It Turns Out Candy Just Changed Jobs.
Why do we stop buying candy... but never stop loving it?
It's something I've caught myself thinking about more than once.
As kids, candy didn't require an occasion. We spent our allowance on it, traded it at school, picked it out at the movie theatre, and proudly brought home our favourites after a trip to the convenience store. It was simply part of growing up.
Then, somewhere along the way, many of us quietly decided candy was "for kids."
It's funny when you stop and think about it.
We'll happily spend seven dollars on a latte without thinking twice. We'll convince ourselves that a new notebook, another houseplant, or the latest gadget is completely justified. But when it comes to buying a bag of candy, so many adults suddenly hesitate.
"I probably shouldn't."
"It's just for the kids."
"Maybe next time."
Where did that come from?
Because if there's one thing we've learned after doing this for over a decade, it's that adults haven't stopped loving candy at all. We've just become a little better at talking ourselves out of it.
Candy Didn't Disappear. It Simply Changed Jobs.
One of my favourite things to watch at our events is the difference between how kids and adults approach a candy buffet.
Kids usually know exactly what they want. They make a beeline for their favourites, proudly fill their bags, and rarely second-guess themselves.
Adults are different. They wander.
They stop in front of a candy they haven't seen in years. They pick it up, smile to themselves, and almost always tell whoever is standing nearby a story about it.
"I used to buy these after hockey."
"My grandma always had these."
"I completely forgot these existed."
Before long, they're no longer choosing candy. They're reliving memories, filling a bag to its brim, and making sure to ask if it's ok to take one home to their kids.
That's when it hit me one day. Candy hasn't disappeared from our lives. It simply changed how it showed up.
When we were younger, it celebrated birthdays, Halloween, sleepovers, movie nights, and good report cards. Today it celebrates promotions, weddings, employee appreciation events, road trips, conferences, anniversaries, retirement parties, and the occasional Friday when we simply made it through a long week.
The role never changed. We did.
Maybe We Don't Need a Reason
Working around candy every day has taught me something I wasn't expecting.
People don't really need permission to enjoy candy. They just need someone to remind them that it's okay. Sometimes candy comes with a stigma, and we get it.
We see it all the time on the Candy Truck. Parents come up to help their kids choose a treat, then quietly start looking around themselves. Someone spots a candy they haven't seen in years, and suddenly they're just as excited as the child standing beside them.
The same thing happens during our Blind Candy Tastings.
People arrive expecting to sample a few candies and have a little fun, but before long they're laughing, comparing answers, and telling stories about flavours they haven't thought about since they were young.
Nobody leaves talking about sugar. They leave talking about memories.
Maybe that's why candy has never really been about candy in the first place.
It's about giving ourselves permission to pause for a few minutes, enjoy something simple, and remember that not everything has to be productive to be worthwhile.
Sometimes joy is enough.
Candy Science
Did you know...
- Scientists have found that nostalgic experiences can increase optimism and improve mood, helping us feel more connected to both our past and the people around us.
- Sweet foods activate the brain's reward system, which is one reason candy is so strongly linked to celebrations and happy memories.
- Our brains remember emotional experiences much more clearly than ordinary ones. That's why you might not remember what you had for lunch yesterday, but you can probably picture your favourite candy from elementary school.
- Familiar favourites mixed with something new create a sense of both comfort and curiosity, which is one reason nostalgic candy buffets are such a hit at events.
Growing Up Doesn't Mean Growing Out of Joy
Maybe somewhere along the way we confused growing up with taking life more seriously. The older we get, the more we convince ourselves that little treats need to be earned.
That fun should have a purpose. That if we're buying candy, it should be for someone else, because it's not for us.
I don't think that's true.
I think life gives us enough reasons to say no to ourselves.
So every once in a while, buy the interesting snack.
Take the road trip.
Carry the bright bag.
Order dessert.
Eat the candy.
Not because you're trying to relive your childhood, but because you're still allowed to enjoy the things that make you smile.
Candy was never something we were meant to outgrow.
It simply grew up with us.
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