Jelly babies are something of a classic when it comes to sweets – they’ve been around for as long as any of us can remember (and probably as long as your Grandparents can remember, too!) but where did it all start? Jelly Babies went through quite the timeline to get to where they are today.

Sweets in the City have all the deets from the Jelly Baby origin story… along with a few interesting facts, to sweeten your historic knowledge.

A Sweet Invention

I know what you’re thinking, what incredible genius invented the delicious jelly baby? Well, legend has it that it was an Australian immigrant in 1864. The initial invention was something of a mistake…he was meant to create a mould for jelly bears, however, (for reasons which may be forever lost in time) it seems the jelly baby was born instead – pun wholly intended.

And thus, the reign of the jelly baby began. After a short hiatus, classic sweet manufacturer Basset’s took up the style of the rather darker original name ‘unclaimed babies’ and rebranded them ‘Peace Babies’ to mark the end of World War I. These new sweets had a more realistic baby look , closer to the sweets we know today.

Ironically, the production of Peace Babies was halted by wartime shortages in World War II, but – luckily for all of us – they were relaunched officially as Jelly Babies in 1953, just in time for the rock & rollin’ 50’s era!

Who are the Jelly Babies?

Maybe it sounds like a weird question, but Sweets in the City happens to know that jelly babies come with their own personas – even their own names!

The Jelly Baby gang consists of Bubbles (the yellow one!), Baby Bonny (that’s the red one – to you and me), Boofuls (the green jelly baby), Bigheart (the dark purple, blackcurrant flavoured baby) and Bumper (by process of elimination, Bumper is, of course, the orange one)!

Not only do they have names, Jelly Babies are something of a household name – and that’s not just because they’re so tasty. They’ve made more than one TV appearance over the years, their portfolio includes: Doctor Who, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and even Doc Martin.

Why is the green jelly baby crying?

The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that Boofuls – everyone’s favourite green Jelly Baby – appears to be crying. But don’t worry, nothing terrible has happened – Boofuls is just a little sensitive. In a 1993 Jelly Babies advert, it was revealed the Boofus cries at everything – whether she’s happy or sad – “she’s a real cry baby”.

We <3 Jelly Babies

We’re not sure about you, but all those Jelly Baby sweet facts have put us in the mood for some Jelly Babies of our own. Luckily for you, you really are in the right place. Go to this page to buy  your favourite Jelly Babies in bulk – that’s right, in bulk! Your Jelly Baby stash will go a long way with this order – and feel free to pick out your other sweet favourites while you’re there.

Don’t forget to impart your knowledge on Bubbles, Bonny, Boofuls & Bigheart when sharing them around… For more fun sweet facts, make sure you’re following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Say it with sweets – give the gift of deliciousness today!

In our digital age, an unexpected parcel can be an exciting event – and no more so is this true than when that package is packed full of delicious sweets! So, to show your affection, send some confection.

Not all sweets were created equal, and that’s why we have a dizzyingly wide variety – from the sweet and the fizzy to the soft and the squishy.

To Sweeten Your Day

Why not help a friend beat the post-weekend blues by sending one of our To Sweeten Your Day jars? It’s packed full of yummy treats; from frosted marshmallows to classic foam bananas. Sending these sweets will turn a Monday into a MMMMonday.

Hangover Cure

Whether you’re sending this sweet gift to a partying student, or making amends for missing a big night out, our mouth-watering Hangover Cure jar is bound to warrant eternal gratitude. Jelly fried eggs are a must for a sweet tooth fry up, and nothing cures a wine headache quite like wine gums, right?

With Love

There’s nothing sweeter than letting your beloved know you’re thinking of them. Sending one of our yummy With Love jars is bound to put a smile on your SO’s face…well, if they can manage a grin between the handfuls of irresistible chocolates and candies, that is…

Gelatine Free Goodies

With most mainstream sweets off-limits to vegetarians, we know one way you can become your favourite herbivores favourite person! Gift these delicious Gelatine Free Goodies they don’t skimp on taste and this jar is just brimming with an incredible rainbow jelly mix– it’s bound to bring out the ethical eater in all of us.

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 We really believe there’s no occasion that isn’t made better by the delivery of our yummy sweets. So, make someone’s day (even your own!) by checking out our Send a Gift collection. You can browse by:

• Recipient (For Him, For Her, For Kids)
• Price (Under £5 to £20+)
• Theme (Love, Diet, Trends)
• Occasions (Birthday, Anniversary, etc.)

Or, if you're feeling creative, don't be afraid to Buy in Bulk!

Send Dad a Letterbox Treat!

Oh June! The month that marks the long-awaited entrance into summer – sun, BBQs and holidays all lie ahead. But, lest we forget, Sunday 17th June is also Father's Day. If you’re looking for some unique and fun card ideas for your Dad, we’ve got some pretty sweet personalised card suggestions for a Father’s Day card that's sure to be a winner.

Our Letterbox Treats are an innovative way of sending a special, personalised message, but with that extra addition of something delicious. Our range of classic and retro sweets are the perfect treats for hungry dads – so here are four yummy card ideas that are guaranteed to be a hit with your old man!

To show your appreciation for a Dad who goes above and beyond, this touching personalised card idea is sure to pull at the heartstrings. Fill it with our delightful Fizzy Mix and your Dad will bubble over with sweet-induced happiness – a lovely Father’s Day present!

This card idea is for those who have heard all about Dad’s disco days and laughed at old pictures of very questionable flares. To indulge your Dad this Father’s Day, might we suggest this personalised cheeky card with our classic Retro Mix of sweets. These vintage treats are bound to both tingle the taste buds and awake a wave of nostalgia.

If you’re looking for bespoke card ideas you can send from the kids, nothing could be sweeter than this custom Father’s Day card idea - it’s perfect paired with our tasty Jelly Mix, if there’s one thing that both Dads and children understand, it is the joy of gobbling up sweeties… (we just hope Dad is willing to share!)

For the dad who is full of wisdom and advice, this lovely card idea lets him know just how much you look up to him– plus, if devout vegetarianism is just one of his admirable traits, why not select our scrumptious Gelatine Free sweeties, too! A perfect personalised treat for your Dad.

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If our Father’s Day card ideas have sparked your creativity, you can always make your own! For whatever you want to say this Father’s Day, make sure you make it extra special with one of our yummy letterbox treats! There’s really no better way to treat your Dad.

See Also: Father’s Day Sweets

Here at Sweets in the City, we know that life moves quickly and it can be difficult to remember all of the occasions that require you to buy a gift.

So to help you out, we’ve put together this helpful chart to ensure that you don’t miss any upcoming important occasions! To make buying a gift for a specific occasion even easier, visit our Sweets for Special Occasions, where we have a range of sweet gifts ready for you to customise and order today!

We are sure that we have covered most of the important occasions above and with our Occasions Sweet Page, you'll have no excuses when it comes remembering and sending that special someone a gift that put a sweet smile on their face!