Every Kid Wanted This One Tiny Invention Back in the Day—Do You Remember It?
November 9, 2025
Source: Etsy
Some things are just a throwback. You spy them, and all at once you’re back to thinking about the wood glue on your fingertips, M&Ms scattering across the kitchen table, and how proud you were that yes, the little project actually worked. A mason jar candy dispenser precisely evokes these memories, dispensing candy with a touch of nostalgia.
A Little Wooden Wonder
If you’ve never seen one, the concept is simple: It’s a mason jar screwed onto a small wooden box with a narrow slide-out drawer and filled with candy. There’s a hole in the drawer, just large enough for a few treats to fall through when you pull it out. That’s it.
No fancy mechanics. No electronics. Just plain old gravity and a little charm. And for some reason, it’s so much fun to use. Every time.
A Project That Meant Something
There’s a reason these tiny little dispensers became a classic DIY project. They were easy enough for kids to make, but also felt like serious building. Cut a couple of pieces of wood, drill a hole or two, sand the edges smooth ——and by late afternoon you had something useful (and fun).
The parents loved this because it got the kids off the couch. Children adored it, of course, because candy. And, best of all, when you were finished, you’d have this little hand-made machine that rewarded you every time you opened a drawer.
And let’s face it, there was something special about getting that little palm full of M&Ms.
More Than Just a Dispenser
And these things still hold up. You might discover one in the corner of someone’s kitchen, or on a coffee bar. They evoke smiles, sometimes even a brief chuckle, and nearly always elicit such a comment as “I remember these!”
And they’re not only for candy. Certain people also use them to keep coffee beans, trail mix or as a funky button- or paperclips-holder. But used however, it gives the space a warm and handmade quality. It says, “Someone cared about this and made it.”
Thinking About Making One?
If you happen to be the crafty type (or at least curious) — totally doable. All you really need is:
Mason jar (pint size is good)
some bits of scrap wood (base, sides and a drawer)
A drill and a saw
Some sandpaper
A little time — and a few helping hands (or legs)
No need for perfection. Honestly, the ones that are slightly bumpy are really the best. They tell a story. You can paint it, stain it, stick a funky knob on it — make it your own. And if constructing one isn’t feasible at the moment, look for fan-style backstops at thrift stores and yard sales. They surface from time to time, just waiting to be loved again.
The Sweetest Kind of Memory
The mason jar candy dispenser is more than a receptacle for sugary bits. It’s a reminder of the way things were, when fun could be constructed from wood and a few inspired strokes of the imagination. When candy wasn’t just about consumption but also expectation. It is about tugging open the drawer at a snail’s pace, waiting to hear a small clink of treats and seeing just enough to make you smile.
It’s a small thing. But those are the ones that tend to stick, and so fucking be it.”
If you’re one of the few who still have these lying around, it’s probably due for a dust-off. Or, better still, make a new one with someone you love together. It’s more than a project. It’s a memory in the making.