What is a Marshmallow Peep?
If you’ve ever experienced the first sugary, delicious bite into a yellow chick or pink bunny at Easter, you know the irresistible puffy sweetness that is a Marshmallow Peep. Did you know as many as 4.2 million Peeps are made in the USA every day? The Just Born company began in 1910 when Sam Born came to the U.S. from Russia and opened a small candy shop in New York, relocating to Bethlehem Pennsylvania in 1932. Just Born remains a family-owned company today.
Other Peep Holidays
Peeps are now known not only at Easter, but in other holidays as well; Halloween pumpkins, ghosts and cocoa cats, as well as Christmas trees, peppermint stars, gingerbread men and snowmen are gaining in popularity each year, as well as decorate-your-own Valentine marshmallow peeps and other holiday treats. Contests such as the “Peep Diorama” contest held annually by the Washington Post newspaper, attest to the pop culture popularity of the Peeps products. Cult Peeps status has blanketed America, with fan websites, recipes, and even the urban term ‘peeps’ being used to describe a group of people or friends.
Being Creative With Marshmallow Peeps
At marshmallowpeeps.com, peep enthusiasts can get a variety of creative recipes, from peepsicles, peeps drizzle pops, and adorable peeps bunny dips to cupcakes, inside-out marshmallow cookies and more. You can even learn how to make a peep topiary craft Easter decoration! New this year: peeps tulips! In recent times, the popularity of peeps has grown- hats, shirts, stuffed animal peeps are available commercially nationwide so fans can show their peep pride.
There’s even an annual peep survey. Kathy Bassininski, Vice President of Brand Development & Corporate Services recently released the results, stating, “For over a decade, PEEPS® Brand Marshmallow Candies have been the number-one non-chocolate Easter candy. We used the iconic status of PEEPS® to survey consumers and explore today’s trends in a fun, lighthearted way. We are excited by the results of the 2008 PEEPS® Celebrity Survey and believe that our PEEPS® Fans will enjoy them as well.”
The winners include:
If “PEEPS® came to life, what male public person or celebrity might it become?”
The male person most resembling PEEPS® either in physique, colorful attire, or sweet nature/personality is:
- Will Ferrell won for the 2nd consecutive year with 27.6% of this year’s vote.
- Will Smith came in 2nd--a first time PEEPS® winner.
- Johnny Depp came in 3rd this year, having been 2nd in 2007.
“What female public person or celebrity might PEEPS® become?”
The female celebrity most resembling PEEPS® either in physique, colorful attire or sweet nature/personality is:
- Ellen DeGeneres won, up from 3rd place in 2007!
- Reese Witherspoon came in 2nd .(15.5%).
- Jessica Simpson came in 3rd tied with Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana.
“What public person or celebrity is most in need of PEEPS®?”
- President Bush won forrd consecutive year (21.3%).
- Hillary Clinton came in 2nd with 16.5 % of the votes.
- Simon Cowell came in 3rd, with 10.5% of votes.
“Who is cooler, the PEEPS® Chick or PEEPS® Bunny?”
- CHICK with 59% of the vote!
Consumers were also asked, “If the PEEPS® family hatched a new shape, which one of the following would you like?
- Smiley Face won with 29.2% of the vote.
- Teddy Bear came in 2nd
- A peace sign came in 3rd.
Bassininski continued, “Our PEEPS® fans wait with great anticipation for these survey results. This year’s results present some newcomers as well as movement of former winners among the PEEPS® rankings.”
Read more about creative Easter crafts and Easter Egg Hunts.
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