Which Holiday Is the Sweetest and How Do You Eat A Candy Cane?

Grab your cocoa, hang up your stockings, and grab your favorite candy bar, because we've officially entered sweetest season of the year! The National Confectioners Association (the people who track all things candy related) checked their list twice and confirmed what we already knew… the winter holidays are the biggest candy season of the entire year.

How big?  Well, you may find this hard to believe, but... Bigger than Halloween. Bigger than Easter. Bigger than that random Tuesday when you swear you didn’t finish the whole bag of gummy bears but somehow the bag is empty.

Yep, winter wins.

In 2024, Christmas candy sales hit a sweet $7.5 billion. That’s a whole lot of chocolate Santas, peppermint bark, PEEPS snowmen, and foil-wrapped treats flying off shelves faster than Rudolph after a triple-shot espresso. And when you add in Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Halloween, those four candy-packed seasons made up 62 percent of all confectionary sales. 

Candy and holidays seem to just go along perfectly together.  After all, what’s a stocking without a handful of chocolates? What’s a holiday movie night without a candy cane? What’s hot cocoa without the peppermint stick you stir it with and then eat before anyone sees you?

Let's Talk About Candy Canes

Candy canes aren't just for decoration, they're actually one of our best sellers every year.  From the classic Brach's Peppermint Candy Canes to Archie McPhee's wild and crazy flavored candy canes, we love every one.  But, it turns out people have strong opinions about how to eat a candy cane. 

  • 54 percent start at the straight end
  • 30 percent go right for the curved end
  • 16 percent break it into pieces 

Whichever way you crunch it, candy canes aren’t just candy… they’re decorations, stirrers, stocking stuffers, and snack options for when you're wrapping gifts and "accidentally" eat three.

We Have Questions!

Ninety-five percent of Americans say chocolate and candy are part of their holiday celebrations. More than half give candy as gifts, because really… who doesn’t want a bag of sweets tied with a shiny bow? Candy is the easiest win for coworkers, teachers, neighbors, and that cousin who already owns everything.

We're kind of scratching our heads over that remaining five-percent, tho.  Clearly, they can't be in the holiday spirit without having some kind of treat to make them jolly! 

Get this, on average, people eat chocolate and candy about 2 to 3 times per week, around 40 calories a day. Which means yes, you can absolutely enjoy that peppermint nougat without guilt. It’s the holidays. It’s basically encouraged.

So whether you’re decking the halls, baking cookies, hosting a party, or just hiding in the kitchen with a handful of Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups, one thing’s for sure… candy makes the season brighter.

And if you need to stock up on the sweet stuff that makes December magical, Blair Candy is ready with all your favorites! 

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