It's that time of year again. Maybe you've seen the purveyors of chocolatey goodness on your very own street. Little girls dressed in brown or green vests they would not be caught dead in unless they were selling something.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
This is Jerusha's second year selling Girl Scout cookies. I don't know how many years I sold these cookies myself as a kid, but I can tell you two things: 1) when I started, I remember that they were only 75 cents a box, and 2) I stayed in Scouts loooong after it was cool to do so.
I can also tell you that it is much easier to sell these cookies today than I remember it being when I was a kid. I don't think there is any product that is easier to sell than these cookies, which, while good, are not irresistible. When we went out to sell in our neighborhood, almost everyone who was home bought at least one box. One lady out walking her dogs crossed the street and practically chased us down to buy four. (I think they are for the terriers.)
Last year, we sold 80something boxes, so we set the goal this year of 100. I'm happy to report that we made the goal today. (And hey, you still have through the weekend if you want to place an order. I am shipping them to friends around the country -- no s&h fee!) And the selling has been so effortless. People act like you're doing them a favor.
Why are we so attached to these cookies? Yes, some of them are really tasty (I am a Thin Mint gal, myself), and we like to feel we're helping the girls go to camp and learn how to pitch tents and all that. But I think the real issue is the nostalgia factor. We all have our favorite cookie brands, with our special memories and associations. Food is the ultimate nostalgia trip anyway, but when you're selling a food that is forever associated with childhood and then make it available for only two weeks a year, you've got all the factors that make for genius, genius marketing. Those little girls in the vests are friggin' brilliant!
I remember being in 4th grade and selling cookies to my reading teacher (whose name, I kid you not, was Miss Reeder). She launched into the whole story about when she used to sell the cookies (at 25 cents a box, I think) and then placed a mongo order. It's not about the cookies. It's about the memories, and the American way of life, which must involve sugar at all levels. If we don't buy a lot of Girl Scout cookies, the terrorists will win.
What are your favorites?
Thin Mints are of course the best, and the most distinctive and nostalgic of all the offerings. Of course, I'll eat any that my coworkers bring in to share, but Thin Mints are the ones that we must purchase every year. (And was it the Addams Family movie that had that classic line about Girl Scout cookies being made from real Girl Scouts?)
Posted by: Al Hsu | January 17, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Thin Mints all the way. I can't even think of any others--isn't there one with coconut on it? (Yuck.)
No nostalgia factor for me, just good cookies. If you read this comment in time, please send me two boxes of Thin Mints to 869 E 2680 N, Provo UT 84604. (I would order more, but then I'd just eat them...)
My goal is to limit myself to one column of cookies per day (there's two columns in a box). Thank goodness they're only available once a year...
Posted by: Chris Bigelow | January 19, 2007 at 01:56 PM