I don't know about you, but for some cultural reason, See's Candies seems to have a strong seasonal following. It's become a tradition of sorts, or was, that See's Candies be a part of Christmas day. At least it's a strong memory for me, anyway. I can still remember a box being in our house on Christmas Day in my late teens, early adolescence, and even as a toddler (although those memories are sepia-toned, jittery, with negative scratches and no audio).In any event, See's seems to have this market cornered. Or do they?
As I was getting coffee this morning, I overhead an elderly foursome talking about their holiday plans and referencing a forthcoming trip to See's in order to buy a box of "Nuts and Chews". And it struck me that this habit has not carried over for me. I don't include a visit to a distributor of Mary's fine confections in my seasonal planning, and I don't notice or hear people my age or younger doing so either. Is this a generational thing? Will this tradition gradually fade away over the coming decade, going the way of fruitcakes and nativity scenes on front lawns? Or will See's perhaps spin the marketing campaign to pick up the interest of the younger crowds, with the sweet blue-haired staff of yesteryear being replaced with disgruntled former Tower Records employee's behind the counter, complete with multiple piercing and hip-shirts picturing one of their trademark lollypops and their new slogan "Suck on This"!
Let us hope not. I'd rather see the gentle and symbolically matronly workers all collectively remove their hair nets in unison as the doors permanently close than see something so timeless change.