency. Make note of the quantities you made and sold to help determine whether to bring them back this time next year.

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There’s little doubt this fall season is going to look very different for many families and individuals. Thanks to COVID-19, many of our favorite traditional fall events will be canceled or, if not, done very differently.

Here’s five ideas from RCI members for generating sales by creating memorable experiences for families this fall.

Candy-Making Classes: Two Ways

Hosting virtual candy-making classes is a great way to engage with consumers. RCI member, Yelibelly Chocolates, has developed a series of at-home candy-making classes which can be experienced as a prerecorded video or live Zoom call. Further direction can be shared with customers after purchasing a supply kit containing the needed ingredients and supplies.

Known for their in-person candy-making classes for kids, RCI member, PeterbrookeChocolatier, has been able to continue in-person classes by offering small groups of families and/or close friends to take private classes together after local mandates allowed. This approach limits potential exposure to participants by individuals outside their inner circle and creates a more comfortable environment for local patrons to do something fun outside their homes.

Socially Distant Outdoor Events

Is your annual fall festival cancelled this year? Use your creativity to dream up a socially distant outdoor event to generate foot traffic at your store. RCI member Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium plans to host their annual outdoor pumpkin painting party (albeit practicing social distancing) and treat kids dressed in their Halloween costumes with a complimentary goodie bag.

Another idea could include hosting a family movie night in the parking lot by hanging a white sheet on the side of your building and setting up a projector. RCI member, MarshmallowMBA plans to partner with local churches to gain exposure during Trunk-or-Treat events in their community.

DIY Take-Home Kits

Make it easy for shoppers to create special memories for their families. RCI member Stever’s Candies had success over the summer by selling s’mores and ice cream sundae take-home kits, each packed with all the sweet ingredients needed and bundled together for a quick, grab-and-go treat or an easy, yet thoughtful, gift.

Themed Virtual Tastings

Hosting a virtual chocolate tasting may be just the ticket for safely connecting with chocolate lovers near and far. Incorporating themes will make the experience more memorable and potentially lead to customers ordering multiple tastings. RCI member, Blommer Chocolate Company, suggests themes that hypothetically whisk participants away to a virtual vacation destination or even highlight your home base. Check out this video from Blommer Chocolate's Rose Potts for more inspiration on creating a successful virtual chocolate tasting.

For a more local vibe, source local fall produce to highlight as part of your virtual tasting. We think this recipe for apple cider caramels from King Arthur Baking Company would be the perfect addition to a fall harvest themed tasting.

Virtual Factory Tour

Pique the curiosities of children and parents alike by sharing virtual tours of your candy kitchen. After closing their factory to tours, RCI member SnowflakeChocolates has posted a virtual tour of their facility on social media as well as behind-the-scenes videos of how they make chocolate-covered Oreos and maple fudge. After seeing all the yummy confections in the making, invite followers to get it fresh by placing orders online or in-store. 

After a popular children’s YouTube sensation toured their facility, RCI member Boehm’sCandies created an Eat-Along Kit including the confections featured in the tour. If you’re looking to take your virtual tour to the next level, feature your signature confections in the video tour and sell them as a bundle for consumers to purchase and enjoy while they watch your virtual tour.

Businesses that thrive this fall will be the ones that are intentional about creating a safe and comfortable environment for consumers and their families to not only enjoy their products, but create memorable experiences their patrons won’t soon forget. Here's wishing you a sweet and successful fall season!

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