Category: Sparky gifts

Oh, hello. Yesterday I received a delivery that was so colourful and exciting that I thought it counted as an everyday spark. So here I am, sharing it with you in case it may also bring joy to you and/or yours.

Finding and recommending odd things that you mightn’t have seen is a (free) service I enjoy providing to my family and friends. And I’ve often dreamed about an EverydaySparks Gift Shop, full of things out of the mainstream that spark joy. Here is something that would make it to the shelves of my imaginary shop (and if I was the CEO of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – which I still maintain is probably my dream job – then I would sell these sets in the attached gift shop).

I found these on Amazon, while I was buying something completely unrelated (blank canvas tote bags to customise for a charity event, if you’re curious). Amazon has quickly become the online equivalent of Ikea or Aldi for me. Sometimes the algorithm’s recommendations of what I might like to add to my order are way off. And sometimes, as in this case, it’s like they can see inside my brain. Or my heart. And although I know I don’t exactly need this colourful kit of silicon molds and oversized plastic droppers, I nonetheless added it to my order and was not disappointed when it arrived yesterday.

I know, I’m a victim of marketing and manipulative nudges to make impulse purchases. But truly, who wouldn’t want the ability to make their own army of gummy bears? I’m not even sure if I’ll get around to the fiddly requirements of making gelatin-based bears, or if this will just be a summer of tiny bear shaped ice cubes clinking around in drinks. Whatever happens, these make a bright addition to my kitchen. (And I like that two of the bears in the top row are on their sides, as if they are lazy, or the mold designer got distracted or was bound by the ancient gummy bear rule of max. 53 bears per sheet. Man I hope that maths is right, I have recounted about five times now and have a headache.)

And since my Dad is likely reading this and he worries that I am sometimes fiscally irresponsible, I should point out that the kit was under $15 and by my calculations I have already recouped $3.97 of joy value from this investment. And I only got it yesterday! At this rate, I estimate the outsized return (measured in units of joy sparked rather than revenue, obviously) will be realised from its very first use. You know it makes sense, Paddy!

If you too would like to invest $12.99 AUD in “Gummy Bear Mold with Dropper Set 3Pcs Silicone Fondant Molds Chocolate Candy Jelly Mold Gumdrop Mold” you can check it out on Amazon here.

In writing this, I have happily influenced myself (and hopefully my Dad). I am convinced that the ability to make your own gummy bear shaped things in brightly coloured silicon (with droppers straight from the Fisher Price Laboratory) is something we all deserve, especially in these ‘interesting times’.