Gen X's Undying Love for Classic Halloween Candy
Plus, a free treat waiting for you somewhere on this page.
By Ira Verant | Posted 10/8/24 | Updated 10/13/24
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So, here Halloween is upon us, and with it comes the age-old tradition of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. But why bdo Gen Xers have a soft spot for classic Halloween candy like Smarties, Dum-Dums, and other nostalgic treats? Let's unravel this sweet mystery.
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, we Gen Xers were the beneficiaries of an era when Halloween was in its prime. This was the time of Hostess' classic Dolly Madison tie-in with Peanuts TV specials, with annual watchings of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, always rooting for a different outcome for Linus and wondering why Charlie Brown keeps getting singled out for rocks instead of candy. Poor child! What kind of neighbors do that?
Still, on Halloween night, our pillow cases and plastic pumpkin buckets overflowed with classic candies like Tootsie Rolls, Bit-O-Honey, and Necco Wafers. We delighted in the chewy goodness of Mary Janes, savored the slow-melting sweetness of taffy, and crunched on the colorful sugary beads of candy necklaces.
Who is Gen X?
Generation X (Gen X), generally refers to people born between 1965 and 1980, give or take a year or two. They're the generation that came after the Baby Boomers and before the Millennials, and very particular about the type of Halloween candy they like.
Nostalgia plays a huge role in our love for these treats. Dumping out our candy haul on the living room floor and sorting through it like buried treasure is etched in our memories. Sorting then was not of the razor-blade and needle kind. Rather, the excitement of finding a rare BB bat or a handful of chalky Sweet Tarts still makes us smile. By far, the pill-like candies filled our containers a plenty and took the longest time to disappear from the candy dish.
Gen Xers also appreciate the practicality of these classic candies which are still available today. They are small, affordable, and can be purchased in bulk. Who doesn't love getting a massive bag of Jolly Ranchers for a work cubical and sorting them by flavor? Or sharing a bag of Brach's candy corn with co-workers or mixing into a savory Worcestershire-laden homemade Chex mix& with peanuts and pretzels (and including the wheat and bran varieties), baking into an aromatic delight.
Another factor that fuels our love for these classic candies is their ability to withstand the test of time. Unlike some modern-day treats that are loaded with artificial ingredients, Pixy Stix, Charms, and Wax Bottles have remained relatively unchanged since their inception. Who doesn't love chewing on wax while that sort-of sweet liquid goes down with a (bit of gluck)! This simplicity speaks to Gen Xers' desire for a simpler time when Halloween was all about the candy and not about the costume.
Lastly, Gen Xers take pride in passing down the tradition of these classic candies to future generations. There's something magical about seeing a child's face light up when they receive a roll of Rol-a Cola or a handful of Swell gum. It's like we're sharing a piece of our childhood with them, and in doing so, we keep the spirit of Halloween alive.
Your Treat: A Halloween Puzzle
Talk among Gen Xer's in the poll below reveal experienced wisdom in knowing which houses in the neighborhood gave out the good candy. Why is that important? Think big, like big candy bars! Or candy in your bag that isn't on the list below.
So, in the spirit of keeping Halloween alive for just a little bit longer than the length of this Web page, open your treat bag and take five to engage in a little more sweet creative fun.
Print our homemade Halloween Candy Word Search puzzle and see how long it takes you to find all 30 candy-related words. This puzzle was hand-carved and dipped in fun, so enjoy!
Top 20 Gen X Disliked Halloween Treats
"Hold on," you might say after reading about the classic candy above. "I'm not a fan of these at all!"
No worries, because you're not alone. An informal poll on the GenX subreddit posted user msgkar on 10/10/24 by asks, What's the worst candy you were given as a kid while trick or treating? A quick tally from 589 comments reveals the top 20 treats which were quickly traded, transferred, or trashed:
- Orange Circus Peanuts
- Peanut Butter Kisses (black and orange wrappers)
- Candy Corn
- Necco Wafers
- Apples and Other Fruit / Veggies
- Pennies and Other Coins
-
Raisins - Black Licorice
- Tootsie Rolls
- Popcorn Balls / Popcorn
- Mounds & Almond Joy
- Smarties
- Wax Lips / Bottles / Teeth
- Good 'n Plenty
- Bit-O-Honey
- Mary Janes
- Kit Kat
- Peanut Butter Bar
- Pumpkin Mallows
- Whoppers
Some of the more unusual non-liked "treats" mentioned were toothpaste and toothbrushes, business promo items, tracts, and condiments. Some jokingly mentioned razor-blade-laden apples, but I still say that Charlie Brown's rocks take the cake.
An interesting list, indeed!
It's okay, even if we don't all agree on our favorite treats, we do agree on having a good time and enjoying the fun that Halloween brings, right? So as this fun night approaches, let's raise a Dum-Dum to all Gen Xers and their undying love for classic Halloween candy. May our plastic pumpkin buckets be filled with nostalgic treats and sweet memories that last a lifetime.
Happy Halloween, fellow Gen Xers and to everyone else! 
Copyright ©2024 Ira Verant. All rights reserved.
Ira Verant is a recovering addict of satirical sarcasm. Now, a hopeful practicer of Positive Playfullness™ Verant's 5-year plan is to fully ripen on the vine of serendipitous sweetness while mastering the entire 'parts of speech' list. …