Spice Up Your Holidays with Gingerbread-Inspired Treats

Gingerbread is one of the most loved holiday flavors, bringing back warm memories of festive baking and family gatherings. For retail confectioners, it’s a perfect choice to spice up your chocolates and treats. Here are some simple, creative ways to work gingerbread flavor and decoration into your products:

Photo credit: Charbonnel et Walker

Gingerbread Truffles

Truffles are a great canvas for highlighting gingerbread’s warm spices. Mix ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and molasses into a chocolate ganache filling. Coat the truffles in dark or milk chocolate and roll them in crushed gingerbread cookies or spiced sugar. As an example, Charbonnel et Walker makes chocolate truffles infused with real ginger flavor and hand rolled in milk chocolate and gingerbread cookie pieces, before another coating of chocolate for a decadent texture.

Photo credit: Abdallah Chocolates/Facebook

Gingerbread Caramels

Soft, chewy caramels with a gingerbread twist are a welcome treat for the holidays. Add gingerbread spices and molasses to your caramel recipe for a rich, warm flavor. As a limited-time edition, RCI Member Abdallah Candies creates a festive fusion of spicy gingerbread and old-fashioned wrapped caramels for a delicious and nostalgic treat.

Photo credit: Marie’s Candies

Chocolate-Covered Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat, but dipping them in chocolate makes them extra special. Dip half of a gingerbread cookie in dark or white chocolate, then decorate with a drizzle of contrasting chocolate or a sprinkle of crushed candy canes. This simple upgrade turns a traditional cookie into a gourmet holiday delight.

Photo credit: Dietsch Brothers

Gingerbread Gummies

Run, run as fast as you can to add these Jolly Gingerbread Gummies by Albanese Confectionery to your holiday assortment. These cute gingerbread men and colorful gumdrop friends add some fun and fruity flavor to your holiday season. Package for snacking or as part of gingerbread house decorating kits, they’re a festive addition customers will love this holiday season. Click here for tips on creating your own Gingerbread House Kits.

Photo credit: Compartes/Facebook

Chocolate Gingerbread Bark

Chocolate bark is an easy way to get creative. Spread melted dark or milk chocolate, then swirl in some white chocolate. Sprinkle crushed gingerbread cookies, candied orange peel, or toasted nuts on top. Once it hardens, break it into pieces for a fun, shareable treat that looks great in gift bags or tins. Compartés packages as “Gingerbread Bark Breakable Chocolate” in a luxury gift box containing chocolate bark studded with gingerbread cookies and crystallized ginger.

Holiday Packaging

Make your gingerbread-inspired treats stand out with festive packaging. Use warm, holiday colors like red, gold, and white, or even patterns that mimic gingerbread houses. Labels that describe the cozy spices and flavors inside will help customers feel the holiday spirit.

Adding gingerbread to your gourmet chocolates and confections is a simple way to bring the warmth and joy of the holidays to your customers. With these ideas, you can turn classic holiday flavors into irresistible treats that are perfect for gifting—or just enjoying!

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4 Ways to Support Your Team During the Holidays

The holiday season is a whirlwind for retail candy makers, with employees working hard to spread joy through sweet treats. Supporting your team is important for keeping spirits high, showing how much their work is valued and improving employee retention. Here are some ways to help your team feel appreciated during the holidays, with insights from RCI candy maker members.

Stock the Break Room

Long hours and demanding tasks can take a toll on employees' energy and health. Stocking the break room with snacks and drinks can help boost morale and energy levels during busy seasons. Jason Mootz of Michael Mootz Candies shares, “Before every major holiday, we put out 'Holiday Survival Kits' for our team. These kits include protein bars, Emergen-C packs, fresh fruit and homemade energy bites. We also like to hand out gift certificates so staff members can share our chocolates with their families. They are a huge part of our success, and we so appreciate them.”

Share a Meal Together

Sharing a meal together can help employees recharge and celebrate the season. RCI member Jennifer Crudden of Rosalind Candy Castle shares, “We like to have lunch or dinner parties as a thanks for their extra effort throughout the holidays.” RCI member Jamee Enstrom Simons of Enstrom Candies agrees, saying, “During the holidays, our management staff makes breakfast for all employees one morning. That’s always a hit!” 

If a meal for the whole team is not in the budget this year, work out a trade for lunch from a local restaurant or caterer in exchange for chocolates for their team. Another idea is to host a potluck and you supply the main dish.

Express Employee Recognition

Recognition in the form of a simple thank-you note or shout out in the company newsletter or on the white board in the breakroom can make employees feel appreciated. Jamee Simons highlights the value of celebrating milestones, saying, “At our holiday party, we celebrate years of service milestones, with some employees having been with us for over 40 years!”

Encourage Open Communication

A supportive work environment begins with listening. Rosalind Candy Castle practices an open-door policy, Jennifer Crudden states, “We welcome the team to come to us with any questions or share personal issues they may be experiencing.” Building trust and fostering open dialogue shows employees that their concerns are heard and addressed.

With nearly three-quarters of retail workers reporting holiday stress (Zipline), it’s important to support your team during this time. Providing energy-boosting snacks, hosting team meals, encouraging open communication and recognizing efforts are simple yet meaningful ways to ease stress and show your appreciation. A little effort goes a long way in creating a happy and motivated team during the busiest time of the year.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Get Ready for Small Business Saturday with Tips + Downloadable Graphics

Small Business Saturday can be a sweet opportunity for retail confectioners to attract more customers, boost holiday sales, and connect with your local community. Launched by American Express in 2010, this event encourages shoppers to support local stores on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. With over 60% of shoppers taking part and $23 billion spent in recent years, it’s a day every small business should make the most of. Here’s how candy shops can do just that:

Offer Special Treats and Bundles

Create limited-time specials just for Small Business Saturday. You could offer holiday-themed treats, “buy-one-get-one” deals, free samples with purchase or exclusive gift bundles. Special promotions like these make the day exciting and help attract both new and returning customers who love getting unique, seasonal treats.

Emphasize Local and Handmade

Small candy shops have something big-box stores don’t: locally made, handcrafted sweets. Promote your shop’s personal touch and unique offerings both in-store and online. People love knowing they’re supporting a local business, and studies show that many customers are more likely to buy when they feel a connection to the business, especially with food and treats.

Above is a preview of RCI’s member-exclusive collection of graphics for small businesses. RCI Members: Click here to login and download graphics from RCI’s member site. Not an RCI member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Build Hype with Social Media and Email

Social media is a great tool to build excitement for the day. Share “behind-the-scenes” posts on Instagram showing how your candy is made or give previews of special treats. Engage your followers with sneak peeks, announcements, and even live updates. An email reminder to your customers with a discount or early access to treats can also bring them into the shop. RCI Members: Click here to login and download a collection of five social media graphics to help promote your small business on Small Business Saturday or any day of the year!

Partner with Other Local Businesses

Collaborating with like-minded businesses in your community can help bring in even more shoppers. For example, you could offer discounts for customers who visit another local store, or set up a joint event to encourage people to shop around. Cross-promotions help customers support several businesses in one outing and boost your store’s exposure.

Start a Loyalty Program

Small Business Saturday is a great time to introduce a rewards program. You could offer deals like “buy four, get one free” on small items or a discount card for future visits. Research shows that loyalty programs increase how often people shop, helping you keep customers well past the holiday season.

Participating in Small Business Saturday not only boosts sales, but it also lets you create connections and remind shoppers why local businesses are the heart of the community. Embrace the day, share your passion for confections, and enjoy the support of those who value what you do.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Boost Holiday Sales with Point-of-Sale Treats

 

With the holiday season approaching, shoppers will come to your store in search of the perfect gifts. To enhance their shopping experience and boost your sales, consider optimizing your point of sale (POS) strategy. A simple yet effective tactic is to offer small, enticing items right at the checkout counter. 

Photo credits (from left): Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, Marie’s Candies

A sleeve of beautifully decorated chocolate-covered sandwich cookies or a charming little bag of foil-wrapped chocolates can easily be added to a customer's purchase. Presenting small, eye-catching treats by the register, perhaps tied with a festive bow or ribbon, creates a visually appealing display that encourages impulse buys. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also prompts customers to treat themselves or grab a quick gift.

Positioning and Pricing for Success

To make this strategy effective, consider the placement and pricing of your POS items. Items should be easily visible and within arm's reach of customers as they wait in line. Keep the price reasonable—around $3 to $5—so customers feel comfortable adding these small extras to their purchase.

Highlight Seasonal Favorites

Offering seasonal items can add to the holiday spirit and draw customers in. For instance, a pair of holiday-themed chocolate truffles or a square of peppermint bark can create a festive atmosphere and resonate with customers looking for something special.

Encourage Shoppers to Treat Themselves

A small sign saying something like, “You deserve a treat!” can remind shoppers to enjoy a little pick-me-up. After a long day of holiday shopping, many people appreciate a small indulgence.

Before the holiday rush, take a look at your checkout area. Make sure it’s stocked with fun, affordable items that make great little gifts or quick treats. By adding these festive extras, you can increase sales and make your customers’ holiday shopping experience more enjoyable.

Crave more? Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.