From weddings to baby showers and from corporate events to milestone anniversaries, party favors have become increasingly popular. They are used to express appreciation to the guests as well as promoting brand visibility and loyalty. According to Chocolate Favors World, "Choosing chocolates as return gifts has become the best way to make a lasting impact. This is on account of the universal fondness of chocolate." Did you know that the worldwide consumption of chocolate was as high as 7.2 million tons in 2009? It is expected to skyrocket to 8.2 million tons by 2020, according to the Statistics Portal Statista . Once you have decided on chocolate as a great option, there are several things you may wish to consider to arrive at the final decision.

Making the Right Decision with Chocolate Favors

Shape:  Chocolates are available in a large variety of shapes and sizes. You can make the choice depending on the occasion. For instance, if it's a Christmas party, you could get favors in shapes of Santa, a star or even a reindeer. For weddings, heart shaped chocolates or ones with wedding bells could be ideal. The decision could depend on the gathering. If it's a corporate setting and guests would comprise of employees or clients, you may wish to opt for simpler designs like squares and bars, as this will showcase your logo better. In case you wish to have a theme party, the shape could be chosen accordingly. For instance, if you are having a casino themed partly, you could opt for chocolate poker chips, which are easily available online. In fact, you would be surprised at the array of shapes available, including different fruits, puzzle pieces, champagne bottles and even bandages!

Taste: You would want your guests to savor the chocolates and remember you fondly. Since taste is such a critical part of your favor, opt for Belgian chocolate. If you wish to add an exquisite touch, you could choose dark chocolate, although milk chocolate is more popular, especially among kids.

Customization: The wrapper as well as the chocolate can have some artwork. For instance, if it is a corporate event, you could have the company logo and tagline on the wrapper and the chocolate.

Packaging: Often ignored, packaging can add to the novelty of your return gift. Apart from the chocolate wrapper having some artwork to depict the theme of the party, you could opt for the favors to be placed in colorful organza bags with matching ribbons or a transparent box. If you have chosen a unique shape, ensure that it can be seen through the packaging.