Nostalgic & Retro Candy

Retro candy is the old-fashioned American candy many people remember from childhood: wax bottles, candy buttons, taffy and penny-candy classics. Here's how to shop for it and build a nostalgia gift.

What counts as retro candy?

Retro candy covers sweets that were popular in past decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s. Many are still made by the companies that created them; others were discontinued and later revived. Decade gift boxes group candies that were around when someone was born or growing up, which makes them a popular present for milestone birthdays.

How to choose

• Decade boxes: choose by birth year and check the list of included candies. Some originals are no longer made and get substituted.
• Bulk bags are best for parties and candy buffets.
• Allergens: many classic candies contain peanuts or are made alongside them. Check the labels.
• Texture: wax bottles and candy buttons are novelty candies; creme drops and taffy are softer.

Brands and prices

Brands in this collection include RETRO CANDY YUM, FirstChoiceCandy, Gerrit's, 4YoreElves, CRAZYOUTLET and EMPORIUM CANDY TASTY TREATS FOR THE TUMMY. Most products are priced between $21 and $54.

Popular picks

• RETRO CANDY YUM 1966 Birthday Gift Box
• Doctor Plenty Nik-L-Nip Wax Bottle Candy Drinks, 1lb Bulk
• Zachary Old Fashioned Vanilla Creme Drops
• FirstChoiceCandy Red Boston Baked Beans
• Wax Bottle Candy 1lb Bulk Bag
• The Nile Sweets Black Jack Gum 20 ct

Ideas for gifts and parties

Set up a candy buffet sorted by color, add jars of penny candy to a milestone party, or fill a box with candies from the recipient's childhood decade. Store candy in a cool, dry place, since chocolate and taffy soften in heat.

Frequently asked questions

Are decade boxes accurate to the year?

They include candies that existed or were popular in that decade. Exact assortments vary and substitutions are common.

What are wax bottles?

Small edible-wax bottles filled with flavored syrup. You bite off the top, drink the syrup, and chew the wax.

How long does retro candy last?

Hard candies last longest. Eat chocolate and taffy by the date on the pack.

Is retro candy still made by the original brands?

Many classics are. Others have changed owners or recipes over the years.

More guides

• Nostalgic Candy You Can Still Buy in the US
• Pop Rocks Still Slap: A Nostalgia Candy Field Guide
• Dr Pepper Candy Exists, and It's Weirdly Excellent