Did you know that June is National Candy Month? It really should be a national holiday! Candy has a long history in the United States. Pioneers made maple candy by cooling hot maple syrup in pans of snow (thanks Laura Ingalls Wilder for that little tidbit), cookbooks from 18th century American families have candy recipes, and Milton S. Hershey of Lancaster, Pennsylvania introduced the first milk chocolate bar in 1900. That alone is reason to celebrate!

Candy is a perennial favorite at parties, from piñatas to guest favors to ice cream toppings, so why not make your next celebration a candy holiday? Here are a few ideas that can be used for planning birthday parties, Girl’s Night Out events, showers, and more!

Candyland: Not just a mind numbing kids game

My son recently attended a Candyland themed Easter party. It was a sugar addicts dream! There were large candy ornaments hanging from the trees, four party stations with a pathway reminiscent of the Candyland gameboard and the best part? A candy bar! Candy bars have been cropping up at all kinds of celebrations over the last several years including wedding receptions. If you’re planning a summer celebration of any kind, this a fun theme that will have everyone riding a sugar high!

You need:

1. bowls and/or jars (mix it up, be eclectic, they don’t all have to match because it’s what is inside them that matters!)
2. large scoops (you could small bowls for this)
3. several varieties of candy – stay away from chocolate since it melts easily
4. white paper craft bags ready to be filled with sugary goodness!

To let everyone get their chocolate fix, make a Candyland cake! I saw this one and just about fell into a sugar coma. And since cupcakes are all the rage these days, a Candyland cake could easily be incorporated onto a collage of cupcakes.

Confectioner Inspired Cocktails: Candy isn’t just for kids!

If you want to celebrate candy in a more mature manner, there are cocktail recipes for every sweet tooth palette, fruity to chocolate.

• Did you ever use Red Vines or Twizzlers as straws? This cocktail is reminiscent of that childhood perk.
• Jolly Rancher candies have inspired soda flavors, popsicles and jelly beans. And now, a jolly cocktail! Leave the vodka out and it could be suitable for the under 21 crowd, too.
• The quintessential county fair candy is that spun sugar treat, cotton candy. Serve up cotton candy in glass, blue or pink, your choice!
• Chocolate martinis are nothing new but this one dropped my jaw. The Nutella rimmed glass will make this the drink that will be talked about all summer. Or you could bring home some Godiva vodka and create your own signature drink!
• If you want to skip the sipping altogether, how about an Absinthe lollipop? All the benefit with no glass to wash!

You can always find an occasion for candy. However you do it, candy makes celebrating fun!

Candyland & candy bar pictures courtesy of the author. All other photos from iCLIPART.