As a candy collector, I’m often asked whether I save actual edible candy or just the packaging. My answer usually goes that I’m technically a candy packaging collector, so I always try to separate a wrapper or box from the confection it contains. Excepting in rare cases, I almost never save the contents.
I think the only way to be sure of preservation is to operate with a never-save-the-candy rule. I’ve even cracked open seemingly-stable, decades-old candy packages that other folks have lovingly saved unopened. That has led to laments by some at my unsealing what you might call a “mint in package” candy bar or pack of bubblegum. And while I do understand the sadness at seeing something whole made less-so, my goal is always long-term preservation.
With today’s post, I hope to make a compelling (and pretty gross) case as to why saving unopened candy can be a very bad idea.
Happy Halloween everyone!
It might be surprising to learn that, outside of the packaging itself, one of the best places to learn about historical confectionery products and marketing is through the promotional circulars published in weekend newspapers. Today, I’m going to take a look at a handful of Halloween candy circulars from the 1980’s and early 1990’s.
