Decorating with candy

The makings of a green-and-gold candy buffet.

For my High School reunion this past weekend, I was asked to put together something decorative for the sign-in table. While this was not a huge design project, I did want it to have some significance. I tried to think of a memory that most of us shared growing up and the first thing that came to mind was Ryer’s corner store, which was – and still is – directly in front of both the high school and one of the elementary schools in my home town. Every day after school, hoards of us kids would descend upon the tiny store (it has since been renovated to three times its original size),
Mr. Reyer would keep a vigilant eye on us from behind the counter as we pushed at each other in line, fighting for the chance to hand over our coins for Slush Puppies (my favorite was blue raspberry), Red Hots, Sweet-Tart lollipops, wax teeth, and bubble gum.

For this big-year-reunion, I gathered five large glass containers from Home Goods that looked like the grown-up versions of the penny-candy jars that used to line the shelves at Ryer’s, and then completely filled them with mostly green and gold sweets in honor of our school colors. I even found a chocolate lollipop with an image of our school mascot on it at a local candy store, JJ’s Haute Chocolat, where I also picked up some green and gold chocolate hearts that we scattered around the base of the jars.

Dessert bars and candy buffets like these are quite popular these days as an entertaining design trend. They are sure to grab the attention of guests (both young and old) at childrens birthday parties, Bah and Bat Mitzvahs, and other holiday gatherings.


Here are a couple of online sources for sweet ideas (and great conversation starters) to use at your next event ...


Save the Date for Cupcakes:
a design blog featuring all things sweet


Sweet Tables by
Dooby Design Group


New England Fine Living:
Images of Candy Buffets