Party in a Bag

Easter always helps me turn the corner from winter to spring. I’m willing to exchange snowflake for springtime decorations, including my retired Van Otis candy molds. Some people have connections to get courtside seats; I have connections to get old pieces of metal shaped like bunnies and chicks. I win.

Every Easter, I try to outdo myself with new basket displays and unique content. After recently seeing a Van Otis Facebook post, I knew I had found this year’s “unique”.Jelly Bean Bark is bite-sized chocolate pieces embedded with brightly colored jelly beans.

The bark comes in Van Otis’ exceptionally creamy white and milk chocolate. I was surprised to discover that of the two options, Van Otis’ white chocolate Jelly Bean Bark is my favorite. (Remember, I’m a dark chocolate fan.) There’s saltiness to the white chocolate that pairs well with the super sweet jelly beans.

Another reason I’m drawn to the white chocolate bark is the overall appearance. Each half-pound bag of bark comes in a clear package, tied with a pastel-colored ribbon. The white chocolate bark looks like squares of confetti cake.

Get your own party in a bag at Van Otis’ retail shop in Manchester, New Hampshire or at www.vanotis.com. Also make sure to “like” Van Otis’ Facebook page for updated product and event information.

Hop Out of Bed! It's Easter!

As chief assistant to all of our mystical, holiday visitors, I’m challenged by the late shift. Why can’t Santa Claus, Cupid, and the Easter Bunny come during normal business hours? I’ve had to make several excuses on behalf of the Tooth Fairy, who hasn’t always fulfilled her duty. It’s simply embarrassing - for her.

Having admitted to my need for sleep, I also have to admit that I love surprises. It gives me great joy to give my children something unique and pleasing to the eye. I appreciate what Van Otis has to offer this Easter season including fudge-filled eggs, Pixie Bunnies, chocolate-dipped Peeps, Gummie Bunnies, and jelly beans. They will also help you assemble a basket with sweets and stuffed animals found right in their retail store.

To make that Easter basket extra fun to find, add a game to your traditions. When your children get up on Easter morning, give them a plastic egg with a clue inside. This should lead them to another plastic egg and clue, leading them to another, and so on, until finally leading them to their basket. Use up to about a dozen eggs per child.

They’ll have so much fun that they’ll almost be disappointed when they get to the basket at the end, until they see it’s filled with treats from Van Otis.