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More and more frequently, society shows a desire to sweep into yesteryear when times were less complicated and kinder. These nostalgic feelings are felt best when coming across vintage candies in the candy aisle, remembering vintage candies that were our favorite in childhood.

Dating approximately from the 1800 to 1900s, vintage candies seems to capture the heart and soul of the good ol' days.  As some of us have grown up, candy seems to have become less important than when we were young and care-free children. Vintage candies take us back to days of sweet-tooth cravings for penny candy, a time when many famous candies of today were started out in living-room parlors for a penny.

Vintage

Fascinating as it is, the term "vintage" is commonly used with varying descriptions – occasionally confused with the word "antique".  Vintage candy refers to a broad category with few restrictions, a time when true creativity and imagination ruled the beginning of the candy world.

Today, the word vintage rules, whether it is in fashion, decor or candies. Munching boxes of old-time candy from earlier times is a favorite past-time of our grandparents and the budding baby-boomers coming around every corner. Don't know what to buy for a gift? Vintage candy gift boxes are at every candy store and on every candy website at low prices, with wide varieties of old-fashioned candies to choose from.

Growth of Vintage Candies

Vintage candies are found today in vintage candy boxes filled with candies from individual eras, with popular candies today, such as Cherry Mash and Malted Milk Balls, going clear back to the early 1900s.  But even earlier the chocolate candy was started: in 1854 when Whitman's boxes of chocolates were the first boxed candies to go into business; in 1876 Hershey's chocolate bars developed the fine taste we know today; and in 1868 the first Valentine Day box of chocolates was designed by Richard Cadbury. But the favorite of many is not chocolate but candy corn, made in 1880 by Wunderle Candy Company. This little candy kernel is considered one of the best selling Halloween candies to this day

The Depression Era hit the early candy industry hard, not recovering until the 1940s. It wasn't until this date that candy began making a huge comeback on a commercial level.  Some vintage candies of this era were Salt Water Taffy, Root Beer Barrels, Bubble Gum Cigars, and Bit O' Honey.  From this time on, candy has been on an uphill slide with newer and healthier candies beginning their own unique market of today.