Fans Share Their See’s Candies Traditions!

For 105 years, See’s Candies has been more than just a treat — we’ve been a part of cherished family traditions for ages. From childhood memories of tempting candy drawers to holiday rituals passed down through generations, our fans have woven See’s into the fabric of their lives.

We asked longtime customers to share their See’s Candies traditions with us, and what they told us was simply extraordinary: stories that span five generations, six decades of loyalty and every milestone in between.

A Lasting Legacy of Sweet Memories

For many families, See’s Candies traditions didn’t start with a single moment — they were simply always a part of their lives. Vanessa has been a fan for over 40 years, and her memories go back even further:

“As a fifth generation San Francisco native, my family has been enjoying See’s for decades,” Vanessa said. “Any holiday, special event or time we want to show love to one another, a black-and-white box is there. See’s has been in my life for as long as I can remember.”

Robert has a similar perspective on See’s Candies history. His mother visited the 1939 World’s Fair where the See’s exhibit gave thousands their first taste of our chocolates; he also remembers our 15-foot Easter Bunny float in the 1949 Rose Bowl Parade! (Learn about more incredible historical moments on our About Us page.)

Although Robert said he’s sampled chocolates from around the world, he always comes back to his go-to:

“See’s has been with me all my life. It’s the gift I give for all occasions and share with my children and grandchildren,” he said. “It is truly our favorite chocolate.”

See’s Candies Traditions That Feel Like Home

Ask any longtime fan to describe their See’s family tradition and you’re guaranteed to get smiles and a sweet story. They’re not just memories. They’re evocative details that make See’s Candies history so special.

For Gina, who has loved See’s for over 51 years, it was her grandfather’s candy drawer — a ritual that made every visit feel like a reward:

“My grandfather had a ‘candy drawer’ in his dresser in the bedroom and we were allowed to select one piece when we came to visit,” she said. “My favorite candy was (and still is) Bordeaux.”

Susan, a 67-year-long See’s fanatic, also has nostalgic memories from home. Her mother kept a premium chocolate gift box hidden in the bedroom and brought it out exactly when it was needed most for her and her siblings:

“She always had a box hidden in her bedroom somewhere. When one of us had an especially difficult day, she would sit next to us on her bed and magically the wonderful white box of See’s would appear,” Susan said. “We would eat a piece or two together and problems would melt away.”

And Lynne, a See’s fan since 1960, remembers her father making a single piece of chocolate feel like an event:

“My Dad would open the box, take out one piece and show it to me. He would cut that one piece into squares (like he did with my sandwiches) and I could have one sliver,” she said. “Now on holidays and sweet times of the year, I will buy something special from See’s for my married son and daughter-in-law. I am carrying on the See’s tradition!”

Keeping the See’s Candies Tradition Alive

The most remarkable thing about See’s family rituals is how reliably they’re passed down from one generation to the next. When a parent shares Peanut Brittle (a Mary See original!) with their child, they’re often passing on something their own parent shared with them.

Lisa traces her family’s connection all the way back to the 1930s — and forward to her 5-year-old granddaughter. “At Easter, there was always a decorated See’s egg in my basket. I have passed the tradition of the Easter egg and the love of the candies to my daughter, and now to my 5-year-old granddaughter. Five generations!” she said. 

Lisa also took it up another notch for her son’s birthday every year. She said: “When my son was young, he got a See’s birthday cake, which consisted of a pile of candy with birthday candles!”

Distance is no match for a great See’s Candies tradition. A San Diego native and See’s fan for 53 years, Anita has now lived in Chicago for over two decades. But that doesn’t stop her from sharing the candy she loved with her children.

“I kept See’s alive for my own kids by ordering our favorite Scotchmallow® Trees at Christmas and a mix of Chocolate Bunnies and Jelly Beans for Easter every year,” Anita said. ”No matter where we live or where my children grow up to live, See’s will remain a special tradition that has been very sweet to keep alive.”

Celebrating 105 Years… and Counting!

Perhaps no story captures See’s Candies history quite like Irma Jean’s. She was born in January 1921 — the same year See’s opened its first shop! Now over 100 years old and a fan since her days at Stanford University, she’s loved See’s since 1938.

“On my 100th birthday, I received a lot of See’s candy, along with cards, flowers, balloons and drive-by caravans,” Irma said. “Everyone knows that for years I have eaten one piece of See’s a day!”

That’s the kind of joy See’s Candies traditions have been bringing for 105 years, through holidays, celebrations and all the meaningful moments in between.

All year long, we’ll be celebrating our 105th anniversary with more stories and surprises. Follow us @seescandies on Instagram to keep up with the latest.

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