Browsing Tag

candy

Gift Baskets, Gourmet Apples, Party!, Sweepstakes

Bobbin For Apple Treats Twitter Party Sweepstakes

September 8, 2016

bobbin for Apple Treats Twitter Party Sweepstakes

Follow us on Twitter and sign up today for the Twitter party! Bob and splash but don’t miss the Bobbin For Apple Treats Twitter Party Sweepstakes! Tuesday, September 27, 1:00pm CST

Sign up Instructions: Follow 1-800-Baskets.com® on Twitter (@1800Baskets) during the Sweepstakes Entry Period. RSVP before 11:00AM CDT on 9/27/16: On Twitter DM@1800baskets for registration and include your name and email address. You must use the hashtags #1800Baskets and #Sweepstakes in all tweets when responding on Twitter during the Entry Period.

Join us for a fun afternoon and a chance to win delicious apple prizes. We’re giving away three decadent and sweet prizes! Don’t get soaked while you’re bobbin for apple treats! Use #1800Baskets #Sweepstakes to answer the questions.

What are the three prizes? Nuts About Caramel Apple Pack (4 Ct) , So Good Gourmet Apples (4 Ct.) and Apple Pie Caramel Apple (4 Ct.)

 

Be sure to check out our exquisite gifts for fall occasions: Fall Gift Baskets

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Entertaining, Mother's Day, Party!, Sweepstakes

Mother’s Day Facebook Essay Sweepstakes

March 30, 2016

My Mom Makes Me Smile

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook! Here are the Winners of Our Mother’s Day Facebook Essay Sweepstakes 

 

Thank you for sharing your essays! Each one was an inspiration. Winners, please send a private Facebook message to 1800Baskets.com with your shipping information.

The My Mom Makes Me Smile Winners Are:

Spirit Javon, My Mom is the Best

Lori Singer, My Mom Keeps On Keeping On

Treva Shawn Anderson, Twinning a Generation Apart

Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!

Surprise your mom for Mother’s Day! Write an essay about the things that make her so special and a chance to win a beautiful basket or gift from 1800Baskets.com.

How Does Your Mom Make You Smile? Is it her warm hug, fabulous style, delicious cupcakes? Tell us why your mom is so special in 70 words or less. We’re giving away three prizes for Mothers Day! We will randomly select three winners. The sweepstakes starts on Facebook on 4/11. You can submit entries until 4/28. Winners will be posted on Facebook on 5/02!

Mother's Day Facebook Essay Sweepstakes

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY WHO HAVE OR OPEN AN ACCOUNT ON FACEBOOK.COM.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

  1. ENTRY PERIOD: 1-800-BASKETS.COM® My Mom Makes Me Smile Sweepstakes (hereinafter the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 12:01 AM EDT on 4/11/16 and ends at 11:59 PM EDT on 4/28/16 (the “Entry Period”).    
  2.  HOW TO ENTER: Visit the 1-800-BASKETS.COM® Facebook page located at https://www.facebook.com/1800baskets/?fref=ts  during the Entry Period and completely fill out the entry form and tell us in seventy (70) words or less “How your mom makes you smile.”   The entry form and essay will collectively be referred to as the “Entry.”

Accounts at Facebbook.com are free and can be opened at www.facebook.com.

2.1 ENTRY CONTENT RESTRICTIONS:

  1. Entry received a) must be unique and created exclusively by the entrant submitting b) cannot have been previously entered into a sweepstakes, contest or have been published c) cannot not be awaiting publication nor may it be submitted for publication consideration during or after the Entry Period; and
  2. The Entry must not contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement; and
  3. The Entry must not disparage Sponsor or any other person or party affiliated with the Sweepstakes; and
  4. We are a family friendly company so each Entry must not contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, or that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; and
  5. Entry must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any state where submission is created.

2.2. ADDITIONAL ENTRY TERMS & CONDITIONS. Limit one Entry per person. Use of computer programs and/or other automated devices to enter the Sweepstakes is prohibited. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your on-line service will apply. By entering, you understand that the Sponsor has the exclusive right to use the Entry and excerpts of the Entry in any advertising and promotional materials (visual, sound, print and/or electronic form), including, but not limited to, posting Entry on its websites, blogs, social media pages and in any form of advertising.  By submitting your Entry you grant any and all necessary rights and licenses provided herein, including without limitation, all necessary copyright and other related rights to the Entry, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity, you  hereby hold the Sponsor harmless from and against any third party claim arising from use of the Entry and waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Entry or to be compensated for any such uses. All Entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor, and may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.

  1. SWEEPSTAKES PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (“ARV”):  Three (3) Prizes in total will be awarded.   Winners will be randomly selected will receive one (1) of the three following prizes.  A 1-800-BASKETS.COM® Mom You’re the Best! Brunch Tote Bag (product code #149369) ARV $59.99 USD, 1-800-BASKETS.COM® Love You Mom! Relaxing Tea Gift Basket (product code #149348) ARV $49.99 USD or a 1-800-BASKETS.COM® Mother’s Day Belgian Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookie Tin (product code #93262) ARV $39.99 USD.  Total ARV of all prizes of $149.97 USD.
  2. WINNER SELECTION: Winners will be selected on or about May 3, 2016 in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received during the Entry Period by a representative of Sponsor, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Prizes will be awarded and potential winners will be notified by email associated with their Facebook account. Prizes are nontransferable and no cash substitution is allowed except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to award prize of equal or greater value if advertised prize is unavailable.
  3. GENERAL RULES:  Taxes, related to the prizes are the winners’ sole responsibility, if applicable. Prize winners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (where legal) within five (5) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. Return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and alternate selection. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, image, photo, sobriquet and biographical information for promotional purposes without further compensation except where prohibited by law. By entering, entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these OFFICIAL RULES and winners release Sponsor, and their subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and all others associated with the development and execution of the Sweepstakes from any and all liability for damages, losses or injury resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance or use of prize. Entries will be declared to be made by the authorized account. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to the Facebook account associated with the submitted Entry.  Entries are subject to verification of eligibility and will be declared invalid if they are incomplete, falsified, altered or tampered with in any way. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website; violates the OFFICIAL RULES; or acts in an unsportsmanlike, obscene or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other Entrant or person.   Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, misdirected or damaged Entries due to internet services providers service, weather, technical, hardware or software malfunctions, telephone failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, garbled or delayed electronic communications, whether caused by the sender, by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Sweepstakes which may limit the ability to participate, or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the Entries in this Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Sweepstakes if it is not capable of completion as planned, including for infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures or corruption of any sort, and award prizes from eligible Entries received prior to cancellation. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
  4. ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry who have or open an account on Facebook.com.  Accounts at Facebbook.com are free and can be opened at www.facebook.com.   All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.  Employees and families of 800-Flowers, Inc. (“Sponsor”) their subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related companies, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate families are ineligible.   
  5. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the winners, visit https://www.facebook.com/1800baskets/?fref=ts  and refer to the “Notes” section from approximately 5/10/2016 through 6/10/2016.
  6. SPONSOR & ADMINISTRATOR: The Sponsor and Administrator of this Sweepstakes is 800-FLOWERS, INC. One Old Country Road, Suite 500, Carle Place, New York 11514
  7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: NEITHER 800-FLOWERS, INC., THEIR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, OR AFFILIATED COMPANIES, AS WELL AS, THEIR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY OR GOODWILL. IN ALL EVENTS, THE SOLE MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF SPONSOR AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ARV OF THE PRIZES SET FORTH HEREIN.
  8. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE: THE NEW YORK COURTS (STATE & FEDERAL) SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OF ANY CONTROVERSIES REGARDING THE SWEEPSTAKES AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE SAME. EACH ENTRANT WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE VENUE OF THOSE COURTS WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK.

© 2016 800-FLOWERS, INC.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By participating, you hereby release and hold harmless Facebook from any and all liability associated with this promotion

Easter, Gift Baskets, Holidays, Party!, Sweepstakes

What’s Hoppin on March 21?

March 2, 2016

Thanks everyone for tweeting at  the Twitter Party! 

You can use promocode: HOPPIN  for Easter baskets or for all gifts on our site until 3/27/16.

Congrats to the winners: @stephan94848598, @rmgm, and @LoveSportsMom!

#Hoppin Basket Twitter Party

 Hold the Date! Don’t Let it Get Away!

Monday, March 21 at 1:00PM CDT

Register before 12:00PM CDT March 21.

DM @1800baskets for registration. “I would like to register for the Hoppin Basket Twitter Party”

Delicious Prizes! Springtime Snacks Gift Basket, Bloomin’ Spring Sweets Tower, Sweet Easter Egg-Shaped Oreo Cookies

#Hoppin #Sweepstakes

 

1-800-BASKETS.COM®
#Hoppin Basket Hunt 2016 Twitter Party

OFFICIAL RULES:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AS OF THE DATE OF ENTRY WHO HAVE OR OPEN AN ACCOUNT ON TWITTER.COM. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

1. ENTRY PERIOD: 1-800-BASKETS.COM® #Hoppin Basket Hunt 2016 Twitter Party with giveaways (hereinafter the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 1:00 PM CDT on Monday 3/21/16 and ends approximately at 2:00 PM CDT on Monday 3/21/16 (the “Entry Period”).

2. HOW TO ENTER/PARTICPATE: You must be 18 or older and have or open an account on Twitter.com to participate in the Sweepstakes. Accounts are free and can be opened by visiting Twitter.com.

To enter the Sweepstakes you must do three things:
You must follow 1-800-BASKETS.COM® on Twitter (@1800Baskets) during the Sweepstakes Entry Period.
You must RSVP before Noon CDT on 3/21/16 here: Register with a DM (direct message) to @1800baskets “I would like to register for the #Hoppin Basket Twitter Party.”
You must use the hashtags #Hoppin and #Sweepstakes in tweets when responding to the posted questions from @1800Baskets on Twitter during the Entry Period.

ADDITIONAL ENTRY TERMS & CONDITIONS. Use of computer programs and/or other automated devices to enter the Sweepstakes are prohibited. Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your on-line service will apply. By entering and using the promoted hashtags (#Hoppin & #Sweepstakes) you understand that a) the Sponsor has the exclusive right to use your entry and excerpts of your entry in any advertising and promotional materials (visual, sound, print and/or electronic form), including posting entries or portions thereof on its website, social media accounts/pages, advertising. etc.; b) you grant any and all necessary rights and licenses provided herein, including without limitation, all necessary copyright and other related rights to the entry, free and clear of all claims and encumbrances without violating the rights of any person or entity, including any right to privacy or publicity; and c) you hereby hold the Sponsor harmless from and against any third party claim arising from use of the entry and waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the entry or to be compensated for any such uses. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor, and may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by Sponsor.

3. SWEEPSTAKES PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUES (“ARV”):
Three (3) winners will be selected; each will win one of the prizes listed below. The list of prizes that will be given out (in no particular order):

Springtime Snacks Gift Basket, Product Code 149341 $39.99 USD
Bloom’in Spring Sweets Tower, Product Code 149347 $29.99USD
Sweet Easter Egg-Shaped Oreo Cookies, Product Code 94628 $19.99 USD

Total ARV of all prizes is $89.97 USD.

4. WINNER SELECTION: During the Entry Period The Sponsor will ask a number of questions, some for fun and some for prizes. Three (3) of the questions will be for the prizes listed in Section 3 herein (the “Prize Questions”). Three (3) Prize Questions will be posted by the Sponsor and three (3) winners selected. The format will be as follows: A Prize Question will be posted by Sponsor along with a URL link where the answer can be found and a time frame in which to respond to that specific question with the correct answer and the hashtags #Hoppin & #Sweepstakes. All correct responses that are eligible entries to that specific Prize Question that are received within the stated time frame will be pooled together and a random winner selected. This process will be repeated until all 3 Prize Questions are asked and entries collected. Drawings will be conducted by a representative of Sponsor, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of correct eligible entries received for each Prize Question. Non-winning entries will not be rolled over into the next question drawing. Prizes will be awarded and potential winners will be notified by mention and/or direct message on Twitter. Prizes are nontransferable and no cash substitution is allowed except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to award prizes of equal or greater value if advertised prizes are unavailable.

5. GENERAL RULES: Taxes, related to the prizes are the winners’ sole responsibility, if applicable. Prize winners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (where legal) within five (5) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. Return of any prize or prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and alternate selection. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, image, photo, sobriquet and biographical information for promotional purposes without further compensation except where prohibited by law. By entering, entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these OFFICIAL RULES and winners release Sponsor, and their subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and all others associated with the development and execution of the Sweepstakes from any and all liability for damages, losses or injury resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance or use of prize. Entries will be declared to be made by the authorized account. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to the Twitter account associated with the submitted entry. Entries are subject to verification of eligibility and will be declared invalid if they are incomplete, falsified, altered or tampered with in any way. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website; violates the OFFICIAL RULES; or acts in an unsportsmanlike, obscene or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. Sponsor and its agencies are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, misdirected or damaged entries due to internet services providers service, weather, technical, hardware or software malfunctions, telephone failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, garbled or delayed electronic communications, whether caused by the sender, by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Sweepstakes which may limit the ability to participate, or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries in this Sweepstakes. Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate or modify the Sweepstakes if it is not capable of completion as planned, including for infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures or corruption of any sort, and award prizes from eligible entries received prior to cancellation. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

6. ELIGIBILITY: This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States, including the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older as of date of entry who have or open an account on Twitter.com. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Employees and families of 800-FLOWERS, INC. (“Sponsor”) their subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates and related companies, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate families are ineligible. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

7. WINNERS LIST: For the names of the winners, visit /
from approximately 3/24/16 through 4/24/16

8. SPONSOR & ADMINISTRATOR: The Sponsor and Administrator of this Sweepstakes are 800-FLOWERS, INC., One Old Country Road, Suite 500, Carle Place, NY 11514.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: NEITHER 800-FLOWERS, INC., THEIR AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, OR AFFILIATED COMPANIES, AS WELL AS, THEIR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION AGENCIES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF OPPORTUNITY OR GOODWILL. IN ALL EVENTS, THE SOLE MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF SPONSOR AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE ARV OF THE PRIZES SET FORTH HEREIN.

10. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE: THE NEW YORK COURTS (STATE & FEDERAL) SHALL HAVE SOLE JURISDICTION OF ANY CONTROVERSIES REGARDING THE SWEEPSTAKES AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE SAME. EACH ENTRANT WAIVES ANY AND ALL OBJECTIONS TO JURISDICTION AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE VENUE OF THOSE COURTS WITHIN THE COUNTIES OF NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK.

The Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Twitter.com. By entering entrants release Twitter from any and all liability with regards to the Sweepstakes

© 2016 800-FLOWERS, INC.

Easter, Entertaining, Party!

Easter Place Card Nests

February 24, 2016

 

Easter is just three weeks away! If you’re planning an Easter brunch for family or friends now is the perfect time to collect some pretty ideas for table decorating. We found a clever craft — making place cards out of small nests for your Easter table. If you’re expecting a large crowd for your spring party Easter place card nests are especially helpful.

 

Easter Place Card Nests

 

The baskets are made of raffia, so you will need raffia and a few more items. The nests can be filled with foiled eggs, candies, or candy coated Easter eggs.

For directions on how to make Easter Place Card Nests go to the link below:

Spring Nest Easter Place Cards

For a fabulous Easter brunch buffet add eggciting treats like Happy Easter Petit Fours and Happy Easter Belgian Oreos.  One of these would look bright and cheery in an Easter Place Card Nest! Your guests will adore them!

Happy Easter Petit Fours

Happy Easter Belgian Chocolate Covered Oreo Tin

 

Gift Baskets, Holidays, Valentine's Day

Romantic Valentines Day Gift Basket

February 3, 2016
Valentines Day Gift Basket

Here’s My Heart Valentines Day Gift Basket

Send a Gift of Romance with a Lovely Basket Handcrafted for Valentines Day 

♥ 

Your sweetheart will adore this Valentines Day Gift Basket which evokes a taste of the European countryside.

This artisan woven basket is abundant with Italian Amaretti Cookies, Butter Toffee Caramels, Fudge Toffee, Royal Chocolate Dark Belgian Chocolate Thins, Toberlone® Swiss Dark Chocolate and more! Many nice surprises for Valentines Day in a keepsake basket with red bow!

countryside and ancient village

For Centuries Valentines Day has been celebrated with gifts, cards, love notes and songs.

Who penned the first valentine? It may have been the Duke of Orleans about 600 years ago!

♥ 

Party!, Uncategorized

Darth Vader, Storm Trooper, Boba Fett Here Now!

December 8, 2015

Surprise A Star Wars Fan

With  Cool, Collectible Goblets!

The Star Wars® worldwide movie date is December 18, 2015 and fans of all ages are ready! You don’t have to wait ten days to order a Darth Vader, Storm Trooper or Boba Fett goblet from 1800Baskets.com — we have Star Wars® collectibles now!

Take their “devotion to the empire” to the next level with these unique 2015 official Star Wars® matte finish ceramic goblets. Collect them all!  Each comes with silver foil wrapped candies tied with a black satin ribbon.

Black Star Wars Mug from 1800Baskets

Disney Star Wars Mug Darth Vader

Disney Star Wars Mug - R2D2

Disney Star Wars Mug R2D2

Disney Star Wars Mug - Boba Fet

Disney Star Wars Mug Bobba Fet

 

star wars mug from 1800Baskets.com

Disney Star Wars Mug Storm Trooper

Uncategorized

The History of the Fortune Cookie

July 11, 2013
Personalized Gigantic Confetti Fortune Cookie

Personalized Gigantic Confetti Fortune CookieJuly 20 is National Fortune Cookie Day!

These crispy golden cookies are without a doubt the best part of eating at a Chinese restaurant: There’s just something thrilling about breaking open the cookie at the end of your meal and reading your fate on that tiny slip of paper. But did you know that fortune cookies aren’t really fromChina? To celebrate the upcoming holiday of big fortunes in small packages, here’s a brief history of everyone’s favorite takeout cookie.

Fortune cookies as we know them today aren’t Chinese at all: According to popular opinion, they’re actually American, inspired by the Japanese. They were first made in the early 1900s inCalifornia. But who is responsible for inventing the idea has been a topic of great debate over the years. As the history books have it, two people have tried to lay official claim to the fortune cookie’s fame: Makoto Hagiwara and David Jung.

Hagiwara, a Japanese immigrant, said he started serving them at the Japanese Tea Gardens inSan Franciscobetween 1907 and 1914. They were his version of Japanese rice wafers called “senbei,” and inside they held thank-you notes for the public rather than fortunes. Jung, a native ofChinawho immigrated toLos Angeles, founded the Hong Kong Noodle company in 1916 and claimed he invented the fortune cookie in 1918. He said he handed them out to poor, joblessCaliforniamen as a way to inspire them, but there was never any official record that the idea was his.

In an attempt to get to the bottom of things, the San Francisco Court of Historical Review hosted a mock trial to sort out the cookie’s past. After a long and quirky trial, the court finally ruled in favor of Hagiwara and announcedSan Franciscoas the home of fortune cookies. And yet despite the court’s decision, many people continue to credit Jung as the mastermind behind the fateful golden cookie. Still others argue that the fortune cookie has completely different origins. Up to this day, the question “Who invented the fortune cookie?” is very much an open case.

But no matter where they came from, fortune cookies are—and always will be—a staple of Chinese-American cuisine. Today, their popularity has reached such larger-than-life proportions that giant fortune cookies have become one of the hottest gift items for every occasion, from birthdays to Valentine’s Day. So on July 20, go ahead and celebrate by cracking open a humongous fortune cookie with an equally huge good fortune inside!

What’s the best fortune you’ve ever gotten after opening a fortune cookie?

Uncategorized

The Best Snacks for Baseball Season

April 29, 2013
Candy Bar Pretzels

Candy Bar PretzelsPlanning on enjoying America’s favorite pastime this spring? Whether you’re watching the ballgame from your living room or from the bleachers, rooting for the home team isn’t nearly as fun if you don’t have some awesome treats to chomp on. Handy bite-sized snacks are the MVPs of baseball snacking: They’re easy to pop into your mouth while you concentrate on the biggest plays, and they have big-league flavor. Here’s our all-star lineup of the best snacks to eat during baseball season!

Flower in Bloom Gourmet Fruit & NutsFlower in Bloom Gourmet Fruit & Nuts

A healthier spin on the traditional peanuts and cracker jacks, this assortment of mixed nuts and dried fruits is a delicious and guilt-free pick for the big game. The sleek wooden tray is loaded with cashews, almonds, pears, peaches apricots, dates, plums and more—all cleverly arranged into the shape of a blooming flower. Perfect for spring’s best sport!

Candy-Covered Pretzel RodsCandy Bar Pretzels

This sinfully delicious snack brings together all the classic treats you’d find at the concession stand—without the hefty price! Golden pretzel rods are dipped in creamy caramel and then covered in one of five candy favorites—Oreo, Butterfinger, M&Ms, Mounds or Heath Bar—to make a sweet-and-salty double play that no one can resist.

So Good Gourmet ApplesSo Good Gourmet Apples

These pitch-perfect candy apples come in four decadent flavors and are served on an easy-to-hold stick so you won’t drop the ball on game day. Take your pick from toppings like white confection and cinnamon; honey-roasted peanuts and milk chocolate; white confection and milk and dark chocolate; or pecans and milk chocolate drizzle.

The Popcorn Factory Snack Attack Deluxe TinThe Popcorn Factory Snack Attack Deluxe Tin

Only for serious snackers, this deluxe tin comes with enough sweet treats to feed the entire team. With mini pretzels, licorice, Tootsie Rolls, peanuts, chocolate chunk cookies, popcorn balls, gummy bears and five different flavors of popcorn at hand, you’ll have enough to satisfy your cravings, even if the game goes into extra innings!

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Martini Mixer Market BoxIt’s 5:00 Somewhere Martini Mixers Market Box

Forget boring old beer. Celebrate your big win in style with one of your favorite cocktails and some fancy salty snacks. This kit already comes with everything you need to make a toast your team players: lemon drop, cosmopolitan and dirty martini mixes, plus savory bits like stuffed Greek olives, cheese straws and more.

So, baseball fans: What’s your favorite team, and what kind of snacks do you like to eat while you cheer them on?

Gift Baskets, Gift Baskets Catalog, Teacher Appreciation, Thank You Gifts

Spring Delight Godiva® Chocolates Gift Basket

April 30, 2012

Whoever said that diamonds were a girl’s best friend clearly never had a sweet surprise like this Spring Delight Godiva® Chocolates Gift Basket delivered to them!

Upon delivery, this beautiful gift basket is perfectly assembled (not a box out of place!) in an off white aluminum gift basket and protected by a tight seal and a glimmering green bow with a floral decoration to top it off. This chocolate gift basket has a very stunning presentation!

First things first, laying out all the chocolate that’s inside this gift basket. I slip off the hand-tied bow ever so carefully, so that I won’t ruin it and place it to the side. Tucked inside the gift basket is an array of chocolate bars, pieces, cocoa and more. As a proper product review, I know immediately that I have to taste every bit of chocolate in this basket (professional obligations of course!).

The Godiva® Dark Truffle Heart Biscuits are absolutely delicious. A sweet yet buttery cookie with a topping of smooth dark chocolate, this cookie is too good.

I set aside only one Godiva® Gems® Truffle, because I don’t have that strong of will power if I leave them all out. Another rich chocolate to eat, also more rich chocolate to hide from myself.

Inside this chocolate gift basket is Godiva® Caffe Chocolate Truffle Coffee and a packet of Godiva® Milk Chocolate Cocoa. It’s too late in the day for me to make either of these surely delicious beverages, but I know they will come in handy when the weather decides to randomly dip down about 20 degrees!

I’ve seen the Godiva® dessert bars and chocolates around a few stores or checkout lanes for a while but I’ve only bought one flavor as a special treat. The Godiva® gift basket contains one Godiva® Dark Chocolate Raspberry Bar that perfectly marries dark chocolate with sweet raspberry filling. I’ve read recently that dark chocolate is supposed to be good for you, so I’ll just count this as a healthy part of the gift basket (it has fruit; that counts right?).

There really is no health-conscious excuse for the Godiva® Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Chocolate. It’s just amazing and tastes like they were able to fit a strawberry cheesecake inside a tiny chocolate casing. Maybe that could be my argument, this beautiful chocolate bar makes up for me not eating an entire strawberry cheesecake slice with chocolate drizzled over it. Sounds like a good excuse to me!

The last item in this bountiful chocolate gift basket is the small box of Godiva® Dark Chocolate Covered Raisins. I’m not a huge fan of chocolate covered raisins, but even I can’t resist eating a few because the chocolate enrobed over it is just too good to say no to.

The Spring Delight Godiva® Chocolate Gift Basket is basically the best chocolate gift to give for any and all chocolate lovers. There is more than enough chocolate inside this small gift basket to hold you over for a few chocolate cravings. They’ll love every content of this gift basket and can even use the container when they’re finished!

Party!

DIY Easter Party Part Deux

March 29, 2012

Welcome back readers!

LOVED all your cute Easter party ideas, recipes and traditions! I think I might have to try the hidden jelly bean in the cupcake idea for my younger cousins. And five you lucky and random commenters will be able to have your own fun with this Easter basket prize. Congratulations to Lucy (March 22, 2012 at 3:06 pm), Sharmila (March 24, 2012 at 6:39 pm), Will (March 27, 2012 at 6:32 am), Arvind (March 27, 2012 at 1:19 pm), and Ben G (March 29, 2012 at 10:27 am)! Please send your shipping info to me at amariscal@1800flowers.com and I can send over your Flowers of Spring gift basket!

We have another week of Easter to talk about! Last week we pulled together some fun DIY activities and decorations to try out for your own Easter party, so this week I was thinking that we would talk about one of the more important aspects to any party: the desserts. Of course, this is mostly because I had a mini Cupcake War marathon the other day and have since been living on The Food Network website and drooling over every idea I see.

The way I see it, traditional and easy is always best. We can all go crazy on the decorating part after it’s made, but I think an easy to make yet incredibly delicious carrot cake would be a great main dessert for any Easter party (also this recipe is from Alton Brown who’s show Good Eats happens to be one of my absolute favorites).

Alton Brown's Carrot Cake

Alton Brown's Carrot Cake

What you need:

  • Unsalted butter (for the pan)
  • 12 oz. (approx. 2 ½ cups) all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
  • 12 oz. grated carrots (medium grate)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 and 1/3 cup sugar
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 6 oz. plain yogurt
  • 6 oz. vegetable oil
  • Cream Cheese Frosting (store bought or see recipe below)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.

In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.

With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.

Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Makes approximately 2 cups

If you’re feeling daring, try out these two other cake recipes from The Food Network and maybe send in some pictures! I’m really interested to see if anyone can pull off the Peeps cake!

Since you’ll be doing everything else on your own from the decorations, games to this awesome cake, I have a few suggestions of unique treats to order in as fun side desserts or table sweets!

My top Easter dessert picks:

Rich Easter Egg-Shaped Mini Brownie Cakes: So rich and “egg-cellent” (I’m sorry, I had to!) little cakes. They come in orders of 6 confection-dipped, Easter decorated brownie cakes and are easy to share and leave out as fun and festive treats.

Rich Easter Egg-Shaped Mini Brownie CakesHappy Easter Truffle Cake Pops: Just as delicious as the brownie cakes, these are our chocolate truffle cake pops decorated for Easter. They come in orders of 6 and you’ll be lucky if they last more than 6 seconds once you set them out!

Happy Easter Truffle Cake PopsHappy Easter Belgian Chocolate Covered Oreo® Tin: So cute, so festive! These Oreos® are decorated in bright Spring colors and topped with egg and bunny designs. So rich and delicious, they’ll be hard to share. Come in an order of 16 cookies.

Belgian chocolate oreos
Hope this has you feeling a little inspired (and mostly really hungry)! Tell me in the comments section (1-2 paragraphs) what kind of Easter desserts you’ll be trying out. FIVE lucky and random winners will receive the Easter Truffle Cake Pops!

Happy Baking!