PEZ Heads: The Great Unboxing Debate

PEZ collectors know there’s something uniquely charming about these quirky candy dispensers. Whether you’re a casual collector or a serious enthusiast, these fun, inexpensive figures bring a sense of nostalgia and joy to anyone’s collection. Many collectors started small, but the hobby quickly grew with the introduction of themed PEZ lines.

PEZ wasn’t alone in the candy dispenser craze. Topps, famous for their baseball cards, also jumped into the trend with their own line of figures, featuring candy and collectible trading cards. The Star Wars set featured here is a prime example. Each dispenser in the set had one of four possible figure heads, but came with ten different numbered cards. This meant that collectors had to purchase the same dispenser multiple times in order to complete the card set.

Serious collectors often purchase two of each item—one to open, enjoy, and display, and another to keep mint in its packaging. However, with the shift to biodegradable packaging, many collectors are facing a new challenge: the packaging can degrade over time, making even mint, boxed items look unattractive. Some collectors now break the old rule of keeping everything sealed and carefully remove items to preserve them as the original packaging begins to break down. Though it’s a controversial practice, it’s one that might preserve the charm of these beloved collectibles for years to come.