"Chocolate is nature's way of making up for Mondays." Anonymous
Chocolate has been enjoyed for at least 3,000 years, first by the native peoples of Mesoamerica, who concocted a thin and bitter drink from the processed cacao beans. Later, of course, by the Spanish Conquistadors would introduce chocolate to Europe, where it quickly gained a reputation as a status drink thanks to its scarcity and high cost.
The use of chocolate in candy-making did not become widespread until the 18th century, when cocoa butter could be produced using machinery and crafted into chocolate bars and other forms of confectionery. It is now, along with sugar, the world’s most popular candy component.
My Chocolate Boutique from toymaker Fashion Angels allows young ‘chocolatiers’ to craft their own fanciful confections. The chocolate candy is not included in the kit and that’s a good thing. It means children can work with the parents’ preference for either pure chocolate, carob or candy-melt products, all available at grocery and bulk food stores.
Priced at around $32.99, the kit contains a battery-powered chocolate melting pot (6 AA batteries, not 
included)with easy-to-clean metal melting bowl, mixing spoon, decorating tool, decorating brush, more than 50 molds, 25 foil candy wrappers, 50 candy cups, 25 clear candy wrappers, 2 gift boxes, over 100 decorative stickers and instructions.
Suitable for children six years of age and older, this chocolate workshop lets them mold chocolate candies and enjoy chocolate dipped treats. They can melt chocolate chips or melting candy in the melting pot, then fill the molds to create a variety of cute candy shapes or dip pretzels, cookies, fruit and more to make delicious dipped treats. And they have everything they need to decorate and wrap their chocolates with the foils, stickers, and gift boxes that come with the kit. The melting pot is also great for a fun, chocolaty fondue party!
And — if you can bear to give them away — these candies make great gifts for uncles and aunts, grandmas and grandpas, teachers and babysitters.
Finally, I’m just saying, remember to brush!
Richard and Karin Belanger own Scalliwag Toys, a family-owned independent toy and games store in Belleville, Ontario, and a member of Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS). Scalliwag Toys offers the best in educational toys and games for children of all ages. Each item is carefully chosen for safety, durability, value and price.
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