Today, December 26th, is National Candy Cane Day.

As today is Boxing Day, now would be a good time to start eating those candy canes that are decorating the Christmas tree.

Candy canes are a type of hard candy that is in the shape of a cane. These are usually quite thin, and red and white striped, with peppermint flavouring. They are available in other flavours too, and some quite big candy canes have been made.

The hook at the top of the cane can make them easy to hang on a Christmas tree by simply hooking them over a branch - these canes will usually be individually wrapped.

Image: Morguefile