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Tag: confectionery

  • Gift Guide 2025: Stocking stuffers for everyone

    Stocking stuffers might be the most fun gifts to receive around the holidays. They’re small and practical, and add some whimsy to your gift giving (and receiving). Here’s a little something for everyone.

    Get ready for a new level of squish with Squish-a-longs, the latest addition to the Squishmallows family. An adorable and portable collectible, Squish-a-longs Mini-Squish, made of squeezable plastic, is perfect with its one-inch size. With the Clip & Go, you can take your Mini-Squish anywhere. The Mini-Squish Clip & Go has (3) 1” Mini-Squish, 1 Ring, and a Collector’s Guide, all inside of an adorable Squishmallows character clip that you can hang from your backpack, bag, lunchbox, or more.

    For those on the hunt for a stocking stuffer that’s as fun as it is flavorful, the new Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube brings the brand’s signature Edible Entertainment to life, inviting kids and kids-at-heart to literally play with their food. Each gummy cube peels open to reveal a surprise 3D animal gummy hidden inside, offering a multisensory mix of chewy textures, bold Juicy Drop flavor, and pure discovery. Available in Original and Wild Berry packs, it’s a playful treat that turns candy time into game time.

    Indulge in an amazing snacking experience with Barebells Soft Bars, blending yummy flavours with protein without added sugar. Their Soft Bar collection delivers a rich, satisfying taste with 16 grams of protein. Explore their expanded range of products and discover your next favourite treat. Low on sugar, high in protein, and absolutely delicious.

    Manmade’s boxers and socks are all the rage this holiday season, and can tuck into any stocking. Their bundle comes with three black boxer briefs and two pairs of socks, and are crafted with the finest of fabrics to make ultimate comfort the sole priority.

    e.l.f. cosmetics’ newest skincare launches come in travel-sized containers, perfect for anyone who loves taking care of their skin. Their latest reveals are super popular: the Bright+Brew-tiful Eye Cream, Pore-fecting Toner, and more. 

    The Happy Tears card game is a super fun way to add some entertainment to your holiday celebrations. The Happy Tears Family Edition bilingual conversation card game includes 100 fun and meaningful prompts that spark family connection, with 96% of Happy Tears products designed and manufactured in Montreal.

    Looking to add a festive flair to your holiday gatherings? The new Santa’s Favorites Pack from Cocktail Bomb Shop is a delightful collection of holiday-inspired cocktail bombs guaranteed to make your celebrations unforgettable.

    – JC

    By: Jennifer Cox The Suburban

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  • Halloween spending expected to increase by $500 million — as candy prices soar at the highest rate on record

    Halloween spending expected to increase by $500 million — as candy prices soar at the highest rate on record

    It’s going to be a big year for Halloween, despite millions of Americans feeling under financial pressure due to inflation.

    Total spending is expected to hit $10.6 billion, an increase of 5% or $500 million on last year, the National Retail Federation estimates. That’s up $2 billion or 20% on the $8.8 billion Halloween expenditure in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Spending on costumes expect to reach $3.6 billion this year, the NRF survey finds, the highest since 2017. Adult costume spending could reach $1.7 billion this year, $200 million more than last year.

    More than half (57%) of Americans said that inflation did impact their Halloween spending, according to a separate LendingTree Halloween spending survey. In fact, nearly a quarter of this group said they were buying less candy.

    Inflation was 8.2% in September compared to last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. It was among the highest level in the past four decades.

    Candy and chewing gum rose 13.1% year-on-year in September, the highest increase on record, the BLS said. To put that in context: Candy and chewing gum increased 13% from December 1997 to December 2006.

    “Candy and chewing gum rose 13.1% year-on-year in September, the highest increase on record.”

    For those who haven’t started, the competition was already on. In July, Home Depot
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    announced that its popular 12-foot skeleton was sold out, three months before the celebration. 

    A Home Depot spokesperson confirmed the initial sellout of the skeleton in summer, and said the company has been releasing more of these items periodically since then.

    Supply-chain disruptions could also complicate the competition. During Hershey’s
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    second-quarter earnings call in July, Chief Executive Officer Michele Buck said the candy manufacturer had to prioritize the everyday candy packaging over the Halloween ones. She said that decision was “critical to enable us to increase advertising and merchandising levels.”

    In an email to MarketWatch, however, a Hershey’s spokesperson said this decision was not a sign of shortage, adding that the brand had produced more candies for the season than they had in previous years, as Halloween demand remains high. 

    “Like every season over the past few years, sell-through at retail remains high with people purchasing candy, décor and other seasonal items earlier and more often. As a result, seasonally packaged candy may be more limited on the shelf as we get to the final week of the season. Fortunately, the same great brands in snack sizes are available to help fill trick-or-treat bags and buckets,” she said.  

    “On average, Americans plan to spend between $100 and $169 on Halloween candy, décor, cards and costumes.”

    On average, Americans plan to spend $100 on average for Halloween candy, décor, cards and costumes, the National Retail Federation said. LendingTree estimates that households will spend $169 this year, with six-figure salary earners and parents with young children planning to spend the most — $340 and $309 respectively.

    More than a third of the consumers surveyed admit they plan to spend more than they can afford this year. Generation Z — those aged 18 to 24 — and parents with younger children are the most likely to admit to overspending.

    “With the worst of the pandemic further in the rearview mirror, people are excited to get back to spending on the things they love most —, particularly the things they maybe couldn’t fully enjoy over the last few years,” LendingTree chief credit analyst Matt Schulz said.

    The most common reason for overspending: 44% of respondents said they spent more than they had expected, while 34% said they were making their children happy.

    The NRF concluded that 40% of people are shopping at discount stores this Halloween, 36% at specialty Halloween costume stores, and 31% online. Another 11% said they will shop at thrift stores and resale shops.

    “Social media is playing an increasingly important role in consumer behavior, and Halloween is no different,” Phil Rist, executive vice-president of strategy at Prosper Insights & Analytics, said. “Younger consumers, particularly those under the age of 25, will look to platforms like Instagram and TikTok for costume inspiration this year.”

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