#SayMore With Hershey's Kisses Deluxe + D.I.Y. Checkers Board Tray

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Momma Told Me: That's nice to hear.

Growing up my father was always there, even when he was not, which was quite often in the scheme of my childhood years. Pop worked Monday- Friday, as a traveling technician servicing his company's equipment everywhere from our home town to 100's of miles away. He was almost always 'on the road' before I'd even risen for school, and he'd often return home just in time to tuck me into bed. Because all we really had were the weekends, we made our moments count during the week.

My father was notorious for finding reason to 'extend' my bedtime just a little longer. He'd make ridiculous bets, call me downstairs for a 'forgotten' dessert, and offer just one round of our favorite game, Checkers. For my 6th birthday my grandparents sent fun twist on the classic game, Chockers, and a bag of Hershey's Kisses. The game was identical to the classic one, with the exception that the pieces were actually plastic Hershey's KISSES and the 'Kings' were delicious chocolates the winner actually got to eat. Momma was never too keen on that version- especially since my father so often let me win so he could share his favorite chocolates.

Delicious Hershey's KISSES have been a symbol of love in our family ever since those childhood memories first blossomed. Every holiday we'd send a bag of KISSES out to my grandmother, and every holiday she'd send some right back. And, let's not forget, they're KISSES- sharing a Hershey's KISSES is just like sharing a melty chocolate hug. And, I don't know about your family, but ours holds chocolate in high regard when it comes to expressions of love through gifting! So, when I discovered new Hershey's KISSES Deluxe chocolates, the delicious new Hershey's KISSES with twice the chocolate and a premium Hazelnut center, I immediately wanted to share them with my father.

In fact, Hershey's KISSES has an exciting campaign currently going on right now to encourage their fans to #SayMore this holiday season with more meaningful conversations and deliberate interactions. The Say More campaign is precisely the type of message we here, on Momma Told Me, like to preach with our retrospective stories. Every year I gift my father something handmade, and this year's gift is inspired by those Hershey KISSES memories, and bed times stretched by chocolate Kings and crinkled wrappers. This year I'll be gifting my father a home made Checkers board and a box of Hershey's KISSES Deluxe.

Making this project was a time for me to not only reflect on warm, fuzzy, memories, but to inspire a dialogue with my father about how much those memories truly meant to me, within the scope of my childhood and even still to this day. I began by finding a square serving tray I could easily re=purpose for a board game. Since I already had 1.5" round wood discs from the craft store, I knew I needed a board at least 12" x 12," so I picked up a 14" square bamboo serving tray that was affordable, and lightweight enough to be carried from room to room, or stashed under the coffee table when not in play.

Your color scheme will vary, depending on your tastes and the finish of your chosen tray- I decided to go with a classic red and black grid. Using odor-free rub on wood stain I applied 2 coats of red to one side of 32 discs (the board base), and both sides of 18 discs (my playing pieces,) then repeated the process with the remaining discs for the black. Once dry I measured an even distance from the walls of my tray and cut cardboard spacers to lay inside as a guide for a centered grid. Using wood glue I daubed a spot of glue for each marker until all 64 spots were placed. I then placed a heady box atop the grid for several hours while the glue set.

To allow for the 'Kinging' of pieces I used a gold paint marker to draw crowns on one side of 4 pieces, for each color- though, players can also double collected pieces to signify a 'King' as is traditional. My preference? Gift your Checkers board with a 35 count box of Hershey's KISSES Deluxe for use as the 'Kings.' In any case, I sealed all of my pieces, and the board, with 2 coats of clear acrylic paint spray- in a well ventilated outdoor area wearing proper face protection.

This was a very affordable and simple product with a wonderfully clean finish and final look. The tray has handles so it can be taken from room to room, or even outdoors, without the game being disturbed, and all pieces can be contained inside so pieces are never lost. In an age where family members poke one another and send emojis from the next room over, couldn't we all use a little more time to reconnect over a classic board game like this? When was the last time you spent some time getting to know your house guests over a little good matured competition and delicious chocolates?

New Hershey's KISSES Deluxe are all about taking a moment to savor life with the friends and family that mean so very much. Share the rich chocolate flavor, and delicious hazelnut center, with someone this season and see what conversation you can strike. We're all so busy running to and fro this time of the year, why not relax and reconnect? Need a little more inspiration? Check out this heartwarming video of how one family was encouraged to Say More to their mother. Follow Hershey's on Facebook for more #SayMore inspiration. Do you know someone in your life you'd like to take some time to reconnect with? Who might enjoy a chance to say more over delicious Hershey's KISSES Deluxe?


What Daughter Says: No matter how much those around you know how you feel about them, take the time to share and #SayMore this holiday season.

I-C is hosting a contest for the new Hershey KISSES Deluxe where our readers can enter to win one of 50 Hershey’s KISSES Deluxe 75 – piece gift box valued at $35! *I-C will randomly select fifty winners from all program entries and will handle fulfillment of the winning prizes.

Hershey's KISSES Deluxe Giveaway