It’s hard to believe that summer is almost behind us for 2011, but alas fall is waiting just beyond the trees with a breeze in her palm and crinkling leaves in her wake. And for as hard as it can be to bid adieu to long, hot days of sunshine and swimming, fall always seems to arrive right when we’re ready for a change. Maybe we’re trained to desire the pumpkin patches and sweet cider when their time comes, or perhaps we would welcome it with corduroy jacket covered arms regardless of a calendar letting us know it’s here. Whatever the answer may be, as summer winds down and fall gets her footing, plans for the last big blowout barbecue begin, and I for one find it to be one of my favorite parties of all! Of what do I speak? Labor Day, of course! What makes a Labor Day party earn high ranking on my Party-o-Meter? For one, there’s no work that day. Now, spending many of my working hours surrounded by candy is quite literally a pretty sweet gig, but I know enough to enjoy a day off! For another, the weather is usually perfect for spending hours outdoors without breaking a sweat or battling buggies. You can lounge about, play a little badminton, throw some horseshoes, and fire up the grill – all the makings of an awesome day, and all sans scorching sun! Plus, we can wear all the white our heart desires (not that I follow that rule, but still!), and get our DVRs ready to catch all the upcoming football games so we can rewind and replay to our hearts content. But for as fabulous as we’re sure your Labor Day party will be regardless, we have some candy in mind that you might want to add to the table for even more fun… Jumbo Money Lollipops – This is Labor Day after all, and money typically serves as the fruit of our labor! It isn’t the money itself that enhances our lives, rather the things we can enjoy with the help of the money, such as heat, water, shelter, and lollipops! There are a few others in that list as well, but we only have so much room on the blog so I’m hitting the basics. ;) Saf T Pops – Labor Day finds its roots in people working together to improve their working conditions, which included seeking out greater safety for themselves and others. For as long as many of us feel our days are now, in most cases we are blessed with much better conditions overall than our ancestors. We are also blessed with more candy, which is not to go unappreciated! Not only are Saf T Pops a sweet classic that many of us remember from our own childhood, but they take their name very seriously. The looped string is easier for kids to hold, and doesn’t present a poking hazard that a hard stick lolli might for little ones. Boston Baked Beans – A favorite for all ages, Boston Baked Beans pay homage to the first Labor Day of all, observed on September 5, 1882 in Boston. The celebratory side of Labor Day has been in place from the very beginning, and if something is designed with a party in mind, we certainly aren’t about to complain! Plus, Boston Baked Beans are delicious, and there’s no other candy quite like them. Just like there’s no holiday quite like Labor Day!