The Egyptians invented the first sweets, around 1,500 BC, by mixing nuts and honeyThe original cola bottle sweet was launched in 1976, ten years after the Coke bottle changed shapeSweet jars in glass became popular in Victorian sweet shops in the 1840sCotton candy was invented in 1897 by a dentist (we are not making this up)Liquorice has been chewed in England since the 13th century, originally as medicineWedding favours have been a tradition since the 16th century, originally five sugared almondsPink jazzies were originally an Edwardian sweet sold by chemistsA traditional Pontefract liquorice cake was once worth more than its weight in silver

The Vivid Delights Journal

Gift guides, planning notes for weddings and parties, and how our jars, cones and fudge come together.

Follow by RSS

Pick and mix

Glass Sweet Jar vs Food-Grade PET: Which Is Right for You?

Glass sweet jar or food-grade PET? Compare materials, lid types, sizes and uses to find the right sweet jar for your home, event or gift.

More from the journal

Sweet cart

Essex Sweet Cart Hire: The Complete Guide for Weddings, Birthdays & Events

Essex sweet cart hire explained: what's included, how to choose your sweets, coverage areas, and tips for weddings, birthdays and corporate events.

Sweet cart

Wedding Sweet Cart Ideas to Impress Every Guest in 2026

Discover the best wedding sweet cart ideas for 2026. From styling tips to sweet selection and hire vs DIY, plan the perfect candy cart for your big day.

Sweet cart

How Much Is It to Hire a Sweet Cart? A Practical UK Cost Guide for 2026

How much is it to hire a sweet cart? UK costs range from £150 to £500+. Compare packages, hidden fees, and DIY vs hire in our 2026 guide.

Cart rental services

Wedding Cart Rental: How to Choose the Right Option for Your Big Day

Wedding cart rental options vary wildly in what you get for your money. This guide compares cart types, packages, and what to ask before you book.

Sweet cart

Sweet Cart for Sale: The Complete UK Buying Guide for 2026

Looking for a Sweet Cart for sale in the UK? This complete 2026 buying guide covers styles, costs, features, and whether hiring beats buying outright.

Gift guide

The Christmas gift guide

Christmas gift ideas from Vivid Delights, sorted by the person you are buying for.

Gift guide

The corporate gifting guide

Three ways to use our sweet jars, cones and fudge boxes as business gifts: client thank-yous, event favours and gifts for the team.

Gift guide

The wedding favours guide

The wedding favours we make, from sweet cones to keepsake jars, and how to plan your numbers.

Weddings

The wedding favour jar

Our VIP keepsake jar for the top table: what it is, how it is personalised, and how to get a quote.

Ingredients

How our sweets are chosen

Who picks the sweets in a jar or a cone, which makers they come from, and where the vegan and halal tags come from.

Behind the scenes

A Brentwood welcome

Who we are, what we make in Brentwood, and what this journal is for.

Build Yours