| With the holiday season quickly approaching we | | | | Well, it is possibly one of the most recognized |
| start to see candy canes popping up in store | | | | symbols of Christmas today. But, it is not just a |
| windows, on people's clothing, and even on | | | | yummy treat: Not at all! We have become an |
| wrapping paper. But how exactly did the tradition | | | | inventive lot at the holidays, and folks find many |
| of the candy cane get started? | | | | diverse uses for their candy. Try some of these: |
| The old urban legend says a candy maker in | | | | Make a minty candy stirring stick for hot |
| Indiana wanted to symbolize the birth of Christ | | | | chocolate, tea, or any hot drink. |
| with the use of a piece of candy, so he took a | | | | Make creative decorations with them: Attach |
| hard candy stick which was pure white then | | | | brown pipe cleaners to the crook of the candy |
| shaped it into a letter "J" for Jesus and added | | | | cane and make antlers for a candy cane reindeer. |
| some red stripes to represent God's love and the | | | | Decorate frosted cakes or cupcakes with crushed |
| trinity. This legend has been disputed, | | | | candy canes. |
| unfortunately; although one could believe what | | | | Make a garland for the fireplace using the candy |
| one wants regarding the Christmas delicacy. | | | | canes and evergreens boughs. |
| The actual history of the candy cane goes more | | | | Use the tiny candy canes to make a Christmas |
| like this. At Cologne Cathedral back in 1670, the | | | | wreath for the door. Leave in wrappers of |
| choirmaster was nervous that the children who | | | | course. |
| were attending the pageant of living nativities | | | | Stick a candy cane in the glasses or mugs on |
| would become a little too antsy and disruptive, so | | | | your holiday table with name tags attached for |
| he gave them a white candy stick bent into the | | | | each guest. |
| shape of a shepherd's crook. This kept the little | | | | Make your own holiday cards using a candy cane |
| tikes appeased and became a tradition throughout | | | | on the front. |
| Europe. | | | | Make a peppermint cream pie using the broken |
| The candy canes became popular in America by | | | | pieces of your candy canes. |
| the 1800's and were used to help decorate | | | | Leave them in their cellophane wrappers and put |
| Christmas trees. The little canes were still pure | | | | them on the Christmas tree. |
| white at this time and were even depicted on | | | | Dip the candy canes in chocolate for a new twist |
| Christmas cards as such. | | | | on an old favorite. |
| In the early 20th century, the canes gained the | | | | Or, if you just can't think of anything better to do |
| beautiful red striping they bear today. Bob | | | | with a candy cane; try just sitting down and |
| McCormick of Albany, GA, is the confectioner | | | | eating one. Whatever you do with them and |
| responsible for reinventing the candy cane into | | | | whatever you think they represent; the fact is |
| the model we buy today. | | | | they are a delicious Christmas treat known all |
| Now, what all can one do with a Candy Cane? | | | | over the world: So enjoy! |