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Original poster

Now these were real selection boxes

147 replies

ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 20/08/2023 15:43

Just seen this picture on FB and had to post. These were the selection boxes of my day, better than the crappy ones available these days.

Every year we’d get a selection box/stocking each, a big jar or Quality Streets and Roses for the family and a box of the sugary orange and lemon slices. They lasted us ages, well it felt like it anyway.

Who else remembers these?

Now these were real selection boxes
OP posts:
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Swallowdoubleandrunamile · 20/08/2023 18:04

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/08/2023 17:08

Double Deckers used to have a crisper base and softer middle , more like a Milky Way

Star Bars were called Nutch and bigger peanut bit

Opal Fruits (now gallivanting about as Starburst ) had a lemon sweet not the blackcurrant (lemon was much nicer )

Anyone remember a chocolate in two halves ,( about the size of an egg ) milk chocolate , soft caramel and hazelnut (Nutcracker comes to mind but could be wrong ) .
And one that was two fingers each had three segments . Delicious praline with crisp sugar bits , I think the other variety was soft caramel . This was late 90s/early 00s

I remember the two halves thing, was delicious!!
Can't remember the name, sorry.
And Treets!!

mizu · 20/08/2023 18:05

Oh goodness those stocking were so full you thought the chocolate would last forever. Such a great choice of chocolate bars as well.

Mojodojocasahaus · 20/08/2023 18:11

I really really wish one of the big supermarkets/manufacturers would look at this and produce a proper retro selection box with full sized goodies - It would be a perfect adults retro Christmas present - I’d be happy to part with a tenner for one

Also wish boots would do natural selection 90s gift baskets as a retro gift - all those kids of the 80s/90s would lap them up as Christmas gifts

AristideBeauvoir · 20/08/2023 18:13

@BatshitIsTheOnlyExplanation Yes I thought about mentioning the Spangles too. Cola flavour was my favourite although you had to watch the tip of your tongue when you got to the last bit which could be a bit sharp!

maddiemookins16mum · 20/08/2023 18:18

Yep, they lasted ages too and the Spangles were last to be eaten).

CravingASpiraBringThemBack · 20/08/2023 18:22

GEC44 · 20/08/2023 17:54

Bring back Terry's Neopolitans!

I Miss those too!

HurdyGurdy19 · 20/08/2023 18:27

Showing my age here, but I remember the lovely boxes of chocolates that came with a bow tied around them at Christmas time.

They often had pictures on the lids of thatched cottages, or cute animals, or pretty village scenes. Same chocolates inside as were available all year round, but presented in a far more luxurious way.

Not many people understand now when you describe a cute or unique property as a chocolate box scene .

WimbyAce · 20/08/2023 18:27

Things were done better years ago, same if you see pictures of retro easter eggs, so much nicer than the generic crap these days.

agent765 · 20/08/2023 18:28

I remember the Palmer & Harvey catalogue that came from as well as the proper selection boxes.

I also agree with reverting to the old names. Why they changed in the first place is beyond me.

Original poster
ITSSSSCHRISTMASSS · 20/08/2023 18:29

MarshyMcMarshFace · 20/08/2023 17:23

Those selection boxes have maximum Choc bars and minimal packaging.
Now it is the other way around.
They used to be exciting.
Now they are Dismal and pointless.

Absolutely agree!

Ive always bought my DDs one every year purely as tradition, but a couple of years ago the amount of plastic and lack of chocolate really depressed me so last year I made my own versions of chocolate and sweets my DDs liked. I’ve also started using their stockings just for chocolate and edible treats.

@Mrsfussypants1 so true, there was something about the meshing 😆

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 20/08/2023 18:32

Oh yes Me and DB always had the Mars Christmas stocking with the red netting.

Hurdy it was Milk Tray and i think Dairy Box who put Christmassy pictures on their boxes. There is a Twitter account https://twitter.com/OldUKCatalogues

who put up pics. Anyone remember Cadburys Biarritz

https://twitter.com/OldUKCatalogues

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/08/2023 18:40

Cadburys Biarritz

triangular blue box ?

If so , then yes Xmas Grin

continentallentil · 20/08/2023 18:42

There’s just something about the 80s colour palette that’s SO Christmassy

It’s like a properly Christmassy tree needs to have gaudy multicoloured balls or what is the point?

I have just had a frisson of Christmas excitement..

Lagershandy · 20/08/2023 18:42

Loved the lime barrels in Milk Tray.

JenniferBooth · 20/08/2023 18:47

@70isaLimitNotaTarget YES they were lush Wish i had a Tardis to do my Christmas shopping

Ohmylovejune · 20/08/2023 18:49

Topics covered in real galaxy chocolate, I think
Texan bars!

Montego biscuits - especially the ginger ones - I ate loads the night I helped my Dad's uncle with his run for local Councillor. They put me in HQ to run to voting stations and take back exit polls.
Should have called me Mori!

Easter train boxes of little mackintosh caramel eggs.

Panda pops cream soda

AlwaysGinPlease · 20/08/2023 18:51

Oh the old days 😊

Now these were real selection boxes
JenniferBooth · 20/08/2023 18:54

Does anyone else remember Hellas chocolate bars My parents bought the strawberry ones

OutragedSloth · 20/08/2023 19:04

Oh I used to ask father Christmas for the stocking shaped one with the open fruits every year. Pure excitement when I got it.
I wish selection boxes were still like this

RyanGoslingsTan · 20/08/2023 19:09

GoingForAWalkortwo · 20/08/2023 16:16

RIP Revels, Treets and Topics.

Revels are still around.

You can still get revels and Topics

GoingForAWalkortwo · 20/08/2023 19:11

You can still get revels and Topics

Revels yes but Mars stopped making Topics in 2022.

Magicoven · 20/08/2023 19:12

Used to love getting one of these for Christmas! We didn't have chocolate much at all as my parents couldn't afford it, but we always had a stocking shaped one each and it was so special. I remember my brother would eat all of his straight away and invariably feel really sick, whereas I would have my favourite bar and work my way through. I don't think chocolate in general tastes as good anymore, but I don't think they're as special now as chocolate is so readily available it's not as much of a novelty. Those were the days, I always feel very nostalgic for my childhood but I think it's more as I was young and wasn't subject to the stresses of life

RyanGoslingsTan · 20/08/2023 19:18

GoingForAWalkortwo · 20/08/2023 19:11

You can still get revels and Topics

Revels yes but Mars stopped making Topics in 2022.

I've bought them in Sainsbury's, b and m and home bargains, all in the last month. And all with really good BB dates

Magicoven · 20/08/2023 19:35

If you have bought Topics recently they must have been produced last year as they literally don't make them anymore!

RyanGoslingsTan · 20/08/2023 19:45

Magicoven · 20/08/2023 19:35

If you have bought Topics recently they must have been produced last year as they literally don't make them anymore!

Yeh they must have been, nothing wrong with them though. See a few places online sell them too