Why do we keep so many sweets and candies around the house during the holidays?

because you know christmas is all colorful and sweet just like candy so, that’s pretty much why

I love some of the seasonal candy, especially the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark. I went out and bought some so that we have it closer to Christmas. I think the fact that some of it is only available at this time of year makes a big difference for us.

The sweets help to get Santa fat and sassy.

Okay, no intent meant. after all, its Christmas time and a time of good cheer. hoho!

Cause most of it is just really, really yummy! I’ve been thinking of making some rum cake or gingerbread this week. I made my very first pumpkin pie this year, for Thanksgiving. I realized that my Mom and Grandmothers and Aunts had always made the pies (all excellent cooks) for the holidays and even though I cook, I had never made a pie. So my Mom gave me the instructions for pumpkin pie and voila! There it was. I am very interested to make one soon with home made, rolled out crust. This year I used Trader Joe’s which was actually pretty tasty.

Some of the sweets just look super pretty, although I don’t necessarily like the taste. 2 examples come to mind: peppermint candy canes and ribbon candy like this

Is it only during festive seasons that you have/had candies round the house? In my case, it’s all year round. So you must be an disciplined person who has kept things in their correct place!

The reason for tradition always lies within some sort of historical context. Not so long ago spices were rare and expensive; this includes sugar. Hence, people would save their money and spend it on sugar and fruits for their “saints days” in celebration (Traditionally the gifts and feasts of today’s Christmas was done on St. Nicholas Day). What most could afford was a cup of sugar for a pie, an orange or apple for the kids, and maybe a peppermint stick. But now in this day and age of cheap spices and sugars, the tradition still lingers while the need to be modest and stringent about sweet consumption no longer is needed. So WALLAH! Sugar overload on holidays.

I imagine it’s because the holidays area a time when we allow ourselves to be self-indulgent and to indulge other people.

I love the whole idea of a bit of self-indulgence with special seasonal stuff.

How bizarre is it that a thread about cookies and candy got so heavily modded? Now I’m curious…

@JilltheTooth : It is bizarre. It’s in the social section, too.

@AZByzantium Welcome to Fluther. You beat me to the answer I was going to give.

The holidays and when company comes are pretty much the only times I eat desserts and/or fancy candies or else I’d have bad teeth and sugar tantrums.

@JilltheTooth: A newcomer shouted repeatedly.

Thanks, @gailcalled , I’m glad I missed that.

The holidays are a big honking excuse to go out and buy mint and/or chocolate flavored crap we shouldn’t be going after under any circumstance because of our obesity issue we flatly ignore on a daily basis.

I’ll be part of the club, too, when my metabolism slows to a crawl, in college.

They are regarded as a treat. Sugar was rationed during WWII. Having some candy at Christmas was special. According to my grandmother.

I just came back from the store with chocolate mint Silk brand soy milk! It’s divine : )

Holidays are special, they are celebrations, they when we indulge and are allowed and encouraged to indulge, in a bit of excess, in things that we don’t indulge in, in the same way, throughout the rest of the year.