With October 31st just passing by, candy aisles are being cleared out store by store. Kids of all ages plot to devour a basketful of sweet treats each year, whether it is a chocolate or gummy candy. Based on the population at Eastern, here are some of the students’ favorite Halloween candies.
The origins of Halloween can be tracked back to the Celtic festival known as Samhain, which was originally held on November 1 rather than the October 31st celebrations known today. It was suspected that the souls of the dead returned to their homes on that day, so people dressed up in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. During Samhain, people would offer food to wandering spirits in an attempt to appease them and ward off evil. This is where the tradition of giving out candy began. The average American home spends about $40 on Halloween candy a year, and this year it is estimated that consumers spent around $3.1 billion alone on Halloween candy. Although chocolate is the most popular choice in the U.S., gummy candy is increasingly becoming more popular. My go-to candy is Gummy Nerd Clusters, and I’m sure almost half of Eastern would agree with my choice.
Forest Hills Eastern Seniors were asked about their top Halloween treat in order to see if the school could reach a candy consensus. A majority of students picked either Snickers, Reese’s, Hershey’s, or gummy bears. The top favorites in order were: Reese’s, Snickers, and gummy bears. These candy choices match up similarly with nationwide polls, and that’s for good reason. Whether in the form of cups or pieces, the signature combination of chocolate and peanut butter in Reese’s candies can be hard to resist—a concept of simplicity, perfection, and just pure chocolate. The Snickers bar is similarly a beautiful creation, incorporating roasted peanut and caramel topped nougat enrobed in milk chocolate. Gummy bears and their adorable shape aren’t just for show; they have a satisfying chew, making them irresistibly fun to eat. All in all, Eastern students picked some great choices.
Have you ever wondered what your candy choice says about you? Well, if you tend to be a chocolate person than you are bold, ambitious, and independent. Mason DeJoung (‘25), a chocolate fan, stated that his favorite candy was “almond joys for sure. No one likes them, so I get them all.” Senior Maddie Lukaart commented that her top choice was “Twix, probably. I love Twix.” If you are a gummy candy fan, than you are an optimist that loves being surrounded by positive people and are loyal, full of life, and kind. Nyla Garvin (‘25) is a fan of Sweet Tart Ropes because “I like fruity candies the filling on the inside.”
From the origins of Halloween, to the preferences of Forest Hills Eastern Students, enjoy the rest of your autumn by switching up your go-to candy and delighting in this sugar-filled time of year.
