Candy cane boycott

‘Tis the season to be jolly, but with 24% of boys and 27% of girls aged 5-17 years now sporting a ‘jolly’ appearance all year round, this Christmas I am calling for change. (1) I am calling for a boycott on candy canes in Christmas cards.

Of course candy canes are not the complete cause of childhood obesity, but with as much as 51% of our annual weight gain happening over the six week Christmas period, do we really need more empty calories? (2, 3)

Nor are they the sole cause of dental decay, but with 48.7% of children aged 5-6 years having dental decay in baby teeth and nearly 45.1% of children aged 12 years having decay in permanent teeth, do we really need to give them more sugar? (4, 5)

I am sure it is possible to have a very merry Christmas without candy canes, the empty calories they provide or the tooth decay they can cause.

After all candy canes aren’t the epitome of Christmas anyway, are they? I might sound like the Christmas Grinch, but really does skipping on the candy canes really doesn’t change the meaning of Christmas.

Of course we still want to be teaching our children the joy of giving and sharing, of kindness and goodwill, but it is ludicrous to think that a candy cane stuffed in an envelope encapsulates this Christmas spirit.

So join me on my boycott. Sign the pledge at The Kids Menu and say no to candy canes this year.

Other small tokens for children to give to their friends could include:

Homemade or personalised Christmas decorations or other craft
Novelty Reindeer food (Place oats and glitter in a small zip lock bag or jar with a little note to leave out for Rudolph and co.)
Small books or colouring sheets
Stickers, stamps, pens, pencils, erasers
Home-made beaded bracelets
Bubbles or glow sticks
Home-made Christmas playdough (white playdough with red and green glitter, wrapped and tired with ribbon)

137 Comments

- - mom94125 said
  - 19 Oct 2015
    6:23 pm
lol didn’t have to worry about candy canes last year

- - mom109229 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    10:32 pm
I hate candy canes. They’re not nice at all.

- - GeoEllie said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    4:38 am
I’m not sure how many really get eaten anyway, we just binned a whole bunch we got over xmas because my boys don’t really like mint

- - mom94125 said
  - 03 Jan 2015
    12:42 pm
yeah my child’s school ask to provide other gifts besides candy canes but last year they were fine with it.

- - mom82590 said
  - 04 Nov 2014
    3:12 pm
Yes I agree there are far better things to give. Even something to hang on the tree

- - caramello said
  - 31 Oct 2014
    8:38 pm
My son gets them in the Christmas cards, but he doesn’t eat them.

- - mom56842 said
  - 27 Sep 2014
    7:39 pm
Boycotting Candy Cane – that’s a bit ambitious. They aren’t to my taste but I wouldn’t lead a revolt over them – they only come around once a year!
- mom93821 replied
  
  08 Dec 2014 , 12:54 pm
  I agree; they only come around once a year!
- - mom57522 said
  - 31 Aug 2014
    11:30 pm
The dreaded candy cane…in every Christmas card.

- - ginoula5 said
  - 13 Aug 2014
    9:48 am
I have never really been a fan of candy cane, I like the little ones and using them as part of the gift wrapping.

- - skbou said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    6:11 pm
The kids tend to get candy canes from all directions at Christmas, then they sit in the cupboard until next Christmas when I throw them out.

- - mouse said
  - 19 Jul 2014
    12:17 pm
I coldnt live not having candy canes at Christmas

- - fruitwood said
  - 25 Jun 2014
    1:54 pm
I love the look of Candy Canes and what they represent but I’ve never actually liked eating them, lol.

- - sonyasone said
  - 04 Jun 2014
    10:00 am
We’re not big on candy canes at our place either.. They are more for decoration than eating.. Not many kids like minty flavoured lollies anyway..

- - twinmum2 said
  - 31 May 2014
    7:05 pm
Candy canes are not that nice to eat anyway!

- - mom57522 said
  - 31 May 2014
    2:27 pm
We use some candy as decorations for the tree and gift cards.
- mom93821 replied
  
  09 Dec 2014 , 4:13 am
  I agree; they look good on the tree and on cards.
  - mom93821 replied
    
    24 Dec 2014 , 8:33 am
    
    Some good recipes; using those candy canes in the recipes section. I am going to try some with received candy canes.
- - Gracelow said
  - 29 May 2014
    3:35 pm
Good to know that I may not be the only one throwing away those sickly sweet candy canes!

- - scottie said
  - 29 May 2014
    1:45 pm
they do make great decorations 😉

- - Mrs Bucket (that's pronounced Bouquet) said
  - 16 May 2014
    12:36 pm
Putting the weight, health, tooth decay thing aside – they’re just plain horrible. I use them as decorations in my window displays, that’s all they’re really good for.

Photo: Santa’s Sweet Shop.

- - mom57522 said
  - 13 May 2014
    7:32 pm
We make gingerbread biscuits to hand out.

- - Happymum-2 said
  - 13 May 2014
    11:07 am
I couldn’t boycott the candy cane, they are tradition and I love them myself