National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26 each year. The red-and-white striped, hook-shaped peppermint candy is one of the most recognizable symbols of Christmas, hanging on trees, filling stockings and stirring hot cocoa. The day after Christmas is a perfect time to enjoy leftover candy canes or use them in creative recipes and crafts.
History of National Candy Cane Day
According to a popular legend, in 1670 a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany gave children sugar sticks bent like shepherds' crooks to keep them quiet during long services. Historians have not found evidence for this story, but white sugar sticks were common in Europe by the 1600s and 1700s.
Candy canes appeared on Christmas trees in the United States in the 1800s. Red stripes and peppermint flavor became popular around 1900, as seen in Christmas cards of the time. Many legends say the shape represents a 'J' for Jesus or a shepherd's staff, but these stories developed later.
Making candy canes by hand was slow, and many broke during bending. In the 1950s, a Catholic priest named Gregory Keller, brother-in-law of candy maker Bob McCormack of Albany, Georgia, invented a machine that automated the bending process, making candy canes affordable and widely available. Who created National Candy Cane Day is not documented.
Why National Candy Cane Day Matters
Candy canes are a cheerful holiday symbol that brings back childhood memories.
Their history shows how legends and real inventions combine to shape traditions.
Leftover candy canes are also versatile, adding peppermint flavor to desserts, drinks and crafts.
How to Celebrate National Candy Cane Day
- Stir hot cocoa: use a candy cane as a peppermint stirrer.
- Bake: crush candy canes into cookies or brownies.
- Make peppermint bark: layer chocolate and crushed candy canes.
- Craft: make candy cane reindeer or ornaments.
- Try new flavors: taste fruity or cinnamon candy canes.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, put leftover candy canes in a jar for the team or make peppermint bark for a post-holiday treat. In classrooms, students can research candy cane legends versus facts, measure and graph candy cane lengths, or explore how peppermint creates a cooling sensation. At home, families can bake with crushed candy canes or make simple crafts. Break candy canes into small pieces for young children to reduce choking risk.
Fun Facts About National Candy Cane Day
- The legend of the 1670 Cologne choirmaster is unverified.
- Red stripes became common around 1900.
- A machine invented in the 1950s automated candy cane bending.
National Candy Cane Day FAQs
When is National Candy Cane Day?
National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26 each year.
Where did candy canes come from?
Sugar sticks were common in Europe by the 1600s; striped candy canes appeared in the U.S. around 1900.
Why are candy canes shaped like a J?
Legends link it to a shepherd's crook or a 'J' for Jesus, but these stories are unverified.
Who invented the candy cane machine?
Father Gregory Keller invented a bending machine in the 1950s.
What flavor are candy canes?
Traditional candy canes are peppermint, but many fruity flavors exist.
What can I do with leftover candy canes?
Crush them into cookies, make peppermint bark or stir them into hot cocoa.