I was recently asked to think about what my sweetest memory is that involved Hershey’s KISSES. I absolutely adore KISSES and eat them pretty much any time I spot them somewhere. But a specific memory? I was really stumped for about a week trying to remember something specific.
And then it hit me while in the shower (why do all great thoughts happen in the shower?). My mind brought me back to something very subtle, but very special, indeed. And Hershey’s KISSES where right there while it all happened.
It was Christmas time 2001, and I was a senior in college. My parents gave me permission to travel to California with my boyfriend and spend the holidays with his family. I had never been further West than Arkansas, with the exception of one conference I got to go to in Utah during college. It was a big deal for me to get to see this part of the U.S.
And it was a seriously HUGE deal to get to spend Christmas with my boyfriend and his family. Mama didn’t raise no fool…I packed a nice dress just in case a proposal was headed my way. And it was, as it turned out. But he proposed to me while I was wearing flannel rubber ducky print pajamas, which is not nearly as scandalous but every bit as hilarious as it sounds.
Anyway, it was also my first time to meet Tim’s older sister and brother-in-law and to spend a significant amount of time with his family (more than a few days). And on top of all of that, it was my very first Christmas away from my own family. Can you just imagine all of the emotions running through me during this trip? Excitement, adventure, anxiety, sadness, hope, and of course, love. Lots of love. Love for the family I was gaining, love for the family I was missing, and love for the man who was my best friend. It was such a roller coaster!
In the midst of all of those emotions and in the midst of all the Christmas hullabaloo, there was something very special sitting on the kitchen counter. It was a crocheted gingerbread house that had a removable roof. Under the roof and inside the house were dozens and dozens of Hershey’s KISSES. Now, Tim’s family had significantly healthier eating habits than my family did, and for a gal with a sweet tooth, adjusting to the lack of refined sugar had its challenging moments. But those KISSES were like a beacon, and once I discovered them, I paid them visits multiple times a day.
Tim’s mother must have known, because every time I thought to myself, “I’m eating too many of these! I need to stop before they are all gone!” I would then notice that the house had been re-filled! Which would tickle and delight me, and make me think, “Well, one or two more won’t be noticed…”
Ha! I bet I ate an entire bag during that trip! And I have zero regrets. Hershey’s KISSES are woven into the fabric of my engagement story. I had forgotten, but now I remember and I’m so glad. No wonder those silver wrappers and tiny flags give me a huge grin every time I see them. They remind me of home, and where it all started.
Hershey’s KISSES infographic
Do you have any special memories that include Hershey’s KISSES?
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I am participating in a compensated campaign on behalf of Hershey’s KISSES and The Motherhood. All sweet memories listed here are strictly my own!
eating Hershey’s Kisses Hugs for the first time
I remember finding Hershey’s Kisses in my stocking on Christmas morning.
favorite memory is when my boyfriend used hershey kisses to spell out I LOVE YOU
ronaleeduncan{at}aol{dot}com
Getting a christmas stocking filled with kisses
My grandfather used to keep a huge bowl of kisses and everytime we would be polite or do something good we got a kiss
Eating them at my grandparents house
My husband spelled out the words will you marry me in Hersheys Kisses on Valentine’s Day 10 years ago. He still is the sweetest thing in my life.
Making cooking with kisses in them with my kids.
The 7oz hersheys kiss- best. gift. ever. Hubby got me that with a bag of every flavor hershey kiss bag from the store. sooo happy!
My favorite is my boyfriend giving me a heart-shaped box filled with Hershey’s Kisses.
My dog Phoebe once ate a who big costco bag of kisses… we gave here hydrogen peroxide in a turkey baster and she made the biggest shiniest pile of dog vomit ever…
Grandma’s Christmas cookies with a kiss in the middle!
Just watching my son’s face light up when I give him Dark Chocolate Hershey Kisses – They are his favorite
I don’t have a favorite memory but have liked them since I was little
i guy that like me put them in my locker
vmkids3 at msn dot com
my family used to share a giant hershey’s kiss at hershey’s park when i was little
I always loved baking Peanut Butter Blossoms when I was young! I was in charge of unwrapping them (and I got to eat lots!)
as a kid, going to my grandparents house and having in the toe of our Christmas stockings hershey kisses!
When my husband and I were engaged college students, I came home from a long day of school to find my bed full of Hersheys hugs and kisses with a sweet note from my fiance about how he was excited to shower me with hugs and kisses for the rest of our lives.
When my grandfather would give us them!!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
I just like to eat them on cookies around Christmas.
valentines kiss
I don’t have a favorite memory. I just love eating them.
Christmas at Grandma’s house where she had large Christmas decorated bowls full of Kisses.
when my older children were small i remember once when my son decided he needed to put some in his pocket for later…and of course they ended up melted and in the laundry……..
sharinf them with my niece and nephew
Gifting them to my son for Valentine’s day.
My Dad used to take a bag of kisses and a book with him every night at bedtime.Occaisonally he would fall asleep with half opened kisses in the bed and my Mother would be furious when she had to clean chocolate out of the sheets.He always promised not to do it again, but this went on for years.
I love Hershey kisses. I count out 10 for that day that way I don’t eat the whole bag. Moderation is the key.
I loved getting Hersheys Kisses for Valentines Day when I was a kid.
That would have to be when I was a kid, my dalmatian got into my Valentines candy and ate an ENTIRE bag of Hershey’s Kisses. Wrappers and all! We were so worried because dogs aren’t supposed to eat chocolate and she ate the wrappers too! Well about a half hour after the incident, she promptly threw up all of the tin foil and wrappers. Turns out she was just fine! It was a happy day! So much for dogs not eating chocolate!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I’d have to say every Christmas when we go to my mom’s house she always had some in a candy dish.Between myself,my 2 sisters and my daughter they didn’t last long.My daughter is grown and now she loves hugs. I’m a total Hershey’s Kiss-aholic. I could easily eat a bag by myself. My mom gave us all a medium kiss for Valentine’s Day. I guess Kisses make me always think of family and how much they mean to me.Thank you for the oh so yummy giveaway! 🙂
I use to quickly shuffle through my valentines at school to find the ones with a Hersey’s Kiss taped to them 🙂
Just sitting around with my sisters sharing hershey’s kisses and talking.
eating them in youth
Grandma letting me help make the sugar cookies with the hershey’s kiss in the center. She said I did it better than anyone.
getting them in my stocking!
When I was young the neighbors gave us a tin of Peanut Butter Blossom cookies at Christmas. i went through and ate the kisses off all the cookies. No one believed I was innocent as I claimed.
Making kiss cookies every Christmas with my mom and sister
Hershey Kisses bring a smile to my face every time I eat them, so I have good memories of enjoying the little kisses.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I don’t have a Hershey’s memory, unfortunately. All I know is that it’s been a staple in my house.
You are too cute, Tiffany! And those rubber ducky PJs have a special memory for me too since I will always remember the fun I had putting together the “T-shirt” quilt for you and Tim of all of your fun memories from over the year. There is a bit of a butterfly effect to the story as well. I don’t think I ever told you this, but I ended up bringing all the pieces of the quilt down to my parents’ house for the weekend to finish it and my mom, my grandmother and I worked together to piece it together. My grandmother was struggling with dementia at the time, but was able to help us a bit on the quilt. I wonder now as I am thinking about it whether that was one of, if not the, last quilts she ever worked on before she could not do that activity any longer. In addition to preserving your special memory, it created a new special memory for me! 🙂
year = years! 😉
Getting a 5 lb. kiss for Valentine’s Day!
My favorite memories are just eating them especially around the holidays.
I love surprising my 5 year old with kisses in her lunch box 🙂
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
My mom used to make a giant homemade Hershey Kiss with a funnel for Valentine’s day.
We used to always get a plastic shaped candy cane filled with Hershey kisses at Christmas.
I remember my grandparents usually had Hershey’s kisses in their candy dish when I visited.
My husband made me a bouquet of kisses and hugs roses for valentines day one year
I got a giant Hershey’s Kiss one Valentine’s Day.
We use kisses in out advent calendar each year. The boys love it!
Always making peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses
Getting a giant Hershey’s kiss as a Christmas present growing up.
Sharing them with my kids!
My kid’s favorite snack – and the delight in trying the new flavors!
I remember my parents bought all of us kids a BIG Hershey’s kiss each!!
pattifritz2000 at yahoo dot com
thank you
My favorite memory is when I was a teenager, my best friend’s mom always had peanut butter blossoms with a kiss in the middle in the cookie jar.
My mom would put them in my lunch bag sometimes. She always seemed to know when I needed than little bit of sweetness and show of love.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
I loved putting Hershey’s Kisses in my kids lunch boxes.
sweet memory of receiving a bouquet of Hershey’s Kisses roses.
I cant think of a scepic memory but I love to eat them
Too many memories to name just one 🙂
I love seeing my husband’s eyes grow wide when I buy him a giant Kiss, and the look of confusion on my daughter’s face the first time I said, “Come here. Let me give you a kiss,” and I put one of those little chocolates in her hand 🙂
baking with my mom using hershey kisses
Taking my kids to hershey park, riding their info train and watching them make it and then getting one at the end
love putting them in my grandkids stockings at christmas
sneaking them during the night when no one could see
sharing kisses with my son and husband cuddled up on the couch.
I remember receiving one of those giant Hershey Kiss filled candy canes every year at Christmas. There is nothing better than cracking that candy cane open to dig into the chocolate, and nothing worse than realizing you have just eaten the last piece.
My best memory is giving them to my kids for the first time.
Thanks for the chance!
When the kids were little they would share their chocolate kisses with me.
Someone used to leave a Hershey Kiss on my desk anonymosly. Not sure who!
sharing a bag w my husband on our third date
I loved baking Hershey’s peanut butter cookies with a kiss in the middle with my kids.
A few weeks before Christmas, I bought Hershey’s Kisses for a cookie recipe, when I began to make them, I discovered the Hershey’s Kisses were gone. My hubby ate them, so he had to get me more, lol 🙂
I remember when I was in elementary school that I won a giant sized Hershey kiss as part of the Valentines celebration. I can remember getting home and me and my brother getting out a knife to chop off pieces to eat. Then I remember the disappointment when we found out that this giant Hershey kiss was actually hollow. This was especially troubling for my brother because there was no longer enough chocolate for me to share!!!
sharing them with my kids
One memory with kisses is using them as hats for marshmallow snowmen with the kids.
My favorite memory is going on the ride at Chocolate World at Hershey Park where you see how Kisses are made and watching my kids faces while seeing all that melted chocolate.
Whenever I give the kisses to my sons. They say My kisses are the yummiest!
MY GRANDSON EATING HIS FIRST HERSHEY KISS
I remember getting Hershey’s Kisses each year in my Christmas stocking, loved just as much then as I do now.
I love the peanut butter blossom cookies with kisses on them.
We used to get them in our stockings at Christmas : )
eating them at christmas
When my youngest grandson asked for chockit and pointed at the Kisses in the candy bowl.
Kisses and grand children go together, they think you are very special when you give them a KISS
Hershey kisses were part of my wedding favors, so they always remind me of our special day!
loved getting hershey kisses in candy bags, its perfect for party bags
Sitting in the movie theater with my husband sharing a popcorn and a bag of Hershey Kisses
Thanks!
When my grandson asked me to close my eyes and hold out my hand and he put a hershey kiss in it and then gave me a big kiss on my cheek.
The best memory – when I gave my grandson his first hershey kiss when he was about 2 1/2 years old. He fell in love with it immediately!
We love kisses. I don’t really have a favorite memory. But I enjoy making cooking with kisses in them with my kids.
I dont have a memory so much, I like them a lot, they are one of my favorite chocolates to eat!
I remember how happy I was when I discovered they made dark chocolate kisses.
My teenaged son got me hooked on the Christmas white chocolate/peppermint Kisses … I have some stashed away in the freezer for summertime!
My first time that I got some cute Hershey kisses 15 years ago, I didn’t want to eat and saved them until they were melted down 🙂
i put tickets to Hershey Park in a bag of them and the kids started to eat them ans noticed the tickets, boy were they excited
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
i loved getting them in my stocking on xmas morning from Santa
I remember my first time that I had them… It was at the sears in seattle… long long time ago… been a favorite ever since
when we make these peanut butter hershey kiss cookies every Christmas.
My stepmom and I used to make cookies with Hershey’s kisses on top when I was a kid.
i always have some in my stocking from my husband for Christmas!! love them!!
True story: when I first tasted Hershey’s Kisses with caramel, I felt like heaven. I even told my friend Josh – “I know what heaven tastes like.”
I remember eating kisses with my mom on her birthday.
making peanut butter cookies with the hershey kiss in them with my grandmother
rypm25@aol.com
I still give my kids Hersheys Kisses, and they are adults now
My favorite memory is getting hershey kisses every year from my mom for valentine’s day!
making peanut butter kiss cookies
My favorite memory is making kisses cookies!
Mmmm….Hershey kisses. I used to put them in the Christmas stockings. Loved our visits to Hershey PA!
Thanks for the chocolattey giveaway! Mmmmm…..this reminds me of all of the stacks of 8 oz Hershey Bars my hubby used to buy for me! Hershey downsized them!!
My mom and I watching movies and eating a big bag of Hershey’s kisses when I had to stay with her a few days. My power went out during a snow storm. Felt like a kid again!
Fav memory was tossing TWO bags full of Hershey’s Kisses into my husbands car with a note that Ill cover you with kisses every VDay for the rest of our life…
My mom kept these in jars around valentine’s day and easter, and I think I remember getting them in my Easter basket. I love PB cookies with a kiss on top!
I always got my Dad one of those big kisses for V-day each year!
My favorite memory is when my Mom use to put Hershey Kisses in our lunches. I now do the same for my kids and husband. Love love the surprise and the sweet treat.
giving my daughter her first kiss
My greatest memory is of giving my daughter her first kiss. She devoured it! She gets the biggest grin on her face when we give her them now.
I remember having Hershey’s kisses with my daughter for the first time and how much she loved them.
When we visited Hershey, PA and the Hershey Factory!
when we visited Hershey Park when I was little and saw that big kiss. I still have the picture.