Candy may be dandy and liquor may be quicker, but for something truly fantastic, nothing beats a fresh fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements.

Imagine all the aesthetic beauty of a bouquet of flowers matched with the healthy delicious taste of impeccably fresh fruit and you'll get an idea of the "WOW" factor of an Edible Arrangement. These unique fresh fruit bouquets feature sculptured fruit creatively carved into floral designs and skewered for easy sharing and eating. Artistically arranged, gift wrapped and delivered within hours of their creation, these arrangements are something really special.

Finally available in Canada, we are lucky enough to have the first Edible Arrangements locations right here in the GTA, with one location downtown and another in Mississauga. When we visited the downtown store, manager Aadil Hassen was kind enough to tell us all about this great new gift-giving option. He told us that while Edible Arrangements was a new concept in Canada, they have been hugely popular all over the United States for many years.

Available in a wide variety of designs, sizes and price points, there is something to suit every taste, occasion and budget. Arrangements are made using classically popular fruits such as golden pineapple, plump strawberries, sweet honeydew, refreshing cantaloupe and juicy grapes all at the peak of freshness. They come in a great selection of decorative containers such as mugs, baskets and vases that will continue to be used long after the fruit has been devoured.

Appropriate for any occasion - holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, corporate gifts, graduations, thank you, get well, sympathy, etc. - this is one gift that will always be remembered. As well, an Edible Arrangement makes the perfect hostess gift or eye-catching centrepiece, whether for a small dinner party or elaborate affair.

For those who want something a little more decadent, they offer several designs that include gourmet chocolate dipped strawberries or the option of complementing any arrangement by having half or all of the strawberries chocolate-dipped. Or why not leave that up to the recipient and include a jar of their all-natural fudge dip available in Classic or Sugar-free.

"Since opening in June of 2003, we've had a great response from the public," says Aadil, "In fact, we like to say that our best advertisement is the people who've received any of our arrangements and inevitably end-up being customers themselves."

"We've prepared arrangements for several city officials, the band The Tragically Hip and even for royalty," says salesperson Shamiema Kara.

Even if you're not royalty, giving or receiving an Edible Arrangement will make you feel like it.

For more information or to check out everything Edible Arrangements has to offer, visit their Web site at www.ediblearrangements.ca. Orders can be placed on-line, by phone at 1.866.244.4157, or in person at either one of their locations.

Edible Arrangements
1.866.244.4157
www.ediblearrangements.ca
140 Adelaide Street, Toronto - 416.367.3674
2087 Royal Windsor Drive, Mississauga - 905.855.0431