Candy Bar Wrappers - Easy Ways to Create These Chocolate Party Favors

Are you looking for a great idea for party favors for your next celebration? How about covering chocolate bars with wrappers customized for your occasion?  You can even make them yourself.  They're cheap, easy and appeal to all age groups. Besides, everyone loves candy.  Here's some simple ways to create these festive treats.

Wrapping paper

You don't have to be crafty, if you want to make these yourself.  An easy way to make candy bar wrappers is to simply cover the bars with gift wrap.  This material is great because it's thin enough to mold around your chocolate. Plus, it's available in festive prints, like balloons for a birthday or hearts for a wedding.

Use the rolls and not the folded sheets of paper, to avoid creases where you don't want them.  Choose quality paper. Dollar store wraps may be cheap, but can easily tear.  It's better to pick something a little stronger, even if it costs more.

Next, measure and cut out your candy bar wrappers from the paper.  If you're covering regular 1.55 ounce Hershey bars, for example, you will need to cut pieces that are 5.25 inches by 5.5 inches. Then all that's left to do is to place the chocolate face down on top of the unprinted side of the gift wrap and pull both sides of the paper to the center of the treat.  Use double stick tape or a glue stick to hold in place.

If you want to personalize these even further, you can print out a message on paper.  Use fancy fonts in complimentary colors.  Cut out your text with regular, scallop or other decorative edge scissors. Then use a glue stick to adhere to the top of your completed bars.  Or, you can set up your personalization in your label software on your computer and print it on inkjet peel and stick labels.  Also, check the scrapbooking section of your local craft store for adhesive backed tags and journaling blanks that you can write on and attach to your treats.

Free stuff online

If you want something that looks a little more polished, you can find websites that offer free printable candy bar wrappers or templates.  Try looking for these on your favorite search engine.  You'll be surprised how many nice people are giving these away. They're available in many sizes to fit different chocolate treats.  You may have to hunt a little to find something close to what you want, but most of the work has already been done for you.

You will find two types of freebies.  First, there are the printable designs.  With these, all you have to do is print them directly from your web browser.  Then cut up, wrap and glue.  The other type are templates that you download.  These are generally set up for specific programs, such as Microsoft Word.  After you save it to your computer, you open the template in the corresponding program.  You can then edit it, if you want.

Some extra tips

If you will be making a lot of these party favors, you may want to consider investing in an inexpensive paper trimmer.  It will make all that cutting go faster and your cuts will be straight.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of popular commercial candy bars are now packaged with plastic wrappers that are crimped at the edges.  They no longer have the foil covering underneath.  So, if you like the look of the old-fashioned chocolate bar with foil peaking out of the edge, you can still achieve it.  First, tape down the crimped edges, so they don't poke through.  And cover the whole thing with either thin aluminum or confectionery foil (found online).   Then place your personalized wrapper around it.

Also, you may want to experiment to see what will work best to hold your wrappers together.

Glue sticks don't seem to hold as well as double stick tape.  Adhesive dots and strips are even better.  You can find these at the local craft store.

The easiest method

If you don't have the time, inclination or ability to make these chocolate party favors yourself, you can still be involved in creating them.  You choose the design, message, fonts, color and maybe even add a photo or two, and let the professionals do the work.  Since these candy bar wrappers will be personalized according to your specifications, they are uniquely your creation. Search online for a company that has great designs and prices, and will work with you to customize your favors.  They may even offer you a choice in chocolates from popular brands to those freshly made by a chocolatier.

Whether you make these yourself or create them with a professional, candy bar wrappers are fast, affordable and fun. So, the next time you have a special occasion on the horizon, consider these personalized chocolate favors.  Your guests will love them!

Linda Kling, as the owner of Photo Party Favors, has offered ideas to people planning parties and celebrations since 1992. Visit her website for more information on photo chocolate favors, including personalized candy bar wrappers with gourmet chocolate bars, plus free printables, party recipes, quotes, trivia, more.

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.