On Easter morning in 1987, I sprang out of bed and raced to my Easter basket. Even though I had long outgrown the belief in the Easter Bunny, my parents clung to the tradition. As I gazed at the vibrant eggs and candy in my basket, my heart skipped a beat when I discovered a cassette tape of the Beastie Boys’ latest album, “Licensed to Ill.” That morning was spent reveling in the music while devouring jelly beans and peanut butter cups like there was no tomorrow. It remains the most memorable Easter basket I’ve ever received. (Okay, I might be inclined to give a nod to the wine basket my husband gifted me after the Lent I swore off wine. That was pretty fabulous too.)
Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, Easter baskets were a simpler affair. A bit of fake grass, some hard jelly beans, and perhaps a chocolate bunny to uphold tradition, and we were ecstatic. However, who would have guessed that Easter would evolve into the springtime equivalent of Christmas, with our candy preferences becoming increasingly sophisticated? While we all tend to overindulge in treats and gifts, some Easter candies have proven to be timeless classics, while others could easily be sent back with the Easter Bunny.
1. Peanut Butter Eggs
Then: We had generic peanut butter eggs from brands like Asher’s, which were sadly lacking in flavor.
Now: Thank goodness for Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, which are simply divine. Please don’t ever disappear!
2. Mini Sugar Egg Panoramas
Then: These overly sugary eggs with tiny decorations were more for show than consumption, often lingering in our baskets for weeks.
Now: Shockingly, they still make an appearance in Easter baskets. Seriously, what is the appeal here?
3. Cadbury Creme Eggs
Then: Cadbury made a splash with their catchy slogan, “No bunny knows Easter like Cadbury.”
Now: Despite their controversial taste, stressed-out parents continue to stockpile them right before Easter.
4. Pez Dispensers
Then: Pez dispensers were the ultimate candy dispensers, offering fun characters and refillable joy.
Now: These quirky dispensers are still beloved; there’s something special about a lamb’s face dispensing sugary squares.
5. Black Jelly Beans
Then: Black jelly beans were universally disliked and deemed unfit for consumption.
Now: Nothing has changed; they still belong in the trash.
6. Chocolate Easter Bunnies
Then: Finding a large chocolate bunny on Easter morning was a must.
Now: Though we still hope for one, seeing a toddler take a big bite out of it can be a bit disheartening.
7. Malted Easter Eggs
Then: Brightly colored malted eggs were the perfect crunchy treat.
Now: Now I find myself sneaking these treats in solitude, hiding from the kids.
8. Peeps Marshmallow Chicks
Then: Peeps were a delightful novelty.
Now: You either love them or can’t stand the sight of them; there’s no middle ground.
9. Easter-Themed Candy Corn
Then: This didn’t even exist.
Now: Seriously, candy corn, it’s time to go home.
10. Jelly Beans
Then: There was only one kind of jelly bean: Brach’s, which were colorful but lacked flavor.
Now: Today’s jelly beans come in an array of flavors, making them a versatile Easter treat.
11. Foil-Wrapped Chocolate Eggs
Then: The thrill of hunting for these hidden gems was unbeatable.
Now: The Easter Bunny still hides them, but you often forget where, leading to surprises for months.
Reflecting on Easter 1987 and my mom’s purchase of that Beastie Boys cassette brings a smile to my face. The irony is that now, being the Easter Bunny means snatching up all the candy before the kids get their hands on it. Excuse me while I dive into my stash of peanut butter cups and jelly beans. Oh, and I should probably download some Beastie Boys tracks too.
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In summary, Easter treats have evolved significantly over the decades, with some enduring as favorites while others remain puzzling. Regardless of what fills our baskets, the joy of Easter remains a cherished tradition.