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Halloween is now over for another year and people have had sufficient time to scour through their bags of candy. Here is a list of the worst Halloween Treats that I remember from my childhood. There may be worse additions present day, in fact, I’d be surprised if there weren’t as companies seem to be pulling out all the stops to top their competition year after year with strange flavor combinations, color concoctions, etc. But, going back to my era of trick or treating, the mid 70s – mid 80s, these were the worst of the worst to discover in your trick or treat bag. I welcome feedback from everyone as to your worst Halloween Trick or Treat memories, and hope everyone got great treats this year!
Okay, there are some people who like black licorice, but for many others, and for many kids who haven’t grown into the taste yet, it is nasty as hell. Not to mention that Good n’ Plenty’s are a tease – colorful pink and white candy shells, anise-flavored hell underneath. Licorice Allsorts also fall into this category. And I won’t even mention how easy it would be to slip a few quaaludes into the mix!
They looked scrumptious and were usually given to you by the sweet little old lady who lived down the lane. But, if you were born after 1970, you weren’t allowed to eat them, and your folks just threw them out, for fear that those gooey rice krispie squares, homemade fudge, candy or caramel apples, etc., were filled with razor blades and poison.
The bastard stepchild of the Hershey Miniatures pack. Now whether or not you like nuts and chocolate combined, these yellow goofballs just never quite worked. They always tasted like two separate taste treats thrown together, unlike better chocolate/peanut combinations– Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Butterfingers, Baby Ruths, Snickers, etc. I always came away wishing I had gotten the Krackle, the regular Hershey Chocolate, or even the Hershey Dark.
Now you might think this falls under the same category as razor blades & poison, but I’m not even gonna go there. Apples as a treat stink! As a kid, I probably ate an apple every day in my lunch. It’s Halloween, gimme some candy!
OK, at first money seems pretty cool, even if you figured you could pool it and buy candy from the candy counter at your local corner store. But, you never got more than a couple of stray nickels, or even pennies from the really cheap people! Never enough to do real candy damage – usually just enough to get a few watermelon jolly ranchers. And on that note…
They stuck your teeth together until you thought you would have to go to the dentist to pry them apart! Much too much work for way too little a candy thrill. And, the grape ones just tasted strange. Not quite cough medicine, not quite candy – just weird.
I don’t even know where to start. These were like eating pastel colored dust formed into little round discs. Not nearly sweet enough, and flavorless, these cheap, powder pellets were weak at best, tasteless at worst, and just cluttered the bottom of the treat bag. Although they were fun if you were Catholic and played “Communion” with them.
A tootsie pop or equivalent could be a somewhat plausible treat – at least you’re working toward getting either a tootsie roll or bubble gum on the inside after all your efforts, but these crappy little teeny lollipops were just the worst. They tasted like old shoes.
It was just off-putting, getting jellybeans (Easter), hard ribbon candies (Christmas), or other strange candies that just didn’t fit with Halloween. And of course you wondered, “How long have they been saving these to hand out?!!!”
What exactly were these? Toffee? Peanut chews?? Sawdust?? To the best of my recollection, they were some kind of molasses concoction, but for anyone born after the days of Little House on the Prairie, where the big treat was taking hot molasses out and throwing it down in the snow to cool it in order to make candy, these were a huge disappointment.
Did anyone’s parents actually let them use these? OK, my folks weren’t fast food nazis, but even if the intention to let me use them was there, no one ever remembered to do so, and they were found months later, after they expired.
Notable Mentions: Circus Peanuts, Generic Peanut Chews, Candy Corn (hard for me to list here because I always loved it, but so many people hate it, I had to include it), Candy necklaces/Candy dots on paper (which were made by the Necco company!)
November 5th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Oh bother. Not again!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Necco Wafers and good and plentys yum yum yum its a shame we cant get good and plenty in nz, have to settle for regular bullets.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Ugh I completely agree.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Why is all the writing coming out in Italics, everything from the Notable mentions onwards. Odd.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Jfrater is driving me crazy with these halloween lists.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:48 am
i’ll have all your mary janes.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:50 am
What about those orange marshmellowy peanuts? Rubbish!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:57 am
No.10 is a candy? Looks like medicine…yeargh!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:57 am
Italics anybody???
November 5th, 2009 at 2:02 am
Spidey would happily gulp down no.1. (It’s mary jane! a treat for poor pete)
November 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Homemade things were the best! The old lady across the street always used to make amazing cakes. And of course we were allowed to eat them.
Worst one for me was Parma Violets, they tasted like soap!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I LOVE JOLLYRANCHERS! I can never find them anywhere, so if I got a few for christmas I would be so damn happy
November 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Okay I just have to add a couple more here….
Sweet Tarts—Way too sour to suck on and way too hard to chew into oblivion.
Red Hots–Cinnamon is an acquired taste and they always got stuck BETWEEN your teeth since they were so small to begin with.
Dubble Bubble—Given out by the handfuls, but invariably too hard to get a chew on. And your Mom and Dad never let you send off for the amazing prizes on the wrappers, even if you did manage to save up the required number. They did make an excellent projectile to throw at your pain in the A@@ little brother or sister.
Bit-O-Honeys–the bastard cousin to MaryJanes.
The little cellophane package with either a jawbreaker or gumball–And you didn’t know which one it was until you bit down hard.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Go to hell, Smarties are delicious.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:11 am
@ants1 (4): I don’t see any italics. Anyway, how is it bothering you,hmm?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:18 am
Jolly Ranchers are a must-have for all husbands with nagging wives.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:26 am
As for no.6, I don’t think it should not be up there. If yer a professional in trick making, know how to deal with these things, then there should not be any problem in making plenty of dough.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Kids can’t take licorice these days? What has the world come to?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Wow… I’ve never heard of jellybeans being Easter-specific. In fact, I’ve never heard of jellybeans being associated with any holiday at all, unless you count Friday Afternoon Pharmacy Trip >.>
The things you learn…
November 5th, 2009 at 2:41 am
Good to see the big issues being tackled by Listverse!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:55 am
How are jellybeans easter-related???
November 5th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Candy Corn is worst, mary janes rock
November 5th, 2009 at 2:56 am
It must be hard living in America and getting stuff for free.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:07 am
People handing out cans of pop are the worst. 8 years old and a few of those in your bag and suddenly Halloween isn’t so much fun anymore.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Sheesh! Where’s the gratitude?? Beggars can’t be choosers! At least you got something….
November 5th, 2009 at 3:17 am
Send your unwanted Smarties this way! I’ll trade you some candy corn!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:18 am
we don’t get to go trick or treating here in hong kong… what a pity…
November 5th, 2009 at 3:23 am
I love Licorice AllSorts, and just sent my husband out the other night to get a bag because I was having a craving (no, I’m not pregnant). I have to admit, though, that for whatever reason, Good N’ Plenty never really got my attention. I prefer Dum Dum lollipops to Tootsie Roll ones because I just want a lollipop, not something that has gum or cheap caramel in the middle.
This sort of list is highly subjective, though. If I had to pick my least favorite Halloween treats ever, I would definitely keep Jolly Ranchers on the list, and include Circus Peanuts, anything healthy (it’s Halloween after all and not about healthy), and anything involving raisins.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:32 am
Lyrebird what country are you from? Jolly Ranchers are the best!! And most of these arent even that bad. When I read the name I thought is was gonna be razor blades and rat pellets. Also this list sucks!! I liked looking at the pictures better than reading the list.. Now im gonna go eat some jolly ranchers..
November 5th, 2009 at 3:33 am
You missed the whole point of Halloween. It wasn’t the quality of the candy… it was the QUANTITY! Whichever kid among us came home with the biggest and heaviest stash was, quite obviously, the most awesome of all trick or treaters. It’s a greed thing! That’s why in my circle of friends, we went around the neighborhood with pillow cases… not those silly little round plastic pumpkins kids show up with nowadays.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:36 am
@MN (28): Oh yeah, raisins… YUCK!!!
Circus Peanuts, Peeps, cheap jelly beans, Necco Wafers and black licorice are the worst candies. I’m also not a big fan of milk chocolate.
But semi-sweet or dark chocolate, yum.
The worst thing I ever got in my trick o’ treat bag was a pamphlet on the Church of Latter-Day Saints. What is a child going to do with that?
November 5th, 2009 at 3:36 am
I always loathed anything with “nougat” in it (Milky Way, Three Musketeers, etc.). Yuck.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:46 am
Dubble Bubble
gives bubble gum a bad name–pink hard as hell rock pellets that once you manage to get your chewing going, it turns into a slurry goo. Did war invent these things?
November 5th, 2009 at 3:47 am
The worst for me was those black cat lollies. That and the black jellybeans kinda taste the same, like a sort of licorice/aniseed, but it makes my eyes water cos it kinda stings – if that makes any sense? That and musk sticks, ewww!
What did people like most in their Halloween swag?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Licorice? Never been to the Netherlands I guess? We have more licorice flavors then you guys have candy flavors
. And I love them all 
.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:05 am
I love you yanks. Once a year you go around strangers houses demanding that they give you sugar in various different forms, for free, and then bitch when you don’t get what you want. If that’s not the American Dream then I don’t know what is. Keep up the good work….and God Bless.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:08 am
I’d love to have one of those as a halloween treat, which the White Witch gave Edmund on their first meet in Narnia. I wonder what it really was…but it sure looked mouth watering!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:13 am
Atleast your not given chocolate covered insects…
November 5th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Second 13,
Red Hots, Hot Lips, Big Red…anything cinnamon orientated is just too acquired a taste for Halloween candy
November 5th, 2009 at 4:20 am
Anything that isnt wrapped is a nightmare…
November 5th, 2009 at 4:23 am
@archialt
That’s funny. I have lived in England for three years and have given out several pounds of candy each Halloween to strange children in wild costumes. They probably bitch as much as American kids when they get something they don’t like. The bitching isn’t being unappreciative. People like what they like. Nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to like what you are given.
@ChristineM
The Hot Lips are GROSS! LOL. I had forgotten about those. Add to that the ring pops. Nothing messier or weird tasting than those.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:24 am
@mandiemurder
I’m glad I’m not the only one can’t stand raisins!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Me too, hate cinnamon in sweets! Once I ate this Indian sweet called ‘Laddoo’. All was going well until my molars ground out the seeds cinnamon hidden in it. The rest was outta my mouth.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:36 am
El the erf – the ‘treat’ the White Witch gave Edmund in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe is Turkish Delight. The ‘Frys’ brand turkish delight is really nice if you haven’t already tried it
November 5th, 2009 at 4:37 am
These are pretty bad treats but there was someone giving twinkies and crackers
November 5th, 2009 at 4:44 am
uh CANDY CORN??
November 5th, 2009 at 4:47 am
To my recollection, gift certificates do not expire, due to a major law suit some 10 yrs ago against mc donalds. My memory might be hazy but I believe that still stands
November 5th, 2009 at 5:12 am
@Caysha (44): Oh yes,I remember now, thanks. The image of the frost covering on the turkish delight, always manages to turn on my sweet taste buds. Delightful, I say!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:17 am
This one really confused me for a while until i realised its clearly an American list (not a problem, just saying…) – Smarties (no 4) in the UK (and i’d always thought everywhere else too!) are a sugar coated chocolate treat. Nothing like the chalky wafers described above!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:21 am
i feel so deprived – was never allowed to celebrate haloween thanks to my over relgious parents ffs!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:24 am
I would say that getting those wax lips, wax candy that had some sort of flavor in it and those black and orange wrapped peanut butter things are the worst. I agree with Good n Plenty being up there along with Necco wafers. Nasty stuff.
However, last year some religious group was handing out mini-bibles and coins that had the cross on it. Sad to say, their house and street were littered with that stuff. When we got close to their house a cop was telling them they had to go out and pick up all the trash or they would get a fine.
Thankfully this year, they didn’t hand out anything.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:24 am
I had a dentist in my neighborhood who gave out toothbrushes… have to agree with the raisins, but I’m surprised no one said popcorn balls. Really not worth the effort!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:27 am
Jolly ranchers are good! also, I must say that I would always place mr. goodbar above the krackle.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:33 am
49. Yeah, unless you’re American this list is a bit meaningless as a lot of these are unknown in the rest of the world. What do jelly beans have to do with Easter anyway? Surely Easter Eggs are the main speciality for Easter?
November 5th, 2009 at 5:33 am
For all those who can’t stand raisins,try keeping them in water and being patient with them. If you know about osmosis( if you remember your biology well) then you’ll very well know that they will puff up like water balloons and also become lot sweeter than when they are in the shrivelled state.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:34 am
I hated those mcdonlad’s gift certificates. It’s such a cop out, plus, we only eat at McD’s on a rare occasion, so I NEVER used them
November 5th, 2009 at 5:49 am
This list is retarded. where is candy corn? nobody likes candy corn.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Blasphemer! Mr. Goodbar’s are awesome, as are jolly ranchers. Seriously, though, great list. When I trick or treated as a kid, we all hated getting pennies, raisins, and those blasted gift cards!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:51 am
@Kristy (nz) (50):
I dont let my kids “celebrate” it either Kristy – as a christian family why would I want them celebrating evil. On the night in question we went to an alternative party at our church. Very good it was to!
November 5th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Heh..my mom made (and still makes) a whole load of baked goods every Halloween, but they are reserved only for family etc, and is the highlight of the night. The Mary Janes up here in Canada were called Candy Kisses, and have a generic “Halloween” wrapper, and are still gross
November 5th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I’d like to add one: religious pamphlets. C’mon! Lighten up. My kid does not need a lecture on the evils of Halloween…especially from you, strange man. Although, I have to admit it was funny b/c this man was passing out the ‘Devil Book’ (comic book on the evil history of Halloween) and I was dressed as a (hot) devil. It made me chuckle.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:54 am
@tripsyman (60):
Oh dude, evils a bit strong. It’s just a laugh isn’t it?
November 5th, 2009 at 6:01 am
@archiealt (63): I agree! All for fun. It may stem from ‘evil’ (honestly-I only know what I read in that fun little comic we got) but we’re not practicing the rituals/sacrifices or whatever.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:15 am
True story: I used the pillowcase as well when trick or treating and after getting home and separating the stash, I discovered someone had thrown a dime-sized baggie of coke in with my candy.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
what i hate is chips. every year i would get a bag full of candy and 3 fourths of it was chips. and they are all just plain chips or regular chips. no one can eat that much salt and potato!
November 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
@tripsyman (60): why would I want them celebrating evil. On the night in question we went to an alternative party
You didn’t want to celebrate evil, but still partied it up on Halloween night? That sounds like the same thing as those who insist on marking time with BCE instead of BC even though they’re the same years. Both are really only a superficial change.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I’m surprised dumdums are on the list. We have a huge bowl of treats available for customers where I work. The contents vary (but the boss isn’t cheap-he puts great stuff in there!). Dumdums are usually included but because he varies it there are times when there aren’t any dumdums in it and when they aren’t there the regulars ask when they’ll be included again.
So the boss just includes dumsdums all the time. Gotta keep the customers happy!
I do agree about Necco wafers and any licorice. Blah.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:24 am
No one mentioned my Halloween candy nemesis: Chocolate Covered Malted Milk Balls. UGH! Those were the nastiest. The candy I didn’t like I just threw out or traded with my sisters, but I have a special hatred for CCMMB. They tease you with their milk chocolate coating, but once you got through the chocolate, you had a rock sitting in your mouth that wouldn’t dissolved and you didn’t dare bite into for fear of chipping a tooth.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:27 am
Mr. Goodbar is my favorite.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Jolly Ranchers are amazing! Candy corn is gross
November 5th, 2009 at 6:40 am
I love Necco wafers, sadly. And the Valentine heart candy.
As a precursor, I used to eat chalk when I was a kid. HAHA
Probably why I like them
November 5th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Yeah i agree all those candies are total crap. But i live in a really small town…. Mayberry sized and we know all the people well and on Halloween my daughters got poporn balls and brownies and the like. Since we dont worryabout poison they tend to be the most popular treats. Except this year there was a local wealhy business man givin away Beanie Babies… All my girls flipped out.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:51 am
i love mary janes.
and i bet any kid would take a dumdum if offered to them…in a heartbeat.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:51 am
My least favorite candy has always been the black and orange wrapped peanut butter taffy stuff and the generic mini-chocolates with halloween wrappers. They never tasted as good as the real peanut butter cups or Krackle bars. I have to admit to liking candy corn but I agree that licorice flavored anything is gross (except maybe Jager).
As my kids were sorting out their candy for trading, I noticed my daughter putting her Whoppers (chocolate covered malted-milk balls) in her “don’t like” pile. I asked her if she knew how to eat them “properly”. After receiving a strange look, I told her to try them but instead of just biting into them, she needed to suck the chocolate off and then suck on the inside. If you do that, the malted-milk part dissolves in your mouth and is quite tasty with no teeth sticking. She was in awe. She now loves Whoppers.
Any other parents here take a “candy tax” from their kids’ stash? Mommy always gets her’s off the top.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am
This was an awesome list! But you forgot Sugar Daddies. THey’d pull your fillings right out if you were dumb enough to bite them.
*shyly raises hand*
November 5th, 2009 at 6:55 am
I like candy corn too, but no one else seems to. Hey, more candy corn for us!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Mr. Goodbars are right up there with Snickers and Three Musketeers as my favorite candies….I agree with most of the rest though. Smarties aren’t bad…Very surprised not to see Tootsie Rolls, I’ve heard many complaints about them through the years.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:06 am
1) I LOVED (eh, LOVE – at 42, I still have a sweet tooth) Good ‘n’ Plenty’s, Jolly Ranchers, Neco’s, Mary Jane’s – hell, anything with sugar was (is) a plus. A few pennies or nickels? I still got to buy sugar with it. A gift is a gift. And before any of you Euro’s start with your “typical fat American” crap, I guarantee I’m in better shape than 95% of you.
2) If you WERE to get an apple (usually candied – YAY!) with a slice in it, dripping with delicious sticky sweetness, and you bit into it – you’re an idiot.
3) Despite all of the hysterical anxiety exhibited by today’s overzealous helicopter parents regarding Halloween (hell, regarding ANYTHING), there has not yet – according to intensive emergency room and other medical studies going back to the 1950’s – been ONE documented case of ANY child being poisoned or injured by ONE Halloween treat in the United States. Fact.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Gotta agree with rushfan – I loved Mr. Goodbars and especially Jolly Ranchers. Dum Dums were ok – I wouldn’t complain about those or most any lollypops – except the butterscotch flavored ones – yuck. Anyway I got one more item that I’ve heard some kids get every now and then – toothbrushes! That’s the equivalent of getting socks for Christmas
November 5th, 2009 at 7:12 am
sorry mr. listmaker but you are wrong, at least in these days and times.
i am not saying you are fully wrong since i agree with all but 2.
dum dums taste great now, as a matter of fact, i had one yesterday that was bubble gum flavor and it tasted just like it and not to mention that jolly ranchers might as well be called crack candy because once you have one, you have to eat the rest of them and then be upset later when you ran out.
maybe the ingredients sucked in your days but now those two are REALLY damn good.
if anybody disagrees, go out and by yourself those two and see how good they taste.
ESPECIALLY watermelon……..for both candies.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:17 am
I second the hatred of the black-and-orange wrapped peanutbutter kisses. The Lions Club members buy these for charity in our area, and my bag was always half full of them and those bubble gum rocks. Luckily my sister loved the bubble gum and would trade for it. I hated the collectible card bubble gum (powdery cardboard strips) but loved the cards. The cinnamon jawbreakers were also a bomb, but I liked the regular jawbreakers fine.
I raise my hand as a candy corn lover. I used to eat them in sections–white tip, orange middle, yellow bottom. And right up with that, my very favorite (behind mini candybars, which were always hard to come by) was the mellocreme pumpkins. I LOVE THEM! And I can never find them now.
Halloween story–Yes, Mom got a pick out of the sacks. She then advised us to store our treats upstairs or our grandmother would go through them and eat all the candy bars.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Funny list – ROFL!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:24 am
@79–not exactly true about the no injury thing, but then it had special circumstances. A man, I think here in Texas, was convicted of poisoning his own son with a tainted Giant Pixie Stick. He also gave the poisoned treats to two other trick or treaters, who luckily didn’t eat them. It turned out that he had heavily insured his son. One cold blooded, sick, evil bastard basically put the nail in the coffin of trick or treat in our area.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:27 am
hahahahaha!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:27 am
It’s amazing to me how much my tastes have changed over the years. Most of this stuff I hated as a kid, but now I love numbers 2, 5-10. I’ve never heard of Mary Jane’s but the description doesn’t sound very appealing so I don’t think I’m missing anything.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:28 am
@gabi319 (67):
As a dad I dont want my kids to see their religion as something that is negative – so for them not to feel that they are missing out we put on a little party at the church where they could dress as characters from the bible – we all enjoyed it.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:31 am
OK, I should have been more specific – there has not been ONE documented case of a STRANGER being poisoned or injured with Halloween treats. Yes, there was a man convicted in Texas of poisoning his own son with a Halloween treat, after heavily insuring him. He got either life in prison or death, I don’t remember which.
Either way – no reason to fear. 7.something aircraft accidents per 100,000 flight hours every year, versus 0 stranger related intentional incidents per God-knows how many millions of hours trick-or-treated since 1950. We all still fly to see Grandma.
For what it’s worth, I LOVED the description of your candy-corn eating habits. Any woman that describes eating something from tip, to middle, to bottom is alright by me.
And please forgive my forwardness – I haven’t slept, am trying to get over a woman I was (am) extremely fond of, and am studying for a very difficult state exam. The defense rests….
November 5th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Wow you people were fussy children when it comes to sweets! I thought most children just crammed it into their mouths regardless of what it was. Okay, liquorice and cinnamon-flavoured stuff I can understand because they are so strong tasting. But the rest is pretty much sugar
November 5th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Forget the religious angle to halloween it is still wrong on so many levels, for instance:
1) We tell our kids not to talk to strangers – but on halloween send them around strangers doors ( ussually at night).
2) We also tell our kids not to accept gifts/sweets from strangers – but on this night we don’t only tell them its ok, but as above send them to doors asking for them.
3) We get our kids dressed as god knows what to disturb the elderly and the other vunerable people in our society.
4) People are told give us a treat or we will trick you ( i have heard of water, eggs etc being thrown at people.
All in all not a good night for everyone.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I had forgotten about candy corn! I used to hate candy corn, but as someone mentioned in another post, tastes change. At some point during my mid-20s, I started to love candy corn. I just wish they had it in the UK.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:36 am
I love jolly ranchers. My favorite is lemon, which I can’t find anymore. I also love candy corn, but only in small doses.
Mary Janes and smarties are gross.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:36 am
@tripsyman (60): Christianity celebrates the torture and crucifixion of a man who you then honor by the metaphorical eating of his flesh and drinking of his blood and a harmless seasonal festival is evil to you? Please remove your head from your nethers.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:39 am
@tripsyman
1 and 2. Trick or treating is a community thing, and the strangers that are giving out candy aren’t always strangers.
3. Most people are well aware that on Oct. 31st, people are dressed up as ghouls, goblins, whatever. I doubt seriously that it’s going to give an old lady a stroke.
4. While playing tricks was more popular in the past, it is not okay or acceptable, even on Halloween, nor is it common. Those that throw eggs at people would do it on any other night of the year.
You are entitled to your opinion of Halloween, but there are a lot of people who do enjoy it for what it is. I know that it was the most magical night of the year for me, as well as a lot of people, when I was a kid.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Now lets hold on for a minute. Good n Plentys are spectacular!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:39 am
I love Jolly Ranchers and Smarties they are the best, I don’t know why you hate them so much……
November 5th, 2009 at 7:40 am
What about those peanut butter like things in those orange or black wrappers??? I
November 5th, 2009 at 7:41 am
@tripsyman (90): I guess it’s all in how you look at it. My daughter certainly did not go around to “disturb the elderly and the other vunerable [sic] people in our society.”
Also, I took her by the hand to the homes in my neighborhood-hardly strangers. Lighten up. Your kids will think it’s bad if you tell them it’s bad. Right? Right.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:42 am
We didnt really celabrate Halloween in Venezuela so I´ve never been TorTing. I have, however, tried some of these and I have to say, I think the worst “candies” are those chalky treats… The candy necklaces, Valentine hearts, etc. I guess they´re similar to the Necco wafers. Yuck.
Oh, and I´d include anything with raisins…
or licorice…
and throw in Tootsie Rolls.
Anything with peanuts/peanut butter in it is a winner in my book.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Tripsyman (67 & 87),
Is it really celebrating evil? For what it’s worth, I think that to celebrate evil, you have to have the intent to celebrate evil.
Kind of like throwing a party where you let your kids dress up as Bible characters. It’s still BECAUSE of Halloween – but you certainly aren’t celebrating “evil.”
To carry it further, what if one wanted to be a ghost, or Frankenstein, or Winnie the Pooh? The Bible celebrates spirits, does it not? Frankenstein and Winnie are simply classic literary characters.
I understand the “raise up your children in the ways that they should go” wisdom, but at the same time, I (and I stress I) would be a little careful at “caging in” my children’s thoughts. It’s been my long experience (certainly not empirical) that children that are kept in a cage are the ones that fly freest and farthest when the cage door opens…
November 5th, 2009 at 7:44 am
I suppose dressing up like a fairy princess is “celebrating” evil. I thought All Hallows Eve, thus Hallowe’en was a religious holiday honoring a Christian culture’s dead forebearers. I dunno, guess most of the world is going to hell.
And I hated those orange and black peanut butter candies too. I don’t see how anyone could think that they were delicious.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Yuck, I hate Good ‘n’ Plenty! Fortunately whenever I got those I pawned them off on my mom since she loves black licorice. I love Mr. Goodbars, though. My grandma used to give out donut coupons, I don’t even know if the grocery store still does that anymore.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am
90 – tell your kids not to talk to strangers? That’s just rude. Telling your kids to be WARY about stranger’s, until they’re old enough to decide for themselves the stranger’s trustworthiness – common sense.
Halloween should be seen, unless you subscribe to some pagan religion or Satan worship, as a community event that inspires good neighbors and the spirit of giving. Who give a sh*t what the origins where? I’ve got news for you – Jesus is historically thought to have been born in July or August. Christmas was originally considered a pagan holidy to celebrate life (bringing in a leafy, green evergreen to symbolize life in a barren wilderness), yet I’d bet you put up a nativity scene around the beginning of December.
Everything you believe is what YOU make of it.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:52 am
wow, the later it gets, and the longer I go without sleep, the worse my typo’s get. Sorry.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:54 am
On the religious angle, though I am now an atheist, I grew up in a Catholic family. If I had told my mother that I wanted to be the Virgin Mary for Halloween, I would still be grounded (I’m 36).
As for the “evil” aspect, Halloween is a combination of both pagan and Christian traditions so muddled together at this point that tearing it apart to explain it here would be a longer post than I feel like writing. But, if you have problems with pagan elements in your Christian holidays, then forget about Easter and Christmas, both of which are heavily loaded with pagan tradition and ideas.
I feel that people are intimidated by the idea that someone might dress up as something scary, so they get labeled demonic, or accused of celebrating the demonic. In olden days, people dressed up on Halloween in order to scare off the demonic.
Regardless, no one, save for those that truly follow pagan traditions, consider Halloween a religious holiday anyway. Pagans, last time I checked, are far from demonic.
Not trying to change anyone’s mind. I could honestly care less, but you should at least be better informed about a harmless holiday before you decide that it’s evil.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Crap list. Mr. GoodBar rawks!!!!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Somebody accused me of being on the net 24/7 had almost 40 percent of the first twenty comments.
What a stupid pud!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:10 am
@tripsyman (90): I’d like to know where you grew up. We know our neighbors so no strangers there. Its a fun holiday. Not religious at all. My friend who is very religious allows her children out dressed as fairies or angles. What is wrong with that?
Also, I forgot to mention earlier, I love Mr Goodbar. It’s a perfect candy. Need to put candy corn in it’s place. That one sucks…badly!
@Cheeshygirl (75): Yup. I said the same in my post about those black and orange candies. They are awful! My mother loves them though so my kid bags them up for her.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:11 am
OMG!
I can’t stop laughing at this list and especially #3 because there is a big bowl of Dum-Dum lollipop leftovers in our office…
November 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Mary Janes= food of the Gods!!
And those peanut butter things in the orange and black wrappers were damned good, too.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Oh my Lord, if someone had given me a half-pound Mr. Goodbar for Halloween, I’d have to go cut his grass the next day. Mr. Goodbar is chocolate. It’s delicious!
Why are all these comments in italics?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:20 am
@robkellyj (100):
Thank YOU for understanding the point I was trying to make.
Halloween certainly isn’t the same now as it was when I was younger. Only store-bought candies now. And come to think of it, a neighborhood Trick or Treat is old-school and not really done in my neck of the woods. Most go to community centers or malls. Anything indoors. People here don’t like fresh air much, lol. On the plus side, our house is the place to hit up. We buy in bulk and with less demand, the kids get WAAAY more supply!
@oouchan (108): allows her children out dressed as fairies or angles.
I know it’s a typo but still funny. I think it was a Family Guy episode I watched recently where Peter was arguing with the stepdad and Peter said “Stop being so obtuse!” and they showed the guy laying back on the chair, his feet propped up on the desk. Then Pewterschmidt said “What am I now?” “Now you’re being acute.” and Pewterschmidt was sitting like a diffrent angle. meh… it’s funnnier to watch than describe.
angles?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I grew up in a neighborhood with professors and doctors so on Halloween I’d get tooth brushes, pencils, paperback books, rulers, crayons, floss…
Just give me the candy. It’s halloween! UGH!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:22 am
5 pennies! The biggest house on the street gave out 5 pennies every single year. 30 years later, I can take you to the exact house.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
@gabi319 (112):
Now here I go and make my own oops. Stepdad should read Father-In-Law.
@Megg (113): I’d get tooth brushes, pencils, paperback books, rulers, crayons, floss…
Sorry. If you want, you can trick or treat at my house! I think we’ve still got a good 5 lbs of candy left this year.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Why wouldn’t you want homemade brownies? Mr. Goodbar? Money? What’s wrong with you? Were you locked up in a basement and fed fish heads as a child?
November 5th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Raisins and the odd tooth brush and floss some a-hole would give you, the raisins always got chucked back at the house but the tooth brush, well, just a tiny bit of your soul died when that got put in your bag.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:37 am
As a Dutch woman I don’t really recognize these. We have a similar holiday, though, where kids go door to door to ask for candy. But we don’t dress up. Instead, we make lampoons (uhm… colourful creations with a plastic light inside them) and we sang songs. And then we got candy. It’s on the 11th of November, pretty soon actually.
But anything with peanut butter sounds horrible! I never get why Americans combine candy with peanut butter :S And then, even worse, jelly with peanut butter!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Paganism is not evil. It just happens that Halloween as well as Christmas is based on Pagan traditions, so by celebrating Christmas are you not also celebrating evil? If not, I would like to see a reason as to why it isn’t. An incorrect excuse would be to say you are celebrating Christ’s birth.
If instead it is because it perhaps makes it seem to trivialize the occult-again, it is based on Paganism.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
@lrigD (118): you should try macaroni and cheese with ketchup lol
November 5th, 2009 at 8:47 am
What about religious pamphlets about how you’re going to hell for celebrating halloween. Gotta love that. Nothing like telling an 8 year old they’re going straight to hell.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Those who are saying that the religious fanatics that celebrate Christmas/Easter and are anti-halloween are hypocrites are being ignorant. These people celebrate Christmas/Easter for the right reasons, however they also attack the pagan traditions that most associate with those holidays such as Christmas trees, Easter eggs, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc. Those, to most of them, are just as evil as Halloween, so please can we stop with that line of nonsense.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:53 am
@pinklady13 (121): Haha! Were we in the same neighborhood? I, too, had to let my 8 year old daughter know she’s going to hell…
November 5th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Any list HAS to include the two worst candies. Candy Corn and Circus Peanuts!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:55 am
halloween is shit.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:56 am
@JerseyDevil
Maybe that holds true for you, but I have yet to meet an anti-Halloween, pagan hating individual that doesn’t decorate a Christmas tree or participate in Easter egg hunts every year.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:58 am
One of the great horrors of my childhood was being allergic to chocolate.
When you are 7 it’s almost worst than death
I had to throw away all the chocolate and the only thing I had left was all the candy you mentioned!
I started to like them when they were the only things I could have…..you lucky chocolate eating bum!
I found in my later years when I tell women I can’t eat chocolate they feel so sorry for me they’ll do about anything…..
November 5th, 2009 at 8:59 am
@bucslim (107):
(sniff!) El is touched.
The first thing you do in the morning is remember li’l El.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I mean why are you trying to pay attention to the lil’ annoying twerp.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:01 am
@BravehisTickle (128):
I’m just sayin . . .
November 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
@tripsyman (90):
I’m sorry but your arguments don’t stand up. If kids were getting abducted left right and centre on Halloween, and old people were dying from fright all over the shop, then i’m pretty sure we’d here more about it, and it wouldn’t be as sociably acceptable as it is.
The reasoning behind you not allowing your children to celebrate Halloween is purely religious. This, of course, is very silly. Regardless of what it once stood for, Halloween is, in this day and age, not a ‘celebration of evil’. It’s a harmless, secular, holiday. I can guarantee you that your children won’t start sacrificing lambs just because you embrace Halloween.
It just a bit of fun. A bit of harmless, Corporate America driven, consumerism riddled fun which in some ways highlights perfectly the ludicrousness of the world we currently live in…maybe. But fun none the less.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:19 am
“Black licorice” is redundant. That crap you call “red licorice” isn’t licorice. Know why? Because licorice is the taste – not the type!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:20 am
How has no one said “rockets” yet? Those really suck, and way too many people gave them out.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:26 am
sorry, boring list. let’s get back to “most gruesome whose-its” or “most controversial somethings” or “eeriest thingies”!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:30 am
wax coke bottles with the colorful ‘juice’…gross.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:41 am
You’re a dumbass, tripsyman.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Pretty controversial for a list about Halloween candy… 135 comments and counting…
November 5th, 2009 at 9:52 am
If we just pay him no attension – ignore it It has worked in the pasted, the more you feed him the more he comes back.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:53 am
likes:
anything chocolate
jolly ranchers (watermelon!!)
gum
money
dislikes:
candy corn
licorice
tootsie rolls
anything cinnamon-flavored
November 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am
What were those crappy taffy-esque peanit butter things? They came in orange or black wrappers and tasted like the aborted attemp at taffy…. TO make matters worse, they had a bit of “peanut butter” crispy in the middle…. UGH
November 5th, 2009 at 10:03 am
@oouchan (52): However, last year some religious group was handing out mini-bibles and coins that had the cross on it. Sad to say, their house and street were littered with that stuff. When we got close to their house a cop was telling them they had to go out and pick up all the trash or they would get a fine.
Lol this is actually pretty funny.
Thankfully this year, they didn’t hand out anything.
They were just asking to get egged. Kind of like this tripsyman guy…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:03 am
I have to second Goddess DA
Those were terrible.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Anyone ever get those wax skeletons filled with liquid? You’d bite off the head of the skeleton and suck out the sweet sweet nectar. I loved those!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I have a truly lovely Christian friend who does pass out candy on Halloween, but each one has a “Jesus Loves You” on it.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Nice to learn something from other countries, re: Halloween we dont celebrate it here, but that licorice thing got my taste buds going, the only licorice you get here is very soft and is ataste between blotting paper and aniseed.
Thanks Lyrebyrd.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:07 am
…each one has a “Jesus Loves You” sticker on it.
(sorry folks!)
November 5th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Remember the Sat. night live skit, “the coneheads”? They never did quite understand the concept of “treats” for halloween and instead handed out fried eggs and six packs of beer. Too funny!
I wish I could still find the flat jolly ranchers like they had years ago, you could break off a piece, stick it to the roof of your mouth (like a retainer) and it would last all through one class. Watermelon was my fav! yum-0!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:14 am
@Lynn in Washington (146): I wish I could still find the flat jolly ranchers like they had years ago
Heh those were great. They were called whatever flavor, say “cherry” and then “Stix”. Fire Stix (cinnamon flavor) were the worst IMO, I couldn’t handle them, too hot. My favorite was the Butter Stix…I guess it was butterscotch or something; I don’t think today’s Jolly Ranchers come in that flavor. I like the peach JRs the best btw.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:25 am
As far as modern Halloween candies go, I hate the gummy “crabby patties” and hamburgers that people hand out. Weird flavors, especially since the items they are modeled after are supposed to be savory. Just plain weird.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
this list made me laugh… especially necco wafers, mary janes and of course… the mcdonald’s gift certificate.
I do miss Jolly Ranchers though…
And someone who mentioned the mini-Bibles… those sucked! Definitely not what I wanted when I rang the door bell. And if you were dressed as something “evil” like the amazing witch costume I would wear, you would get dirty looks.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Wow, the only things on this list that I wouldn’t eat/use are the Necco Wafers and McDonald’s coupon. I guess I have more of a sweet tooth than I thought.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Ask Charlie Brown what the worst thing in a Halloween bag is. (For those of you unfamiliar with the Peanuts Halloween tv episode—-C.B. always ended up with a bag of rocks.)
This year a group of our neighbors pooled their treat budget for a trip to the dollar store—-My kids were really happy with the leather bound journal, and a food container filled with CRAYOLA crayons and some small chocobars. There was an instant crowd of happy trick or treaters at this neighbor’s home.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
@kai(133) submit your oun list and lets see.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Haha, very accurate. Pretzels and Tootsie Rolls should be on here too!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:37 am
@tripsyman (90): All right guy, I’m not usually one to make waves. And, me and archiealt pretty much never agree. So, I hope you will not get too upset with what I am about to say, but consider it a reality check.
Forget the religious angle to halloween it is still wrong on so many levels, for instance:
I’m going to stop you right there for a second. Halloween is the culmination of many cultures holidays, both ‘pagan’ and otherwise. Not all of it was savory, sure. But November 1st is the Catholic All Saints Day. Christians celebrated October 31st as the Eve of ASD, or ‘All Hallows Eve’. Hardly evil I assure you. And the human-sacrifices and pagan ritiuals are long since deceased.
1) We tell our kids not to talk to strangers – but on halloween send them around strangers doors ( ussually at night).
Well, honestly, if your kids cannot distinguish the difference, then they definitely shouldn’t Trick or Treating. And if you let them out on their own, then you are asking for consequences.
2) We also tell our kids not to accept gifts/sweets from strangers – but on this night we don’t only tell them its ok, but as above send them to doors asking for them.
Most people go to the houses of people in their neighborhood, who they are generally familiar with. It is your problem if you go somewhere where you don’t know people.
3) We get our kids dressed as god knows what to disturb the elderly and the other vunerable people in our society.
If your kids costumes are scary enough to frighten the one old lady who doesn’t realize what day it is, again, your problem.
4) People are told give us a treat or we will trick you ( i have heard of water, eggs etc being thrown at people.
A problem easily avoided by going to places you know. Chances are your next door neighbor won’t egg your children.
All in all not a good night for everyone.
Well, the general consensus I am aware of votes it a pretty good night, and I haven’t had any terrible experiences either, so looks to me like your either your church or your parents have brainwashed you into believing Halloween is the Devil, along with fooseball and Vicky.
And before you say “it encourages mischief” I’ll do you the courtesy of shutting that argument down as well. Every holiday comes with its mischievous side. New Year’s Eve: Party hard all night. Christmas: Bust out the eggnog. Independence Day (in the US): Drink beer and light fireworks. People will think of any excuse to party and get up to no good. For God’s sakes, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the US! It is only celebrated in ONE STATE in Mexico. It is NOT the Mexican Independence Day like manny Americans think (that would be 15th of September, correct?), but it is another excuse to bust out the drinks and party. Halloween is just another excuse, as much as Christmas is.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I have to agree, that’s a list of pretty nasty candy. The exception being the Necco Wafers (not the selection version, though, the all chocolate version!).
What I always liked to get were See’s Lollie’s and a candy I can’t remember the name of, but it was a white taffy on the outside and peanut butter on the inside.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:39 am
loved this list, though i think good and plentys shouldve been way higher and circus peanuts and those disgusting red fish shouldve made it
November 5th, 2009 at 10:41 am
@rex1722 (155): Aw I kinda like Swedish Fish…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:44 am
@Cheeshygirl (74): Once my husband explained how I should eat the woppers, I actually liked them. Also, when we would get home from Trick-or-treating, my dad would examine all of our candy. Somehow, all of the Baby Ruth bars were “poison” and he had to take them from us. I guess he was just collecting the candy tax.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Where’s Randall today? A long discourse on the roots of Halloween seems to be lacking here.
I always thought that the public costume display was thought to scare off evil that might want to stick it nose into the celebration of All Saints Day on November 1st.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:48 am
@gabi319 (111): Ok…so I made a typo…haha! You did portray that episode well, however. I was cracking up!
@Maggot (139): You are right! It was funny. My daughter and I stood there with about 10 other people watching the “show”. What was even better was the fact that the family was arguing with the cops saying it was the fault of the ones who were handed that stuff. The cops said because none of those people were still around it was up to the family to pick it up. We sat there and laughed. I know it was mean, but at least they learned not to do it again.
@ianz09 (156): I also like the swedish fish…but only the little ones. The big ones are awful. They have a different taste and dry out quickly.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:51 am
@oouchan (159): Not sure if I’ve had the little ones… I do like the big ones though. Is there something wrong with me?
November 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am
@ianz09 (160): Nope. I just prefer the little ones. They are not as … tasteless as the big ones and are easier to chew. They sell them bulk at a grocery store near me so I get a pound once in a while and keep them on my desk at work in a jar. Yummy! (I don’t share however)
November 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am
My trick or treatin’ days were exactly the same time period as yours lyrebyrd…I am in 100% agreement about the good n’ plentys. They were and are nasty…the same for home made treats, I always had this one house that gave popcorn balls and I wasn’t allowed to eat them because of the potential hidden razor…same with the apple house…and damn you are right on about the McD’s coupon…mary janes = weird…jolly rancher and generic lollis are cheap…I remember the ribbon candies sometimes would be old like the people who gave them out didn’t have their grand kids over enough to eat them all since two christmases ago.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Mr Goodbar is awesome
November 5th, 2009 at 11:01 am
@oouchan (161): Nope. I just prefer the little ones. They are not as … tasteless as the big ones and are easier to chew.
We’re still talking about fish, right? I know big things frighten you. Well, most big things.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I like Mr. Goodbar!
And in an interesting note, there has never been a case of a kid poisoned/razor bladed on Halloween by anyone other than family members.
And the McD’s gift cards were cool.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Great list – have to agree molasses candy kisses are the very worst (Mary Janes in the USA) but I absolutely love Necco Wafers, Rockets and Love Hearts. Kind of like sweet tarts but not as tart. Awesome.
Have to disagree on the Good n’ Plenty – I love black licorice. Oh, and they’re called Goodies here. And smarties are not Rockets – smarties are candy coated chocolate – “They melt in your mouth, not in your hands”. And who could forget – “When you eat your smarties, do you eat the red ones last? Do you suck them very slowly or crunch them very fast?” Wow can’t believe that 300 million people are misinformed.
What about Dots? Like jujubes but some sort of crazy glue additive in them. They will not dissolve and you always have to resort to picking them out of your teeth with your fingers.
Gotta love Halloween. An entirely stress-free holiday.
@tripsyman (89): Not one valid point have you made. Someone already mentioned that there has not been one instance of random razor blades or pins in apples. Parents doing it to their own kids in order to draw insurance money or attention or whatnot does not count. Ties right in with “stranger danger”, another bullshit paranoia of modern times. 99.9% of the time it’s the next door neighbour, the benevolent family friend, the minister, or librarian that cause harm to our children. Stranger danger is a modern invention, and an unfortunate one at that. Scared shitless of strangers but ignore the danger right next door. Even your point about scaring the shit out of old folks is lame-o. My next door neighbour Phyllis is 77 and loves halloween. Looks forward to the devils, witches, and assorted goblins that knock on her door. For that matter both of my parents are in their 70’s and look forward to halloween every year. A great way to get re-acquainted with the kids in the neighbourhood. Me thinks the only danger from halloween is in your own mind. Actually I know that.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am
@Maggot (164): Yes…still talking about fish. And yes, most big things scare me but have yet to come across one of those that would scare me.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I AM a pagan. So there!
And I LOVE Mr. Goodbars. The wax skeletons with the syrupy goop inside, not so much.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I love Candy Corn, Tootsie Rolls, and the Peanut Butter Kisses..so my brother and sister usually gave them to me.
I always hated the generic chocolate that had the white stuff on top.I mean, how old was it?
November 5th, 2009 at 11:07 am
When I was little, there was a guy down the street who gave out jumbo chocolate bars…not mini bars, not even the regular size, we got the jumbo/king size bar! And his neighbour gave us pop (he was the only house I ever went to that gave us pop, and let me tell you, that was handy to have a few hours later!)
I gotta say I don’t understand way some religious people don’t like halloween, I went to a catholic school (not the uniform wearing kind of catholic school, it was the same as public school, except we had a religion class and got to go to church a few times a year) and we had halloween parties every year! I can’t remember who said it (and a 150 comments later, I don’t really feel like looking) but Xmas and Easter both started out as pagan festivals, Xmas more so than Easter(the Jewish Calendar is used to determine Easter, because the “last supper” was a passover meal). The religious PTB decided to celebrate Jesus’ birth in the winter to provide christians an alternate festival to the “pagan” winter solstice festivals.
Halloween is more like a cultural festival, not a religious (or anti-religious) festival. North Americans (and the UK I think) are really the only ones who celebrate Halloween by dressing up and eating candy. Having a party at your church, with children dressed up and eating treats is a Halloween party, plain and simple. Would it really be all that horrible for the children to dress up as bible characters and go trick or treating? They’re still getting dressed up to go to a party, and with a parent or two (or three) properly supervising, whats the difference? Check your kids candy if you feel the need, but who’s to say you don’t have some sick bastard in your church who might bring “bad” candy to the churh party? (L&O and CSI Lesson One: “Sick” people are everywhere and anywhere…you don’t want your kids to ever get hurt, don’t have kids).
Halloween is a simple, childish holiday, and if children can’t act childish on a day like Halloween, they are going to have very dull lives.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:08 am
ROCKETS!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:11 am
90’s Halloweener here.
10. G&Ps – Never got ‘em, though licorice isn’t SO bad. I can stand it in small quantities. Bad licorice = Dutch double salted licorice…*gag*
9. Homemade – I suppose the same scare that applied in the 80s only intensified in the 90s ’cause I didn’t even get offered baked goods. Shame too…razorblade pie is a fav of mine.
8. Mr. G – Not bad, a generic candy bar, preferred 3 Musketeers.
7. Apples – Agreed, LAME.
6. Money – Never received money, pennies, dimes, or otherwise. Semi-lame, I wanted to eat candy, not buy it.
5. Jolly Rs – Somewhat delicious. Fruity, yet deadly.
4. Necco/Smarties – Never had Necco Wafers until my 20s, but Smarties were the bane of my candy bag. Both taste fairly reminiscent of those damn Valentine heart candies, which in turn taste like chalk. Necco’s doubly so.
3. Generic lolly – Ehn. I’ve gotten worst. These were the wait-to-eat-until-everything-else-good-is-gone candy.
2. Wrong candy – Luckily, this never happened, though I do love jelly beans.
1. Mary Js – ACK! BACK TO CANDY HELL YOU DAEMONS FROM THE ABYSS! THE POWER OF TASTE COMPELS YOU! Ahem. On a side note, Bits O Honey are f-ing orgasmic. *grin*
November 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
@mom424 (166): It sounds like your smarties are like our m&m’s. Oh, and dots are gross. They are exactly as you described!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I have been a Christian for most of my life and I have to point something out – Christians are supposed to share God’s love with others and not spend all their time telling people what they should or shouldn’t do.
Enough of the talking! Enough of the debating!
The only way to truly witness as a Christian is to walk the walk, not talk the talk, and especially not by judging others.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:18 am
@kaya (170): You reminded me of the Ayletts. The very best trick or treating house in our neighbourhood. They worked hard at it too. One year home made taffy apples, hot french fries to nibble on the next. And always mulled cider for the parents. Full cans of pop were always a bonus to me too. Trick or treating is damn thirsty work.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:21 am
@cindyrulz (173): We have m&m’s too. I like the peanut kind the best. Smarties are a little flatter than m&m’s and the chocolate is better. Rowntree’s ftw!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:32 am
@mom424 (176): Aw, I’m allergic to peanuts
I’ve never had M&M’s or Snickers or Reese’s or anything.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:37 am
You listed just about all of my favorite candies (minus the good and plentys.. yuck!). So I’ll have to respectfully disagree on almost all counts.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:42 am
@tripsyman (59): @robkellyj
i find it funny how Christians have no problem touting the “evils” of Halloween, but have no problem incorporating pagan festivities & symbols into their mis-matched holy day of Christmas. what exactly does having an evergreen tree indoors, and decorating it, have to do with Christ’s birth? he was born in Bethlehem, quite far away from any evergreeen trees. Also, shepherds are not likely to be tending their flocks in the dead of winter…jesus was most likely born in the spring. it was just easier to convert Christians from their pagan beliefs if you kept the fetsivals at the same time of year-ever wonder why Christmas is soo close to the winter solstice? yep.
(78): and that one case was perpetrated by a family member! the urban legend of the razors in treats bit always makes me laugh…along with the one about the LSD in kid’s temporary tattoos!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:43 am
My daughter’s school does not dress up for Halloween because of one family. ONE FAMILY! They ruin in for the entire school. However the other elementary schools in our district (there are 5 total) can dress up, parade through the halls and have parties. I felt like keeping her home and having a party with just us. I think it’s crap! Now I’m getting all worked up again! Arrrggg-sorry everyone, I thought I had it outta my system.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Good ‘n plenty’s are bar none the nastiest candy ever developed. Every time I got a package of those (at least once a year) it went straight in the trash.
TheGanjaGuru,
http://theganjaguru.blogspot.com
November 5th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Mr. Goodbars are delicious.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Jolly Ranchers are awesome!!! That’s my favorite candy of all time. If anyone wants to send me their Jolly Ranchers let me know and I’ll give you my address.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
hahaha this list made me laugh so much. I completely agree with it!
November 5th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I love mary janes…neccos too!!!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Are you nuts, Mr. Goodbar’s are the bomb. I probably eat a couple of those a month. I’d rather have a Mr. Goodbar than pretty much any other candy bar.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
@TheGanjaGuru (181): You good sir have not yet developed the taste for such a delicious treat, and you’re a turd.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
@ames801 (180): My daughter’s school does not dress up for Halloween because of one family. ONE FAMILY! They ruin in for the entire school.
Oh man, what a case of political correctness gone bad. At my kids’ school, they aren’t allowed anything bloody, no full-face masks, and no fake weapons, which all seems pretty reasonable and other than that, that can still HAVE FUN with it. Sheesh…
November 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Decent list, however I disagree with a lot of these. I adore jolly ranchers, they’re my favorite hard candy!
November 5th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
1. Smarties? In Canada, they’re called Rockets. What do you call Smarties in the US? Or are there only M&Ms?
2. Hard Ribbon? It’s a candy cane.
And, one from my childhood: my elementary science teacher lived down the street. She gave out toothbrushes! Helpful, but counter productive for a child on halloween.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
As a kid, the best night of the year was dressing up in costume and going around the neighborhood to trick or treat. The year I turned 13, my parents put a stop to that. Trick or Treat was for kids.
Now it is many years later and this Halloween, my husband and I got to participate in our first trick or treat as the hander-outers. I was speechless about the number of teenagers walking around without even a minimal attempt at a costume, expecting candy. Though I am only 32, the number of times I shook my fist and shouted ‘kids today!’ scared even me. My hero of the night came in the form of a 3 year old dressed as Mario from the Nintendo games. He was my only trick or treater in an actual costume.
Seriously, is this a new trend? A regional thing? What happened to earning your treats with an ounce of creativity?
November 5th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
this is a stupid list that reflects the authors true taste not the actual truth it is total crap dont read it
November 5th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I actually love jolly ranchers, mary janes, dum dums and Mr. Goodbars…
November 5th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@kking (190): What do you call Smarties in the US?
We call em Smarties.
http://www.candyforallages.com/nost_candy/smarties.jpg
November 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Jellybeans are an easter sweet?
Never heard of that one. Also, I’m surprised monkey nuts aren’t on the list, seriously, peanuts on halloween?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
When I was trick or treating it was a ways to the neighborhood so once we got there it was about how fast and how far we could go.
One home was Jehovah Witness (not sure if that matters) and every year the lights were off. Bummer. I still remember that 45 years later! We got the very same ‘crap candy’ then too! Some reason we got candy or caramel apples at a couple homes and Yuck.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Mary Janes and Bit-o-Honeys are awesome, made sure I bought them this year, not to hand out but keep for myself. As a kid the house that handed out full sized candy bars was always the best.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
People like tripsyman give us Christians a bad name.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
People like Jesus give Christians a bad name.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I celebrate evil every night of the year. Tonight I’m going to an event dedicated to the music of Sheffield, and if that’s not evil I don’t know what is.
No offence, Sheffield folks. Well, maybe a little.
P.S. My comments no longer seem to be being moderated… thankyou Mr Frater!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
@Beergrl (191): I can’t stand the kids that don’t dress up and expect candy. Here’s what I do: I have a bowl of ‘real’ candy (candy bars, M&M’s, etc) and a bowl of the cheap smarties. The kids w/o a costume get ONE roll of smarties. The dressed up ones get a hand-full of the good stuff
November 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I LOVE Good n’ Plenty’s and Necco wafers! I’ll take the extras!
November 5th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Fun list! I wonder how many kids pulled loose teeth on Sugar Daddys and Mary Janes?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Dear submitter: You must be high. Good n Plenty, Necco wafers, smarties, and jolly ranchers are delicious. Please reevaluate your candy priorities. Thank you.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I always hated getting Rockets (that’s what the chalky dust discs are called in Canada) and bubblegum. The Rockets were chalky and horrible, and the bubblegum was so hard and old it was impossible to eat even if you do like bubblegum, which I don’t. I also hated getting those disgusting gummy food: gummy pizza, gummy burgers, etc.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I find the above post full of win.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
@SlickWilly (204): I’m thinking or not. All of these treats are acceptable when the munchies come a knockin’. In fact sometimes, down right delicious.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Necco wafers have a special place in my heart. I always liked them, but everyone else hated them. As a kid, I was expected to share, as others shared their treats with me. So I always offered to share my Necco wafers with friends and family. They naturally rejected the offer, so I got to keep all my candy while getting credit for trying to share.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Does anybody else (besides me) get the large bag of assorted candies, pull out your favorites for yourself, and give out the rest?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
@Wine man (209): Yup! I do. I know it isn’t very nice…but hey. If I want left overs at least I get the good stuff.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I got five pieces of candy!” “I got a chocolate bar!” “I got a quarter!” “I got a rock.”
I’m one of the few who likes this one better than the Christmas one
November 5th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
mr goodbar should be called mr badbar
November 5th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
The spiderman/popeye sticks are the worst idea of a treat ever. I would see kids all over the place with one of those things in their mouths and it looks like they are all smoking. Besides, spiderman doesn’t smoke.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
I didn’t realize this when I made my post 194 in response to kking, but I now see the list entry #4 refers to Necco Wafers and Smarties as being one in the same. They aren’t. Smarties are much smaller in diameter, less chalky, and are kind of sour/tart. They’re also not flat, but concave on both sides. Smarties kick Necco Wafer ass every day and twice on Sunday.
So now I’m curious – are Canadian “Rockets” the equivalent of the chalky Necco Wafers, or the Smarties?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
@kking (190):
What are you talking about? In Canada, Smarties are called Smarties and Rockets are called Rockets.
Must be from the far north.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
@Maggot (214): Smarties
i had a friend in VA send me a care package of American candy and rockets = smarties 
November 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I love candy corn.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I totally agree with this list! These candies were given straight away to my dad or just thrown out. Ick.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
@gatineau (215): In Canada, Smarties are called Smarties and Rockets are called Rockets.
@gr8flddfn (216): i had a friend in VA send me a care package of American candy and rockets = smarties
Lol well thanks for clearing that up for me guys.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
i once got $20 trick or treating..and Necco wafers are AWESOME!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
My parents always served overcooked liver and onions on Halloween night- and we’d have to eat it all before we could go out trick-or-treating. very cruel, but it made us very appreciative for whatever candy we got- even those silly mini-boxes of Sun-Maid raisins.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
WOAH. WOAH. WOAH. NO. Smarties are AMAZING.
& I’m a fan of jollyranchers, but people do go over board with them.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
For this Halloween, I had some homemade Limoncello that TASTED like ranchers!!
…and alcohol. it also tasted like lots and lots of alcohol.
Definitely one of the top 10 BEST Halloween Treats I EVER got!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
@ames801 (201):
That actually sounds like a good plan! I can imagine the dressed up kid and the not dressed up kid comparing their bag of goodies and looking at your house in puzzlement.
@Maggot (219): OK, just to toss a little more confusion into the mix… Where I come from, Smarties are small candy covered chocolate bits (a little like M&Ms but with better chocolate). Now, WTF are Rockets?
November 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I like jolly ranchers…
November 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
woah… I could’ve sworn I typed “TASTED like Jollyranchers!!”
…and why is everything I see in italics? I should lay off on the homemade limoncello…
November 5th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I love this list. I was trying to think of what “good n’ plentys” are called, but couldn’t remember. Oddly enough several of the things you listed are my favorite candies, jolly ranchers and mary janes most notably.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
@gabi319 (223): Well, that´s a Halloween tradition I can definately get behind! Who needs chalky candy when you´ve got Limoncello? Yum….
November 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
I’m sorry, but I think the Giant Orange Marshmallow shaped like a Big Peanut deserves a spot on the list.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
sorry, love the site so much but, one of the worst lists ever, shouldn’t even have been made, all candy is delicious, and seriously mary janes as number one, they are amzing, shove it up yours.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
@GTT (224): Where I come from, Smarties are small candy covered chocolate bits (a little like M&Ms but with better chocolate)
Well that explains why kking asked “What do you call Smarties in the US? Or are there only M&Ms?”. I’m like – how did M&Ms get into the Necco/Smarties equation?
WTF is right. This is all so confusing. Just give me a hit of that Limoncello, gabi! As long as you aren’t too busy tasting the local ranchers, that is.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
@JCL (217): I love candy corn.
Oh yeah? What about those little pumpkins that are made out of candy corn material? Those are like eating candy corn on steroids.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Personally, I really like most of this stuff. Good n’ Plenties are one of my favorite candies next to dark chocolate. Apples are one of the best foods around, period. Then again, I guess perishables in general just don’t make good halloween treats.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I remember getting popcorn balls. I was like WTF??? I hated that junk and candy corn.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
i like dumdums. it’s a lollipop without the hour it takes to finish it, like those charms blow pops i think they are called. the list absolutely needs to be redone with those black and orange generic molasses chews taking the top or 2nd to top spot. god those were horrible.
a type of candy that i can never stop myself from eating, though i always regret it, are those root beer flavored barrel shaped hard candies. i always forget that when bitten, they shatter like slate and cut and poke the inside of my mouth.
p.s. “wah wah wah an american/canadian website that i visit always has american/canadian stuff on it.” make your own list. stfu or gtfo.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I loved getting any candy like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Three Muskateers, and Snickers. We have few kids come to our house at Halloween (we had a grand total of six this year, in good weather), so we end up eating most of the candy ourselves or giving it to our young relatives.
I object to DumDum lollipops and Jolly Ranchers being on the list, though. Jolly Ranchers can easily be eaten if you suck on them instead of chew them (I can LIVE on green apple ones). DumDums are also delicious. I love cherry and strawberry the best.
I’m surprised those paper dots didn’t make the top list, though. Man, those were NASTY.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I love Watermelon Jolly Ranchers!!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I love Smarties and Jolly Ranchers. In fact, I’m eating a Jolly Rancher right now! I also love, well everything else on this list besides Mary Janes, Good & Plenties, and McDonalds coupons, even Necco wafers!
November 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
This is an awful compilation. Shame on the maker. All of these are great. Toni thinks so too.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
@Maggot (231): Just give me a hit of that Limoncello, gabi! As long as you aren’t too busy tasting the local ranchers, that is.
OK, now I´m seriously confused… Is gabi the new, really popular (read: easy) chick at her local ranch? Why are you telling her to stop “tasting” the local ranchers?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
PEANUTS!!! Unshelled freakin’ fuckin’ PEANUTS!!! How this awful not to mention deadly treat could not be on this list is beyond me.
There was always one guy in the neighbourhood who gave this lazy ass “treat” out. Nearly killed one of the kids in my class.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
@GTT (240): @GTT (240): Why are you telling her to stop “tasting” the local ranchers?
Well I didn’t exactly tell her to stop. Whatever she wants to do down on the ranch with the local dudes is her business (see her post 223). It’s not like me to interfere, you know.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
@john m (235): Uhm, you do know that the owner of this site is from New Zealand… no?
@trfan (236): I´m sorry but your comment made me laugh so hard… Is there any particular reason why the local kids avoid your house like the plague?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
@GTT (224):
Rockets are little, yet extremely sour, shit pellets wrapped inside decieving colourful plastic wrapper. They’re absolutely ghastly.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
@gatineau (244): little, yet extremely sour, shit pellets
I’m guessing the guys in Marketing rejected that slogan when they had the focus group.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I had to laugh when I read #4, about the Necco Wafers. As little Catholic kids, we DID play communion with them! We had to do it in secret, though, or our Mom would have gone ballistic. We used the white ones first, then some other colors, then soon lost interest, long before we got to the totally nasty black licorice ones.
Candy corn, like black licorice and cinnamon, are an acquired taste, and I like them all now. I worked in a grocery store for a long time, and this is a fact: candy corn was one of our biggest sellers. We would put out Halloween candy around the first of October, and the bags of candy corn would sell out EVERY day! We had pallets of them in the back room and kept putting out more… These were obviously NOT for trick-or-treaters, because they were loose in the bag, not individually wrapped. This went on for about 3 weeks, then died off. I think adults who like candy corn know that at’s a once-a-year treat, so they snatch it up when it is first put out. (Kind of like Girl Scout Cookies!)
I definitely think those horrid orange Circus Peanuts should have been #1, although I hate Mary Janes, too. But Jolly Ranchers? Come on, those are great!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
@gatineau (244): So basically, sour jelly beans?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Anybody remember the fruity verion of Good ‘n Plentys? I think they were called Good ‘n Fruity? FULL of win right there…
November 5th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
i always saw those candy dots on paper at the newsstand i got my baseball cards at. they were NEVER wrapped up in a package, it was pretty much just rip off a bit of the strand and pay for them. i doubt they ever sold any of those.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Halloween was basically our only source for candy for the whole year, so I loved EVERYTHING I got. Except gumdrops. Gumdrops can take a long walk off a tall cliff for all I care. Horrible, horrible candy.
Anyways. Halloween night as a kid, we would go to my Grandma’s neighborhood (because we lived on a farm. If we’d trick or treated in our own neighborhood, we could have hit *maybe* two other houses before we had to turn around). We would run from house to house, ending up with a half pillowcase full of candy by the time we where done. When we got home, my little brother would make a fort out of his. I would organize everything I got into rows, then put it back in the bag and shake it up again. My older brother would eat his as fast as he could, then steal mine and the other brother’s piece by piece over the next few weeks. So, yeah. Halloween.
This year, a group of eight costume-less teenagers knocked my three year old daughter over mobbing the house she was headed up the stairs of. I was furious! I hope more parents take #201. ames801’s advice.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
@robkellyj (248): Anybody remember the fruity verion of Good ‘n Plentys? I think they were called Good ‘n Fruity
Aren’t those Mike-n-Ikes?
November 5th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Edit: It’s a once-a-year treat
Oops!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Mike-n-Ikes were the same thing, but Good ‘n Plenty had their own version. Haven’t seen ‘em in a looooong time though….
November 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Furthermore, there are jellybeans released with both good and bad flavours in them. I believe they were called Beanboozled. We had them at our halloween party..flavours included rotten egg, dirty nappy, vomit, pencil shavings etc…
November 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
The best part about this site is a list of halloween candy turns to a semi religious debate, love hit. And I love me some Jolly Ranchers!
November 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Mint gumdrops anyone?
I love this list. Great job.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
@Zaeriuraschi 11098 (pronounced zay-ree-ooh-ras-chee) (237): @Zaeriuraschi 11098 (pronounced zay-ree-ooh-ras-chee) (237): “pronounced zay-ree-ooh-ras-chee” – sorry, it’s still way too difficult and it’s kind of giving me a headache, though it might be the Limoncello kicking in.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Dam i leave at 72 comments and come back to… a crapload? Whats goin on above? Debate or jus b.s.?
November 5th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Hey! Mr. Goodbar is great, not worse
November 5th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I love Mr. Goodbars!! :/
November 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Those sugar wafers were great! When I was a kid I used to eat as many as i could and just freak out on a crazy sugar high… now i just smoke weed. I agree with the rest of the list. Home baked was great if you knew the person who gave it (I grew up in a small town)
November 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
@ MN- Are Hot Lips the big red wax lips that taste like crayon? I never knew the official name. Ewwww.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
really surprised that candy corn isnt on here. c’mon, its like chewing wax.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
toothpaste and toothbrushes should be on here.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Whats going on with this italics thing? please can we have the normal text back, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it. If we must endure the new text style can we at least have it in black and not this wishy washy grey.
O.k list, love eating the sweets my kids don’t like, usually the black jacks and fruit salads.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
For the people who asked about jelly beans being an Easter candy: When I was a kid in the USA you could only get jelly beans at Easter time. They were always the traditional Easter colors like pink, purple, yellow, etc. The flavors were pretty basic too, like cherry, orange, coconut (yuck).
I remember when they came out with a brand called Jelly Bellys that had all kinds of crazy colors and flavors. You could even get them all year. I think the US president, Ronald Reagen kept some in a jar on his desk all the time. Now they have those Harry Potter ones called Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour (sic) Beans with weird flavors like baking soda and ear wax.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Nice list, except for the exclusion of candy with only Chinese characters on it and of course an empty bowl. No one has mercy on the bowl-leavers.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
what about those nasty popcorn balls?
November 5th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
@Moonbeam (266): I remember when they came out with a brand called Jelly Bellys
I live about an hour away from the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA. They give awesome tours! At the end of the tour they give everyone some of the rejects to sample (and you can buy bags of them in the gift shop relatively cheap). There’s nothing wrong with them except cosmetically, such as a couple stuck together or not the perfect bean shape or what have you. They call them “Belly Flops”.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Great List, Most of these candies I never had. I always got the typical peanut-butter cup/snickers combo. My mom back in the day used to buy huge bags of jolly ranchers for her Zima<–if thats the drinks name. But yea halloween has changed over the years It was great when I was younger with garbage bags full of candy. But as for this year I was quite sad by massive amount of non candy givers.. My son only got a small bucket full of candy so I wnet out abd bought the rest for him but still… People these days need to get there candy ready for halloween kids should go home with garbage bags full of candy as I was.. You can not tell me a childs smile isnt one of the greatest sights in the world..
November 5th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Also Moonbeam is right when I was younger we could only get jelly beans around Easter also thats about most of the candy around that time was jelly beans… Soo jelly beans are a easter candy if you didnt know that you should deff think of climbing out from under that rock you live in.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
“I got a candy bar! I got a pack of gum! I got a ROCK!”
Why didn’t Charlie Brown “give” the rocks back? Preferably through their living room windows!
November 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
To me the Mr. Goodbar was the treaure of the Hershey’s assortment. It was always the Hershey’s Dark that I resented.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
My mom always handed out mini candy bars- not the Hershey’s ones, the assorted packs that came with 3 Musketeers, Mounds, Almond Joy, Milky Way and 100 Grand. Those were the best! I hardly ate any of the candy I got from other houses, just emptied out what was left of ours after trick-or-treat was over! Necco Wafers and wax lips were definitely my least favourite. Blech.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
@Maggot (219): well there is a candy up here in canada called smarties. they are like m&m’s but in my opinion they are way better then m&m’s, the smarties you are referring to the little chalky semi sweet candies in the roll up rappers are called rockets up here in B.C. anyway and called smarties in the states
November 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
What about milk duds?
November 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
@gr8flddfn (275): Ah now it all makes sense. I guess the smart thing to do was to change the name of the tart U.S. Smarties to Rockets for the Canadian market so as to not conflict with the already available not-so-tart chocolate Smarties up there, since not so smartly, the not-so-tartly chocolate Smarties are not named M&Ms. Smart move on the part of Smartie and Co. because it wouldn’t be very smart to have too many things named Smarties in Canada, tarty or otherwise.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
@Jason (263): c’mon, its like chewing wax.
Eating wax lips is like chewing wax. …actually it IS chewing wax. No one told me that the first time I found one in my bag until AFTER I took a huge bite. That would be my top one on my personal worst treat list.
@iknownothing (265): Whats going on with this italics thing?
I think it’s an individual computer issue? I was at the library earlier today and everything was in italics. Back home now on my own computer and everything looks normal.
@GTT (240): @Maggot (242):
LOL, perhaps only really hilarious to me because you’re not too familiar with where I live. It’s a huge metropolitan area. Hoity toity to the extreme. Even though a certain mall of ours doesn’t have an enforced dress code, it’s pretty much a given you’re walking in there already wearing an Armani suit and intent on buying even more Armani suits.
Not quite the rancher types here, lol.
However we do have a few alpaca farms 45 minutes west! I suppose that almost counts.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
finally someone who shares my view 100% of mr. goodbar!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I FUCKING LOVE MARY JANES!!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I grew up on good n plentys and loved them from a very early age. But my favorite thing to get was Abba Zabba bars. Yummy.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
@alpenstocks (141): oh yeahh.. I had completely forgotten about those until I read your comment.. Haven’t seen those in years.. NOSTALGIA….
November 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
hey jolly ranchers are good!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I love this list – I always had like a basket full of these kinds of treats left over after the choice pickins’ were gone (like Reese and Mars). I remember getting Ritz cheese and crackers – kinda sucked, but still it’s free food – and a couple gave me a slice of pizza – which was awesome.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Good List but #3 is WAY OFF. DUM DUMs rock! I fricking love them and so do my kids and everyone else I know. We fight over them and steal them 5 at a time from the bank!
Ive bought bags of dum dums just to have dum dums at the house.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
- Mr. “Halloween is evil” is a large doucher.
- Candy Corn is excellent.
- Jolly Ranchers are excellent.
- Smarties are excellent.
- Isn’t this just some random guy’s candy preferences?
- Diabetic. I only got to eat like .5% of my candies… =[
- If someone gave me a minibible or something I’d definitely go and egg their house. That’s just going OUT OF YOUR WAY to be an asshole to a kid. WTF?
November 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Jolly Ranchers are awesome! So are smarties! Mary Janes are just nasty though and Dum Dums are wannabe lolipops.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Mr. Goodbar?! What?? I can’t believe it! Who doesn’t love Mr. Goodbars? : )
I love jolly ranchers too but I’m the only one. I always end up trading my almond joys for my sisters jolly ranchers…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I never disagreed with a list more… Neco Wafers only 3!?!?! They are the worst candy in the world!!!! And I agree with #230, Circus Peanuts are a close 2nd. And # 1,Mary Janes, are great!!!! Ugh, you really have a messed up opinion
November 5th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I think the debate with typsyman (sp?) is unfounded. If he took his children to dress up at the local church as biible characters that is freakin awesome!! Who dressed up Jezebel? What about Jobe? Or Cain with a makeshift axe in his head. The bible is the goriest piece of literature ever written. Doesn’t it include (gasp) Satan? Count me in! I’m totally dressing as a charcter from the Bible next year. That man nailed to the cross is perfect for Halloween. Con’t get much more grafic than that. It’s better than a costume based on Saw. See people? There is always a middle ground.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Holy shit. I just read my last last post and it is very full of grammatical errors, typos, and random incomprehensible crap. Sorry, I am usually quite eloquent can spell like a motherfucker. I apologize.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I am a 90s (and mid 2000s) trick-or-treater, as well.
I loved dressing up to trick or treat, so I did it until I was a high school junior. There was this one lady I remember from my junior year Halloween. She asked me if I was ashamed of myself because I was such an “old” trick-or-treater. I wore a Marilyn Monroe costume, so I did put effort into what I wore.
I still think she was crazy.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Someone gave my kids a cough drop. Is that the new candy these days? Ugh, and throw now and laters in the nasty candy mix. Yuck!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Man I hated Tootsie Rolls whenever I find them in my Halloween bags as a kid. But that is not the worst! The worst candy I think is any candy that is Durian flavored! If you hate kids or people in general, then you will love these candies.
I loved Necco candies!!! They were so light and so different from other candies. Now that I am older (27), I will give better candies to kids that will drop by for Halloween next year, like sugar free candies and gum. Or all natural sweets.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:51 am
atheists eat fish, tell me, how does a motherfucker speak? Most men have indeed fucked someone who has a child, so you are being rather vague…
I forgot to mention, Circus Peanuts are great, as well. Ah, the deliciousity-ness-ism of them!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 12:53 am
I’ve never met a person in my life who didn’t drool over Tootsie Rolls… is this for real?!?! As an owner of a house in my later years (apartment for now, in college) I will be sure to give out a (undecided at the moment) type of chocolate bar and some fruity candy, to try to please a wide variety at least partially.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Question: If some people like black licorice, or peanuts in chocolate, then why include them in the list? If some people like them, then clearly Good & Plenty and Mr Goodbars are NOT the worse candies and shouldn’t be included just because Lyrebyrd doesn’t like them.
The list is too biased.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:30 am
there are NO “worst candies” only “candies i don’t like”, duh!
for me, the worst ever halloween candy will always be those horrid peanuty-taffyish-things in plain black or orange wrappers, i think they may be generic version maryjanes, yuck!
but i now work in a candy store, and i can assure you that every single candy has it’s hard-core devotees, people who crave that very thing that yucks you out. i’ve noticed that for most people it’s a nostalgia thing, love as a kid and love it for always. yes, this even includes necco wafers and wax lips and wax bottles and flying saucers and violet flavored mints and gum and and every kind of licorice (we have about 20, including netherlands style “double salt” (an extremely polarizing candy!).
nice opinion list and good for commenting on, but all we have in matters of taste are opinions…..
November 6th, 2009 at 2:54 am
nice, sarcastic humor you have. I laughed my ass off as I was reading this list.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:16 am
@atheists eat fish (291):
Typsyman or Tripsyman – whats the difference!
I totally agree the bible is gory and the whole crucifixion thing is not nice at all.
You will notice I havent attacked anyone elses beliefs or thier “holy book” – please repay this courtesy.
I also know that christmas falls on some pagan festival but i dont celebrate the day – I celebrate the birth of (i believe) my Lord. As we dont know the date of Jesus birth the 25 Dec is as good a day as any to symbolically celebrate his birth.
To finish I havent been rude to anyone but some people on here appear to think they can insult me and others just because they disagree with what we say and believe.
By all means express your counter-arguements but try not to be an arse in the process ( oops the Christaian used a naughty word
)
November 6th, 2009 at 3:35 am
@tripsyman (301):
your “naughty word” was “arse” not “ass”. are you british?
and in kind i would ask that you respect that traditions other than your own are not inherently “evil”, merely different. if you cannot do that it will be more difficult to “civilly” disagree with you.
do you not see how terming entire other traditions -which harm no one at all- as “evil” might seem impolite or outright insulting?
November 6th, 2009 at 3:49 am
@tripsyman (301):
p.s. “halloween” in all its historical variants is a combination of a harvest festival (nothing “evil” about celebrating how the fruits of the land can get us through winter, after all, we thank “god[s]” for the land’s bounty all the time) and a festival acknowledging/celebrating/remembering all who have died and the inherent mysteries of death. -again, nothing “evil” in such a very human moment.
everybody dies, why should having a “life and death” aka “harvest and memoirium” festival rate as “evil” in anyone’s books? to term it thus seems to disrespect both the bounty of our planet and the memory of our ancestors.
do you think the harvest of the land’s bounty is “evil”? or acknowledging that every living thing does die and that this includes yourselves, which is a bit creepy, is “evil”?
i think you may be very out of touch with the real “meaning of the season”, every single agriculture society that has ever lived on earth recognizes the import of the harvest to their survival, and recognizes the flip side of that harvest, death of the plants and animals that provide for us, and our own eventual deaths. NOTHING about that is “evil”. get a clue and open your eyes, maybe read some anthropology tomes, and stop being so frightened by the way of our world….
November 6th, 2009 at 3:56 am
I once got a can of cream corn and a individually wrapped hot dog bun on the same night when I was 9. “this cream corn tastes like cream crap”
November 6th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Rintailroxy wrote : the urban legend of the razors in treats bit always makes me laugh…along with the one about the LSD in kid’s temporary tattoos!
It has to me a myth because I don’t know anyone who would waste good acid like that
November 6th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Thanks Sarah (261) It’s great being back here
November 6th, 2009 at 5:53 am
@lo (302): *zing* That was brilliant! One needs to show respect to earn respect. Good call.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:53 am
This is the funniest list I’ve read in a long time. I agree with all 10 and the order, too!
November 6th, 2009 at 5:59 am
@oouchan (307):
thank you honorable lady.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:06 am
@lo (303):
I am indeed in the UK – well spotted.
I understand fully the points you make. However halloween no longer represents those things does it. It is now about Ghosts, witchcraft and other such things. Proven by the fact that over this period our tv is full of horror films and the such.
In the UK we had a week of “Most Haunted” where each night the preasenters tried to contact spirits via a seance (uiji board).
In church we also celebrate the harvest but dont try and pretend halloween has anything to do with those things nowadays.
God Bless
November 6th, 2009 at 6:07 am
sorry for the spelling
November 6th, 2009 at 6:20 am
@tripsyman (310):
well, in all honesty the “halloween” festival has its roots in pre-christian celtic and other traditons of the now “english” isles, and other world-wide traditions.
but it is NOT an “evil” holiday, it has it’s roots in a combo of harvest and death (as i detailed above) which are more about touching the roots of human life and death on planet earth. yes, “spooky and demonic” visuals are employed in the modern festival for the “iiieeeoooo!” factor, but the holiday has in truth nothing to do with evil or satan, and everything to do with the rhythms of growth and death that agricultural peoples (like us) witness every year….
November 6th, 2009 at 7:23 am
hahaha that is silly but jolly ranchers are pretty tastey
November 6th, 2009 at 7:50 am
@Maggot (278):
I just had to read through that comment twice… You tarty Smartie you…
@gabi319 (279): Well, there you go… Now I´ll say before someone else does… Stop “tasting” those alpaca ranchers!
November 6th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Funny List!!I hate those nasty good-n-plenty candies, Yuk!! and Necco waffers, well you might as well be eating chalk!!
But “wrong candy” is the worst cause if you’re dishing out candy canes and easter treats for Halloween, it begs the question, “just how long have you been storing this candy?” Yuk!
November 6th, 2009 at 8:16 am
OMG,
for the number 5, you’re so right… it’s just like a corridor in my old high school it smelled purple, just like that candy tasted purple… you know?
November 6th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I definitely agree with this list. I would have put them in a different order with Good n Plenty at the top. You couldn’t pay me to eat them, you couldn’t trade them away and even your parents didn’t want them.
While Jolly Ranchers and Dumdums weren’t terrible, they were the ones in the bottom of the bag that you only started eating in December when all the other candy was gone.
I hated Mary Janes as a kid, but I love them now.
I don’t take taxes, I take a Finders Fee of snickers (since I’m the one who takes them out).
)
November 6th, 2009 at 9:49 am
You’re an idiot.
November 6th, 2009 at 9:49 am
@tripsyman (310): However halloween no longer represents those things does it. It is now about Ghosts, witchcraft and other such things.
To most people, it represents a day that kids can dress up in goofy costumes (yes sometimes witches and ghosts…big fucking deal), score some loot (i.e. candy), and have some fun. The next day and beyond I doubt they ever give it a second thought, except for digging thru all their loot with giant smiles on their faces. Stop being such a melodramatic stick in the mud.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:35 am
1, 5, 8 and 10 I really disagree those are some of my favorite candies
November 6th, 2009 at 11:13 am
eahhghh..I hate candy corn,smarties,and good n plentys
November 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am
@tripsyman (310):
attempt to contact spirits with a Ouija board? are you serious? are you not aware that the Ouija board is a Parker Brothers GAME??? it’s a freakin’ trademarked toy!!! now a “spirit board” is the proper term for a planchette and board with writing on it used for entertainment purposes to “communicate with supernatural/paranormal forces” to reveal hidden information. which has been shown to work only by the deliberate or unconscious effort of an individual using the planchette.
i have to admit something. yes. and i am prepared to accept the rebuttal that i know will follow.
when i was younger…
i read tarot cards & animal spirit cards. yup did readings for myself. for my family. for my friends.
yes. the big skeptic/atheist/conspiracy nut me.
i now know that all my reading where done by using my prior familiarity with those i was doing the readings for. i had inadvertently learned the subtle, deceptive art of “cold reading” before i even knew what it was. i never intended to deceive my friends & family. i truly believed i was able to reap some actual information from decifering a random pattern of colorful cards!!! i thought that my “knowledge” of the meaning of the cards (based on the manufactures’ book included with the 55$ cards) and the order they came from the deck, arranged by moi, could actually accurately describe or aid a loved one with a difficult decision.
i began to realize how fraudulent card reading was shortly after i saw “Crossing Over with John Edwards” on the Sci Fi Channel back in late 1999.
a little research, a dawning realization, and viola! my interest in the supernatural world, spirits, ghosts, and other paranormal goodies was abolished forever. hence, i can honestly say that my tarot cards & John Edwards where my catalyst to understanding evolution and my eventual profession into atheism.
John Edwards…a catholic who communicates with the dead…on television!!! i chuckle as i write this… i thought that diving was abhorred by the church and seen as communion with demons…
November 6th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I don’t know if anyone mentioned already but there was no actual incident of anyone getting poisoned or finding a razor in their Halloween candy in the US. There was one person who did something like that to a family member but it wasn’t during trick or treating.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
@ringtailroxy (322): You made me laugh! John Edwards is a total douche.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
@redcaboose (282): I love Abba-Zabbas….But I will admit I have to freeze them and then snap them into little shards before I can enjoy them.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I love Jolly Ranchers! But the rest, blah.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Wow! I am so surprised that so many people like Candy Corn. I absolutely loved them as a kid. I would always savor them by eating them in parts. First the Yellow tip, then the orange middle and if it had it, the green bottom. I convinced myself they had different flavors.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I meant hate candy corn! That’s how much I loved them thus the fraudian slip.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
we don’t allow our kids to do trick or treating… not really a UK thing. but i used to do it now and then when i was younger(when parents were less worried about weirdos hanging around small kids!) and i loved getting chocolate buttons mmmmmm yum! but not the cheap chocolate! any kind of sweets are a god send when ur small!
November 6th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
My last comment on this is simply that I have enjoyed the comments of others – even those criticizing me… debate and open mindedness is always a good thing me thinks
November 6th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
some of the worst candies ever listed there!! Good job!
We also had “squirrels” which were like mary janes the generic form that just had orange and black wrappers..yuck!
I hated pennies the worst OMG how shitty!
Once i got a toothbrush.. i thought that was funny.
I hate good and plentys but luckily my dad loves them so he always felt like it was a win-win for him!
i also hated getting potato chips. by the time all the candy piled on the bags they were all crumbs!
November 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I love Mr. Goodbar.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I never got any really bad candy, since I was a sugar freak, I’d eat any of it. But I do remember the houses that gave out pennies. Those were the worst! Sometimes it would be just one penny. And they would put them in plastic Easter eggs so you couldn’t see what you were getting. Maybe they were afraid we’d toilet paper their house if we found out. What were you supposed to do with that anyway? You can’t eat them, and you can’t buy even cheap candy with them. The cheapest candy I can remember was at least 50 cents, so getting one penny was worthless.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
@tripsyman (330): I’ll second that
November 6th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I LOVE good and plenty’s AND Necco Wafers and Mary Janes! This list is crazy. Choo Choo Charlie was an engineer for gawds sake!
November 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
This is WAY too subjective a list. While many of us can get behind one or two of these, there’s too much on there that other people love.
And you excluded Candy Corn, because YOU love it – but MORE people hate Candy Corn than hate smarties, Jolly Ranchers, or Mr Goodbar (which I love, btw).
November 6th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
To GTT (244):
Kids don’t avoid the house, we just have few children in the neighborhood of trick or treating age.
But it’s always fun to eat the candy.
November 6th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I love Mr. Goodbar, it’s my favorite! Necco wafers, smarties, good n plenty, jolly ranchers, and dum dums I like as well…
I agree with the other items though. Homemade things, they do look so delicious but my parents were far too suspicious and would only let me eat them if they came from people we knew.
Candy canes are off-putting because it’s like they forgot to buy halloween candy and just dug up some leftover stuff from last year’s christmas.
And with money, it’s just like….oh. Thank you for the 20 cents. I guess I’ll go buy some candy… this is just adding a step to trick-or-treating.
November 6th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
#7 is the truth when it comes to worst “candy”. lol
November 6th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
amazing list!!!
and to add on… how about those candy sticks? they’re placed inside really cool tiny boxes like with superheroes on it but the actual “treat” was really nasty. they’re like skinny white sticks, made from gelatin, and are really bland.those were some of the candies that i would try to trade with my brothers but neither of them wanted it. candy gone to waste /:
http://www.chocolatebuttons.co.uk/Super-Heroes-Candy-Sticks.html
November 7th, 2009 at 7:18 am
O.O I LOVE DUM DUMS
November 7th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Someone gave out soap this year to help with the swine flu measures, no kidding.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Not that any of you care, but I live in South Africa, where Halloween is not really celebrated, but for the hell of it me and my friends dress up and knock on doors…with nobody being prepared, we got…
- 7 apples
- A bottle of water
- Smarties
- Three random sweets
- A guys who screamed “nobodies HOME!” and people rolling thier eyes at us….
What a fun night that was…fail…
November 7th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Great concept for a list, but I personally disagree with the majority of this list. I love Necco wafers and those little Dum Dum pops. And Mary Janes were awesome too.
The one thing that I really hated getting were those cheap ass peanut butter fudge things wrapped in orange and black wax paper. I don’t really remember any child my age liking those damn things.
The one thing that I really looked forward to getting were the wax lips or the occasional gummy hamburgers. Not many of those found their way into my trick or treat bag as a child so I had to buy them on my own most of the time.
Good list! Thanks!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:18 am
…Sorry…”thier’ is meant to be ‘their’…I do know that, promise!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:13 am
One PAYDAY MR GOODBAR wanted a BIT O’HONEY. So he took Ms. HERSHEY behind the POWERHOUSE on the corner of CLARK and 5TH AVENUE and began to feel her MOUNDS. This was pure ALMOND JOY. She cried, “OH HENRY, your better than the THREE MUSKETEERS!” as he slipped his BUTTERFINGER up her KIT-KAT, causing a MILKY WAY. She soon got a bit CHUNKY, and nine months later along came BABY RUTH.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:21 am
LMAO the bonus was awesome!!!!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Great list, although I disagree about Mr. Goodbar. YUMMY! Where I’m from, it’s the first to disappear from the miniatures bag. The last to go is the Special Dark.
November 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
we British have trick or treating as well.
So i hate liquorice, aniseed, cinimon, and any really cheap, horrible stores own brand sweeties.
we dont call it trick or treating, though, we call it guising.
November 7th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
@Bethan M (349): guising??? nope,can’t say i have ever heard it called that over here in UK.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
That’s why people should stick to EUROPEAN SWEETS & CHOCOLATE and stop eating that disgusting American stuff – I mean, their chocolate doesn’t even taste like chocolate even after all those artificial additives, e.g. oreos (yuck!).
November 7th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Wow almost 400 comments
November 8th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Loved those HUGE jawbreakers that if you put them in your mouth, it was hard to breathe. How the hell were you supposed to eat those things. Nothing short of breaking them up with a hammer was the only way to eat them.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:28 am
@Bethan M (349):
My guess is you are a scot like myself bethan – i dont think the english/welsh or Irish call it guising.
I remember getting peanuts when I was going door to door as a kid
November 9th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
@tripsyman (354): Do people still give out peanuts? Considering the violent allergic reaction some people have to them? I mean, they dont even hand them out on airplanes anymore…
November 9th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@tripsyman (354): I remember getting peanuts when I was going door to door as a kid
So you actually went trick-or-treating as a kid? And you’ve (presumably) turned out ok. So why all the pontificating earlier about how evil it is?
November 9th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
As Charlie Brown said “I got a rock.” Enjoy what you get and appreciate that people still do it. I love Necco wafers. Send yours to me, please.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
i love grape jolly ranchers….
November 12th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
jolly ranchers aren’t too bad
November 12th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I love retro candy (lemon heads, boston baked beans, etc.) but you’re right on about Mary Janes, they suck! I bought a bag at the 99 cent store but I still feel ripped off.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
jolly ranchers whilst stoned in HS were a treat!
November 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
OMG!! Jolly Ranchers??? Smarties??? NO WAY!
November 17th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
The people where I went were not very generous. One [slightly creepy, no offense] guy grabbed a huge handful….of gum.I mean, I normally love gum. [particularly orbit melon mint] But this was a little cheap trident sample….a million o0f them. Plus they were some gross mango flavor…
So disappointed. But not that bad, compared to some things. I would be happy with any candy, as long as I get some.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
hey i like jolly ranchers
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
how about these honorable mentions:candy corn and the spam of candy-peeps
nasty!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:54 am
I am 61 years old and have eaten licorice for over 55 years.My dad used to get it from a wholesaler. The box had licorice twists,plugs and licorice cigarettes.I also had niggerbabies;an anise flavored candy shaped like a small child.You can get them at retro-candy websites under the name of licorice babies.Good and Plenty is great;no matter what others say.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
When I was a kid I went trick or treating and at one house I was given a raddish and a sip of wine by some drunk women.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Come on people be grateful some kids in south america don’t even get halloween what’s a couple of bad candies going to do ruin your day.and besides you see those sweet little old ladys giving you brats some candy so be grateful.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:49 am
I grew up catholic and remember getting in trouble for playing “communion” with necco waffers!!
January 31st, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Some of these are actually good though
February 6th, 2010 at 8:35 am
I used to live jolly ranchers as a kid, ESPECIALLY the grape. And the lemon. I like them bacause of the sticky thickness. More hard candies should be like that, and not shatter at the slightest pressure or hide voids/bubbles that cut your tongue. Didn’t like the watermelon, but they grew on me as I grew up. They were THE prize to get in elementary school (for answering a question right, doing well on a test, etc…). And because I liked the flavors very few others liked, I always had plenty of grape and lemon to choose from.
Then again, I also used to like Dimetapp, back before they had that nasty new formulation (which may only have been in the children’s formulation, I dunno, as I have since moved onto pills). Although I hated cherry cough syrup (Robutussin in my household).
February 7th, 2010 at 11:39 am
I got a prune once.