The Ultimate Small Business Gift Guide for Every Budget

Q: What is your shipping policy?

Warm weather policy starts April 19, 2021: We want you to receive your chocolate in perfect condition and as quickly as possible. In warm weather, we ship on Mondays and Tuesdays (and Wednesday if the destination is close enough to guarantee arrival before the weekend). We add insulation and an ice pack at no charge, and we strongly encourage you to choose an expedited shipping method if your order is traveling outside of New England. We cannot be responsible for chocolate that is heat-damaged when you open it, so please have someone be home when your package is expected to arrive or provide a safe, cool delivery spot. We may need to delay shipment altogether if the weather is too hot here or there, and will notify you if this happens. You will receive an email when your package ships. We do not ship internationally at this time.

Q: What is your return policy?

Your chocolate is shipped in perfect condition and, as described above, we take every precaution to make sure it arrives in perfect condition as well. If it is damaged in transit, we will gladly replace it but cannot refund shipping costs. We cannot accept the return or exchange of chocolate that was received intact. Having said that, if you are unhappy with your order, we hope you will reach out to us. Our products are created for you, and we want to hear if we need to make changes to our product, our shipping methods, or anything else in order to keep you as a happy customer.

Q: How should I store my chocolate?

Best is to keep it between 65 and 70 degrees and in low humidity (less than 55%) and darkness, like a pantry or cupboard. Refrigeration is a good choice as long as you first put it in something else with as little air as possible such as a baggie with the air forced out. Please let it come to room temperature before enjoying it. Hot temperatures as well as big swings in temperature make chocolate “bloom” or go out of temper, meaning the cocoa butter separates from the cocoa solids. When this happens, although there is nothing wrong with the chocolate, it will have chalky whitish/greyish patterns (that’s the cocoa butter) and a different mouthfeel. When stored in ideal conditions, your chocolate can be enjoyed long after you got it, but we like it the most when it’s as fresh as possible.

Q: What does 70% mean?

It refers to the percentage of cacao by weight in the finished chocolate. Because Tangle Chocolate has only two ingredients, you know that our chocolate consists of 70% cacao and 30% sugar.

Q: Do you make other kinds of chocolate besides 70% dark?

Not right now...but what do you think we should make next? Please let us know!

Q: What's the big deal about Tangle Chocolate being freshly made?

Some foods improve with age, such as wine and many cheeses. Others lose some of their taste over time. We find that the flavors in chocolate mellow. Now, this may not concern you, and you may have been perfectly content your whole life with chocolate that arrived in a shop perhaps many months before you purchased it. But we invite you to try our chocolate and see if you notice a difference in the number and quality of distinct flavors straight from the cacao bean that you can taste.

Q: Is Tangle Chocolate single-origin? And what does that mean?

Yes, Tangle Chocolate is single origin. That means that all of the cacao beans used in our chocolate are from the same region. Those cacao trees experience the same soil, weather, altitude and so on that contribute to the distinct flavor of the chocolate. Tangle Chocolate uses cacao beans from a single region of Guatemala, the Cahabón region.

Q: What's the difference between bean-to-bar and craft or artisan chocolate?

These words, along with other ones like "small batch" and "handcrafted," are used in an attempt to differentiate specialty chocolate from large-maker industrial chocolate. However, none of them has a legal definition in the U.S., so their presence on a label doesn't necessarily guarantee anything, which can be confusing and even misleading. Bean-to-bar chocolate means that the maker started with cacao beans, did all of the roasting and refining in house, and ended up with the finished chocolate. That describes Tangle Chocolate. Very large companies technically can be bean-to-bar chocolate makers too, but the term is generally used to describe small chocolate makers like us. The terms “craft” and “artisan” imply that the chocolate was made by a small company with lots of human involvement in the process, whether or not the chocolate is bean to bar...but again, without a legal definition, it's hard for us as consumers to know what "small" is. Industrial chocolate makers have noticed consumer interest in craft products, and some now use words like "craft" and "artisan" on their labels. In addition, while some “craft” or “artisan” chocolate companies are also bean to bar, others buy ready-made chocolate, melt it and perhaps add special touches, and then remold and package it with their label. If you're unsure about a chocolate company's label language, call them and ask any questions you have.

Q: Is your chocolate certified organic?

Not at this time. Although the cacao beans and sugar that we currently use are certified organic, we have chosen not to go through the process to be certified organic as a company. This enables us to keep the door open in the future to using non-certified organic beans that we love. We understand that sometimes a farmer can't meet the costs and administrative duties associated with getting and maintaining organic certification even though their products are up to organic standards.

Q: Is Tangle Chocolate Fair Trade?

No. We are committed to paying more than the Fair Trade price standards and to meeting or surpassing any ethical standards you can think of. We buy our cacao beans from good people who know their many small farmers (average farm size: 2.5 acres) and are super transparent about their practices and finances.

July 15, 2021

In today’s economy, it’s becoming more and more important to support small, local businesses. Next time you find yourself searching for gifts on Amazon, think small instead! Here are 15 small business gift ideas for friends, coworkers, or even yourself that range in price from under $10 to under $100.

Under $10

$9.90 Tangle Chocolate Thins Act of Kindness

Sweet and adorable, our small box is filled with 1 ounce of our handmade fine chocolate Thins. The Act of Kindness wants to live on your night table or be slipped into your coat pocket so that you can take a one-minute gourmet chocolate vacation whenever and wherever you desire.

https://tanglechocolate.com/collections/chocolate/products/act-of-kindness-chocolate-thins

$7 Amherst Soaps handmade scented soaps

Another small western Massachusetts business, Amherst Soaps boasts wonderfully-scented handmade soaps that are gentle on skin and made with locally-sourced ingredients. Browse the site to find uniquely-scented soaps made from pure, all-natural sources, like cactus flower!

https://www.amherstsoaps.com/product-page/cactus-flower

$4 MissKiaTreasures Wooden Heart Keepsakes

Based on Etsy, MissKiaTreasures makes adorable little handmade trinkets with sweet, uplifting messages. The perfect small gift to say thank you to your favorite teacher, neighbor, or family member!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/821656794/thank-you-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart?ref=shop_home_recs_1&crt=1

Under $20

$14 YUP Coffee Roasters 1 lb bag of coffee beans

This western Massachusetts small business produces organic roasted coffee beans from regions across the globe, like Peru, Bali, and Papua New Guinea! For just $14, these 1-pound coffee bags are bursting with flavor. Buy a bag for a directly off their website and make a personalized gift basket, or try their La Florida coffee beans in our Pick Me Up gift set!

https://www.yupcoffee.com/shop/mexico-chiapas-tzeltal-tzotzil

$19.60 RedBubble phone cases designed by independent artists

A popular site for stickers, t-shirts, and accessories, RedBubble’s affordable, independently-designed products directly support the artists who created them. With thousands of unique designs, you’ll find the perfect niche gift for the person who already has everything!

https://www.redbubble.com/i/iphone-case/Constellations-by-rachelbuske/16157543.PGM2E

$18 Junebug & Darlin’s Zodiac sign constellation cross-stitch

Junebug & Darlin is a Portland, Oregon-based Etsy shop that sells unique DIY cross stitch kits, so you can treat your loved ones to a fun crafting experience! While they have dozens of quirky sayings and cute patterns to choose from, we recommend the zodiac sign constellation kits for your favorite astrology nut!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/499010432/gemini-constellation-modern-cross-stitch?ref=shop_home_recs_10

Under $50

$39.90 Tangle Chocolate Hot Chocolate Set

What a better way to say thank you than with our delectable gourmet hot chocolate! Warm up your loved one’s day with our hot chocolate gift set—complete with a 9-ounce tin of shaved dark chocolate, small whisk, handmade mug, and a sample of Tangle Chocolate gourmet dark chocolate Thins.

https://tanglechocolate.com/products/hot-chocolate-gift-set

$42 Prosperity Candle’s Love That Dog Gift Set

Prosperity Candle’s women refugee artisans make beautiful candles and thoughtful gift sets including this one, perfect for a dog lover because in addition to a candle, it also contains a squeaky toy and benefits animal shelters!

https://www.prosperitycandle.com/collections/under-50-gift-sets/products/love-that-dog-gift-set

$45 GrowandMake DIY Hot Sauce Making Kit

Another Portland-based Etsy shop, GrowandMake, sells DIY crafting kits for anyone on your gift list! With these fun DIY boxes, your loved one can make their own artisan hot sauce, grow edible flowers, or create handcrafted natural soap bars.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/524447134/diy-hot-sauce-kit-make-6-bottles-of-your?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hot+sauce+kit&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&etp=

Under $75

$64.90 Tangle Chocolate Let The Light In Gift Set

This comprehensive kit contains everything you need to brighten someone’s day—premium dark chocolate Thins, all-natural cocoa butter soap, coffee beans from our favorite local roasters, an essential oil room spray, a string of fairy lights, and a timeless Emily Dickinson poem! The perfect gift for a hardworking loved one who could use a little inspiration!

https://tanglechocolate.com/collections/chocolate/products/let-the-light-in-gift-set

$65 Vinebox Wine Sampler

For your favorite wine-lover, get a wine sampler kit from Vinebox! Vinebox’s wines are never mass-produced and highly rated by thousands of fans. The lucky recipient of this gift will get a premium at-home Rosé tasting experience, and can even order their favorite wine by the bottle straight from the site!

https://www.getvinebox.com/products/rose-wine

$60 Peach Everyday Signature Legging

Created by women, for women, Peach’s comfortable, ultra-flattering clothing is sustainably and ethically made for athletic and everyday wear. Get it for your friend that’s active in the gym or always on the go—they will swoon over the moisture-wicking fabric and sleek design!

https://www.discoverpeach.com/products/everyday-signature-legging/select/BLK?taxon_id=1364

Under $100

$85 Fresh Linens forever bouquet

Florabrook is a women-owned small business producing beautiful, ever-lasting floral designs and quirky handmade vases! These forever bouquets are one-of-a-kind, beautifully-designed gifts for your nature-loving friend.

https://www.florabrook.com/shop/fresh-linens

$97 Succulent Gardens DIY Letter Planter

Succulent Gardens plant nursery in California sells beautiful succulent planting kits and small plants from their online shop. This DIY letter planter comes with 14 succulents, a handmade 10-inch letter frame, and moss for decoration—a thoughtful and beautiful gift they’ll love!

https://sgplants.com/collections/online-store/products/redwood-small-letter-kit

$89.99 Tre Olive’s Olive Oil and Gourmet Spreads

Tre Olive, based in western Massachusetts, makes gourmet olive oils from their family orchards in southern Italy. This gift contains a 250 ml tin of all five varieties of olive oil plus three of their gourmet spreads such as Olive Tapenade, Bruschetta Calabrese, and Pesto Genovese.

https://www.treolive.com/gift-packages/allegria.html#&gid=1&pid=1Genovese

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