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    What to Give When Giving the Gift of Chocolate

    By | Holiday – Mon, Dec 14, 2009 5:59 PM EST

    Garrison ChocolatesGarrison Chocolates
    If you're thinking of gifting someone with a delicious box of chocolates, look no further than our top picks.

    BEST OF THE BUNCH: Garrison Confections Chocolatier
    Andrew Shotts's creations impress both the palate and the eye. One panelist said, "It's more than candy-it's art," while another thought, "Who knew it was possible for chocolate to be both bold and delicate at the same time?" (garrisonconfections.com)
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    SAIL OF THE CENTURY: Harbor Sweets
    This company makes hand-dipped and molded chocolates, simple confections all wrapped in gold foil. We loved the Sweet Sloops-little boats of crunchy almond toffee topped with sweet white-chocolate sails. (harborsweets.com)
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    HERBAL ESSENCES: Woodhouse Chocolate
    This Napa Valley chocolatier is known for arty, beautiful chocolates with vibrant flavors such as Thai ginger, honey and mint. One judge said, "The mint tastes amazing, like it was just picked from the garden." (woodhousechocolate.com)
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    FRENCH KISSES: Fauchon
    Can't make it to Paris for the holidays? French chocolate is a great consolation, like these milk chocolate pralines and dark chocolate ganache hearts. One taster found them, "as smooth as a Marvin Gaye tune." (fauchon.com)
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    CLASS ACT: Fran's Chocolates
    Fran's has satisfied Seattleites for over 20 years. After tasting the truffles, one panelist pledged said the oolong tea-flavored one was "wonderfully rich," and "the cornflower petal on top is a nice touch." (franschocolates.com)
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    BIG BUSINESS: L.A. Burdick
    Larry Burdick of New Hampshire makes bonbons as small as gumdrops, which is why he's able to cram dozens into each box, including flavors like pistachio with lavender. (burdickchocolate.com)
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    INTERNATIONAL APPEAL: Bridgewater
    Swedish-born Erik Landegren makes old-fashioned, American-style candies like turtles and caramels in Connecticut. The buttery, chocolate-covered hazelnut toffee was so popular that the box had to be escorted out of the room. (bridgewaterchocolate.com)
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    By Jean Galton | Photography by Yunhee Kim

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