The Most Iconic Christmas Snacks & Nibbles of the 80s & 90s

Welcome to Day 3 of our 25 Days of Nostalgia series!

Today, we’re diving into the festive treats that made Christmas in the 80s and 90s so memorable. Long before Instagram-worthy grazing boards and gourmet advent calendars, these retro Christmas snacks were simpler – but they were packed with flavour, fun, (a whole bunch of MSG) and most importantly, nostalgia.

From colourful selection boxes (family circle anyone?) to indulgent tins of Quality Street, these festive favourites were as much a part of Christmas as decorating the tree or unwrapping presents. So, grab a plate of your favourite treats (if you haven’t eaten them all yet) and join us as we revisit the snacks that made the season special.

Day 3: Choccies, Bickies and Nibbles For All!

Before we get started, let’s test just how well you know those treats, that we all tend to over-indulge in every holiday season!

Quiz Time

• Question: Which year was the first Quality Street tin launched?
• Question: Which snack featured brightly coloured icing and was a staple at Christmas parties?
• Question: Which snack made a cameo appearance in the Mr Bean episode “DIY Mr. Bean”?

Quality Street Tins

No Christmas was complete without a tin of Quality Street on the coffee table. Picking out your favourites (or fighting over the green triangle or the purple one) was practically a family sport. And when the tin was empty? It became the perfect storage box for sewing supplies!

Fun Fact: The first Quality Street tin was launched in 1936, and the iconic purple wrapper pays homage to the creator’s favourite dessert. According to Nestlé, the brand continues to be a favourite in festive celebrations across the UK.

Selection Boxes

The ultimate Christmas morning treat! Selection boxes were a magical assortment of chocolate bars that felt like an endless treasure. From Mars Bars to Topics (RIP), each one was a little gift within a gift. And let’s not forget the joy of the cardboard design – complete with Santa, snowmen, or a winter wonderland.

Trivia: The first selection boxes appeared in the UK in the 1930s and were marketed as “Christmas hampers for kids,” offering a variety of chocolates in one festive package.

Terry’s Chocolate Orange

“It’s not Terry’s, it’s mine!” This zesty chocolate treat became a staple of Christmas stockings. Smashing it open to reveal perfectly segmented slices was almost as satisfying as eating it. For many of us, it wasn’t Christmas without one.

I know my kids would be forlorn without one in their stocking each year!

Fun Fact: Terry’s Chocolate Orange originated in 1932 and was initially marketed as a luxury item.

Twiglets

Love them or hate them, Twiglets were a party staple in the 80s and 90s. Their unique Marmite-like flavour divided opinions, but they always seemed to show up on the snack table alongside cheese and pineapple sticks.

Remember that time Twiglets made a cameo in the Mr Bean Christmas episode “DIY Mr. Bean”? Their distinctive flavour and crunchy texture made for perfect comedy fodder.

After Eight Mints

Nothing said “fancy” quite like After Eights. These thin, minty chocolates were the go-to treat for Christmas dinner parties and always felt a little more grown-up. Whether you carefully peeled the wrapper or just grabbed the chocolate, they brought a touch of elegance to the season.

Fun Fact: After Eights were first launched in 1962 and marketed as the perfect post-dinner treat.

KP Skips

Light, melty, and packed with prawn cocktail flavour, Skips were a favourite festive crisp. They came in those iconic foil packets and were perfect for snacking during family board games.

I know I use them nowadays to get 5 minutes peace from the kids, but I still get a hankering for them myself!

And I’d completely forgotten about the “extra” flavours that were released as well.

Trivia: Did you know Skips were first introduced in the UK in the early 70s and became a staple Christmas snack by the 80s?

Cadbury Roses

Another essential tin of Christmas chocolates, Cadbury Roses offered something for everyone. From the caramel swirl to the strawberry dream, they were the treat that united the family. And just like Quality Street, the tins lived on as storage containers long after the chocolates were gone.

Fun Fact: Cadbury Roses were introduced in 1938 and were inspired by the “Rose Brothers,” a machinery company that wrapped chocolates in colourful foil.

Party Rings

These brightly coloured iced biscuits were a staple at any Christmas party. Their sweet, crunchy texture and vibrant look made them irresistible to kids and nostalgic for adults. Plus, they were the perfect companion to a cup of tea during the festive season.

Mint Matchmakers

Matchmakers were the ultimate 90s Christmas snack for sharing. Their minty flavour and crunchy texture made them a festive favourite, often served after Christmas dinner alongside coffee or hot chocolate.

Fun Fact: Matchmakers were introduced by Rowntree’s in the 1960s and were initially available in a range of flavours, including orange and coffee.

Cheese Balls / Wotsits / Puffs

These savoury treats were a Christmas classic. Crispy and greasy. With stains absolutely everywhere after you’d demolition a pack. They brought a savoury balance to all the sweets on offer… Cheese footballs were a completely new experience that only added to the festivities!

Trivia: Cheese puffs first became popular in the 70s and 80s as part of festive savoury snack assortments.

Special Mention: Snowballs & Babycham

If you were lucky enough to have Snowballs or Babycham during the festive season, you were living your best life. Snowballs, with their fluffy marshmallow texture covered in coconut, were a indulgent treat, while Babycham (which I’m only just now learning is alcoholic) was a pillar of my Christmas experience (as were “Snowball” bottles… the drinks, not the sweets)… which explains why I was oh so very giddy and sleepy afterwards.

How Have These Snacks Changed Over Time?

Many of these classic Christmas snacks have evolved since the 80s and 90s. Quality Street and Cadbury Roses now come in smaller tins, supposedly reflecting a shift towards less packaging and portion control. I’m mournful at the reduction in selection over time and while I appreciate astroturfing under the guise of “health” – give me my choccie back!

Cadbury’s hasn’t been the same since being bought by Mondelez anyway :(

Terry’s Chocolate Orange, once a luxury item, is now more widely available and has expanded into a variety of flavours like dark chocolate and popping candy (both equally as disgusting as each other).

Even After Eight Mints have undergone changes, with new flavours being introduced to cater to modern tastes.

I’m more partial to a box of Guylian’s nowadays anyway as I’ve mentioned over on my 104+ Christmas Gift Ideas for Dad: The Ultimate 2024 Guide 🎅!

You Don’t Have to Go Home, but You Can’t Stay Here

Christmas in the 80s and 90s wasn’t just about presents and decorations – it was about the snacks that brought people together. From chocolate tins to savoury treats, these iconic festive foods defined the season and still hold a special place in our hearts.

Share Your Nostalgia!

Which of these snacks brings back the most memories for you? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this nostalgic trip, share it with friends and family who’d love to relive these festive memories too!

And don’t forget to follow along with our 25 Days of Nostalgia series for more Christmas throwbacks:

• Day 2: “Throwback Christmas Ads: The Most Memorable Commercials of the 80s & 90s“
• Day 4: “Nostalgic Christmas Movies From the 80’s & 90’s That Defined My Holidays“

Pop Quiz Answers

Trivia Question: Which year was the first Quality Street tin launched?

• Answer: 1936

Trivia Question: Which snack featured brightly coloured icing and was a staple at Christmas parties?

• Answer: Party Rings

Trivia Question: Which snack made a cameo appearance in the Mr Bean episode “DIY Mr. Bean”?

• Answer: Twiglets