Eggstraordinary Easter Gifts

Shop The Nut House on historic Route 66 for unique candy and gifts.

The variety of homemade fudge available draws many to The Nut House. From left, Leslie Ward, owner Hazel Ward and ­Roxanne Smith are ready to help with your shopping experience.

Easter is around the corner and if you want to add ­delicious goodies and unique items to your baskets or ­purchase a gift for someone special, The Nut House on historic Route 66 is the place to go. The vast array of ­products available at one of Claremore’s most famous destinations won’t be found in your local grocery store or any big-box store. Many are one-of-a-kind, made-in-house products that will have you returning time and again to check out the new offerings – and you’ll never leave empty handed, even if it’s just for a piece of the decadent, ­two-inch thick, quarter-pound squares of fudge.
    Some customers just brake for the fudge and “many look like they’re ­having fudge withdrawals when they walk through the doors,” laughs Hazel Ward, owner of The Nut House. With over 18 different flavors of fudge available six days a week, it’s no wonder The Nut House has earned a ­reputation for the best ­homemade fudge in the area.
    “We will be offering some special fudge for Easter along with chocolate-covered marshmallows,” says Hazel. “We make our own ­marshmallows which are heads above what you buy at the grocery store. Our ­confections are fresh with a really nice texture – they’re soft, not stretchy – and they are larger than what you find in a grocery store.” The marshmallow treats will also be decorated for Easter. “They’re great to put in a child’s Easter basket or as a gift to a friend,” she adds.
    Other wonderful Easter ideas include ­chocolate-covered strawberries and Peeps dipped in chocolate and decorated for Easter. “After dipping them in chocolate, we dress them up like they’re going to church,” says Hazel. “They’re really cute.”
    The Nut House also has an assortment of other Easter candy, stuffed animals, ­jewelry, candles, car charms and items of a spiritual nature that make great gifts or that can be added to a ­special basket for gift-giving.
    At The Nut House, one of the popular gifts available is personalized Easter baskets. Baskets, which run from $30 and up, are created more for adult gift-giving, according to Hazel. “We offer baskets that are often built around a ­sentimental item. For ­example, we’ve had ­customers bring in the photo of an ultrasound to announce to their family members that they are expecting a baby,” she says. “The cost varies based on the items a ­customer purchases here to include in their basket.”
    While you’re shopping for Easter goodies at The Nut House, don’t forget to check out Hot Mama’s Deli, where you can select from a variety of sandwiches, salads, sides and sweet treats. A lunch combo is offered each day. “We also have daily specials with offerings like beans and cornbread and Hobo Tacos. “All of our food is ­home-cooked,” Hazel adds.
    On Saturday, April 5 beginning at 10 a.m., a Day of Tasting is planned with free food sampling of new products available at The Nut House. “We’ll be offering a variety of new items, ­including Cowboy Tom’s Gluten-Free Pancake Mixes,” says Hazel. “They are the lightest, fluffiest and most wholesome flapjacks I’ve ever tasted. They’re easy to make and so yummy.”On Friday and Saturday, April 25-26, The Nut House will host a Consignment Sale in Pecan Hall with a variety of items at great prices.
    Hazel adds that ­customers should not be ­discouraged by the highway construction going on in front of the business. “It’s not difficult to get in because there’s a turn lane that leads you right into our driveway,” she adds. “We’re open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Sunday.”

For more information, contact

The Nut House

www.66nuts.com

About Author Carol Beck-Round

After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.