Christmas really is the happiest time of the year! It’s a time for family, singing carols, and honoring joyful family traditions. Candy also play a special role in holiday traditions – in fact, according to the National Candy Association (NCA), 85 percent of Americans say they will likely give someone the gift of sweet treats over the holidays.
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads… from the beloved holiday tale “Twas the Night Before Christmas” sums it up pretty well.
Did you know that most Americans enjoy candy just two or three times a week? That averages around 40 calories per day from candy. Still it’s easy to be tempted by sweets this time of the year which is why I am happy to partner with the National Candy Association (NCA) to share some ideas for enjoying candy in moderation this holiday season, including instructions to make these fun Santa driven candy sleighs.
Since we’re on the topic, what’s your favorite holiday candy? A few of my favorite holiday candy treats are candy canes, chocolate covered cherries, and gumdrop-adorned ginger bread houses.
According to National Confectioners Association President & CEO, John Downs, “Three out of four Americans say the traditional peppermint flavor candy cane is their favorite candy cane variety. Beyond the classic candy cane, 36 percent of Americans prefer to find foil-wrapped chocolates included as part of a holiday gift. Of those that enjoy receiving gifts of chocolate, nearly half prefer chocolate Santas, while about a quarter each like chocolate snowmen or chocolate coins best.” Read more from John Downs here.
Tips for enjoying holiday candy in moderation:
Understand candy portions. Did you know that moderate candy consumption means an average of less than 100 calories per day should come from candy? I try to choose fun-size and smaller pieces of candy.
Eat a balanced meal or nutritious snack before enjoying a sweet treat.
Focus on just a few of your holiday favorites.
Balance calories with fun winter activities like ice skating and snow ball fights.
While it is tempting to get carried away with holiday treats, the NCA has some great ideas to help people enjoy holiday candy in moderation. Visit candyusa.com to learn more.
Let’s talk about the candy sleighs that I made! It’s easy to turn a few pieces of candy into something really fun. These are so simple to put together, and they are oh-so jolly and festive.
To make each candy sleigh you’ll need:
2 candy canes
1 small candy bar that will fit on the candy canes (I used Kit Kats.)
several pieces of small or fun-size candy
1 small chocolate Santa
glue or double sided tape
To create the sleigh, begin by attaching 2 candy canes to the bottom of your larger candy bar with glue or double sided tape. A hot glue gun works well also.
Turn each candy sleigh right side up and attach several pieces of small candy to represent the packages. I used some of the holiday fun-size Snickers because the wrapper looks like wrapped gifts. The fun-size Hershey’s Miniatures work great too.
Remember, all good things in moderation. Happy Holidays!
You might also be interested in reading Tricks for Enjoying Halloween Candy in Moderation.
Rebecca Bryant says
December 14, 2016 at 12:51 PMWhat a cute Christmas craft. Making these fro my son’s band class. They are going to flip.
Keikilani says
December 14, 2016 at 1:46 PMThese are too cute! Pinning to use this as gifts for my kids little friends they want to give something to!
Lisa J Lewis says
December 14, 2016 at 2:12 PMWhat a fun and simple idea for holiday treats and stocking stuffers! I need to give this a try!
Tamra Phelps says
December 14, 2016 at 2:44 PMThese are pretty cute, lol. Kids could definitely help make these, which is a good thing!
Nicole Aguilar says
December 14, 2016 at 4:21 PMThose sleighs turned out so cute! I agree on moderation. No need to go crazy. I keep my holidays pretty similar to normal days… just add pie.
Gloria says
December 14, 2016 at 4:48 PMWhat a cute little idea. Those would make great little gifts too. It is so hard to use the word “moderation” during the holidays…and even harder to live by it.
Heather Lawrence says
December 14, 2016 at 7:07 PMOh these are totally cute!
I should do this with my kids, it’s so much fun!
Jennifer says
December 14, 2016 at 10:32 PMMan candy in moderation… that’s a toughie this time of year but some solid advice! These little sleighs are so adorable!
Bree says
December 14, 2016 at 11:24 PMWhat a fun and cute idea! This would be a great craft for the kids.
JulieD says
December 15, 2016 at 10:12 AMI love these! They are so cute…and who doesn’t love candy as a gift?
Robin Masshole Mommy says
December 15, 2016 at 10:34 AMThose sleighs are too cute. I want to make these for my kids.
Denise C says
December 15, 2016 at 12:08 PMSuch a cute holiday craft. The kids would love putting these together.
Tracey says
December 15, 2016 at 12:28 PMThese are so creative! They are the perfect little gift for classmates. Will be pinning this one for sure.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
December 15, 2016 at 1:58 PMThis is the best use of Christmas candy ever. I love this idea!
Jen Rattie says
December 15, 2016 at 2:09 PMBest candy idea ever! I have to do this with the kids. It looks great.
heather says
December 15, 2016 at 5:12 PMI have never seen this before and I think it is super cute and we are going to make these now thanks for sharing this one.
Pam says
December 15, 2016 at 5:33 PMIt is so important to enjoy all your holiday favoriYes in moderation! This candy sleigh idea is super cute.
Marcie W. says
December 15, 2016 at 7:12 PMModeration is key, especially during this indulgent time of year. These candy sleighs would make super cute stocking stuffers!
Our Family World says
December 16, 2016 at 12:04 AMI love this pretty amazing idea! My kids will surely love it!
Dana Vento says
December 16, 2016 at 12:08 AMThis is really fun ideas! It would be perfect for Christmas as a treat for kids.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
December 16, 2016 at 8:32 AMThese look super cute!
Plus, you give some great advice on not overdoing it with the candy eating!!
brianne says
December 16, 2016 at 11:43 AMWhat a great idea! I love these so much!
Jeanine says
December 16, 2016 at 11:46 AMThese are so cute! What fun. I always feel like enjoying holiday treats/candy in moderation never hurt. its just remembering to stick to that ! lol
Beeb Ashcroft says
December 16, 2016 at 7:38 PMADORABLE little sleighs! I love your tips for eating smaller portions of sweets. It can be difficult but it’s worth it!
Crystal says
December 16, 2016 at 11:48 PMI’m a sucker for sweets! This is a great post to keep in mind as we get closer and closer to Christmas and endless availability of candy.
Rebekah says
November 25, 2017 at 4:17 PMThis is a good idea for my boys to make for their friends or teachers.
Joni Mason says
November 26, 2017 at 10:29 PMChocolate covered cherries are my favorite holiday candy. My grandson & I will have so much fun making & eating these sleighs. Thank you for sharing!
Barrie says
November 27, 2017 at 10:19 PMThese sleighs are great for the Christmas table. I might also put one in each stocking!
Cheryl says
November 28, 2017 at 5:48 AMThese are so cute. What a creative idea!
Julie Wood says
November 29, 2017 at 8:55 AMThese Candy Cane Sleighs are just adorable! I am going to make these with the kids!
Dana Rodriguez says
November 29, 2017 at 3:39 PMThat is an adorable idea! And so easy! Thank you!
Katie Bellamy says
November 30, 2017 at 10:28 PMThese are adorable little gifts! I know I’d love to get one! 🙂
Michelle Hruby says
December 1, 2017 at 10:42 AMThese are the most adorable gifts! I’m going to make these to stuff in the kids stockings 🙂
Heather says
December 2, 2017 at 10:07 AMI love these!! This would be perfect for the kids to make for their friends!
Rosie says
December 2, 2017 at 10:22 AMThese are so darn cute, and inexpensive, too. I love to put a little gift like this on people’s desk as a surprise. So fun, too.
Melissa Storms says
December 2, 2017 at 7:21 PMI made sleigh place card settings out of graham crackers and candy canes years ago. These look so much easier and the cute presents and Santa, I love them.
sheila ressel says
December 3, 2017 at 7:47 AMThese are just adorable! I’m going to make these to use as package decorations this year. I know they’ll be a big hit!
Emily says
December 3, 2017 at 12:46 PMI made something similar a few years ago, big hit! Look Great!
Natalie says
December 4, 2017 at 5:21 PMWhat brand of candy are the Santa chocolates? ❤️🎅🏻
ellen beck says
December 5, 2017 at 1:58 AMI remember making these with some modifications with my Mom and that has been eons ago. I remember we use lifesavers in rolls. These are really cute and fun to make.
deanna says
December 6, 2017 at 1:43 PMThis is the darn cutest thing ever. I have never seen anything like this before.
Janet W. says
December 7, 2017 at 10:50 AMThese are cute, and the sleigh design is so crafty and adorable! What a cute treat to make for my grandsons’ classmates.
Ginger says
December 11, 2017 at 6:41 PMI made these this year for a craft show. Sold very well. I used the plastic candy canes from the dollar tree. Less sugar and gave them something to hang on their tree. Hot glue concerned me with the chocolate so I used glue dots. Also wrapped ribbon around them both ways and put a tiny bow on the top. The ribbon helped to hold everything on the “sleigh”.
Jenn says
November 3, 2018 at 3:56 PMThese are super cute. Our girls would love making them.
Julie Lundstrom says
November 11, 2018 at 2:19 PMThese look easy and fun for the kids to make.
June S. says
November 30, 2018 at 10:24 PM(HOW TO MAKE CANDY SLEIGHS) These are so cute to make for Christmas coming up soon. I am going to make them with my five year old grandson next week.
katie says
December 10, 2018 at 11:04 PMThese are wonderful. My mom made these last year and I ate every piece of candy! I feel like sometimes when someone makes something cute I never eat or like it, but love these!
Lesley F says
December 12, 2018 at 9:16 AMThese are too cute. Pinned and cannot wait to make them
Angela says
December 12, 2018 at 9:24 AMThank you for pinning, Lesley. I hope you enjoy making them!!