Chocolate Bars With Personalized Wrappers - The Pros and Cons For Choosing Candy Party Favors

Whether you're planning a kid's birthday celebration or wedding reception, you'll have to make a decision about party favors.  One of the most popular options for these little giveaways are candy bars covered with personalized wrappers. But is this a good idea for your occasion? Here are the pros and cons to consider when choosing these chocolate treats.

Pros

* Everyone likes chocolate. According to recent surveys, chocolate is the number one flavor of choice for people living in the United States. And the average American eats 10 -12 pounds of this treat every year.  So, if you decide to give candy bars with personalized wrappers to your guests, they will undoubtedly appreciate the favors.

* They're inexpensive, but not cheap looking. If you're searching for party favors for your celebration that won't break the bank, then these are a good way to go.  You can get personalized candy wrappers with chocolate bars for under two dollars each.  You don't have to spend a lot, but it doesn't look like you raided the dollar store, either.

* They can be customized.  If you order from an online company, they can add your photo, change the font, include your message, transform the color and adapt the candy bar wrappers to fit your occasion.

* A variety of chocolate options are available. All kinds of candy bars in all sorts of sizes can be ordered with personalized wrappers.  If you have a favorite, it shouldn't be hard to find. Some business are offering Belgian chocolates. You can also find a few that work with a chocolatier to make your confection according to your specifications.

* You can make them yourself. Although there are plenty of companies that will produce these for you, this is one favor you might want to try creating.  You can download a free printable wrapper from the internet, design one using software on your computer or use your scrapbooking skills to fashion one from scratch. Then just cut, wrap and glue.

Cons

* You're not always guaranteed freshness.  Yes, chocolate has a relatively long shelf life (about a year).  But you may not know how long those candy bars have been hanging around the company's warehouse. It's important to buy from a reputable business or one that uses a chocolatier and makes the confections fresh for each customer.

* Chocolate bars can melt.  This is especially a problem if you order these party favors during the summer or you live in a warmer climate. 

* You may have to pay extra shipping. Since these treats can melt, you may want to arrange overnight delivery of your package, which costs more money. You may also need to add a cold pack with your candy or choose an insulating box.  This can add to the expense, as well.

* They're not exactly a keepsake.  If you're looking for favors that your guests will save as a reminder of your special occasion, then these aren't for you.  A few people might save the personalized wrapper and put it in a photo album or scrapbook. But most will just enjoy eating them and that will be end of it.

* You might need extras.  People find chocolate irresistible. If you scatter these candy bars around, you might find them disappearing before the end of the party. Unless you have a way of placing them into goodie bags with individual's names on them, it might be a good idea to buy more than you think you need.

Conclusion

If you're looking for inexpensive party favors that everyone will really like, then chocolate bars with custom wrappers might be right for you. Browse online until you find the right company with great personalized designs or make then yourself. Just be aware that the candy should be fresh and protected from the heat. Although there are a few drawbacks, these treats are always a hit with guests.

Shiba Inu - Choosing the Breed of Dog That's Right For You

When choosing a dog, it's important to choose the breed that's right for you. In order to do that, you need to know the characteristics and temperament of the breed you're thinking about adopting or purchasing before you do so. The Shiba Inu is just one breed among many from which to choose.

History/Background: The Shiba Inu (pronounced SHEE-ba inu) was brought to Japan from China 2000 years ago. Shiba means "brushwood" and "small," and inu means "dog." It is sometimes translated as "little brushwood dog." It was originally bred to flush birds and hunt small game in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous terrain but is now primarily a companion dog. It is probably of chow chow and Kyushu blood. It is the smallest of the Japanese native breeds. There are more Shibas in Japan than any other breed.

This breed almost became extinct during World War II but is now the most popular breed in Japan and becoming more popular in the United States. It was brought to the United States in 1954 by an armed service family and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1992. The Shiba's talents include hunting and tracking, watchdog, guarding, agility and performing tricks.

Physical Characteristics: The Shiba Inu is small, compact, muscular, furry and agile and looks like a miniature Akita and may be mistaken for a fox. It has a pointed face, broad forehead and pricked triangular ears. It has small dark eyes, a dark nose and a Spitz-like tail that is thick and strong and curls over the back. It has a plush double coat that most often comes in red or red with a little back overlay or black with tan markings, with white or cream-colored markings on the cheeks and sides of the muzzle, throat, underside and chest. It is 13 to 16 inches in height, and weight is 15 to 25 pounds. Females are slightly smaller than males.

Personality/Temperament: Shibas are alert, lively, confident, fearless, courageous and bold but may be a bit reserved with strangers. They are fast, agile, playful and trainable. They are independent and intelligent. They are loving and kind, loyal and affectionate and are good with children. They do well with other dogs and cats if they are raised with them; however, they should not be trusted around small animals such as rodents and small birds. Shibas are not reliable off leash because of their tendency for strong prey and hunting drive and may chase other animals. Shibas can be aggressive, especially un-neutered males, and must have early obedience training.

Shibas can be a bit stubborn if the owner does not show pack leadership. They bark little and bond closely with their owners. They sometimes make a loud, high-pitched scream, sometimes referred to as a "shiba scream," when provoked or unhappy and also when very happy or overjoyed.

They are easy to travel with and are easy to housebreak and will often housebreak themselves because of their clean nature. They feel the need to maintain themselves in a clean state, often licking themselves like a cat. They go out of their way to keep their coats clean and will avoid stepping in puddles, mud and dirt.

Possible Health Conditions: This breed is generally hardy and healthy, with few genetic weaknesses, but possible health problems include hip dysplasia, slipped kneecap, glaucoma, cataracts and food allergies, and epilepsy is becoming more common. Life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years.

Exercise/Grooming: The Shiba Inu has tremendous endurance but will adapt to the owner's circumstances. It requires a daily walk and is very active indoors and will be happier and healthier with regular exercise. This breed of dog can walk for hours. As the Shiba Inu has a clean, coarse, stiff and short-haired coat, grooming is fairly easy and consists of daily brushing with a firm-bristle brush to remove dead hair. Bathing should be done only when absolutely necessary so as not to remove the natural waterproofing of its coat. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.

Living Conditions: A Shiba Inu will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors but does best with at least an average-sized yard. The waterproof coat protects this breed in both hot and cold conditions and it may live outside in a secured yard but does not like to be alone outside and would prefer living indoors with its family.

Summary: This breed of dog has few health problems, doesn't require a lot of exercise, is easy to groom and housebreak, is loyal and affectionate and makes a good companion but can become aggressive if not trained early and requires strong pack leadership. If you are looking for these characteristics and traits in a dog and are able to fulfill its needs, then perhaps a Shiba Inu is the right breed for you.