12 Days of Christmas Traditions ~ Candy Canes

Welcome Christmas friends to my 12 Days of Christmas Traditions series. I'm so glad you have stopped by to share in some Christmas cheer! If you would like to link up to Christmas Party Central and share a Christmas post please click here to link up to my very first I'll Be Home for Christmas linky Party! 

Today's post is all about the candy cane!

Source: goodhousekeeping.com 

Candy Canes have a fun story that dates back to the 17th Century. Christmas trees were originally decorated with food items such as candies and cookies, and straight white candy sticks were one of the confections used as ornamentation.

Source: countryliving.com 

Source: countryliving.com 

Legend has it that during the 17th century, craftsmen created the white sticks of candy in the shape of shepherds' crooks at the suggestion of the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. Source

Image via Wikipedia

The treats were given to children to keep them quiet during long Nativity ceremonies and the custom of passing out the candy crooks at such ceremonies soon spread throughout Europe.

Source: bhg.com 

The first historical reference to the candy cane being in America goes back to 1847, when a German immigrant called August Imgard decorated the Christmas tree in his Wooster, Ohio home with candy canes.  50 years later, Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia supposedly made candy canes as treats for family, friends and local shopkeepers. McCormack's brother-in-law, Catholic priest Gregory Keller, invented a machine in the 1950s that automated the production of candy canes and the popularity of the candy cane grew. Source

Source: bhg.com 

The candy cane is also known as a symbol for Christianity since the cane was shaped like a "J" for Jesus. More recent explanations of the candy cane's symbolism hold that the color white represents Christ's purity, the red the blood he shed, and the presence of three red stripes the Holy Trinity.

Source: partiesandholidays.blogspot.com 

Today, the candy cane is still a favourite and yummy holiday treat and decoration.

Source: celestialseasonings.com 

Source: internetsiao.com 

Source: hostessblog.com 

Source: apartmenttherapy.com 

It's amazing how many things one can do with candy canes! Here are my versions of two ideas/images that are constantly being re-pinned on Pinterest. What do you think?

Image one via Good Housekeeping

Source: goodhousekeeping.com 

Here is my version:

Image two also via Good Housekeeping

Source: goodhousekeeping.com 

Here is my version:

Candy Canes are so much fun to decorate with!

There is also something so special about this unique holiday icon because of its  flavour. Perhaps it's the fact that we only eat it at Christmastime that makes candy canes so wonderful.

Here are some yummy ways to enjoy candy canes at Christmas!

Peppermint Rice Krispies Treats Snowballs

Source: shewearsmanyhats.com

Candy Cane Martini Jelly Shots

Source: tablespoon.com 

Peppermint-Eggnog Punch

Source: bhg.com 

Candy Cane Macarons

Source:www.tarteletteblog.com

And my personal favourite, Candy Cane Bark!

Source: bhg.com 

Here is my version of  Candy Cane Bark!

Recipe Ingredients

3 candy canes
375g pkt Milk Chocolate Melts, melted

How to make

1. Line a large baking tray with baking paper.

2. Place candy canes in a snap-lock bag; squeeze bag to remove excess air, place on a hard surface; hit with a rolling pin until candy canes are just crushed.

3. Spread chocolate on prepared tray until about 2mm thick. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes; set aside for 20 minutes or until set.

Break into pieces and serve.

So, from its plain and straight beginnings to its familiar hooked shape and color of today, the candy cane is a enduring symbol of Christmas and a reminder of the meaning of the Season!

Thanks so very much for stopping by and joining in with my 12 Days of Christmas Series. I hope that you might be able to link up any posts that you might have shared on the theme of Candy Canes! They can be from any post, old or new and you don't have to link back to me. If you would like to link back and share some linky love, thank you-I am honoured!

Thanks for linking up! Please come back soon to see what other fun Christmassy posts have been linked up.

If you would like to join in with the series, just click here to see the full program. I hope you will be back again tomorrow to share some Gingerbread house ideas and inspiration!


Best Christmas wishes,

Natasha 

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