What's Christmas Without Candy?

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Credits to the owner

With the holiday season quickly approaching we start to see candy canes popping up in store windows, on people's clothing, and even on wrapping paper. But how exactly did the tradition of the candy cane get started?

The old urban legend says a candy maker in Indiana wanted to symbolize the birth of Christ with the use of a piece of candy, so he took a hard candy stick which was pure white then shaped it into a letter "J" for Jesus and added some red stripes to represent God's love and the trinity. This legend has been disputed, unfortunately; although one could believe what one wants regarding the Christmas delicacy.

The actual history of the candy cane goes more like this. At Cologne Cathedral back in 1670, the choirmaster was nervous that the children who were attending the pageant of living nativities would become a little too antsy and disruptive, so he gave them a white candy stick bent into the shape of a shepherd's crook. This kept the little tikes appeased and became a tradition throughout Europe.

The candy canes became popular in America by the 1800's and were used to help decorate Christmas trees. The little canes were still pure white at this time and were even depicted on Christmas cards as such.

In the early 20th century, the canes gained the beautiful red striping they bear today. Bob McCormick of Albany, GA, is the confectioner responsible for reinventing the candy cane into the model we buy today.

Now, what all can one do with a Candy Cane? Well, it is possibly one of the most recognized symbols of Christmas today. But, it is not just a yummy treat: Not at all! We have become an inventive lot at the holidays, and folks find many diverse uses for their candy. Try some of these:

Make a minty candy stirring stick for hot chocolate, tea, or any hot drink.

Make creative decorations with them: Attach brown pipe cleaners to the crook of the candy cane and make antlers for a candy cane reindeer.

Decorate frosted cakes or cupcakes with crushed candy canes.

Make a garland for the fireplace using the candy canes and evergreens boughs.

Use the tiny candy canes to make a Christmas wreath for the door. Leave in wrappers of course.

Stick a candy cane in the glasses or mugs on your holiday table with name tags attached for each guest.

Make your own holiday cards using a candy cane on the front.

Make a peppermint cream pie using the broken pieces of your candy canes.

Leave them in their cellophane wrappers and put them on the Christmas tree.

Dip the candy canes in chocolate for a new twist on an old favorite.

Or, if you just can't think of anything better to do with a candy cane; try just sitting down and eating one. Whatever you do with them and whatever you think they represent; the fact is they are a delicious Christmas treat known all over the world: So enjoy!

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About The Author

Christopher Pratt is President of Candy Warehouse, http://www.candywarehouse.com, the leading online Candy Store for bulk candy discounts and specialty candy for specific occasions. Right now see their Christmas Candy Gift ideas for the holiday season.

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FUNNY CHRISTMAS GIFTS ARE A WELCOME HOLIDAY GIFT

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Funny Christmas gifts are always welcome holiday gift. Weather it is for a office gift exchange or that practical joker on your list funny Christmas gifts are always fun to give and receive. As the holiday's approach you will find a wide verity of funny Christmas gifts and gag gifts. If you are not sure what to get the person that loves to laugh there are a lot of choices out there for them.

You can find some very funny tee shirts online for most any occasion or interest. Political tee shirts are a big item and there are some funny tee shirts that come straight from some stand up comics acts. If the funny gift is for someone that is on a diet the refrigerator lock up is a funny idea. Funny aprons are a great idea for the comic cook in the family .

There are fake lottery tickets, and fake parking tickets and prank car magnets that can make for a fun gag gift. If you are looking for classic gag gifts there are the prank mixed nuts and whoopee cushion. Fake chewing gum and electric shocking pens. Do you have a beer drinker on your list get them the beer can wraps that make the beer can look like a soda.

There are tattoo sleeves that slip on and off for a wacky gift and silly baby pacifiers that make the baby look very funny. Maby a giant inflatable bug will be the right gift for some one you know or a classic magic trick.

Of course there are plenty of gifts with a bathroom humor theme, far to many to get into here. Some are very funny and some are just plane disgusting.

If you have a political junkie on your list this is a great year them. There are all kinds of political gag gifts such as the George Bush and Hillary toilet bowl brushes, the Obama bobble head doll and action figures. There are plenty of gag gifts that poke fun at both sides of the isle.

This year we hope you have a wonderful holiday season. As you can see there are a lot of ways to add laughs to the season with these funny Christmas gifts.

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About The Author

Mike Stand is an author professional speaker He owns several business and is a coach. for information of presenting achievement awards, engraved trophies and gifts go to http://www.trophy-store-online.com
You can also find outstanding service and selection at http://www.trophystoreonline.com