Candy Canes - The History
By Anna
@LadyDuck (458230)
Switzerland
December 11, 2015 8:27am CST
The legend tells that everything started in Germany, back in the year 1670.
The choirmaster of the cathedral of Cologne, during the living Creche representation, was unable to keep the children quiet .
He asked to a sweet maker to prepare a simple candy to distribute to the children
The sweet maker, created a pure white sugar candy, bent to symbolize a J, like Jesus and the shepherd's staff. From that day, the distribution of the candy canes became a Christmas tradition.
The candy canes become colored in 1919, thanks to a sweet maker named Bob McCormick from Georgia (USA).
Do you hang candy canes to your Christmas tree?
Public Domain image by Pixabay
36 people like this
42 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Dec 15
I can't remember the lsst time I bought any. I like them, but not good for my teeth/caps.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
11 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill It's better to be careful, caps are expensive to replace.
4 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I do like a piece of hard candy once in a while, but have to be careful not to chew them or I could pull my caps out!
5 people like this
@celticeagle (159105)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Dec 15
We change the theme of the tree decorations every year or so. Adding and deleting some things for a different look. I like snowflakes on mine. No canes as yet.
3 people like this
@antonbunot (11091)
• Calgary, Alberta
11 Dec 15
@LadyDuck My wife does not hang candy canes in our x-mas tree . . she hangs by the wall 7 large red socks where we drop in coins for our 7 grandchildren. Last night our 3-year-old grandson wanted to see what are inside his "sock" .. . 
3 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (79772)
• United States
11 Dec 15
I do hang candy canes on my tree. It's a family tradition and kids & adults love them
4 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
11 Dec 15
@LadyDuck They taste like peppermint.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
11 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill Thanks Abby, I thought that they were peppermint candies.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
17 Feb 17
Thanks for sharing the history of the candy cane. No, I do not hang candy canes to my Christmas tree - the candy canes get eaten almost immediately! 
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Feb 17
@LadyDuck for someone with a sweet tooth, that's quite a challenge!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
16 Dec 15
I have a few of othem hanging on our Christmas tree made from thermocol beautifully painted.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
17 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I have never known of anyone putting anything real up on the tree!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
17 Dec 15
@allknowing In the United States I have seen real candycanes on the trees. In Italy we used to hang chocolate coins (they were wrapped, but real).
Have you tried to put fake candy canes? 
@TypicalRussian (747)
• Budennovsk, Russian Federation
11 Dec 15
I've seen them, but never tried. It associates with Charlie Chaplin to me
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
12 Dec 15
@TypicalRussian I love this drawing, only a few lines but you immediately know that it's Charlie Chaplin.
1 person likes this
@TypicalRussian (747)
• Budennovsk, Russian Federation
12 Dec 15
@LadyDuck Yes, because he had the same stick but black in colour
2 people like this
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
13 Dec 15
Also, I have been to the Cologne Cathedral, it was an amazing experience. They claim to house the remains of the 3 wise men there.
1 person likes this
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
15 Dec 15
@LadyDuck It was closed off each time I was there (twice). But I kept peering through the bars and rubber necking. I met some Americans there, it was nice to see fellow Yanks again. I heard them speaking an american twang and started speaking to them. Up till then, the only English I heard was Oxford English.
I am a non-practicing Catholic, but that cathedral made me feel soooo Catholic!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458230)
• Switzerland
15 Dec 15
@Pattitude I am Roman Catholic, all Italians are, but I am non-practicing too. Some cathedrals have a magic atmosphere.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
17 Feb 17
We buy candy canes and 1 goes into each Christmas Bag with whatever treat we are giving to that house. Candy canes use to be on the tree years ago, but now they are just for eating at other houses.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
11 Dec 15
I do hang candy canes on the tree. It isn't the same without them.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
11 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I usd to have a set of beautiful fake ones and that reminds me I haven't seen them in a while. I need to look for them.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Dec 15
used too, cant now, no food to tempt the puppy. I love the mint chocolate and plain ones
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
13 Dec 15
No candy canes hanging on our Christmas tree. they might get infested with those red and black ants especially if the candy is so sweet and it is soft.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 Dec 15
I don't have any on my tree, but some sitting on my desk here. I bought them yesterday, they are red hot flavored. I don't care much for peppermint.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 Dec 15
@LadyDuck I'm sure I have but not often
1 person likes this
