Thursday, 1 November 2012

A RATHER LARGE CHRISTMAS CRACKER AND A CRACKER OF A GIVEAWAY



I have never ever made my love of chocolate a secret on here.  I just adore chocolate and I am especially fond of GOOD chocolate.  This is a photograph of my local Hotel Chocolate shop, right here in Chester.  I think they must know me by name . . . well, not really.  I'm not quite that bad, but every once in a while I do indulge and as I have always said, if you are going to indulge, why not indulge in the best!!

I was thrilled therefore when they contacted me recently and asked me if I would like to review one of their Christmas products for this year.   (It's less than two months away now you know!)  Review Chocolate??   Chocolate from Hotel Chocolate???  You don't need to ask me twice!

Rather Large Cracker

This is what arrived in the post yesterday!  Their RATHER LARGE CHRISTMAS CRACKER, and when they say large, they're not joking!  This thing is enormous!



It was delivered to the door yesterday, in a nice sturdy box.  Of course Todd moaned . . . "What did you order now???"  I love it when he does that and I can say NOTHING!  And if you're a bad boy I won't share it with you!



Inside was this huge Christmas Cracker.  I just love the packaging!  The artwork is beautiful.  (I do have an eye for that sort of thing)

 

And it's a REAL cracker too, with a snapper to pull and everything!

From their page:

This striking, over-sized cracker is the perfect centrepiece for all sorts of Christmas get-togethers and parties – never failing to raise smiles and a few gasps as the 40 chocolates inside come tumbling out! Complete with 12 party hats and jokes. Measures 640mm long

Including smooth pralines, luxurious champagne truffles, dreamy caramels and more, all wrapped in pairs so they’ll be as fresh as can be. Chocolates with & without alcohol.

 

Each pair is wrapped carefully . . . silver party hats at the ready.



The requisite Christmas Party Jokes . . .  it just wouldn't be Christmas without them would it!!



Of course taste testing was required . . . mmmm . . . Berry Mousse  . . . splenderifously delish . . .  and yes . . . I did share one of the pair with the Toddster.  I'm not that mean.  He appreciates good chocolate too.



mmmm . . . Christmas mess . . . also gorgeous.   And this cracker is stogged full of no less than 40 chocolates to tempt and tease every chocolate palate!  Fabulous!

I thought it was a beautiful cracker . . . and would make a fabulous gift to give to a friend that you are having trouble finding something for this Christmas.  I can't think of anyone that wouldn't be excited to get one of these!  At £38 it's not overly expensive and would probably be as welcome, or even more welcome than a bottle of their favourite booze, and would certainly add a dab of pizazz to the day!  (And it's already wrapped!)

They actually have quite a few nice Christmas Items on their page from as low in price as £1.95 and up.  It's a wonderful selection.  I think there's something there for just about everyone.



But . . . it gets even better than that . . . they're affording me the opportunity to give one of these RATHER LARGE CHRISTMAS CRACKERS to one of you, my lovely readers, and it's ok if you live in America too!   They'll even send it there.   To get in on this LOVELY GIVEAWAY all you have to do it leave a comment here in the comment section of this post!  I'm excited about this and I hope you are too!  I just love it when I am able to share some of my good fortune with one of you too!

This Giveaway will be open from today, Thursday  November 1st 2012 until Thursday, November 8th 2012!  (One Week) Each comment gives you one chance to win this lovely prize.  (Just as a side note Hotel Chocolat has advised me that very occasionally it might be the case that the product could be out of stock, however if this happens a similar product of the equivalent value will be issued instead, which can't be bad!)

Good luck everyone!

 

Many thanks to Hotel Chocolate and to Hannah  for affording me, and YOU with this fabulous opportunity!  Now get commenting and spread the word.  The more the merrier!


48 comments

  1. It's so PRETTY!! I wouldn't want to break it, just set it on a mantle and look at it. Stephen might break it to get at the chocolate though... what a fantabulous giveaway!! I love it!! And perfect timing. For me, the Christmas season starts Nov. 1st!!
    Love and hugs, Me

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  2. Oh WoW. I would so love to win the cracker. it's fabulous. Hugs,

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  3. that cracker looks amazing!!! would love to win :)

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  4. I would love to win a cracker! What a wonderful give away :)

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  5. Wow what a gorgeous cracker and those chocolates look so scrummy, being a crafter I also noticed the artwork on the cracker and living in France it's so nice to find somewhere that delivers here too
    Would love to win this what a fab giveaway
    x

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  6. Count me in Pretty pleeeeaaase Marie.Its fabulous.Just up my street.I might even have a go at making one of those.Sorry I havn't been around because of my stay in hospital and ill health just now.This is just an early flying visit on Fb until the nurse arrives.Have a great day.ENJOY the contents He-Heeeee xx Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  7. Ooh Yummy! That looks almost too good to open - but I would force myself. Such a lovely giveaway, count me in please. x

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  8. Fabulous!! but not too good to open and devour!
    Thanks!

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  9. Oh, I would love to have some Christmas crackers. I live in the US and I have never had one. they look like so much fun! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  10. That is amazing. I enjoyed reading about your treat. I might make one for our Christmas.

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  11. Mmmmm...chocolate! My favorite food group!

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  12. That looks incredible, I can imagine how excited you must have been when it arrived!

    I'd love to enter the competition - thanks, Leanne x

    http://buzzbeefbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

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  13. Wow, what a lovely prize! And perfect for Christmas sharing!

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  14. I adore chocolate! A hotel named Hotel Chocolate?? I want to stay there! I'd love to win this fun prize!

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  15. Chocolate?? Count me IN!! Would love this, such a neat idea! Thanks Marie and Thanks Hotel Chocolate!! Raquel

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  16. They are just the best, aren't they. I was really excited when Hotel Chocolate opened here.

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  17. If they can send to Australia I would love to be in the give away. The chocolates look very yummy.

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  18. We don't do Christmas crackers in the States, so I had SO much fun with them for my first holiday here in the UK. This would be all kinds of wonderful....

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  19. Combine Hotel Chocolate with a Christmas cracker and what do you get?? A real winner! Who could resist? Not me!

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  20. What an incredibly fabulous Christmas Cracker that is! Of course I'd love to win it ... thanks for the chance.

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  21. Ooh I'd love to win! I reviewed the Easter Eggs this year and they were AMAZING!

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  22. mmm chocolate. That cracker looks lovely, what a great prize.

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  23. That looks truly amazing! I've seen some amazing chocolate hampers around lately....trying my hardest to resist!

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  24. Absolutely gorgeous giveaway, Marie!
    Athough we don't have this custom here in Greece, it would be totally thrilling to surprise my family at Christmas dinner with it!
    And full of chocolate, too!!!

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  25. Two of my favorite traditions wrapped up in one! Please include me. Thanks.

    cindc8 at gmail dot com

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  26. What a super gift-a-way!! Throw my name in the mix!! Thanks edgar

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  27. I've never had a Christmas Cracker but ohgoodgolly I think I would certainly love them if they all look like this! Squealingly yumful chocolates...I love their adorable Dasher the Reindeer and elegant Icicles. Many thanks for the post and link! :)

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  28. I hope Canada is included in this. The chocolates look and sound delish. It is quite a novelty here to have crackers although they are becoming more and more popular and are seen in more and more stores.

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  29. OH MY OH MY Pick ME!!! PICK ME!!! What a lovely giveaway Marie and thank your friends at Hotel Chocolate for giving us Americans a chance too! Please enter my name. Thank you and Much LOVE across the big blue pond!
    Susan

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  30. I get very excited about the Christmas Hotel Chocolate range, they are always coming up with something new. Going to go and drool over their website now.

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  31. I was watching "Call The Midwife" on Sunday night and they mentioned a "Victoria Sandwich". I didn't know what it was, so I Googled it and found your site.

    Needless to say I have been reading for the past four days and thoroughly enjoy it!

    We periodically go to an English style pub here in Orlando for breakfast on Sundays, but that is as close to English food that we get.

    I can't wait to try out your recipes -- especially the stuffed cabbage!

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  32. Call the Midwife, great series! I am looking forward to the second series and have read the book Johnny! Glad to have you on board here at The English Kitchen. Welcome!

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  33. Oh wow, what an amazing Cracker. How DO they think of such wonderful new ideas x

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  34. Oh my word, that is one beautiful Cracker. I too am a chocoholic, an Ex Pat living in Canada.
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway, I love your recipes.

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  35. Love the cracker! I've alreadt pre-bought the Hotel chocolate Christmas Calendar and can hardly wait to open that! The cracker would be just fab to open when all my friends are round for dinner during the festive season.

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  36. Those Berry Mousse crackers/cooklies look SO delicious. I would love to win this prize! That's great they will send to the USA.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  37. This looks wonderful. Being over in
    America, we do not do the Christmas Cracker but what a lovely way to start a tradition!
    Thanks!

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  38. Oh yum. I am a faithful reader who's tried-- and liked--many of your recipes. Please enter me in the drawing for the amazing cracker. Thanks.

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  39. Wow! That would look nice at my house!

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  40. Wow this looks amazing! So pretty and perfect for Christmas :)

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  41. I am ever hopeful i just might win your giveaway this time, it looks a-ma-zing! Please enter me!

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  42. Hi, i have been reading your blog for a little while, thanks for all the great recipes, I've even made a few of them. i'm loving the canadian influence you put on british recipes except for anything with peanut butter (eeeuuurrggg)
    Oh and i'd love to win that gorgeous looking chocolate.

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  43. Eek! Chocolatey goodness :) *Crosses fingers*

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  44. I so enjoy your blog, recipes and photos. I would like to be included in your draw, thanks for the opportunity. Karen

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  45. Please count me in! Looks like a fantastic cracker and would be just the centre piece to any Christmas table.

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