Do you hang stockings for Christmas? Half the people I know do, the other half doesn’t.
Growing up Santa always put stuff in our stockings. We had a fireplace and hung our stockings up on the mantle.
I was often as excited to see what Santa put in my stocking as I was opening gifts. Pouring out the contents of the stocking was always a thrill. I never knew what goodies I would find inside.
There were a few items that were ALWAYS in my stocking – an apple, an orange and a brand new box of Crayola crayons (complete with the sharpener in the back).
Did you know that receiving an apple or orange in your stocking is a tradition in many homes, especially in Europe (my mom was from Wales).
The story goes that St. Nicholas overheard some maidens talking about how they were going to be sold into slavery because they didn’t have enough of a dowry for someone to want to marry them. That nigh St. Nicholas tossed gold down the chimney that landed inside stockings that were hanging on the mantle to dry before the fire.
This is often represented by gold balls, which are symbolized by oranges and apples. An orange in the middle of winter is considered a treat by most people since they were not that easy to come by many years ago.
An orange (or apple) found in the toe of a stocking is a reminder of St. Nicholas’ gift.
I always thought it was because “Santa” knew I liked apples and oranges. 🙂
I have carried that tradition with my own kids, except it’s weird to have to tell them not to eat all the oranges and apples I put in the fridge a day or two before Christmas. They already know they are for their stockings.
I used to put small toys in my kid’s stockings when they were little. Now that they are old I just stick to the goodies (candies). Ocassionally I might put a lip balm or make-up in my daughter’s stocking and a small bottle of cologne in my son’s. To be honest they rater have candy. And who can blame them? Not me!
When I think of seasonal/holiday candies the first brand to come to mind is Palmer. During the holidays they always make available delightful (and delicious) holiday candies. They put a lot of heart and soul into the designs used to package their candies. That clearly shows. They could easily wrap chocolates in colored foil and leave it at that. No Palmer. They would never offer up a “boring” looking candy for consumers. Their candies always have the “WOW factor” to them. This year’s candies are no exception.
Palmer sent me some candy to put inside my children’s stockings and to review. Trying to hide the candy from them was close to impossible. Most of the candy they have not seen yet with the exception of the “coal”. I used it as a joke one night (telling the kids “Santa” was going to bring them coal this year if they didn’t stop arguing about whose turn it was to take the dog out). My son especially loved the chocolate “coal” that be brought two bags to school with him today to give to his friends, along with some mini-candy canes. He never told me the specific reason why he wanted to give them coal. I guess its a private joke.
The “coal” comes in a mesh bag. Each individual piece of chocolate is the perfect mouthful.
I’m excited for my kids to see the other candies they will be getting in their stockings this year. My husband has already seen (and sampled!) some of them, as have I. There was NO WAY I could pass up trying out the Peppermint Bark.
The Peppermint Bark chocolate bars are HUGE! This is one massive candy bar. I could not resist opening it up to try for myself. I love peppermint bark. Mmmmm….!!!!!! This chocolate bar is SO GOOD! It literally melts in your mouth. I am going to try breaking off a few pieces and add it inside a mug of hot cocoa. I think that would take amazing, especially with the creaminess of he white chocolate and the burst of minty flavor from the peppermint.
This year Palmer’s has a couple of other huge chocolate bars. One features a cute Santa and the other is a bear. They weight an astonishing 1/4th of a pound EACH!
The Santa and Bear are designed using white and tinted (red) chocolate.
These are what as known as “Breakway Bars”. The design is like a puzzle. Each “piece” breaks away from the rest of the bar, allowing you to snap off just the right size piece of chocolate.
These bars give you the chocolate you crave with a bit of a “crunch” to them too. They are too cute to break apart.
I LOVE the shaped chocolate boxes available this year. One box is filled with chocolate shaped like make-up. The other box has chocolate shaped like tools. They are perfect for my kids.
Each piece of chocolate in either set has a lot of fine detail to them. They almost look real.
I like that they are packaged nicely and ready to give as a gift or tuck inside a stocking. The boxes fit fine in our stockings and I’d like to think ours are a standard size.
Palmer thought of everything when they created these chocolate sets, including adding little grooves in the plastic the chocolates are lying on to make it easier to grab them instead of having to fight with the plastic to get them out and risk breaking them.
Of course you need some smaller, lose candies to fill up the stocking. Palmer has you covered for those too. Their Candy Candy Cups are yummy. They are chocolate covered cups with a creamy, minty, white chocolate center. I made the mistake of opening this bag to sample them. I find myself sampling them all the time. LOL!
The Caramel Santas and Crisp Kringles (love that name) are not only a great addition to stockings, but they also look nice put out in a candy dish to offer to holiday guests.
Palmer puts A LOT of thought into the presentation of their candies. If you look at the Santa faces (below – right) you’ll see that the Santa faces are different (one is winking, one has his eyes closed…). They are very cute.
These are just a small sampling of the holiday candies that Palmer has available this year. Not only are they fun and festive, they are also affordable. Palmer candies have always been “budget friendly”.
On the Palmar website, www.RMPalmer.com, you can find recipes and fun holiday crafts to make with your Palmer candies. The Candy Ornaments would be fun to not only make but also to give as gifts.
I love the recipes. The Peppermint Bark Rice Crispy Treats and the Oh Candy Tree look and sound amazing.
Visit the Palmer website for product info, crafts, recipes, product locator and more. Also be sure to check out their Facebook and Pinterest pages (I love their Pinterest boards).
What do you like to add to your child’s stocking? What was your favorite stocking stuffer? Feel free to share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Karen Glatt says
I hang up Christmas stockings every year over my fireplace. I like the coal candy. I need to get some. I always have mandarin oranges in my sock, and I like the Palmer candy assortment with the pretty foil pictures wrapping the chocolate. I can not wait to get my stocking! I also give my niece and nephew a really nice stocking!
Kim Richards says
I used to get unshelled nuts in my stocking along with the Apple and orange.
.
Kate F. says
The chocolate coal is a cute idea.
Sarah L says
I like the chocolate tool and beauty kits. We always got socks in our stockings as well as candy & fruit.
Richard Hicks says
I like having stockings and we always fill them with candiies, small toys, and sometimes dollar bills
Melinda Stephens says
We do oranges too. That is my favorite thing. For some reason, stocking oranges taste better.
Robin Quick says
I usually use a lot of Palmers brand items to fill our stocking with. My son is 16 and so far every year we have done stocking for him, myself and my husband. Not sure about this year yet. Its according if we have any money for it after finishing up shopping for essentials on Tuesday,,, Yikes thats Christmas Eve!!!
Mary Happymommy says
The chocolate make up kit is cute.
Tracie Trump says
Love the coal candy, so cute