As a child, I used to love to go to my grandmother’s house and raid her candy dish. From this translucent glass dish, which sat expectantly on the coffee table in her living room, I unwrapped my first root beer barrels and lemon drops. Later, these gave way to those mints that explode into powder as you bite them and the tiny Italian candies shaped like fruit that I can never seem to find anymore. Maybe I’m just feeling a little sentimental and missing my grandparents and my childhood, but I think I’m ready to bring back the candy dish.
Needless to say, it is time. My candy supply is overflowing from its dresser drawer. Yes, it is a large drawer. And that’s just what I have hoarded in my apartment. Rather than go the traditional crystal route to present my stash to visitors, I’m thinking about something a little modern like this Incline Bowl from Uncommon Goods. This small but stylish bowl practically begs to be filled with brightly colored gum drops or jelly beans. It’s also versatile enough that it can be placed anywhere in my home – like on my nightstand. You never know when you’ll have a craving, after all.
Or perhaps I will go for an item that’s more handmade, such as this glass plate from Etsy. The bright blue squares are fun and have a lovely texture. I can just picture some Lindt truffles clustered on this plate, and I can imagine people plucking them like souvenirs when they enter my house. I have a soft spot for artisan work but I think this could work well in practically any home or room. And not just because it will store candy – it also looks like it’s constructed from pieces of candy.
I have to admit that my favorite piece and the one I’m leaning toward the most is actually quite old fashioned – it’s the candy chicken! This teeny dish would hold all of three gumballs, but it is adorable and has a face that probably only I could love. Even if I don’t purchase the candy chicken, I think it’s a great inspiration piece for someone looking for an interesting and unconventional way to store and display candy.
Grandma would be so proud!
So, are you with me? Are we bringing… candy dishes back?
I love the candy chicken! I have 2 myself. Maybe you could use a bigger one:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=chicken+on+nest
I remember a hard candy with powder inside. When you sucked on it, eventually a small hole would bore it’s way into the center and the powder would foam and fizz a little. No one I talk to ever remembers this candy.
RESPONSE: Sounds like Zotz
–Brian
What a cute post! My girlfriends and I are getting a townhouse soon, and this has inspired me to go hunting for a candy dish!
After all, what’s a better way to make friends with your neighbors than to leave candy in conspicuous places?
I rather enjoy the first bowl. The other ones are whimsical and adorable, but I love the simplicity of the first one. It would really make some bright candies pop!
This is a great post! I remember the candy dish at my mom’s, it’s still there! Right now it’s filled with gumdrops. It is a crystal dish with a cover. She uses the cover when there are unwrapped items in there.
Everyone should have a candy dish!
Sandy, thank you for the eBay link! I may have to start collecting these. One candy chicken for chocolate, one for dark chocolate, one for hard candy, one for not-so-hard candy, etc.