Woodstock Candy Blog

1972 Was a Very Good Year

2012-01-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

1972 was a great year! If you were born back then, you'll be having your 40th birthday soon. It seems like just yesterday that we were listening to music from 1972. These are the top 10 hits from that year:

1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Roberta Flack

2. Alone Again (Naturally), Gilbert O'Sullivan

3. American Pie, Don McLean

4. Without You, Nilsson

5. The Candy Man, Sammy Davis Jr.

6. I Gotcha, Joe Tex

7. Lean on Me, Bill Withers

8. Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me, Mac Davis

9. Brand New Key, Melanie

10. Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, Wayne Newton

One of my all time favorite songs is
Heart of Gold by Neil Young, which came in at number 17.

Enough of music. If you need a birthday present for a 40 year old, we suggest a box of nostalgic candy. This box has over forty different kinds of retro candy that they'll remember from childhood. This 40th birthday gift of nostalgic candy makes a great conversation piece, and everyone will love it.

Messages on Candy Hearts

2012-01-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without those fun messages on candy hearts that you see everywhere! This February tradition was started by
the brother of the founder of NECCO in the 1860s. Remember, this was Abe Lincoln's era, so you know they've been around for a while. Candy hearts were originally printed with hand tools. It seems like a lot of work, but some people will do extraordinary things for love. It took about forty years before the ones we are familiar with went into production. Today, over 8 billion of these chalky hearts are produced annually. They're made from late February until mid January of the following year, averaging about 100,000 pounds a day. They sell out in about six weeks.

These are some of the messages you might have seen over the years:

My Way
All Mine
I Hope
#1 Fan
Sweet TalkAngel
Love
Whiz Kid
Pen Pal
Be Mine
Magic
URA Star
My Baby
Lets Kiss
Love Her
Lover Boy
For You
Lets Read
You & Me
Do Good
True Love
For You
New Love
Love You
Wild Life
Home Run
Call Me
Call Home
Purr Fect
Cutie Pie
Be Mine
Soul Mate
My Treat
Top Chef
Love Bird
Sugar Pie
Yum Yum
Chill Out
Heat Wave
Cool Cat
My Pet
All Star
Dream

Bubble Gum Cigars Nostalgic Candy

2012-01-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

Bubble Gum Cigars were a favorite candy of mine when I was a kid; I would buy them for a nickel in the early '60s at the What Not Shop. The best thing about them was that they would last a few days. I would just bite a piece off and shove the rest back in the cellophane wrapper. Except for the bright colors, they resembled a real cigar pretty well. The shape was exactly like a real one. They even came with a cigar band; I would slide it off the cigar and wear it on my finger. Today Swell makes them in banana, fruit, mint, apple, orange, strawberry, and grape. They have your a baby.
Bubble Gum Cigars were first made in 1949, and were the first 5 cent bubble gum. This is another nostalgic candy that has been appealing to each generation, and will probably outlive us all.

Nostalgic Candy is Here to Stay

2012-01-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

Some nostalgic candy has been around for generations. All of these candies have been on the market for at least 85 years; now that's a long time! Here is a time line of other things happening in the United States when these candies were being introduced. This should give you an idea of how far back these nostalgic candies go; a lot of them were in stores before our grandparents were even born.

1871- Doscher's French Chew Taffy introduced, same year that Ulysses S. Grant was United States President
1893- Juicy Fruit Gum
1895- Goetze Caramel Cream
1896- Tootsie Roll introduced, same year Utah becomes a state
1900- Hershey Chocolate Bar
1901- Necco Wafers, same year Theodore Roosevelt becomes President
1902- Necco Conversation Hearts
1906- Hershey's Chocolate Kisses
1912- Lifesavers- Same year Girl Scouts of USA was started
1914- Red Vine Licorice
1920- Baby Ruth Candy Bar-The first radio broadcasts in Pittsburgh, PA
1923- Mounds Bar - Same year of the Teapot Dome Scandal
1924- Milky Way Bar
1925- Bit-o-Honey
1926- Milk Duds introduced- Calvin Coolidge was President

This says a lot about people's tastes; food trends come and go, but our love of nostalgic candy stays pretty constant. All of these candies are very simple and have an appeal to people of all ages. Many parents and grandparents who grew up with these candies pass along a tradition to the younger generation. That's a good reason to keep eating yummy things. Nostalgic candy is here to stay!

How Many Small Children Die From Mistaking Medicine For Candy?

2011-12-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

We're not sure how many small children die from mistaking medicine for candy, but the Centers for Disease Control say that approximately 30 children in the United States die every year from accidental poisonings. There are no statistics to tell us whether the children thought they were eating candy, but most of these accidents occur in the home.
Since most small children can't read, they're not going to see the warning signs on medication bottles. This information is written for adults, so it's up to you to keep your little ones safe from accidental poisoning. Since kids are attracted to bright colors, they are curious about the contents of medicine packages. For this reason, it is urgent to talk to your small children about the dangers of eating something they're not supposed to. Children love to imitate adults and often see their parents taking medicine. Sometimes children can confuse medicine with candy, and this is something you want to watch out for.

Here are some common medications and the candy they might be mistaken for:
Aspirin and Tic-Tacs
Mike and Ike's and DayQuil capsules
Excedrin capsules and Hot Tamales
Tums and throat lozenges
Pepto-Bismol and Sprees
Ex-Lax and a Hershey's candy bar
Dimetapp and a Hi-C drink

Between 2004 and 2005, an estimated 71,000 children under 18 years were seen in emergency departments each year because of medication poisonings. Over 80% of them were because an unsupervised child found and consumed medicines (FROM: Schillie SF, Shehab, N, Thomas, KE, Budnitz DS. Medication overdoses leading to emergency department visits among children. Am J Prev Med 2009;37:181-187).The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia says that every 15 seconds in the United States a Poison Control Center gets a telephone call. Over half of the calls are made by an adult in regard to a child who has swallowed a potentially toxic substance. These substances include medicine, as well as common household chemicals.
To prevent a child from needlessly dying, never call medicine "candy" to entice them. Make sure all pill bottles have child resistant lids, and keep all medication out of their reach. And talk to your kids about the dangers of eating unknown objects.

What Are Root Beer Candies Made of?

2011-12-27T14:48:00.000-08:00

Children and adults can instantly identify the flavor of root beer, but many wonder what the candies are made of. These are the typical ingredients in root beer candy: sugar, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, FDC yellow #5 and yellow #6.

Root beer the soft drink, was originally made using the root of a sassafras plant for the primary flavor. In 1960, the FDA banned the use of sassafras oil as it was found to be carcinogenic in animals.What we know as root beer today is a far cry from the original flavor before 1960. But most people would rather be safe than knowingly drink something that can cause cancer.

Other ingredients used to make root beer are: anise, burdock, cinnamon, dandelion, ginger, juniper, spikenard, sarsaparilla, vanilla, wintergreen, yellow dock, as well as unknown artificial ingredients that sort of taste like root beer.

Because this flavor is so popular, many other things are made with the flavorings such as root beer barrel candies, stick candy, cough drops, root beer schnapps, ice cream, and root beer flavored baked beans.
Because most people grew up loving root beer barrels, they are in most of our retro candy birthday boxes.

Are You Gypped if Your Birthday is on Christmas?

2011-12-26T18:20:00.000-08:00

Do people who have a birthday on Christmas get gypped? A lot of kids might feel they're getting short changed when it comes to their birthday celebration if it happens to fall on December 25. When most children have their birthday, there is a party with plenty of balloons and cake and ice cream. But if you're born on Christmas, you might as well forget that. Instead of balloons you get mistletoe, and for the birthday cake, it's a fruitcake with candles! You get the feeling that the rest of the family is more focused on Santa Claus, decorating the tree, and baking cookies than you. And some people think because you're so special to be born on this day, you don't need an extra present!
I've heard stories from Christmas babies (who are now in their 20's) who tell of getting combined Christmas-birthday presents instead of separate gifts for each celebration. It doesn't seem fair to them that their other siblings have a proper birthday while theirs gets mixed up with Christmas.
After all, birthdays and Christmas are all about gifts, and most everyone would be better off if they were spread out so they reap the benefits from both special occasions.

Sugar Daddy Candy or Man?

2011-12-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

Did you know the Sugar Daddy candy lollipop was originally named the Papa Sucker? It was invented in 1925 and given that name, but seven years later it was changed to Sugar Daddy. It's a delicious caramel lollipop that so many people remember from their childhood.
According to the Etymology Dictionary, the term "sugar daddy" first came into existence in 1926, meaning an older man who lavishes gifts on a young woman.
Sugar daddy is a common term today. Fleetwood Mac and the the Jackson 5 both had hit songs with that title, but they're not referring to the candy.

These results from an online poll tell you where your best chances of finding a sugar daddy man are in each city:

Los Angeles –The Chateau Marmont
New York – Rose Bar
Scottsdale –Ocean Club
Dallas –Rattlesnake Bar
Miami –The Delano Hotel
Chicago –East Bank Club
Las Vegas –Bellagio Hotel
Houston –Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse
Atlanta –Lumen at
The Ritz-Carlton
Denver –Hotel Teatro

At Woodstock candy we'll stick with the Sugar Daddy candy lollipop, a treat that's loved by people of all ages. It's been around for eighty-six years, and never loses its appeal.

50th Birthday Gifts

2011-12-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

We have lots of retro candy boxes that are perfect for 50th birthday gifts. A lot of people have fun childhood memories of candy they used to get at the mom and pop store, and our goal is to bring back those good times. Forty different kinds of nostalgic candy come neatly hand packed in a box and is specifically made for someone celebrating their 50th birthday. To bring back those great memories, you'll want to give someone a candy gift that they'll remember from their youth, rather than candy that was specifically from their birth year.

Most people have a connection to certain smells and tastes that remind them of when they were young. Some people say that the smell of chocolate chip cookies reminds them of their grandmother's kitchen. There's also the sweet smell of Wax Lips that is easily identifiable with a particular era. Just about everyone who had these as a youngster will instantly be transported back to when they were a kid when they open them up. 50th birthday gifts should be fun, because a person celebrating this milestone year might need to be reminded of great memories they experienced, and the prospect of lots more to come.

50th Birthday Candy

2011-12-16T22:06:00.000-08:00

50th birthday candy makes a wonderful gift to anyone who grew up with a sweet tooth, and that will include just about everybody. We all loved candy when we were kids! And most adults still love it today, although many have curbed their consumption somewhat. That shouldn't be a problem, because there's no better time than a birthday celebration to indulge in a little nostalgia. To get started, you can go out and buy the candy in various stores, or order a box that is made for a 50 year old. Remember to look for candy that was popular when a fifty year old was a kid, not candy from their birth year. You'll want to get candy that the birthday person will remember from their childhood.
There are plenty of candy collections available, and the product description will tell you what era the candy is from. For 50th birthday candy, you'll want to get stuff that was popular in the 1960s. Some sweets, like Mary Janes and Red Hots have been around for generations, so just about anyone celebrating a birthday will have had those at some point. A lot of candy is regional; meaning a kid growing up in New York would have had different candy than a kid growing up in California. Not everybody will have memories of the same candy; it all depends on what the local mom and pop stores stocked up for the kids. But one thing is for sure, and that is that 50th birthday candy will put a smile on any one's face.

Birthday Gift Idea

2011-12-15T20:19:00.000-08:00

A birthday gift idea of nostalgic candy will remind someone of their childhood days. Most people have memories of their favorite sweets when they were younger. Usually it's been a long time since they've seen or even eaten candy that they enjoyed as a kid, so naturally they're surprised to find out that a lot of it is still being made today. Mary Janes have been around since 1914, and are still being produced. Necco Wafers are another item that are popular with every age group and continue to be made by the millions. Bonomos Turkish Taffy was discontinued at one time but has been back in production for a few years. It was one of the most sought after discontinued candies because so many people remember the ritual of putting it in the freezer and then cracking it into little pieces on the sidewalk. Everyone wants a piece of their childhood back! It's nostalgia like candy memories that give people so much delight in having the opportunity to relive their youth.
A birthday gift idea that will have true meaning to someone is always the best kind. Our boxes of nostalgic candy come with lots of old fashioned favorites, and can send someone on a trip down memory lane to when their life was carefree. Because we're bombarded with so many gadgets these days, it's hard to keep track of our lives. A birthday gift idea that will bring back memories of relaxing times is sure to be appreciated.

Fun Gift Baskets Box of Retro Nostalgic Candy

2011-12-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

A fun gift basket box of retro candy makes a great gift for any special occasion. With Christmas coming up, it's the perfect time to put one under the tree for someone special in your life. No matter how old the gift recipient is, they will delight in all the nostalgic candy. With forty different kinds inside, there's something that everyone will remember. Maybe you grew up loving Candy Cigarettes, Pixy Stix, Chuckles, and Candy Buttons on Paper. Or maybe you'll remember Pop Rocks, Razzles, Bonomos Turkish Taffy, and Wax Lips. Either way, you'll step back in time with candy from the past. There's nothing like memories of your childhood days to make you feel like a kid again. And we need that more than ever with all the stress and activities of everyday life. Things were so carefree when you were a kid... it was all about counting pennies to see how much candy you could buy.
Our fun gift baskets box has all the candy you remember from the good old days, and is sure to put a smile on your face. Pigtails and Mohawks just reviewed this item, and is giving one away for free. Time's running out, so you'll need to enter right away.

50th Birthday Ideas

2011-12-07T18:49:00.001-08:00

You've probably read through lists of other people's suggestions for 50th birthday ideas, but here at Woodstock Candy we're always into retro.
Take a step back in time to the late 1960s, where everything was about peace, love, and rock-n-roll. This will be the perfect idea for a theme for your 50th birthday party.
Ask the guests to come dressed in 60s fashion. This would include tie-dye, bell bottoms, headbands on the men, peasant skirts, miniskirts, granny glasses, fringed leather vests, and buttons with sayings on them.
Decorate with lots of peace signs, smiley faces, tie-dye patterns, and giant 60s style flowers. And don't forget to burn the incense along with the black lights above the day glow posters.
There's a great choice of music that you can play. Ask close friends to bring music like Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Donovan, Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, The Monkees, Bob Dylan, and Marvin Gaye. You can even burn CDs with the music you play at the party and give each guest a copy.
Of course we love ideas like giving out 50th birthday party favors of retro candy to all the guests. Mary Janes, Pixy Stix, Candy Cigarettes, Bit-O-Honey, Bubble Gum Cigars, Candy Buttons on Paper, and mini Sugar daddy pops are all candies that a 50 year old will remember form their youth.

Altamont Music Festival 42nd Anniversary Today

2011-12-05T21:11:00.000-08:00

The year 1969 may be nostalgic to many people. After all, it's the year that the Woodstock Festival took place, and so it became the era of peace and love. But on the other side of the country in California, forty-two years ago today, the Altamont music festival took place. On December 6, 1969 a free show at a speedway in Livermore attracted 300,000 people. Ike and Tina Turner, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, The Grateful Dead, and The Rolling Stones headlined.
Hell's Angels provided the security, which in hindsight wasn't such a good idea. When the Stones were playing "Under My Thumb," a man approached waving a gun and started shooting. A Hell's Angel stabbed and stomped him to death. Three more people died at the concert.
The Rolling Stones left via helicopter not knowing what had just happened. The Grateful Dead decided not to play because of the violence. This concert was filmed and was part of a documentary called "Gimme Shelter" featuring the Rolling Stones. They have been around for 49 years! A fun Rolling Stones magnet set depicts four of their famous album covers.
Altamont was a far cry from the peaceful Woodstock Festival months earlier, but 1969 was certainly a great time in music history.

Sugar Daddy Pops are Still Delicious

2011-11-30T16:24:00.001-08:00

When I was a kid, two of my favorite candies were the Sugar Daddy pop and Bonomos Turkish Taffy. I especially enjoyed the Sugar Daddy because it would last all day and it only set me back a nickel. As kids, we could get them at The News Shop, Folk Art, or Schneiders; the three places in Woodstock that sold candy. We would ride our bikes into town; back then there wasn't a lot of traffic and we would practically have the road to ourselves. After our purchases, we'd ride off with our brown candy bags to the rec field and tear open the packages. There was something wonderful about delicious creamy caramel on a stick. But the Sugar Daddy pop is one of those candies that I never finished. It would either get stuck in my hair or I'd pack it back up in the yellow wrapper and put it down somewhere. A lot of the candy I loved as a kid is still around. Some have new packaging, and others are made from slightly altered recipes. But they all still taste good! There is still a visual appeal to all that candy I grew up with. It's very nostalgic, and reminds me of being a kid again. Today if I want to get transported back to youth, I go for a smaller junior Sugar Daddy pop, which I always manage to finish.

Charles Schulz Would Have Celebrated 89th Birthday

2011-11-25T20:47:00.000-08:00

Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, would have been celebrating his 89th birthday today. Unfortunately he died in 2000, but his lovable characters can still be seen today in syndicated comic strip sections. Peanuts appeared in more than 2,500 newspapers for almost fifty years. Most everyone is familiar with Lucy, Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Linus, Woodstock, and Snoopy.

When Schulz was a kid he drew a picture of his family dog, Spike (not a Beagle), who ate pins and tacks. He sent the drawing to Ripley's Believe It or Not! where it was published.

He drew in school, but had artwork rejected from making it in his high school yearbook. How foolish they were!

Schulz's characters are loved by people of all ages. There are statues, lunchboxes, mugs, books, sweatshirts, books, clocks, and all other kinds of knick knacks depicting Snoopy and the rest of the gang. Happy Birthday remembrances, Charles Schulz.

Having a 65th Birthday Does Not Mean You're Old

2011-11-23T20:28:00.000-08:00

If you're about to celebrate your 65th birthday, don't worry, you're not old. You still have time to do lots of things that are left on your bucket list. Just follow the example of some of these young people who have set records in the Guinness World Book.

Walter Liesner of Germany was 94 years old when he performed a backflip in a swimming pool.

If you're 65, it might not be too late to give birth. The oldest mother is Maria del Carmen Bousada Lara who at 66 years old, gave birth by cesarean section to twin boys, Christian and Pau.

The oldest person to sail around the world is Minoru Saito of Japan who was 71 when he completed a non-stop solo voyage of the world in his yacht.

Emma Carrol of Iowa was way past her 65th birthday when she made an hour-long flight in a hot air balloon. She did this at the young age of 109.

The oldest person to visit the North Pole is Dorothy Davenhill Hirsch of the United States who at 89, was aboard the Russian nuclear icebreaker Yamal when she made the trek.

Edith Dewhurst of Great Britain received a hip replacement at the age of 103 at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Don't think it's too late to run in a marathon. Gladys Burrill was the oldest female to complete a marathon at the age of 92 years 19 days. This was at the Honolulu Marathon on December 12, 2010. It took her 9 hours, 53 minutes, 16 seconds to finish.
If you're about to be honored at a 65th birthday party think young, and accomplish something great!

Over the Hill Jokes

2011-11-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

Over the hill is a totally arbitrary way to describe someone's age. A person who is 30 years old might say that 40 is over the hill, while a 50 year old might think that you have to be over 60.
It used to mean that you're past the prime of your life, but today it's used in a fun way to mock someone's age.
There are lots of jokes about age:

Question: Where can a man over 65 find a younger, good looking woman who is interested in him?
Answer: In the bookstore under fiction.

Question: Do people sleep more soundly as they get older?
Answer: Yes, but it's usually in the afternoon.

The tv station sent a reporter to interview a woman on her 90th birthday. "What's the secret to longevity?" he asked. "Simple," she said. "Keep breathing."

When you reach the golden age of over the hill, your secrets are safe with your friends. They'll never share them because they can't remember them.

Two old men were sitting on a park bench. One says, "You know, I'm 85 years old and my body is full of aches and pains. You look like you're my age. How do you feel?"
The other man says, "Oh, I feel like a newborn baby."
"Really," says the first man.
"Yup," says the second one. "No teeth, no hair and I think I just wet my pants."
If you're looking for birthday gifts for old men like these guys, something funny would be the perfect thing.

Over the hill jokes can also mean gag gifts that you would bring to a birthday party.

Nostalgic Memories from November 16, 1976

2011-11-16T18:14:00.000-08:00

I used to listen to Jackson Browne back in the '70s while playing my cassette tape of his songs over and over again. I knew all the lyrics to the album Jackson Browne, and would belt them out as I drove along. November 16, 1976, was a big day for Browne, because that is the day his album went gold. That was 35 years ago today!! Some people know the album as Saturate Before Using since those words appear at the top of the cover, although the cover art was meant to look like a water bag. Supposedly those words were not supposed to be the title of the record. Jamaica Say You Will, Doctor My Eyes, Song for Adam, Under the Falling Sky and Rock Me on the Water are just a few of the songs on the album. You've gotta love them if you were coming of age in the 1970s. Songs like those can take you right back to that time, just like nostalgic candy can!

Many people relate to time periods through memories of music, movies, clothes they wore, or the friends they hung out with. The memories we like the best are the ones of candy. That 's why we recommend a box of nostalgia candy memories from the '70s to transport you back in time while you listen to some of Jackson Browne's music. When is the last time you had Pixy Stix, Candy Buttons on Paper, Candy Cigarettes, Pop Rocks, Razzles, and Wax Lips? If it's been a while, treat yourself to a relaxing night with some good songs and great candy!

Plus Santa Claus Suit for the Christmas Holiday

2011-11-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Halloween just ended, and if you hadn't noticed, the stores had Christmas candy on the shelves the very next day. Not only that, this weekend you could find holiday trees, ornaments, and wrapping paper in the stores. You could even listen to Christmas music while you shopped. We just don't get a break in between holidays! It's out with one, and on to the next...

In New York City last week, the Salvation Army had its workers out on the street with their bells. When you hear that unmistakable sound, you know we're in the full swing of Christmas magic. Speaking of Christmas, it's a good time to plan ahead if you're going to need a Santa Claus suit for a party. Maybe you've always wanted to dress up as Santa Claus and just hang out at home, or walk around the neighborhood looking like jolly Saint Nick. You'll just need a sack of gifts and some candy to give to the kids and you'll be set. If you're going to a celebration at your workplace and you've been chosen to be Santa, be sure to be nice to all your co-worker's children! It's an important job, so don't take it lightly...

We have a Plus size Santa Claus suit that comes in XL and fits up to 4XL. It includes a felt coat, pants with a drawstring waist, black belt, beard, wig, hat, and plush-trimmed boot tops. The pants will fit up to a 60" waist. The zippered coat fits up to a 76" chest, and is 33" in length.

Dressing up has never been more fun!

50th Birthday Party Ideas

2011-11-10T13:55:00.001-08:00

One of the best 50th birthday party ideas is to have one with a '70s theme. Even though a 50 year old was born in 1961, they lived their teenage years through the 1970s. This time period was pretty lively with the popularity of disco music and outlandish clothing styles. A fifty year old might remember wearing hot pants, fake fur, platform shoes, hip huggers, head bands, tie dye t-shirts, and polyester clothing.
Ask all the guests to wear clothing reminiscent of the '70s. If they don't have any of these styles hanging in their closets, a thrift store is a great place to go shopping.

Of course a teenager's Friday night wouldn't be complete without blasting some disco music on the stereo. Songs like Brick House, Y.M.C.A., Play That Funky Music, Disco Lady and Night Fever were all hits during that decade. Playing music at the party will surely get people in a good mood. Rock music was popular too, although having a birthday party with a disco theme can be a little more nostalgic to this age group.

Before the party, make a collage of photos of the person celebrating their 50th birthday. Ask family members and friends for any old photographs they may have. You can even get pictures from Facebook. Make a time line starting at childhood, and leave room so people can write comments under each photo.

Other 50th birthday party ideas are to have a "roast," as long as the birthday person has a good sense of humor. Line up a few good friends who can plan ahead of what to say. Then have an open mic so some other guests can tell good stories. A party isn't complete without food and decorations, and there are plenty of options for this. Finger food is perfect to serve because you won't need forks and knives. Chips, pretzels, shrimp, wings, meatballs, cheese and crackers, and raw vegetables with dip area all things that people love. A delicious birthday cake is a must, and don't forget the candy!! You can have a huge bowl filled with retro candy that the 50 year old will remember from childhood. For decoration, you can get disco balls, balloons, streamers or anything with a 50th birthday party theme. If you make this a memorable occasion for everyone, you've done your job well!

40th Birthday Gifts... Candy!

2011-11-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for fun ideas for 40th birthday gifts, a box of retro nostalgic candy is perfect for almost anyone. Most people loved candy as a kid, and now you can give a 40 year old an opportunity to rediscover all the great candies they grew up loving. Most people remember Pixy Stix, Bonomo Turkish Taffy, Wax Lips, Candy Cigarettes, Candy Buttons on Paper, Pop Rocks, Fun Dip, and Atomic Fireballs. It's probably been a long time since they ate this candy, so this gift will be a fun reminder to a forty year old of their childhood.
Many kids remember going to the mom and pop store and filling up their brown bags with penny candy. It's an experience that so many kids had all across the country. Now with so many mega stores, the little specialty candy stores are hard to find, and children growing up today miss out on things that past generations took for granted. Someone who is 40 years old used to be able to hop on their bike and ride around the corner to get their sugar fix. Stories about candy are something you can share with your kids, your parents, grandparents, and friends. It can be fun to talk about and reminisce about the good old days! When you think of 40th birthday gifts, think candy!

75 is not Over the Hill to NYC Marathon Runners

2011-11-06T17:53:00.000-08:00

Who's to say that a 75 year old is over the hill? Some people claim that after you reach 50 or 60 you're over the hill. To most, that would mean that when you reach 70, you've definitely gotten there. Don't confuse the eighty-eight runners over 75 years old who signed up for the New York City Marathon to be over the hill. These runners are proof that at any age you can be healthy with an active lifestyle. Take for example, Ginette Bedard who is 78. She started running when she was 68, and ran in the marathon today. Richard Gonzalez of New Orleans is 79, and he's run 105 marathons.

So the next time anyone talks about being over the hill, remind them that they need to get out there with some older folks who can set a great example for them. Sometimes it's your frame of mind that makes you feel older than you really are. When that milestone birthday comes your way, take off your over the hill birthday party hat and change it to a "young at heart hat!"

How Baby Ruth Candy Bar got Named

2011-11-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

There is some speculation on how the the Baby Ruth candy bar got its name. There are two sides to the debate. Most people will say that it was named after United States President Grover Cleveland's daughter Ruth who was called "Baby Ruth," because that is what the manufacturer stands by. The candy originally came out in 1920 under the name "Kandy Kake." In 1921, it was changed to "Baby Ruth."

In 1921, Cleveland's daughter had been dead for seventeen years. It seems highly unlikely that the Curtiss Candy Company would name a candy bar after a little girl who had been gone for so many years. But the candy manufacturer assures everyone that the name came from Ruth Cleveland.

Many people think the candy bar was renamed to cash in on the popularity of the famous Yankee baseball player Babe Ruth. In 1921, Ruth broke the record for the most home runs; that was the same year the name of the candy bar changed. It's highly probable that Curtiss Candy Company made up the story on why the candy bar was named "Baby Ruth" so they wouldn't have to pay royalties to Babe Ruth. Even back then, someone was thinking how to make money by capitalizing off of someone else's fame! Here's a list of chocolate bars that have been popular over the years.

Recycle Your Halloween Candy

2011-11-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

It's a few days since Halloween, and if you're wondering what to do with your excess candy, there are a lot of creative ways to make use of it! In an earlier post, we told you about anysoldier.com, a website that connects you with soldiers who are looking for various things. Some of them are asking for candy so they can give it to local children in foreign countries where they are stationed. Many of those kids would never have candy if it wasn't for our troops. And we know how much kids love candy!

If you can't part with all that sweet goodness, there are things that you can make right in your own kitchen. No need to run out and buy a candy studded milkshake next time you have a craving for something sweet. Make one with left over M & M's, Heath Bars, Reese's Pieces, Gummy Bears, or any other goodies you might have. Instead of regular chocolate chips, use chopped up chocolate candy next time you make brownies or cookies. Spice up your baked goods and add some color with your uneaten Halloween candy!! Will you be making a gingerbread house this year? How about decorating it with your leftovers? Dots candy, gumdrops, Hershey's Kisses, peanut butter cups, and Sweet Tarts work really well for this. If someone in your family is celebrating a birthday soon, and you like cake decorating, you can use surplus candy for that as well.