Mars Full Size Chocolate Bulk Candy Mix

Whether you’re planning ahead for Halloween, Easter or a birthday party, when you’re buying candy for a crowd, buying in bulk is the economical 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 a great choice to make sure all your guests have something sweet 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. 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 throwing a big get-together, 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: in 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 for a while before serving.

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.