Hershey’s Chocolate Miniatures Bulk Candy, 265-Piece

Most of us have fond memories of those visits to the grandparents’ house as a kid. Sure, the kisses could be sloppy and the board games were a little dusty, but you could usually count on a candy dish full of treats, all yours for the taking (within reason).

Now, maybe it’s your turn to be the doting Nana or Pop-Pop. Or maybe it’s just Halloween. Or hey, maybe you’re simply a grown up who’s realized they no longer have to barter hugs and cuteness in order to sate their sweet tooth. Whatever the case, bulk candy is the way to go.

No judgement if these treats are all yours, but let’s assume you’re buying for company. In this case, variety packs are the way to go. Whether you’re buying for a party or on Halloween, an assortment of candies is the way to make sure all your guests have something to graze on.

Of course, there’s a crucial difference between house parties and trick-or-treating. At parties, it may be easier to buy unwrapped candies that you can empty into a bowl. If you’re going that route, check to see that your bag can be resealed. Unwrapped bulk candy might last about 3 months, but that time frame dwindles much quicker if it’s left in an open bowl for days.

For Halloween, you will of course want to go for wrapped candy. The variety aspect is much more important here, since you never know what the neighborhood kids will like. You may also want to go for some gluten-free candies if parents ask for them. There’s a long list of specific brands you can find on gluten allergy websites, but in general you should be safe with gummy treats, Smarties and most Hershey chocolate bars.

Don’t be afraid to buy ahead of time if you find the right price, too. Wrapped candies last much longer than the unwrapped kind, provided they’re stored at roughly room temperature and humidity. Milk chocolate can last 7 or 8 months, while dark chocolate can stay tasty up to 3 years. Most hard candies and caramels will last up to a year, while Jolly Ranchers can remain sweet and edible almost indefinitely.

Unless it’s Halloween or you’re going through a bad breakup, bags of bulk candy are going to take awhile to get through. At some point, you might wonder how to store these treats for maximum staying power. Generally, the answer is simple: The pantry, at room temperature. You might be able to freeze gummy candies and get a bit more life out of them. (Just make sure you thaw them awhile before serving again.)

On the other hand, you may want to rethink that chocolate shelf in your fridge. Refrigeration won’t do much to extend the shelf life of your chocolates, and it might even make them taste worse. This particular treat doesn’t like too much variation in temperature and humidity, and that’s exactly what can happen once you take your chocolate out of the refrigerator. It can result in a telltale accumulation of sugar crystals on the surface of the candy, and that’s a sign that you’re in for a less-than-perfect bite.