Story Behind the Card - The Hoodsie Cup
Childhood Memories of the Hoodsie Cup
If you grew up in New England, you surely have memories of childhood birthday parties playing pin the tail on the donkey, running around backyards through sprinklers, ceremoniously opening presents, and of course birthday cake. But when the birthday boy's or girl's mom broke out the Hoodsie Cups, well then you knew it was special. An individual portion of ice cream in a paper cup just for you. You peeled back the tab to remove the top lid, revealing a delicious treat, half chocolate, half vanilla, and you dug in with your wooden spoon. Only after licking the back of the lid to make sure you didn't miss any ice cream. Now that's what I'm talking about.
History of the Hoodsie Cup
Celebrating local favorites in Maryland, New England and beyond, is what we do, so of course we released a new Hoodsie Cup birthday card last month in honor of this iconic New England treat. But if you're not familiar with the Hoodsie Cup, first of all, clearly you're not from New England. For the uninitiated, here is where it all began. We need to go all the way back in our time machine to 1947, to the Hood Dairy based in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Hood was and still is the go to in the North East for milk, ice cream and cottage cheese. Have you seen the Giant Hood Bottle in Boston? It's a city landmark.
In 1947, a year after they established the company, they introduced this convenient treat combining chocolate and vanilla ice cream in a single serve cup, complete with the wooden spoon. Popularity spread and Judy Garland even starred in commercials featuring the Hoodsie. At five cents a piece, Hoodsie Cup lids often featured popular celebrities of the day. Hoodsies came with a wooden spoon up until the 1990's when they disappeared, but due to popular demand, the spoon has made a comeback. And a Hoodsie Cup really isn't the same without it.
Hoodsie Cups today
Today they're sold in eight-count bags, perfect for parties or to bring home a little nostalgia. And Hood is the official ice cream brand of the Boston Red Sox. Have you tried their Fenway Fudge? I have, and it's delicious!
If you are a lover of the Hoodsie Cup, and who isn't, we happen to have a card or two for that. They are perfect for sending someone in your life a little nostalgic reminder of a special part of your shared New England childhood. If you're on Cape Cod, be sure to check out Thatcher Ellery gift shop in Sandwich. There you can find our custom Hoodsie Cup prints, exclusive to their shop and other fun Hoodsie cup finds. And lastly, our Massachusetts food print features so many New England favorites along with of course, The Hoodsie. Do you have any Hoodsie Cup memories? Did you eat the chocolate or vanilla first, or just dive right in? Share with us below!
