October Night Lights by P. Bottles

On the night of October 4, 2007 an event was held at the Cincinnati Bengal’s Paul Brown Stadium for 450 women to learn more about football.  This event was Football 101 and was proudly sponsored by Carson .  Coach Marvin Lewis, the Bengals coaching staff and even a few players were there to instruct on the rules of football, including Shayne Graham, Rudi Johnson & Chad Johnson. There were everything from VIP tours of the locker room, weight room, and playing field to video presentations, power points on Bengals play and hands-on demonstrations.

From Carson, Michelle Beal, Kim Chamberlain, Sharon Frederick, Kim Fritsch and I were lucky enough to attend Football 101.  When we first got there we were given a VIP tour of the locker room, weight room, press box, Marvin’s office to anything else you could possibly think of in a football stadium.  Once we headed to the field, that’s when we were finally able to run some of the plays the Bengals practice week to week.  They taught us how to properly throw a football, tackle and even punt.  Let’s just say, Kim Chamberlain is a mighty fine kicker and I’m surprised the Bengals didn’t sign her right then and there.  They also had us race who could put the uniform on the quickest.  You had to put it all on, including the socks, pants, jock strap, shoulder pads, jersey and helmet.  I’m proud to say that I came in third place out of 450 women.  I think we all had an amazing time and learned some valuable lessons about football!  Now there are a great deal more Cincinnati Bengal’s fans!!

¡Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo!Happy Holidays!

¡Feliz Navidad y Feliz Año Nuevo!

Ya casi se acaba el 2007 y eso significa que pronto será Navidad, ese tiempo del año que nos da una razón extra para compartir y disfrutar con nuestra familia y amigos. Y la verdad es que no importa a donde estemos, o de donde seamos, la Navidad llena nuestros corazones de esperanza e ilusión de tener un Año Nuevo mejor. Nos hace apreciar aún más a las personas que están a nuestros alrededor… y permite que nuestro corazón se conecte con aquellas personas que se encuentra lejos… no importa la distancia.

Quizás te preguntas ¿como es la Navidad en Costa Rica? Al igual que en Estados Unidos, en Costa Rica la Navidad y el Año Nuevo es un tiempo muy especial, cada familia decora su Árbol de Navidad y cada niño espera ansioso la llegada de Santa que traerá su añorado regalo. Las familias se reúnen e intercambian regalos, y siempre hay una amplia variedad de deliciosas comidas. Algo que es muy diferente es el clima… la temperatura promedio durante el mes de Diciembre en Costa Rica es 70 grados Fahrenheit, por su puesto no hay nieve, y no hay chimeneas… yo recuerdo que de niña me preguntaba como Santa podía entrar en la casa si no teníamos una chimenea y me papá me dijo que él dejaba la puerta abierta para que Santa pudiera entrar para poner los regalos bajo el árbol... 

Happy Holidays!

2007 is almost over and that means soon it will be Christmas time! This is a very special time of year that gives us an additional reason to share and enjoy the time spent with our family and friends. The truth is, that no matter where you are or where you are from, the Holidays fill our hearts with dreams and hopes of having a better new year. It makes us appreciate even more the people that are around us, and allows us to connect our hearts with those who are not next to us… no matter how far away they are…

Perhaps you are wondering what Christmas in Costa Rica is like? As in the U.S, Costa Rican families decorate the Christmas tree and every child waits anxiously for Santa to bring their most wanted gifts. The families get together to exchange presents and there is always a big variety of delicious meals. However, there is something that is very different... the weather!  The average temperature in Costa Rica during the month of December is 70 degrees with no snow and little need for a chimney. I remember as a child asking my dad how Santa could get into the house if we didn’t have a chimney, and he told me that he would leave the door open so that Santa could get in the house and put the gifts under the tree…

Hershey’s & Starbucks – A Sweet Partnership

For those of you who love something sweet with your coffee, you’ll be glad to know that our beloved chocolate company is teaming up with the world’s most recognized coffee corporation. Hershey’s and Starbucks announced an agreement in July to create and market a Starbucks-branded premium chocolate platform. Gerry Lopez, President of Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group, said, “Chocolate is the perfect complement to coffee and tea and has long been a part of the coffee-house experience. We are excited to bring premium chocolate inspired by Starbucks coffee and café flavors to Starbucks customers and chocolate lovers. Creating a new chocolate platform is another way for us to extend the Starbucks Experience outside of our stores and enhances the coffeehouse experience.”

Expert chocolate makers will develop products using the popular beverage and cafe flavors of Starbucks and combine them with the highest quality chocolate. Also thrown into the mix of the chocolate and coffee flavors will be fruits, nuts, herbs and spices. The delectable new chocolates will be available in a broad range of retail channels such as grocery, department and drug stores throughout the United States. Christopher J. Baldwin, Senior VP, President North American Commercial Group, The Hershey Company, states, “Hershey’s chocolate expertise, distribution and selling capabilities combined with the strength of the Starbucks brand will help transform the high-growth premium chocolate segment. Our product development is focused on value-added chocolate and coffee-based products that will provide consumers with a new experience and accelerate growth in this key segment.”

Be on the lookout for the new chocolate products late 2007 or early 2008. For more information on this sweet partnership, visit Hershey’s press release, When Coffee Dreams, It Dreams of Chocolate.

A Twist to the Traditional Holiday Greetings

Did you ever wonder how the tradition of sending Christmas cards started?  Like many traditions, it began with one person and a clever idea.  In 1843 Englishman Henry Cole was too busy to hand write personal Christmas greetings.  So, he commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley to create a greeting with attractive artwork and holiday sentiment that he could send to all the people on his list.  Little did either man know they were kicking off a tradition that would transcend cultures and continents for more than a century and a half, with still no end in sight!

After 164 years of the same, unchanged idea, Carson Wrapped Hershey’s Chocolates decided it was time to tweak tradition a bit and make a good idea much better.  We wrap a holiday greeting around a delicious Hershey’s chocolate bar, turning it into a chocolate greeting card! 

Customers of Carson love seeing their special holiday message wrapped on a Hershey’s® chocolate bar. Knowing their sweet, personalized greeting card will stand out among the rest is why many people have started a new tradition with wrapped chocolate greetings they send to friends, family and even clients year after year.

There is no shortage of options from which to choose.  Carson offers a wide variety of holiday greetings for different faiths, celebrations and events.  Customers will find everything from reverent religious scenes to snazzy Santa; Kwanzaa candles to Hanukkah menorahs; fill-in-the-blank chocolate gift tags to customized corporate gifts; all the way to birth announcements for special holiday deliveries. 

People who are looking for new ways to start new traditions of their own can start by looking at Carson Wrapped Hershey’s® Chocolates for unique personalized holiday greetings their friends and family will look forward to receiving year after year.

Hershey’s Presents Brad Paisley.. Bonfires and Amplifiers Tour 2007

The Hershey Company is a proud sponsor of country music star Brad Paisley and his most recent tour, Bonfires and Amplifiers. Brad recently made his swing into Cincinnati, and the fine folks at Hershey had a VIP event, including dinner before the show, a backstage tour and the opportunity to meet not only Brad Paisley, but also Rodney Atkins   and the newest up  and coming country star, Taylor Swift. The night was just perfect, and one of our designers, Kelley Fulmer, created a special wrapper that I presented to Brad as a gift from the Carson gang.  Brad absolutely loved them and signed one that I gave to Kelley as a keepsake.

If Brad is coming to your town any time soon, you don’t want to miss his show.  He is a great story teller with his songs, some of which are absolutely hilarious.  Right now, he has a new video out, from his hit single “Online”  that includes stars like William Shatner,  Maureen McCormick ( Marcia from the Brady Bunch ) and from Seinfeld,  Jason Alexander.  If you haven’t heard it yet, you will love it, and laugh.

Baby Showers, 1st Communions & Graduations

It’s a curious group of three.  But here is how they got together.  The baby shower category accounts for a large portion of our Special Occasion sales. The product development team created new designs for this category about 3 years ago.  So it was time for an update.  As for 1st Communions and Graduations, these are two of our largest categories each Spring.  Working on new designs now ensures that they will be available online before the rush.

Last night the designers handed me a packet containing their rough drafts for these collections.  Seeing the designs for the first time is one of the best parts of my job.  I love how the artist takes an idea and turns it into a fantastic wrapper.  So when I opened the envelope and saw the fruits of the labors, I was very happy.  But then I started going through the collection and was just blown away.  Many of the roughs were so good they looked ready to purchase.

The designers got together a few times before turning in their work and taking the time to critique and get feedback from each other really paid off.  The best part of my job is seeing the sales rise for a particular design or category after the hard work is put forth.  I know that you will enjoy the new wrappers too!

Company Fun at Parky’s Farm

We recently had the annual Carson Company Picnic at Parky’s Farm. A great family friendly atmosphere where everyone could relax and take in the beautiful fall afternoon. Of course, this was on a Sunday Bye Week for the football team of our choice, The Cincinnati Bengals. Upon arrival, we were treated to a hearty feast topped off by a variety of desserts. After the post meal food coma, we ventured out of the party barn and into the comfy surroundings. Some took a “Hay-less” Hayride, others strolled the paths merely taking in the scenery. And others chatted with co-workers and their families. And needless to say we all got a kick out of the kids (and playground monitor Bob) playing on the jungle gym. All in all, it was a delightful day for all to enjoy, together outside of the office with family and friends.

Chevy Chase’s Chocolate

On a day in October we sent 275 candy bars on a journey. They did not go on a Vacation. Not to Wally World, Europe or Las Vegas. They did not go to the Funny Farm. They did not go to the Caddyshack. They did not go to the 2nd Caddyshack. They did not take a trip to Orange County. They did not go to Los Angeles to visit Fletch. They did not visit any Spies Like Us. I'm sure they did not go on a journey with the 3 Amigos. The candy bars in question actually went to Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Chevy Chase, Marylandwas not named after the wonderfully talented actor. Chevy Chase, Maryland was incorporated in 1918. In the 1890's, the Chevy Chase Land Company was created by Francis G. Newlands and William M. Stewart for the purpose of developing land. They purchased surrounding Washington D.C.. The name Chevy Chase has its original roots to a battle that took place between Lord Percy of England and Earl Douglas of Scotland. The Scottish word chevauchee refers to a border raid. Then in 1725, Lord Baltimore patented some land to Colonel Joseph Belt. This piece of land was known as Cheivy Chace. The town currently has around 3000 residents and is located in Montgomery County.

One Happy Wife = One Grateful Husband

What wife wouldn't be happy to have her husband order special birthday wrapped Hershey's chocolates!  Great job to you, Josh.

"I just needed to drop a quick email to someone at carson to let them know about the amazing job you all did on my wrappers.  I couldnt be any more happier about these, they are perfect and my wife couldnt be more excited that I picked them out. THANKS A MILLION-Great job!!"
- J. Bilek

The Chamberlain Wedding

On September 2, Kim (Bires) Chamberlain, who works in the marketing department at Carson, and Trent Chamberlain were married in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Scott & Sharon Frederick, Jeff Wiseman, Sylvia & Randy Thornburg, Pam Bottles, and my husband, Joe, & I all drove up there to support Kim & Trent.  They had an outdoor wedding in the grotto at Nazareth Hall.  The weather was perfect and Kim looked beautiful.

The reception afterwards was inside Nazareth Hall in the Ladyglen Ballroom.  It was a very interesting building with a lot of history as it was formerly a military school.  Each of the reception tables were set with a little box for each guest filled with personalized minis that I had the pleasure of designing with Kim.

We all had a good time eating and talking during the reception.  Unfortunately, I had promised Kim that I would dance at her reception and she held me to it.  I had a great time, though, and it looked like everyone else did too.  It was a lot of fun to take a road trip and to watch one of my friends get married.

-Laura Ash

Color Your Custom Wrapper

One of the more common requests we receive regarding customizing wrappers is matching colors.  You can send us a napkin, swatch of fabric from a dress, a piece of ribbon – anything!  Our designers can create your personalized wrappers in matching or complimentary colors, for an added special touch to your event.

“The Candy bars were a hit at my parents 50th Celebration! They looked beautiful on the table, which matched perfectly with the floral arrangements & theme of the party.  Thank you so much for the special design & the added attention to making them perfect match the invitations. Best wishes.”

- C. Lepore

What I Like the Most

The question was recently posed to me what I like the most about working at Carson.  I pondered this for several days and realized my great fortune in having difficulty naming just one thing above all others that are good about the company. 

I love my bosses.  Their modesty would prevent me from carrying on at length extolling their virtues.  Suffice it to say, they are many and varied.  I count myself among the fortunate few to have such high regard for my employers.
My coworkers are nothing short of terrific.  Individually or in clusters, they’re a jolly bunch; and kindness, cooperation and genuine good will flavor every effort and accomplishment within the company.  Could I say this is my favorite part of the job?

But I cannot overlook our customers.  I’ve had the privilege of helping all manner of celebrants, from a new father ordering birth announcements in hushed tones so as not to wake his wife and newborn, to a sweet Tennessee grandmother proudly ordering graduation wrappers for her grandson, to a group of laughing coworkers conjuring a jibing salutation to put on the wrapper of a retiring colleague.  Being even a small part of these happy events enriches me. 

The finished wrappers people have created, with the clever sayings and cute photographs are such a joy to see.  Wrappers with the cutest baby pictures are always hailed and fussed over.  Like bears to honey comb, so go women to baby pictures.  But is even this the best part of my job?

All these lofty attributes, however, are up against one stiff competitor for claiming the prize of “best part of the job”.  For all in all, the simple pleasures amuse us most and I confess my affections are, after all, won by this one competitor: chocolate!

Congratulations to Matt & Shannon Riley

Congratulations to Matt and Shannon Riley on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Josie Leigh Riley.

Josie was born on 9/20/07 at 6:47 p.m. and weighed 8lbs 11.4oz and was 21 in long.

Hershey's Chicago

Over the summer, my mom and I went to Chicago. We did all of the things that you would do in Chicago, eat, sleep, and shop of course! One of the stores there is the Hershey's Store near the Water tower off of Michigan Avenue. There are so many things there to like! They even have a bakery there with really good cupcakes. Thanks for reading!!!!!!

ABBY’S BAR

Don’t get us wrong.  We love babies.  We are all about babies here at Carson.  Rest assured, a right and proper fuss is made over virtually all the darling baby pictures folks send us for their wrappers.  But they’ve got a little competition now.

Allow me to introduce Abby, the West Highland Terrier belonging to Governor and Mrs. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky.  When Mrs. Fletcher commissioned us to make Halloween candy bars for them, we were honored.  When she sent this picture of Abby, we downright fell in love.  This email image flew through every inbox at a break-neck lightening speed.  One simply cannot keep this to oneself!

Judge the finished product for yourselves, friends.  We’ve all seen cute pictures in our lives, but this one is quite a show stopper! 

P.S. If you want to see an adorable video of Abby, click here.