The 26th of December isn’t just another day on the calendar. Every year, on this day, lovers of sweets and holiday spirit come together to celebrate National Candy Cane Day. This special day salutes the timeless holiday candy, known for its signature red and white stripes.
Candy Cane is so much more than a tasty treat - it’s a symbol of Christmas cheer and a charming addition to festive decor. Exchange a candy cane with a friend or family member to mark this day and keep the holiday spirit alive just a little bit longer.
History of National Candy Cane Day
The candy cane’s history takes us back nearly a quarter of a millennium, with some speculating that it originated in Germany. According to a popular legend, the choirmaster of the Cologne Cathedral was said to have made candies in the shape of a shepherd’s staff to keep children quiet during the Christmas Eve nativity service. The stick’s white color was meant to symbolize purity, while the ‘J’ shape was suggestive of Jesus.
As years passed, the candy cane became embedded in various stories and customs. By the 19th century, it had become a popular decoration for Christmas trees. Additionally, the turn of the 20th century saw candy canes featuring red stripes; a feature some believe symbolizes Christ’s blood.
Significant recognition for the candy cane’s contribution to holiday festivities came when the National Confectioners Association began observing a special day for it. Although there are no specific records to show when National Candy Cane Day was launched, it’s hard to argue with its placement at the end of December, considering the candy cane’s deep ties to Christmas.
Presently, National Candy Cane Day is more than a celebration of the traditional red and white candy cane. It also acknowledges the variety of colors and flavors that have since become available, marking a delightful end to the holiday season with this favorite candy before the year concludes.
National Candy Cane Day Timeline
Invention of Candy Canes
The choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral, wishing to remedy the noise caused by children in his church, asked a local candy maker for some sweet sticks for them.
First Written Reference
Candy Cane is first mentioned in literature, it has been referred to as 'candy cane' in print since at least 1844.
Mass-production in USA
Bob McCormack started mass-producing candy canes for his friends and family. It was then turned into a profitable practice.
Invention of Keller Machine
Gregory Keller, a Catholic priest, invented a machine that automated the production of candy canes.
National Candy Cane Day
December 26 is observed as National Candy Cane Day in USA. It celebrates the traditional holiday candy, the candy cane.
Ideas to Celebrate National Candy Cane Day
Candy Cane Crafts
Gather your family and friends to create ornaments, wreaths, and other decorations made entirely out of candy canes. It's a fun and festive way to celebrate the special day.
Sweet Treat Exchange
Organize a candy cane exchange with your neighbors, friends, or at work. Everyone brings a variety of candy cane flavored treats to swap and share.
Bake a Candy Cane Treat
Try your hand at baking using candy canes. Make cookies, brownies or cupcakes with candy cane pieces in them. Even a candy cane flavored pie could be really interesting to try!
Candy Cane Tasting
Buy different types of candy canes and do a candy cane tasting. See which ones you like best, or rank them from favorite to least favorite.
Donate Candy Canes
Buy a bunch of candy canes and donate them to a local food pantry, charity, or hospital to spread some cheer on National Candy Cane Day.
7 Interesting Facts About Candy Cane
Original Solid White
The first candy canes were simply white sugary sticks, and didn’t have any bent shape.
Red Stripes
The familiar red stripes didn't appear until the 20th century. In fact, up until the late 19th century, candy canes were still all white.
Peppermint Flavor
Although candy canes come in a variety of flavors today, the original flavor was peppermint.
A Record Candy Cane
The largest candy cane ever made was 51 feet long and was created in Geneva, Illinois, USA.
Candy Cane for Christmas
Candy canes began to be used as Christmas decorations by the mid-19th century, popularized in Europe and America.
Candy Canes Artists
In the past, candy canes were bent manually by 'candy cane artists', who had to work swiftly before the candy became brittle and could not be shaped.
Symbol of Purity
In Christian symbolism, the white color of the candy cane represents Christ's purity.
National Candy Cane Day FAQs
Next National Candy Cane Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | December 26th | Tuesday |
| 2024 | December 26th | Thursday |
| 2025 | December 26th | Friday |
| 2026 | December 26th | Saturday |
| 2027 | December 26th | Sunday |
| What is the pattern? | Every December 26th | |
National Candy Cane Day Word Search
- Candy
- Cane
- Stripes
- Sweets
- Christmas
- Sugar