Lizzy Briskin, Author at 1800Flowers Petal Talk

How the Chocolate Roses by Fleur de Chocolate Came to Be

Jennifer Simon estimates she’s brought “hundreds or thousands” of beautiful, eatable, and giftable products to market throughout her 25-year career in merchandising. And her latest launch, Chocolate Roses by Fleur de Chocolate, combines all three into one gorgeous, delicious, and ready-to-ship package.

The inspiration to create these hat boxes full of confectionar y roses came to Simon in March 2023. During a meeting with a New Jersey-based partner, the Chocolate Covered Company, she had her interest piqued by a set of mock-ups for roses made from Belgian chocolate. She instantly recognized a product opportunity for the company. “It was like this perfect synergy,” says Simon, product development director at 1-800-Flowers.com. “Here, we have flowers, but they’re made out of Belgian chocolate, so it’s just like another type of flower.”

The designs took a page from a growing trend overseas of remarkably realistic-looking “floral arrangements” that were actually made of chocolate. In certain parts of Eastern Europe, Simon explains, “confectionary florists are very popular. There are little boutiques that have handmade, very elaborate flowers out of chocolate, which they wrap up like a bouquet of flowers.”

Simon was taken by these confectionery works of art, and she knew they would be a hit with customers here in the States, where the trend had yet to take off.

At this point, however, she and her team were working with just 3D-printed models of the sweet roses. So, they got to work on making their vision a reality.

Bringing the chocolate roses to life

Because Simon’s flowers would be delivered by mail, the first hurdle to clear was devising a packing plan that would keep the blooms intact and at a safe temperature while preserving the dramatic unboxing experience.

Simon loved the elegant look and feel of the hat boxes sometimes used to package chocolate and real floral bouquets in Belgium and other European countries, and she sought to preserve that nod to the product’s origin in the 1-800-Flowers.com version. “Packaging the Fleur De Chocolate roses this way makes them look like fresh roses in a hat box, which you sometimes find at a high-end floral boutique,” Simon says.

Packaging decided, it was on to the next challenge: transit. The folks at the Chocolate Covered Company developed a proprietary bloom holder shaped like a miniature plastic test tube that grasps the stem of each chocolate rose. These pieces keep the bouquet in place during delivery to ensure the floral display is in the same shape when it arrives at its destination as it is when it leaves the chocolatier’s.

fleur de chocolate roses vday luxe square

The final step was molding the chocolate roses themselves. The social media-worthy confectionary flowers popping up in Eastern Europe were individually hand molded, but this wasn’t an option for Simon, given the scale of 1-800-Flowers.com’s business. Instead, the product team created chocolate rose-shaped silicone molds to make production on a mass level possible, Simon says.

The process of creating a full bouquet of chocolate roses, Simon notes, is still much slower than that of factory-dispensed chocolates. “The chocolate is poured into the silicone molds by hand,” she explains. “After they set, the artisans unwrap them [from the molds].” Each flower is then individually wrapped in cellophane and secured with a bloom holder. The result of this handmade process is that no two Fleur De Chocolate roses are identical.

A debut hit

Once the chocolatiers at the Chocolate Covered Company generated enough inventory of the roses — about nine months after Simon saw her first mock-up — the first five Fleur De Chocolate Rose products went live on 1-800-Flowers.com.

The roses come in milk, dark, and white chocolate, and in a range of colors. The lighter colors, such as pink and lavender, are made from white chocolate dyed with food coloring; the deeper red roses are made from a blend of pink white chocolate and dark chocolate.

fleur de chocolate roses mothers day square

Each box comes in three sizes: Ultimate (featuring 60 stems), Deluxe (40 stems), and Classic (21 stems). And don’t worry about finishing your bouquet right away — the chocolate roses will stay fresh for up to 45 days if kept in a cool, dry place.

The multicolored sets of chocolate roses make an eye-catching gift for any occasion. The latest launch, Springtime Blooms, includes pastel pinks and purples just in time for Mother’s Day or graduations. The classic Love & Romance collection is a thoughtful gift for a special someone, and the Birthday Wishes bouquet would be a welcome surprise on a friend’s big day. (It also happens to be the best seller, according to Simon.)

The products made such a splash after their launch at the end of 2023 that Simon and her team plan to expand the flower and flavor offerings. They’re working on blooming daisies and sunflowers, which will make great gifts for baby showers, anniversaries, and housewarming parties.

Next up in the flavor department? Arrangements made up entirely of white, milk, or dark chocolate roses to, as Simon puts it, “satisfy the purists.”

She says, “We will be adding versions that reach our true chocolate lovers.”

How to Host an Ugly Sweater Party

December brings a crush of invitations to swanky or stuffy holiday parties with Champagne and carols. Sure, the free drinks and passed hors d’oeuvres are nice, and maybe you’ll win a prize in the annual raffle, but for the most part, these affairs are dull.

The solution to your holiday party doldrums? An ugly sweater party!

As tried and true a tradition as the stiff corporate holiday gathering, the ugly sweater party embraces the joy of good old-fashioned (or bad-fashioned) fun with friends and family. “An ugly sweater party is intended to be casual and playful, so the focus should be on having a good time,” says Amy Zediana Dearth, CSEP (that’s Certified Special Events Professional for the uninitiated), president of Consider It Done Special Events in Boston.

Use this guide to get you set on the right track for hosting an ugly sweater party to remember this year.

Invite them in style

ugly sweater party with woman sending invitations

Set yourself up for a fun night before your guests arrive. “Creative invitations are a way to set the tone of the event at the very first possible moment,” Dearth says. “While some people may simply send an electronic invitation, getting a touch creative can really make a difference.”

Of course, she notes, the size of your guest list will determine how creative you can get. If you’re having a smaller gathering, consider dressing up in your finest ugly sweater and personally delivering an invitation to each guest.

For a larger get-together, you can send personalized ugly sweater invitations in the mail. “Making that moment memorable will entice your guests to want to attend,” Dearth says.

Food with a theme

No party — cute sweaters or otherwise — is complete without the right snack spread. The key to a party menu that appeals to everyone is to mix and match sweet, savory, and spicy options. And when you’re throwing an ugly sweater party, keep the theme in mind when serving traditional party foods.

Dearth suggests incorporating aspects of an ugly sweater into the party menu. “For example, if you’d like to offer beef skewers as an appetizer, instead of bamboo sticks, perhaps you can use knitting needles,” she says. “If you are building a buffet, fill empty vases with holiday ornaments and balls of yarn.”

ugly sweater party with reindeer-shaped burgers

For something savory, lay out an elegant charcuterie board so guests can help themselves to sausages, briny pickles, and tasty spreads. Decorate the table around the board with tinsel, holly, and mistletoe to stay on theme.

To add some spice to your party, offer a selection of relishes with crackers or crudité for dunking. Or, for a snack that satisfies nearly every taste bud, you can’t go wrong with a giant tin of popcorn. Opt for one with traditional flavors, such as butter, caramel, cheese, and white cheddar, or go the seasonal route, with varieties such as Snowflake Sugar Cookie or Holiday Cookie Dough. Some tins even come in a festive plaid motif that is reminiscent of an ugly sweater design (unless you still think plaid sweaters are in style).

And, of course, because it’s the holidays, you have to end the night with something sweet. A holiday cookie basket provides your hideously dressed guests with an assortment of festively frosted, sugared, and sprinkled baked treats. Plus, the basket makes for a decorative presentation that’s perfect for the occasion.

Plan some high-energy, exciting forms of entertainment. Because an ugly sweater party is meant to be silly, focus on games that are silly!

Amy Zediana Dearth

President, Consider It Done Special Events

Drink up

Great drinks are just as important as tasty food at your ugly sweater party. To keep everyone happy, offer a selection of both adult beverages and alcohol-free options.

Cozy holiday parties call for warm-me-up sips, such as mulled wine (which will also make your house smell wonderful) and pear martinis. If you’re feeling especially festive, pop open a bottle or two of sparkling wine to set the mood.

And don’t leave your bottles of wine out in the cold! Keep the theme going right through to the drink table by dressing them up in an adorable ugly sweater and matching hat. They’re just the right size for your favorite 750-milliliter bottle, regardless of whether you prefer red or white.

Capture the moment

Since your party is all about showcasing the wildest looking sweaters all night long, Dearth recommends having cameras at the ready for the inevitable photo ops.

ugly sweater party with people posing in front of red background

She also suggests setting up a backdrop, or several, around the party for guests to pose in front of. “Because the sweaters are the focus, try for a more neutral backdrop,” she advises. Set out a few instant cameras so guests can take their pics home as a party favor.

For additional decorations, Dearth says to always return to the theme. Turn your living room into a cozy ugly sweater itself with decorative touches, such as colorful yarn, festive and kitschy holiday accents, pom-poms, and glitter.

Keep ’em laughing

ugly sweater party with people having fun

The biggest mistake hosts make when throwing any kind of party, Dearth says, is forgetting about the fun. To avoid that pitfall, you need to fully embrace the lighthearted nature of an ugly sweater party. “Plan some high-energy, exciting forms of entertainment,” Dearth recommends. “Because an ugly sweater party is meant to be silly, focus on games that are silly!”

Break out old school board games, such as Twister and Sorry. If your party is adults only, arrange an interactive drinking game that incorporates charades or picture drawing. Or, get Bad Christmas Movie Bingo, which combines watching a holiday movie (any one of your choosing will do…the worse, the better) and, well, playing Bingo, of course.

At the end of the night, close things out with a group vote for the ugliest sweater. The winner can take home bragging rights and a festive prize — like, say, a set of Star Wars ugly sweater stemless drinking glasses.

4 Ways to Celebrate Administrative Professionals’ Day

If you work in an office, chances are you interact with an administrative professional — or several — every day. These people form the foundation of every strong organization, and many industry leaders would be lost without them.

One day a year, on Administrative Professionals’ Day, we shower our dedicated administrative colleagues with gratitude and recognition. But these folks who work tirelessly behind the scenes — and do so largely in anonymity — deserve our thanks year-round.

Here’s what you need to know about Administrative Professionals’ Day, along with some tips on how to celebrate it at your office.

What is Administrative Professionals’ Day?

Administrative Professionals’ Day is observed annually on the Wednesday of the last full week of April (this year, it is April 26). It is also referred to as Secretary’s Day or Admin Day. While not a nationally recognized holiday, it’s an opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge the many workplace contributions of administrative professionals.

Depending on where you work and the size of your team, a celebration may entail an office gathering to discuss and applaud the accomplishments of the company’s admins. In many offices, colleagues give thoughtful gifts that demonstrate their thanks for all the hard work admins do.

A leader who really values and leverages their admin partner will ultimately be more successful than one who does not.

Meg Paulsen

VP, human resources

1-800-Flowers.com

The role of the administrative professional

Many different job titles fall under the category of “administrative professional.” These can be anything from administrative assistant to receptionist to office manager, and many others.

Likewise, the duties of an administrative professional are numerous and varied. From greeting guests to ensuring the C-suite is running on time and efficiently, the office admin wears lots of hats.

“The admin role is the ‘first line of defense’ in ensuring an efficient environment at work,” says Meg Paulsen, VP, human resources for 1-800-Flowers.com. “They have to understand the nuances of the business, work seamlessly with others, and maintain the confidence of their leaders.”

a photo of showing appreciation on administrative professionals' day with greeting visitors to an office

One particularly important role the admin plays is welcoming visitors. “The admin is the first contact for guests of the company,” Paulsen says. “Therefore, they must drive much of the first impression of potential job candidates, vendors, and investors.”

As workplaces have evolved, so too has the role of the administrative professional. Paulsen notes that the expectations and duties of admins have changed dramatically over the years. “In the past, admin partners played a more tactical role, such as managing calendars and maybe grabbing lunch. Over time, the admin’s intimate knowledge of a company and their ability to navigate the politics of a workplace make them indispensable to a business’ smooth operations.”

The admin has also become indispensable to leadership. “A leader who really values and leverages their admin partner will ultimately be more successful than one who does not,” Paulsen notes.

Individuals in this essential role, however, often go underappreciated. Administrative Professionals’ Day provides a perfect opportunity to recognize the admins at your company for the many benefits they provide.

4 ideas for showing appreciation on Administrative Professionals’ Day

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate this important workplace holiday, Paulsen says. Here are four ideas for expressing your gratitude to your office administrators.

1. A thoughtful group gift

If your company is run by a hardworking, tightknit team of admins, then a gift that shows the entire group that the rest of the workforce appreciates their contributions is appropriate. After all, Paulsen notes, “Admin partners really are the backbone of a team.”

In that case, she recommends pooling resources for a group gift with a personal touch. For example, you could surprise each admin with a box of baked treats in their favorite flavor or a beautiful bouquet made up of flowers in their favorite color.

a photo of showing appreciation on administrative professionals' day with co-workers celebrating an office admin

2. A heartfelt show of generosity

You can also pamper your admins with something a bit more indulgent. This could be buying them a spa gift certificate or delivering dinner to them. Or help bring the spa experience home with a gift basket that has everything she needs for the ultimate day of relaxation. Does your admin like to imbibe every now and then? Well, then, you can never ever go wrong with a bottle of wine (or two…or three…).

3. An office get-together

In addition to a tangible gift, it’s also a good idea to simply gather and express your thanks on Administrative Professionals’ Day. Take the opportunity to block off a lunch hour for the entire office to come together. Or, swap stories that illustrate the many contributions your admins make to the company.

4. A small gesture

You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your admin partners feel seen and appreciated. Even something as small as a card signed by the entire office can go a long way.