In 2022, Crayola released a new color called Macaroni and Cheese as part of their Colors of the World crayon set. This new yellow-orange shade was designed to represent more diverse skin tones. However, shortly after its release, the Macaroni and Cheese crayon started gaining attention and selling for high prices on resale sites like eBay. This has led many to wonder – is the Macaroni and Cheese crayon rare?
Background on Crayola’s Colors of the World Set
Crayola has produced crayon sets with multicultural colors before, but their Colors of the World line launched in 2020 is their most inclusive set yet. The Colors of the World crayons are designed to better represent over 40 global skin tones.
In 2022, Crayola expanded the Colors of the World lineup from 24 to 32 colors. The 8 new shades included Macaroni and Cheese, which Crayola described as “a creamy, warm yellow” designed to be more inclusive for a variety of skin tones.
The full 32 colors in the Colors of the World crayon set are:
| Apricot | Deep Almond | Light Golden | Melon | Golden | Rose | Tan | Dark Sepia |
| Light Sand | Medium Deep Rose | Dark Brown | Mango Tango | Goldenrod | Caramel | Warm Beige | Deep Sienna |
| Blush | Cocoa | Golden Olive | Chestnut | Dark Brown | Golden Yellow | Macaroni and Cheese | Light Caramel |
Macaroni and Cheese Crayon Sells Out Quickly
When the new Colors of the World crayons launched in June 2022, the Macaroni and Cheese color immediately started attracting attention.
Many stores sold out of the Macaroni and Cheese crayon very quickly, even though Crayola did not advertise it as a limited edition color.
The lack of availability seemed to imply that Crayola had not anticipated how popular this particular shade would be with customers.
High Resale Prices on eBay
With stores struggling to keep the Macaroni and Cheese crayon in stock, prices started skyrocketing online.
Just weeks after its release, the crayon was selling for upwards of $50 on resale sites like eBay. Some listings even asked for hundreds of dollars for an individual Macaroni and Cheese crayon.
Here are some example eBay sale prices for the crayon in July 2022:
| Sale Price | $49.99 | $74.99 | $99.00 |
| Auction Price | $27.00 | $41.00 | $61.00 |
These prices were shocking given that a normal Colors of the World crayon sells for about $1.50 at retail stores.
Clearly, the sky-high resale market showed an unusual demand for the Macaroni and Cheese color.
Why Is It So Popular?
There are a few key reasons driving the popularity of the Macaroni and Cheese crayon:
Novelty of the color name
The name Macaroni and Cheese is creative and catches people’s attention. Crayola has used food names like Dandelion and Razzmatazz before, but Macaroni and Cheese stands out for its quirkiness. The funny name makes it intriguing and collectible.
Nostalgia
Macaroni and cheese is a classic American dish that many people have nostalgia for from their childhood. The color and name remind people of the cheesy pasta comfort food.
Trendiness
Vintage crayon colors and limited editions have become trendy collectors’ items. Certain colors like Dandelion have even developed cult followings. The perception of Macaroni and Cheese as exclusive and hard-to-find adds to its allure.
Representation
As part of the Colors of the World line, there is meaning behind the color representing diverse skin tones. Collectors and families appreciate the color for its inclusivity and want to support Crayola’s representation efforts.
Is It Actually Rare?
Despite all the hype, the Macaroni and Cheese crayon itself does not appear to be truly rare.
Crayola has confirmed that Macaroni and Cheese is not a limited edition and was produced in mass quantities. However, exact production numbers have not been shared.
Here is a summary of the evidence around its rarity:
Evidence it is rare
– Sold out extremely quickly at most retailers
– Very high resale prices suggest high demand and low supply
– No indication from Crayola it would be a popular shade
Evidence it is not rare
– Crayola has not officially said it is limited edition
– Company has implied rarity is due to unexpected high demand, not low production
– Still currently listed on Crayola website (suggests not discontinued)
Will the Macaroni and Cheese Crayon Stay Rare?
The Macaroni and Cheese crayon seems to have achieved temporary market scarcity, likely driven by resellers hoarding supply. However, as Crayola catches up with production, its rarity may not last.
Here are some possible scenarios:
Crayola increases production
If Crayola ramps up manufacturing of the color to meet demand, it could become widely available again. This may happen in the coming months.
Popularity dies down
Trends come and go. Once the initial hype wears off, demand could stabilize at normal levels. If so, the crayon may stay on shelves.
Discontinued color
Crayola could decide to intentionally limit or discontinue Macaroni and Cheese, making it permanently harder to find. However, this seems unlikely given its popularity.
Current Availability
As of October 2022, the Macaroni and Cheese crayon remains difficult to find in stores due to the rush of demand over the past few months.
Crayola has acknowledged shortages and is working to get more stock to retailers. They say more supply will hit shelves for the holiday shopping season, indicating that increased production is underway.
Some stores like Walmart and Target currently have limited stock available online. The crayon can also be ordered directly from Crayola.com.
In the coming weeks and months, the crayon may become easier to purchase – but prices on resale sites remain highly inflated for now.
Conclusion
While the Macaroni and Cheese crayon has achieved temporary market scarcity, leading to inflated resale value, Crayola has implied it is not truly rare in the long run. Increased manufacturing is expected to catch up with demand and make the color widely available at retail stores again soon.
However, it’s possible the allure of the name, meaning, and initial hype could establish Macaroni and Cheese as a collector’s item that maintains popularity. Only time will tell if Macaroni and Cheese takes its place as a coveted Crayola color or fades into obscurity when the trend passes.
Either way, the crayon provides an interesting case study in consumer psychology and perceived value. For now, the joke’s on resellers – Crayola is likely to get the last laugh by flooding the market and normalizing availability once again.