Just because I don’t go trick-or-treating anymore, doesn’t at all mean that I forgot the magic of it all. Like so many of you out there, dear readers, trick-or-treating on Halloween and getting candies, was one of the big events of my year as a child. Firstly because I love Halloween—everything about it—and secondly, I loved getting treats…the adventure of it all and the free candy I’d get.
These days, Halloween season means horror movie marathons—specifically the Halloween franchise—and getting a chance to purchase treats such as candies at the store that aren’t exactly available year-round.
I’m sure we can all remember hoping for our most favorite candies to be handed out by neighborhood candy-givers on such a night, but there were likewise some pretty odd treats given out. I once received a pack of erasers from the dollar store. I was puzzled for sure, but they sure came in handy in math class.
Today, we’ve decided to take a look at some of the most epic candies you can get when trick-or-treating
We’ll stay away from the odd handouts in this piece. Erasers, eh? Go figure. I can think of a million other things I would have rather liked to receive, but I’ll settle for 10 of the most epic ones…
10. Candy Corn
A classic candy for the season, as I’ve already stated, but these usually came in little individual baggies; they used to be handed out in my neighborhood, but there were of course (and are) many that make their own baggies full of these and other items. You’ve gotta get candy corn. It isn’t Halloween without candy corn.
9. Mini Chocolate Bars
These were awesome. If ever I found these little buggers, I’d definitely jump for joy. The best are the mini Kit Kat bars and the mini Mars Bars.
8. Mini Bags of Chips
Okay, so chips are quite obviously not candies. (Duh, Domenic!) But they are treats, and certainly are a most valued one; especially if you’ve been munching on sweets and just need something salty to bring those sugar levels down.
I received a lot of these when I was hitting the road with my little plastic pumpkin, dumping the contents in the trunk of my dad’s car as I went from house to house. He appreciated the regular chips as well, munching on them as he waited for me at the curb.
7. Dubble Bubble
Again, not candy, but gum and candies are a package deal in my book. A nice piece of gum goes a long way; especially on a boring day when you and your siblings can get a bubble blowing competition (who can blow the biggest one) going.
6. Taffy
Okay, so it isn’t the easiest to chew, but taffy is an epic candy and it comes in so many colors and flavors. It isn’t Halloween without taffy—particularly salt water taffy.
5. Jolly Ranchers
Fruity candy is the way to go; especially hard fruity candy. And when you’re devouring copious amounts of chocolate, taffies, caramels and so many other goodies, nothing hits the spot more than a good old Jolly rancher.
4. Tootsie Pops
Is there a better lollipop? Because if there is, I don’t know which one it is.
3. Candy Cigarettes
These little numbers have actually been banned in some places for obvious reasons, and I definitely understand. Yet that doesn’t change the fact that I loved to munch on these. Some say they tasted like chalk and yeah they did, but an oh-so-sweet chalk.
Sometimes, I liked to hang them from my lips, pretending to be Bruce Willis, having an imaginary smoke as I aimed my squirt gun at the invisible bad guys in my parents’ back yard.
Oh…now I get why they were banned in some communities.
2. Fruity Chiclets
These aren’t made anymore (discontinued in 2016, or rather were…they started being produced again in Mexico as of 2019) and please bear with me, as these are gums and not candies, but by now, that should come to be expected, as diversity in your goodies and snacking foods is certainly the spice of life.
Chicle, the word is derived from the Aztec, and means “sticky stuff.”
But let me tell you, dear readers: there was nothing better than getting the two-in-a-box pack of fruity Chiclets when you were trick-or-treating, and if you’ve ever tasted these, you’ll understand. And for you younger readers out there, ask your parents. If they get that far off look in their eyes—the same one they get when you ask them if they ever dated anyone before they got together with your mom or dad—then you know this was something special indeed. Let them know that they can still be found in places. You’ll make their day, trust me.
1. Skittles
Talk about “tasting the rainbow.” In my book, a tiny bag of skittles hits the spot more than any other item on this list. Perhaps that’s why it landed at number 1?
Skittles have the elements of hard candy, chewy fruity candy, taffy, and your favorite fruit juice. What’s not to love?
Guilty Eaters, do you have any odd items you received trick-or-treating? And what are the most epic candies you think are the best to receive? Let us know.