Celebrate Easter with Van Otis

Once again, New England weather may wreak havoc on an impending holiday. Parkas and knit caps will replace dresses and bonnets. Colorful eggs will be hidden in dirt-encrusted snow banks, and the plastic Easter grass lining our baskets may be the only green we’ll see for months.

Van Otis always offers ways to brighten the holidays with gifting and celebration solutions. On Saturday, March 29, join Van Otis’ experienced candy makers at their 341 Elm Street retail location for “Create Your Own Easter Treat and Support the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester”. The event will be held from 9 am to 3 pm, and price per participant is only $5. Half of the proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.

Marshmallow treats, in the shape of a bunny or Easter egg, will be cut and covered in chocolate. Participants will then be encouraged to add a personal touch with sprinkles and drizzled chocolate. All treats will be bagged and ready to take home, or even better, eaten immediately.

Candy and chocolate lovers of all ages are encouraged to attend and will be eligible for a chocolate bunny raffle prize. For further information, please visit our website at www.vanotis.com or contact us at info@vanotis.com or call us at (603) 627-1611.

Valentine's Day

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, a day of candy hearts, sappy greeting cards, and sweet expressions of love. This holiday comes a mere 44 days after you shouted from the rooftops that, from now on, you’ll only eat gritty protein bars and kale cooked 31 different ways.

Some would claim the holiday originated to honor a saint, who was persecuted for promoting love. I believe that some guy couldn't imagine Day 45 without chocolate, so he proclaimed it a holiday.

Whatever your beliefs, Van Otis offers compromise between January 1 and February 14. Van Otis’ chocolate-dipped strawberries are resolution covered in celebration.

Berries can be dipped in your choice of dark, milk, white chocolate, or an assortment and come in one, two, and three-pound sizes. They are only available at the Manchester retail location (no online orders) and are best enjoyed within 12 hours.

Trust us, they’re a lot better than chocolate-covered kale.

MAKE YOUR OWN CANDY CANE

Van Otis Chocolates is opening its doors on Saturday, December 7th, from 10am to 2pm, for a candy cane demonstration at 341 Elm Street Manchester, NH.

Customers will be able to watch our experienced candy makers handcraft candy canes the old fashion way. At the end of the demonstration, you will be handed a free sample ready to be given your final touch.

The event is suitable for candy lovers of all ages. In addition, a big candy cane will be raffled off in the store. Don’t miss this fun event on the first Saturday in December!

For further information, please visit our website at www.vanotis.com or contact us at info@vanotis.com or call us at (603) 627-1611.

PHYLLIS

Let’s talk turkey.

This year, Thanksgiving is three days before the month of December. There are 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, allowing four weekends to shop, decorate, mail cards, hang lights, sing a carol, wrap, tag, bake, celebrate, reflect, and generally prepare for Christmas.

This presents the dilemma of holiday decorating. Do you forgo the cornucopia and replace it with a snowman? On principle, can you eat pumpkin pie under blinking lights, while smelling balsam?

As usual, it’s Van Otis to the rescue. Since all of their handcrafted candies are works of art, they serve as both decor and dessert.

For 8 years, Van Otis has offered patrons Phyllis, a hollow, 13-lb chocolate turkey. She is a popular Thanksgiving fixture in the Manchester retail store and would be a great centerpiece on any Thanksgiving table.

After dinner, guests will surely help make Phyllis disappear, so you’re ready to hang mistletoe.