Is there anyone who doesn’t love candy? If nurturing a sweet tooth is one of your guilty pleasures, then get ready for the Christmas season when candy abounds and no one cares how much you eat.
The gifting of Christmas candy in decorative containers originated in Germany in the early part of the 19th century and made its way to America by the mid-1800s. Quite pricey, they were filled with candy and hung on the Christmas trees in the homes of the affluent. Families who did not have the means to purchase store bought candy containers often made their own. These were most commonly made from rolled paper in the form of a cornucopia or and ice cream cone and filled with homemade treats.
By the end of the 19th century the popularity of candy containers had grown and factories in Japan, France and the U.S. initiated mass-production, making them affordable to everyone. The most popular of these early containers were tinsel covered papier-mache and composition Santas with furry beards and faces so life-like that they were more like dolls than candy packaging. These containers were reused year after year as tree ornaments and you can still find them in amazingly good condition. They will be 5”-11” in height and will often be marked with their country and factory of origin.
As their popularity grew, many factories produced wax coated containers in the shape of animals, fruit, angels or musical instruments. Candy containers in the shape of churches were often given by pastors to their congregates as Christmas gifts or handed out to children by their Sunday School teachers. A favorite among little girls of the late 1800s were the containers shaped like hat boxes and suitcases. These were the perfect size for doll accessories so they were often played with and discarded. Finding them in good condition is rare.
Not all collectible candy containers were in the form of tree ornaments. German toy makers in the 1880s made figures from cotton or papier-mache that sat on top of boxes, Yule logs, and snowballs. These could be quite elaborate with detailed reindeer and Santa figures that separated to be filled with candy. You will also find them with Santa holding a small silk bag or wicker basket that would accommodate a single treat.
Some of the most highly sought Christmas candy containers come from the Marolin Company of Germany (1900-1939). Their handcrafted molded and carved plaster of Paris figures from this era are found online and at specialized auctions. These beautiful creations will run from a low end of $200-$300 to rare examples that can cost $1,300 and up.
From 1940-1959 the Sears and Roebucks Christmas Catalog offered containers ranging from 2-16 ounces which will be marked with a manufacturer’s number. Over 100 designs are known to exist with thousands of each being sold. These are relatively easy to find at area antique malls or online through eBay and Etsy. Most of these will be hard molded-plastic boots, reindeer, snowmen, trains and Santas with a pouch on the outside for candy. With prices ranging from $15-$25 they are a good place to start your collection.
Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
