1. Wax Bottles (Nik-L-Nips) – Loved the Fun, Hated the Aftertaste
These tiny wax bottles filled with brightly colored sugary liquid were a Halloween staple. The fun part was biting off the top and sucking out the sweet syrup inside. But once the sugar was gone, you were left with a mouthful of waxy material that had no place to go. Some kids chewed on it like gum, while others spat it out immediately. Either way, it was one of those candies you loved for the moment but quickly regretted.
2. Candy Cigarettes – Loved the Cool Factor
Ah, the days when pretending to smoke made you feel like the coolest kid on the block. Candy cigarettes were chalky sticks that you’d “puff” on to mimic the real thing, making them both loved and controversial. While the candy itself was pretty bland, the novelty of walking around like an adult was the real draw. You’d try to look nonchalant, “smoking” your candy cigarette, even if the taste was a bit, well, tasteless.
3. Pixy Stix – Loved the Sugar Rush
Essentially pure sugar in a straw, Pixy Stix were a simple yet effective candy for anyone looking to go from zero to hyper in five seconds flat. Kids tore them open with their teeth, dumping the colorful powder straight into their mouths for a blast of sweet, tangy goodness. While we loved the intense sugar hit, our parents weren’t so thrilled when we’d be bouncing off the walls for the next hour.
4. Tootsie Rolls – Hated the Effort
Tootsie Rolls were like the “meh” of Halloween candy. They were always there, filling up the bottom of your bag, and while you didn’t hate them, they weren’t exactly a treat to get excited about. The chewy, chocolatey flavor was fine, but sometimes getting through one felt like a workout for your jaw. And if they were cold? Forget it—those things could practically chip a tooth. You’d eventually eat them, but they were never a first choice.
5. Smarties – Loved the Simplicity
Smarties were one of those candies that were easy to overlook, but somehow, you always ended up enjoying them. Neatly wrapped in their clear cellophane, these tiny, chalky disks came in pastel colors and a mix of subtle flavors. They weren’t flashy, and they didn’t pack a major sugar punch, but there was something satisfying about eating them one by one, savoring the soft snap between your teeth. A Halloween classic.
6. Mary Janes – Hated the Stickiness
These old-school peanut butter and molasses-flavored candies were an acquired taste. Wrapped in wax paper, they stuck to everything—your teeth, your fingers, the inside of the wrapper. Some kids loved the strong peanut flavor, but others found them too sticky and too much work for the payoff. If you weren’t careful, Mary Janes could cost you a loose tooth or two by the end of the night.
7. Bottle Caps – Loved the Soda Flavors
Bottle Caps were a quirky candy that mimicked the flavors of your favorite soda pop. They came in grape, cola, root beer, and more, and the slightly fizzy texture made them stand out from the usual hard candies. They weren’t the biggest hit with every kid, but if you were into soda flavors, Bottle Caps were like getting a mini, sugary version of your favorite drink. A fun addition to any Halloween haul.
8. Candy Corn – Loved or Hated, No In-Between
Few candies divide people like candy corn. Some kids loved the honey-sweet, waxy triangles that appeared every Halloween, while others couldn’t stand the sight of them. The bright orange, yellow, and white layers were iconic, but candy corn was one of those treats you either devoured by the handful or traded away as fast as you could. To this day, it’s still the subject of heated debate!
9. Bit-O-Honey – Hated the Stubborn Chew
Bit-O-Honey was one of those candies you either liked for its sweet honey and almond flavor or despised because it felt like your teeth were glued together after just one bite. The chewy texture took forever to dissolve, making it more of a commitment than a treat. For kids who didn’t mind working for their candy, Bit-O-Honey was fine, but for those who wanted instant gratification, it was often a trick rather than a treat.
10. Pop Rocks – Loved the Explosions
Pop Rocks were more than candy—they were an experience. The tiny, crackling pieces would snap and fizz on your tongue, and that sensation alone was worth any weird flavors. Halloween night was the perfect time to share these with friends, daring each other to see who could handle the biggest mouthful. If you were lucky enough to get a pack of Pop Rocks, your night just got a little more exciting.
11. Necco Wafers – Hated the Blandness
These thin, chalky disks might have been a hit in an earlier time, but by the 70s, they were pretty low on the Halloween candy totem pole. The muted flavors and crumbly texture didn’t do much to satisfy a sugar craving, making Necco Wafers one of the most traded-away items in any Halloween stash. Yet somehow, they kept showing up year after year, as if people just couldn’t resist the nostalgia.
12. Clark Bars – Loved the Crunch
A Clark Bar was one of those candies that didn’t always get the recognition it deserved. The crispy peanut butter and caramel center, wrapped in a chocolate coating, made for a satisfying bite. It wasn’t as common as Snickers or Milky Way, but when you found one in your Halloween bag, it felt like a hidden gem. The crunchy, slightly salty combination was a nice break from all the chewy sweets.
13. Chiclets – Loved the Instant Flavor
Chiclets gum wasn’t exactly candy, but getting those tiny, colorful squares in your Halloween haul always felt like a treat. The burst of flavor was immediate and intense—until it wasn’t. The downfall of Chiclets was that the flavor disappeared as quickly as it arrived, leaving you chewing on a tasteless wad of gum. Still, that first blast of sugary goodness was enough to make them a Halloween favorite for a brief moment.
14. Mallo Cups – Loved the Marshmallow Filling
Mallo Cups were a sweet surprise on Halloween, combining chocolate and coconut with a gooey marshmallow center. They were like a less popular cousin of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but if you had a taste for something a little different, these were a treat. The mix of textures and flavors made them unique, and even if they weren’t as beloved as some other candies, those who liked them really liked them.
15. Now and Later – Hated the Brick-Like Hardness
Now and Laters were a challenge. The promise of fruity flavor was there, but biting into one felt like gnawing on a piece of concrete. The texture softened eventually, but only after you spent a solid minute trying to make any progress. For impatient kids, these were more frustration than fun, but they somehow ended up in everyone’s trick-or-treat bag every year.
Halloween in the 70s wasn’t just about the costumes—it was about the candy haul. Whether it was the excitement of getting Pop Rocks or the disappointment of yet another Mary Jane, the contents of your trick-or-treat bag were as memorable as the holiday itself. While some of these candies are still around, the way we felt about them back then will never be replicated. They were part of the fun, the mystery, and sometimes, the frustration of Halloween.
