Pumpkin Spice, You've Gone Too Far

This post was originally published in 2021, hence some of the COVID references that the author chooses to keep in because they’re still funny. But, considering there are still companies coming out with ridiculous pumpkin spice products every year, she stands by her original assertion that the pumpkin spice craze is insane and over the top.

It’s 100 degrees outside, but according to all the coffee shops, it’s already PSL season. And, while I am personally not a fan of PSL, I get them. I also understand pumpkin muffins, bread, and other recipes. But these days, you can find pumpkin spice flavored EVERYTHING, and it’s just gone too far.

I reached out to my favorite crowd sourcing app, Facebook, and had people send me the weirdest things they had seen. And man, the people did not disappoint. I’m going to break this list down into two categories: food items and non food items. And then let you decide…

Has the pumpkin spice craze gone too far?

New in 2024:

1. Pumpkin spice deodorant. Because nothing says, “Ready for fall,” like sweat induced pumpkin spice scent. Yum.

2. Toilet paper. Luckily, I think just the cardboard tube in scented. Because there’s really no need to be spicing up your backside!

3. Beard oil. Beards are still very in. And ladies, you know you want your man to smell just like your favorite fall drink. PSL for life.

Food Items:

Ok, I kinda get this one. Might be ok on a bagel. But I’m easing you into the insanity of this list. You’ve been warned…

2. Oreos. This is unnecessary.

3. Kool-Aid. Kool-Aid? Why?

4. Twinkies. Twinkies are already gross. Why go and make them even worse?

5. Pop Tarts. Honestly, most flavors of Pop Tarts are gross, so why not this?

6. Ravioli. I MIGHT be ok with regular pumpkin ravioli, but pumpkin SPICE? No…

7. Protein bars. These might be ok. Maybe.

8. Chips. What are you supposed to eat these with??

9. Gum. Yep. Gum.

10. Hummus. Several companies make this. I just don’t get it.

11. Macaroni and cheese. Another one I could maybe understand if it was just pumpkin, but who wants a cinammon-y mac and cheese? Who?

12. Cereal

13. Marshmallows. Once again, why?

14. Ok. I saved the worst few for last. SPAM. Why???

15. Sushi. Pumpkin sushi. Seriously. It’s gone too far!

16. Pumpkin goldfish… Why? Who are these for? Kids? Mine wouldn’t touch them. Adults? Is this what people are bringing to cocktail parties these days?

Non-Food Items

Chapstick. It’s too much. I don’t want to be breathing in that scent.

2. A pedicure kit. There are facials too, but I couldn’t find a picture.

3. Cleaning products. I can maybe get behind these for the fall.

4. Lip color. Nothing says fall like pumpkin spice lipstick.

5. Dog treats. Even the dogs get their PSL spice fix.

6. Hefty garbage bags. Yes. You read that right. You can now buy pumpkin spice scented garbage bags. Isn’t that what we all needed? Companies everywhere: stop adding pumpkin scents to things that don’t need them. People: stop buying this stuff!