A Fine Lady's Outlook: Candy Cane Christmas

Candy canes have worked their way into our holiday seasons as a fun embellishment to any festivity. I am sure I buy at least a couple packs every year for tree ornaments, craft ideas, decorations, and for an easy mint to tuck away in my purse!

We adults, who sometimes like to act out childhood memories, play a game with candy canes on the tree. One will get randomly hidden and someone has to find it. I know that sounds so very silly, but in our house it has become a treasured tradition. When the room is glowing, and someone is up to their tricks, finding the candy cane brings a laughter that is so symbolic of our close time together. (grown adults hiding candy canes???? hmmm....)

Making crafts with candy canes brings a simple thrill to the moment, if we have a masterpiece all ready to showcase on the tree or give away to a friend. You really don't have to be a kid to have fun creating with these! Creating with candy tastes good at any age!

The history of candy canes is pretty interesting. One story says that parents gave their children these candies to occupy their attention and keep them quiet during long church services. Another story says that our history of modern day candy is said to have started by apothecaries of the time by adding sugar to hide the acrid taste of medicine.

Until the turn of the century, the candy cane peppermint treat remained white. History does show that Christmas cards at the turn of the century show pure white candy canes pre 1900 and striped candy canes post 1900. Producing red and white candy canes in the beginning were labor intensive because they were made by hand. Also note, in candy making terms, putting the hook at the end of the striped candy is called crooking, and in traditional red-white candy canes, the white stripe is the only part that has the flavoring.

Watch this video... I never knew making candy canes was so time consuming and such an art!