Top 10 Non-Edible Gift Ideas for Chocolate Lovers

The holiday season is one of indulgences: lengthy vacations, extravagant gifts, and delicious foods. But even the most devout chocolate lover may want to watch their diet during the holidays, making gifts of gourmet treats and decadent sweets a bittersweet temptation to their resolve. Choosing a non-edible gift for the chocoholic in your life is a thoughtful alternative to additional calorie-laden tokens, and there are many options available for chocolate-themed gifts that don't require extra sit-ups or hours on the treadmill to redeem the holiday waistline.

1. Chocolate-scented Candles.

With a rich fudge and vanilla-tinted aroma, these decadent candles create a warm aura of melting chocolate without a double boiler, hot stovetop, or other equipment. Available in a variety of flavor-oriented scents including chocolate truffle, chocolate chip cookie, and milk chocolate, the blend of warmth, subtle candlelight, and rich scents is sure to please any chocoholic.

2. Chocolate-themed body products.

Different manufacturers offer a range of body products including lip gloss, shampoo, designer soaps, and hand lotion in assorted sweet scents, including chocolate, truffle, dulce du leche, mocha, and other delicious combinations. These gentle products provide soothing aromatherapy and skin treatments for indulgers, completely calorie-free.

3. Novelty chocolate gifts.

Trinket boxes shaped like cookies, soft pillows with nostalgic candy themes, miniature charms, and playful figurines are all available with chocolate connotations. These items can often be chosen to match the recipient's other hobbies as well as their passion for chocolate: a pillow may match bedroom or family room décor or charms can coordinate with other jewelry preferences, for example.

4. Stock shares in chocolate companies.

There are several novelty stock companies that offer single shares of popular companies for passionate individuals, and the certificates are often beautifully framed with whimsical plaques to commemorate the occasion. Hershey Foods, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, Tootsie Roll, and other favorite chocolate and sweet treat companies are all available and make delicious non-edible gifts.

5. History or recipe books.

For the chocolate lover who enjoys their passion with more than their taste buds, a chocolate-oriented book is the perfect gift. History books about the food itself, its manufacture, or its rise to prominence with a single company are popular choices, while cookbooks or how-to guides will help the chocoholic indulge their sweet tooth at their convenience.

6. Chocolate-themed calendars.

As the new year approaches, a new calendar is a traditional gift. Chocolate lovers will appreciate being reminded about their love for this sinful treat on a daily basis through a chocolate-themed calendar. Variations include recipe calendars and perpetual calendars with witty jokes and inspirational chocolate advice printed with dates rather than days of the week, allowing the calendar to be enjoyed for many years.

7. Chocolate Christmas ornaments.

To celebrate the season calorie-free, chocolate-themed ornaments are a perfect choice. Whether it's a single glittering truffle, a glass ball in a rich brown hue, a stylized chocolate bar, a tiny tray of cookies, or the 2006 Chocolate Treasures gift box of jeweled chocolates by Hallmark, a themed ornament is the perfect way to include a love of chocolate in the season's celebrations.

8. Chocolate-like fabrics.

A warm fleece blanket, down comforter, cozy sweatshirt, or chenille scarf in a decadent chocolate hue is a rich gift reminiscent of chocolate without any added calories. True chocolate shades can be difficult to find, but combining a dark brown with lighter caramel, vanilla, and nougat colors is a sweet gesture sure to please any chocolate lover.

9. Magazine subscriptions.

While the quarterly magazine Chocolatier is the natural choice, chocolate lovers will enjoy any publication that brings them regular updates on their favorite treat. A gourmet magazine will feature more elaborate recipes and decadent creations, while simpler publications may provide a greater number of recipes they feel comfortable attempting themselves.

10. Chocolate Accessories.

Oversized mugs, flavored dipping spoons, colorful sprinkles, coffee flavoring, a chocolate fountain, or baking pans can all help a chocolate lover indulge their passion at their leisure. Choosing accessories that match their personality (a chocolate and coffee fanatic would likely adore chocolate-flavored coffee flavorings, for example) shows additional consideration for their favorite treat as well as their other indulgences.

While the obvious gift for a chocolate lover is one they can immediately taste, non-edible chocolate themed gifts are often more appropriate because they allow the recipient to choose precisely which chocolates they wish to experience without offending the gift-giver. Simple items related to chocolate are reminiscent of the treat without being predictable, and because they will not be consumed in just a few moments, they will be appreciated and enjoyed far past the holiday season.