Chocolate Fondue
Base
12 oz chocolate, either semisweet, sweet, or milk chocolate
1/2 cup half and half [I usually use whole milk instead. Also, 1/2 cup makes a somewhat runny fondue. If you've got small children running around, you might try somewhat less - you can always add more liquid.]
Basically, melt the chocolate, either in the microwave [not in a metal bowl], in a double boiler, or directly on the stove [the riskiest method; if the chocolate burns, you're screwed]. Mix in the milk or cream.
Taste options
Now the fun part, deciding what to add to "kick it up a notch." Possibilities include: 2-3 tablespoons orange liquor, Kirsch, Brandy, or white creme de menthe; 2 tsp instant coffee; or 1/2 tsp cinnamon.
Dippers
Basically, either finger food or things that can be skewered.
Fruit: strawberries are classic, bananas are cheap. Also good are pineapple, small orange slices, maybe grapes, apple slices, pear slices.
Cakes: angel food cake, pound cake - you want something that won't leave lots of crumbs in the fondue. Various small cookies might work too.
In terms of salty things, pretzels or pretzel sticks probably work best. Nuts are generally too small [maybe almonds held in hand?]; potato chips probably have too many other flavors.
Good luck, let me know how it turns out.