Ah, Thanksgiving, you treated us well. We love your turkey with cranberry sauce and your awkward family reunions. We will forever cherish the tea spilled by favorite cousins and eating one more slice of pie than we need in the name of celebration. But, alas, you’ve come and gone, and Christmas is right around the corner. So, it’s time to say goodbye Pumpkin and hello Peppermint, but more importantly, hello Christmas Candy.
Danish Butter Cookies: You might think they all taste the same, but you’d be wrong. Everyone has their one favorite variation, the one style of cookie that they will reach for as soon as the tin lid comes off. These cookies are delicious (obviously) and the container is useful even after all the goodies are gone. It’s a win-win really.
Terry’s Chocolate Oranges: A bit of a niche candy. Gold foil-wrapped orange flavored chocolate? That’s a lot to unpack. These are a truly Christmas treat because they only pop into stores after Thanksgiving and are gone before the first of the year. They are also super fun to eat: you have to whack the orange on a hard surface so that the sections all fall apart before unwrapping. Weird? Maybe. Tasty? No doubt.
Peppermint-Flavored Anything: Peppermint is the quintessential wintery flavor. Nearly every popular candy has a peppermint version, including Hershey’s Kisses and M&M’s. Technically you can find mint flavored things all year, but nothing screams Christmas like a Peppermint Mocha in a “Happy Holidays” Starbucks cup.
Candy Canes: Though still technically minty, candy canes have their own distinct flavor. They are also some of the most fun candy to eat because of their unusual shape. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a candy cane sword fight and learning their significant religious history. Pro Tip: Candy Cane Milano cookies.
Queen Anne Chocolate Covered Cordial Cherries: These things are just amazing. Though the OG candy is cordial cherries dipped in milk or dark chocolate, Queen Anne’s also does a chocolate covered blueberry. Like the Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, you can’t find Queen Anne’s chocolate covered candies any time other than Christmas.
Old Fashioned Ribbon Candy: Another niche candy buy. This candy is basically artfully sculpted peppermint-flavored sugar, but it’s always a hit with older generations. Though it was popular back in the 1950’s, it can be a little hard to find now. This is the kind of candy that was popular when bad kids got coal and the reindeer couldn’t fly yet. It might be old fashioned, but it’s still fun.
