NEW YORK -- In the 3rd Annual Boxed Chocolate Holiday survey, conducted by Yankelovich Partners for the American Boxed Chocolate Manufacturers, nearly 1,000 Americans were asked, ``What type of boxed chocolate filling would most describe your ideal mate?'' One third of men (33%) describe their ideal mate as creamy, while one out of three women (32%) choose solid. Twenty-eight percent of all Americans describe their ideal mate as nutty.


Other highlights from the survey include:

-- Nearly half of all Americans (47%) are hopeful that giving boxed chocolate will result in a kiss, a 13% increase from 1998.

-- Christmas is the most popular holiday for giving (55%) and receiving (50%) boxed chocolate.

-- One in four Americans admit to hiding boxed chocolate from others.

-- Women give more boxed chocolate (60%) than men (48%) on Christmas. Six out of ten Americans (61%) will enjoy boxed chocolate this holiday season, up from 43% last year.

-- Twenty-two percent believe giving boxed chocolate will help them get a date. Forty percent of all Americans hope they will be offered a piece of the very boxed chocolate they give as a gift.

Boxed chocolate purchases are expected to reach $1 billion this holiday season*, according to the American Boxed Chocolate Manufacturers, a group of approximately 20 boxed chocolate manufacturers and suppliers, representing the fastest-growing segment of the confectionery category.

The 3rd Annual Boxed Chocolate Survey** was conducted from October 20, to October 31, 1999, with almost 1,000 Americans, eighteen and older, and evenly divided between men and women.

* Includes Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the Millennium. ** Complete survey results available upon request.