Having Europeans in the family has brought me into contact with some things I never came across as a kid in Britain.
In fact there's loads of stuff: TV shows, food, drinks, household items, types of entertainment and toys.
Here are just two:
Eiskonfekt or Ice Confectionary:
basically these were small cups of chocolate wrapped in a coloured foil cup that were then put in the freezer to freeze. The chocolate itself reminds me of cooking chocolate but creamier. These 'sweets' came in a cellophane bag, which looked like an icing piping bag in shape. An acquired taste but certainly different. Apart from choc ices, I had never had frozen chocolate before this.
Indoor Fireworks:
these were boxes of fireworks for lighting indoors! Smaller than their outdoor cousins, there were snowstorms and roman candles for on the table top! Alas, to this day I have never actually seen any working, just heard about them.
You ever come across either of these readers?
Yes, indoor fireworks were certainly about in the early 1960s at least. I don't remember any roman candles., There were various cardboard cut-outs which when lit produced a "smoking man" puffing his cigarette, a volcano erupting, and also a paper bag which when lit rose to the ceiling -loosely described as a "balloon"!
ReplyDeleteThey were a Christmas staple for a few years, but not really spectacular stuff. The sort of thing Ellisdons might have sold.
They sound quaint Andy and quite nostalgic. I've never seen any. I did love Ellisdons though as a kid and regular;y sent off for novelty toys. Its what Postal Orders were invented for!
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