D.I.Y Robot Chocolate Box + Valentine's Gift Basket Idea #HSYMessageOfLove

The following D.I.Y Robot Chocolate Box and Valentine's Day Basket content has been sponsored by the Hershey Company. All photos contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.

Momma Told Me: I love you.

As we grow up the holidays seem to become less and less glamorous. When we're young every holiday is a chance to be showered with gifts, consume delicious treats, and take a day (or entire break) to recreate and relax. When I became an adult so much of the holiday magic had gone away. I was now expected to buy my own gifts, plan my own parties, and spend my own money. I thought for sure I would never look towards a holiday with quite the same anticipation and excitement again. Then children came into my life and I grew up.

Spoiling nieces and nephews, and the littles at the daycare, is not the only thing about holidays which brings me renewed joy- but it's certainly one of them. It is amazing how children can give you a fresh perspective; how a child turns the attention and needs away from yourself to them- and you don't mind one bit. In fact, you actually kind of like it.

Watching my family grow, becoming an Aunt- growing my circle of friends who I call and consider my family as well, has been the final stage in embracing holidays as an adult. Sure, Valentine's Day, and even Mother's Day are 'corporate' holidays fueled by the sale of gifts and sweets- but it IS fun to have an excuse to celebrate those you love. And what is more important about a holiday like Valentine's Day than the people you celebrate it with? February 14th is much more than an excuse to grab a date night with the hubby, or a chance for star-crossed lovers to get engaged, it's a day to spread a little love to everyone who brightens your life- Especially kids.

This year I'll be making little baskets for all of the daycare kids (look for that coming in the next few weeks,) but today I wanted to share something special I made with my 13 year old niece, Sabrina, in mind. Gifting to tweens and teens can seem impossible. 13 is a tough age between wanting to be doted on and treated like a superstar, to complete rebellion and looking down on 'kid' things. We're lucky Sabrina still falls on the 'cool' side of 13- and that is extra fun for me! She's an energetic, self professed nerd, who loves kitschy things that express her own style. So I set out to make her a one of a kind Robot Chocolate Box and Nerd Love Gift Basket.

The first thing I did was gather some leftover crafting (plastic) test tubes, my favorite robot silicone candy mold, and a daily pill organizer from the dollar store. My test tubes were filled with delicious Hershey's candies like Good N' Plenty. I filled my robot candy mold with melted Hershey's Milk Chocolate pips (that's the official name for a square of chocolate!) And then I converted my colorful pill organizer to a cute periodic table inspired candy case that could even double as a fun (and delicious) study aid.

There were no shortage of delicious Hershey's Valentine's edition treats to fill my special Nerd Love basket with- I stuffed the bottom with Hershey's Milk Chocolate Hearts Filled with Caramel, Hershey's Kisses Hugs, Hershey's Assorted Miniatures and more. As sweet as kids are, I wanted to make sure I didn't fill my basket with nothing but sugar, so I added in some other nerdy delights such as Hexbug miniature robots, smelly markers, a Wind Up Robot craft kit, flavored lip balms and more. Then I moved on to the star of my gift basket- my Robot Chocolate Box.

What's the best part about Valentine's Day sweets? The excitement of opening up a heart shaped chocolate box and exploring the assortment of treats inside! I wanted to bring the fun and excitement of a traditional box of chocolates to my Nerd Love theme in a fun layered container full of surprised and treats- so I re-purposed a few plastic organization containers with a lot of BLING. At the beginning of the new year organization products are on sale everywhere, especially the local craft store, where I bought my robot body (a bead organizer cube,) head (a desk supply organizer,) and feet for just under $7 total. While I was there I also spent about $12 on some glitter scrap booking sheets and sticker rhinestone sheets. Googly eyes, pipe cleaners, felt, and crafting glue I already had on hand at home.

There's really no wrong way to make a Robot Chocolate Box- the more compartments to hide sweets and surprises in, the better- and the 'blinging' process was wonderfully therapeutic! For those who don't have the patience to hand set rhinestones, you can buy sheets of these sparklies very cheap in the scrap booking aisle, and there are even cloth like 'sparkle' crafting sheets you can wrap your containers with to add maximum sparkle with minimum effort.

Once I'd decorated my robot, complete with a 1.45oz Solid Milk Chocolate Hershey's Kiss atop his head, it was time to fill him with magical things! His head, being the largest compartment/container, was filled with pink, purple, and blue Hershey's Kisses Conversation Candies- special Hershey's Kisses with fun messages printed on the bottom. His body was 3 layers of 6 compartments each, and I filled those with wind up toys and delicious Valentine's Hershey's candies such as Kit Kat candies, York Peppermint Patties, Reese's Hearts, Jolly Ranchers and more. I even filled his little feet with special Jolly Ranchers FaveReds flavors!

I am in love with how my Valentine's Gift Basket and Robot Chocolate Box turned out and can't wait for them to pop up Valentine's Day morning- I know my robot creation will be a welcome guest on our breakfast nook for the coming months as his many treats are enjoyed in moderation. The basket- I'm sure it will disappear to Sabrina's room and never be seen again! I still have several Valentine's Day idea to share with you, so be sure to stay tuned for more fun and simple DIY projects and recipes to celebrate with your friends, family, and kiddos. For more information, including recipes, visit CelebrateWithHersheys.com. Now, tell me, who do you treat on Valentine's Day?

What Daughter Says: Share Valentine's Day with your kids and help spread the love this February 14th.