The Sweet Disharmonies of Childhood Halloween: A Taste You'd Forget Fast
Halloween is a beloved tradition across cultures, though its roots vary. For a British family in the UK, American customs like trick or treat eventually became a familiar part of the celebration. While many candies were enthusiastically received, there were also some that left a bitter taste in young mouths - or rather, in their memories.
Trick or Treat... and Trick-a-Will
Remember the buttered finger trick? Parents would often serve overripe, sticky finger toasters, delighting in the children’s dismay as their fingers got stuck. Speaking of sticky surprises, one of the most memorable was when my Halloween candy prankster cousin embedded gum in our bowl. Once you unwrapped the paper, you'd get a nasty surprise: a little toy that would whack your finger if you tried to take it. Thankfully, these days even the recreational kind are gentler and less painful.
What Candy Did We Hate?
The unyielding nature of Halloween candies can vary widely. Some sweets, like Tootsie Rolls, were a bane to kids due to their hard texture and difficulty in unwrapping. They were a common culprit, especially in high altitudes. Despite the frustration, these candies held a certain cultural significance and a bit of a sport in sling shot combat. They were just peanut butter and chocolate, nothing special.
Another unpopular candy was the generic fruit roll. They were often found at the bottom of trick or treat bags, having been overlooked in favor of more desirable treats. These candies were nameless, colorless, and not particularly tasty. They seemed to be the embodiment of forgotten promises and unfulfilled expectations.
Recollections of Childhood
My childhood Halloween was a mix of sugar highs and cavity fears. Instead of a teeth-chipping haul, my parents wisely focused on our sibling dynamics. My sister, who was diabetic, couldn't partake in those sweet adventures. My step-siblings, however, were often the first to be invited for candy donations to the local pediatric ward. My personal choices invariably revolved around Almond Joys—a guilty pleasure, even back then—because they were delicious and soft, unlike the demonic candy like Tootsie Rolls.
Modern Halloween: Treats for Grown-Ups?
Fast forward to the present, and the concept of growing up too fast doesn't stop with just outgrowing candies. One year, my kids and I received something more... interesting than candy: a bottle of wine from a neighbor. For many, the better taste of adulthood in forms other than candy seemed fitting.
The memories of these candies are etched in my mind, not because of how much I enjoyed them, but because of how I would remember chasing the sickly sweet and trying to appreciatively pocket a single Almond Joy or Smartie for later.
Final Thoughts
Halloween remains a sweet and spooktacular holiday, but some of the candies you'd find in your trick or treat bag were as un-savory as the pranks thought up by your Grow-Up only family members. From the unyielding texture of Tootsie Rolls to the sticky surprise of buttery gum, these candies made for some incredible memories—if only because we remember the laughter and groans as much as the taste.