NEW YORK (Nov.1, 2002) -- The world's leading luxury chocolatier is introducing its new "Winter Holiday" 2002 collection filled with gifts specially designed to meet the needs of today's holiday shoppers.

"The winter holiday season is a time to connect with friends and loved ones through family gatherings, gift-giving and other cherished traditions," says Godiva Vice President of Marketing Michael Simon. "Our new Winter Holiday 2002 collection captures the special heart-warming sentiments of the holiday season, while offering luxurious gifts that fit within a variety of budgets."

According to Simon, the festive new holiday collection brings an elegant touch of warmth and comfort to the season, with packaging and flavors that are reminiscent of bygone holidays, yet refreshing and innovative. For example, Godiva's new holiday packaging contemporizes traditional icons such as crisp sprigs of English holly berries in a way that's stylish but still nostalgic. The chocolatier also evokes the spirit of the season with its winter 2002 truffle flavors, including the new Cinnamon Pear and the ever-popular Candy Cane. For holiday gatherings, Godiva's whimsical novelty items such as the Parka Bear and Milk Chocolate Santa are the perfect finishing touches for holiday place settings, treats beneath the tree, or tucked within a Christmas stocking.

Just in time for its busiest season of the year, Godiva is also debuting three decadent new ganache-based chocolates showcased within its newly re-designed gold ballotins, including the Christmas Ballotin, Holiday Ballotin and Hanukkah Ballotin.

Pick Your Pleasure
Godiva's "Winter Holiday" 2002 collection features a wide selection of gifting options in a variety of price ranges.

Christmas
This year's Christmas collection offers Godiva's renowned chocolates and truffles in packaging that reflects the good cheer of the season:

• Christmas Ballotin -- Godiva's Christmas Ballotin delivers holiday wishes in style, wrapped with rich velvet green ribbon and adorned with clusters of English holly berry. Our three indulgent new pieces - Dark Chocolate Ganache, Cinnamon Chocolate Ganache, and Lemon Chocolate Ganache - along with assorted milk, dark and ivory chocolates are featured inside. Available in 1/4-lb. through 2-lb. packages. (Suggested retail prices: $12 for 1/4-lb., $23 for 1/2-lb., $38 for 1-lb., and $70 for 2-lb.)

• Winter Holiday Truffle Box -- A collection of Godiva's time-honored truffles can be found within this six-piece treasure, including three classic flavors along with three seasonal varieties - Cinnamon Pear, Chocolate Souffl and Candy Cane. The new Cinnamon Pear combines warm, spiced pear with cinnamon ganache, enrobed with dark chocolate then covered in milk chocolate, and topped off with a festive dark chocolate looped design. (Suggested retail price: $12.50)

• Nouveau Gift Box -- The holiday collection's festive leaf and berry design is presented on this gift box filled with a delectable assortment of milk, dark and ivory confections. (Suggested retail price: $15)

• Winter Holiday Hatbox -- This resplendent two-tiered hatbox proudly bears the Godiva logo embossed in gold on rich pearlized green wrap. Filled with an array of delicious chocolates, this exquisite treasure is finished with a green velvet ribbon and a sprig of holly berries. (Suggested retail price: $35)

Hanukkah
Godiva features the most extensive Kosher selection of any luxury chocolatier, making it a favorite among discriminating Hanukkah shoppers. Choose from the following:

• Hanukkah Ballotin -- More elegant than ever, this year's Hanukkah Ballotins are tied with a brilliant blue-and-silver metallic ribbon and adorned with a new custom-designed keepsake dreidel for the children. Nestled inside is a Kosher assortment of milk, dark, and ivory pieces, including the three new ganache creations. Available in 1/2-lb. and 1-lb. sizes. (Suggested retail prices: $23 for 1/2-lb. and $38 for 1-lb.)

• Gold Foil Coins -- A 1.75-ounce gold mesh bag with 10 gold foil-wrapped milk chocolate coins makes the perfect Hanukkah gelt during this special time of year. (Suggested retail price: $7)

Seasonal Novelties
Godiva's Winter Holiday 2002 collection presents festive novelties and stocking stuffers that celebrate the whimsy of the season:

• Mini Stocking -- A memorable holiday keepsake to be cherished for many holidays to come, this rich red velvet stocking is trimmed in cozy white faux fur complete with Godiva's delicious Dark Chocolate with Raspberry Bar and Milk Chocolate Bar. (Suggested retail price: $10)

• Parka Bear -- This irresistible furry brown friend is ready for the winter - dressed for the season in a green velvet parka trimmed in white faux fur and "bearing" delectable chocolate treats. Tucked inside his sporty red velvet backpack are four foil-wrapped chocolate medallions. (Suggested retail price: $20)

• Winter Holiday Hot Cocoa Mug -- Send warm holiday wishes to your friends and loved ones with four tempting servings of Godiva Cocoa and a decorative keepsake holiday mug featuring a festive holly berry design. Included are Classic Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Truffle and Chocolate Mocha flavors of Godiva's gourmet hot cocoa. (Suggested retail price: $16)

• Milk Chocolate Santa -- This four-ounce, foil-wrapped Santa in milk chocolate is perfect as a stocking stuffer or tabletop decoration during the holidays. (Suggested retail price: $8)

• Holiday Gingerbread Bears -- This adorable Gingerbread Bear is hand-dipped in Godiva's delectable milk chocolate and hand-decorated with festive holly berries -- a delightful holiday treat for everyone to enjoy. (Suggested retail price: $4.50. Available exclusively at Godiva boutiques.)

• Godiva Greeting Cards -- Just in time for the holiday season, Godiva introduces elegant greeting cards that have a sweet surprise inside. Godiva's Milk Chocolate Bar is tucked within a special holiday-themed gift card featuring a delicate design of red holly berries on a festive gold bough -- the perfect way to thank your mail carrier, babysitter or favorite teacher. Godiva Gift Cards are also available in Happy Birthday, Thank You and All Occasion versions. (Suggested retail price: $5.00 Available exclusively at specialty and finer department stores.)

Godiva's "Winter Holiday" 2002 collection will be available beginning this November at Godiva boutiques, finer department stores and specialty shops nationwide. Consumers can order product for delivery anywhere in the U.S. by calling 1-800-9GODIVA or logging onto the company's Web site (www.GODIVA.com).

About Godiva
With production facilities in Belgium and the U.S., Godiva Chocolatier is recognized around the world as the leader in fine chocolates. From its famous truffles and shell-molded chocolate pieces to its European-style biscuits, gourmet coffees, and hot cocoa, Godiva Chocolatier is dedicated to more than 75 years of excellence and innovation in the Belgian tradition.

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