Tricks and Treats

By the tickling of my gums, something wickedly tasty this way comes! It's a sure sign of Halloween when the myriad textures, colors and tricked-out containers of candy hit the store shelves hard. With the season starting earlier and earlier each year as retailers scramble to compete for your precious shemolians, it gets better and better.

Taking a cue from that dastardly purveyor of moonlit frights, the Drunken Severed Head, here's my first foray's haul of wonderful Halloween candy delights. And I dare you to try and say that three times fast with a mouthful of Jelly Beans.

I found these energetic bike buddies at Walgreens. I never could figure out how skeletons could move in horror movies without muscles—let alone ride a bike—but why let reality get in the way of a good thing?

These nostalgic  bikers, with their green and orange plastic parts, reminded me of those vintage Rosbro candy containers; but these are less expensive to own, so I bought the whole box of happy skeleton and pumpkin bike riders. Now if they could toss in a witch or two, that would be heaven, and not a pretty witch, either: long nose, jutting chin, green face, and black, pointed hat is Halloween appropriate. It is fantasy, you know.

At Target, I came across the Edgar and Ellen Corpse Countdown, in a suitably atmospheric coffin-shaped box. Each "grave" contains a spooky, gummy surprise, just right for when those anxious moments of Halloween-anticipation overwhelm you.

You get thirteen days of treats, including ghoulish gummies and goofy ghouls. Brains, skulls, and eyeballs are tossed in, too, as well they should be. What's Halloween without a few chewy brains and skulls waiting to be devoured?

Dollar Tree, always a good place for Halloween items, has these spinner containers. Guess how much? Push the button to whirl the face on the grim reaper or the pumpkin. Will it stop at Mr. Happy or Mr. Frown? No fear, you can always spin again while munching on the crunchy nuggets of suger.

I snuck in the skeleton pez-like candy dispenser I found at 7-Eleven last year. I hope 7-Eleven has more like these this year; but not the ones from last year. Stale Halloween candy is a nightmare!

Comments

[Fred]

Your HW candy entry struck a nerve. When I was a kid, I hoarded the candy I collected on HW night. I would spread it out on my dresser according to the type, and count it before I left for school in the days following, to see if my Mom snitched any while I was gone!

I always bought the wax candy HW harmonicas and the vampire lips during that time of year. What fun memories!

[Iloz Zoc]

I fondly remember the Rosbro containers the candy came in. The orange plastic always fascinated me. Of course, like you, the candy was a goner for sure, and curses to anyone daring to touch it. Among my favs were those cloyingly sweet wax bottles filled with sugary goodness. I can practically taste one now...