Presidential M&M's facts for kids

Packs of presidential M&M's during the Obama administration

Presidential M&M's are special packs of M&M's candies. They are colored red, white, and blue. These candies are given as gifts to guests of the president of the United States. You might get them on Air Force One or at other presidential places.

These special M&M's were first made in 1988. They later took the place of cigarettes as the usual gift for presidential guests. The M&M's come in small boxes, about the size of a cigarette pack. On one side, you'll see the seal of the president of the United States and the president's own signature. On the other side, there's one of the M&M's characters holding the flag of the United States.

The Sweet History of Presidential M&M's

For a long time, guests on Air Force One received packs of cigarettes. This tradition started under President John F. Kennedy. After his death, giving out cigarettes from the White House and Air Force One became a common practice.

President Ronald Reagan changed this tradition. He wanted to promote a healthy image. So, he replaced most of the cigarettes with jars of Jelly Belly jelly beans. This happened soon after he became president.

In 1988, something special happened at a meeting in Moscow. The candy company Mars, Incorporated made custom M&M's for gifts. First Lady Nancy Reagan gave these to Russian children. After this meeting, Nancy Reagan saw a chance to stop all smoking on Air Force One. She replaced the last cigarette supplies with M&M's. From then on, M&M's became the official candy of the White House!

President George H. W. Bush kept up the tradition of giving M&M's. He gave them not only to guests but also to presidential employees. President Bill Clinton made a small change. He added the president's signature below the presidential seal on the box.

President Barack Obama often handed out packs of M&M's himself. He also gave them to children who came to the White House for Halloween trick or treating. Along with the M&M's, kids also got dried fruits from First Lady Michelle Obama.

In 2014, the prime minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, gave President Obama copies of three very old, important books. In return, Obama gave Rajoy some Presidential M&M's. Some people in Spain thought the gifts weren't equal. This caused a bit of discussion in the Spanish news.

When President Donald Trump took his first flight on Air Force One, the M&M boxes didn't have his signature yet. So, guests received unsigned boxes.

See also

• Candy Desk
• List of candies
• Parliamentary snuff box