Gertrude Hawk Chocolates: Smidgens Sizes, Fundraising Orders and Gift Boxes Explained

Gertrude Hawk Chocolates has been making chocolate in Dunmore, Pennsylvania since 1936, and most first-time online orders fall into one of three buckets: a box of Smidgens for yourself, a gift tower or assortment for someone else, or a bulk order tied to a school or team fundraiser. Getting the right one comes down to knowing how Gertrude Hawk packages and prices each type before checkout.

Shipping chocolate in warm months is the other variable. Gertrude Hawk sells year-round, but a Pennsylvania candy company still has to plan around heat, so knowing when an order is likely to arrive intact matters as much as the coupon code you use. That planning starts before you ever open the cart.

Smidgens are sold by weight, not by piece count

Smidgens are Gertrude Hawk's signature bite-size chocolates, and they come in bags and boxes measured in ounces or pounds rather than a fixed piece count. A one-pound box will hold more pieces of a small flavor like chocolate-covered pretzel Smidgens than a heavier paired piece. Buy the size that matches how the candy will actually be eaten, since a resealed bag holds up better than an open box left on a counter.

Fundraiser orders run on a separate track from retail

Schools, sports teams and church groups have used Gertrude Hawk candy bar fundraisers for decades, and that program runs its own ordering portal, timeline and profit structure separate from the regular Gertrude Hawk retail site. If an order is for a fundraiser, go through the group's assigned coordinator or the dedicated fundraising site rather than checking out on gertrudehawkchocolates.com, because the retail coupons below do not apply there.

Seasonal molds sell out earlier than people expect

Gertrude Hawk is known for molded chocolate: Easter bunnies, Halloween shapes and holiday Santas, and the seasonal cases rotate on a tighter calendar than year-round Smidgens. Ordering in the last week before Easter or Christmas often means picking from whatever is left rather than the full seasonal case. Ordering two to three weeks ahead of the holiday keeps the better shapes and sizes in play.

Gift towers and assortments are priced by tier

Gertrude Hawk's gift towers and assortment boxes step up in price by tier, with each tier adding more chocolate pieces and larger packaging rather than fancier candy. For a corporate or client gift, the mid-tier box usually reads as generous without the top tier's price jump. Read the piece count on each tier before assuming a bigger box name means proportionally more chocolate.

Peanut butter and meltaways are the two flavor families to know

Gertrude Hawk's peanut butter meltaways and chocolate-covered pretzels are the two items regular customers reorder most, and both ship well because they hold their shape at room temperature better than a soft-centered cream. If an order is going somewhere without quick refrigeration, lean toward these over a filled cream piece. They are also the flavors most likely to survive a hot porch delivery intact.

Shipping in heat needs a plan

Chocolate melts, and Gertrude Hawk's checkout will flag warm-weather regions for expedited or insulated shipping at an extra cost. Paying for faster shipping in summer is usually worth it against a melted box arriving at a gift recipient's door. Check the shipping estimate before assuming standard delivery will get a Gertrude Hawk order there in good shape during July or August.

Where the Gertrude Hawk Chocolates savings are

The 20% off code is the better pick on a full-price order of Smidgens or a gift tower, since a percentage beats a flat $20 once the basket passes roughly $100. The $20 off code works best on a smaller order, like a single assortment box, where a flat discount is worth more than 20% of a lower subtotal. The buy-one-get-one code requires ordering two qualifying items, so it fits a fundraiser-adjacent order or a two-gift order better than a single box for one person. Check the current minimum order amount and exclusions at checkout, since Gertrude Hawk rotates which towers qualify for each code. Only one code applies per order, so compare the dollar savings on your actual basket before choosing between the percentage and flat-dollar options.

Common questions

Does a Gertrude Hawk coupon work on fundraiser orders?

No. Fundraiser orders go through a separate portal tied to the group's coordinator, and retail codes for gertrudehawkchocolates.com do not carry over.

How long do Smidgens stay fresh?

Check the best-by date printed on the Gertrude Hawk packaging, and reseal an opened bag between servings since chocolate absorbs odors and softens with air exposure.

Can a Gertrude Hawk gift tower be shipped directly to the recipient?

Yes, gift shipping is standard at checkout. Confirm the shipping address and any gift note field before submitting the order, since Gertrude Hawk ships the box exactly as entered.

What happens if a Gertrude Hawk order arrives melted?

Contact Gertrude Hawk customer service with the order number. Choosing insulated or expedited shipping in warm months is the best way to avoid this in the first place.