Most kids ages 6-11 years old say they eat a candy cane by sucking on it (54 percent) But that's not the only way to enjoy this favorite holiday treat
Biting/crunching: 24 percent
Licking: 19 percent
Don't know: 2 percent
Other: 1 percent
When eating candy canes, boys were almost twice as likely to crunch their candy canes than girls (31 percent v. 17 percent).
Of 1,000 adults surveyed, 89 percent said candy plays a role in their winter holiday celebrations.
Placing candy in a bowl: 72 percent
Giving/receiving a box of chocolates: 70 percent
Giving/receiving a holiday stocking filled with goodies: 63 percent
Creating a gingerbread house: 19 percent
More than 1.8 billion candy canes will be made for the winter holiday season, in traditional peppermint flavor as well as super-sour, fruit and tropical fruit flavors. A typical candy cane contains only 55 calories and no fat/cholesterol.
More than 150 million chocolate Santas will be made for the winter holiday season.
The winter holidays represent the biggest boxed chocolate selling season.
The winter holidays are the third largest "candy holiday" sales season, behind Halloween and Easter. Valentine's Day is fourth.
Retail sales overall for the winter holiday season (November-December) account for 20-40 percent of annual retail sales.
More than 33 million real Christmas trees will be sold for the season and more than 67 million turkeys will be consumed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
