Ethel M Chocolates Knows How to Make the Holidays Shine — and Sweeten

Honey, if you’ve lived in Las Vegas long enough, you know the holidays don’t really start until the Ethel M Cactus Garden lights up like a million stars over Henderson. And this year? They’ve outdone themselves.

Ethel M Chocolates just rolled out its 2025 Holiday Collection, and I swear, I could smell the cocoa from halfway down Sunset Road. There’s a brand-new Holiday Advent Calendar filled with 24 little treasures — everything from Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel to fancy new flavors like Bananas Foster and Passion Fruit Caramel Truffle. One bite and you’ll remember why calories don’t count in December.

They’ve also brought back their Snowflake Collectible Tins, a new Peanut Butter Collection, and the most sinful Gourmet Hot Chocolate I’ve ever had the pleasure of dribbling down my scarf.

But the real treat? That Cactus Garden, honey. Over a million lights, twinkling through the desert night from Nov. 6 through Jan. 3. Grab a cup of cocoa, take a stroll, and maybe sample a few of their Holiday Chocolate Tastings — wine pairings included, if you’re feeling festive (and at my age, I always am).

So go on — skip the mall madness and give the gift everyone actually wants: chocolate, light, and a little Vegas sparkle.