It is Time for a Candy Cane Hunt!

For the past couple years, we have been having Candy Cane Hunts at this grandma's house. They are always a lot of fun and tomorrow is our day to do it again this year. If you have not tried it yet, consider doing so this year; and if you are new to grandma's cookie jar - this is an idea which is "tradition worthy" as a candy cane hunt with the children you love is something they will never forget.

What is a candy cane hunt you ask? Well, think Easter Egg hunt and substitute candy canes and you are on the right track! I'm giving eight candy canes to each grandson - I put them under the tree, so they will find them when they arrive at my house today. Then tomorrow, when their parents come for lunch, we will have them hide the candy canes outside - I have lots of trees with branches at the right heights for the boys and since they are candy canes, they will easily hang on the branches. Once the candy canes are appropriately hidden, the boys will get to go outside and each will be able to search my yard for eight candy canes.

I will have them each take two of their candy canes to put in a bag with directions for how to have a candy cane hunt (you will find a card you could download and print at this link) and they will be able to give it to their neighbor, so he will be able to have a candy cane hunt, too!

We will also talk about how the candy cane reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas - 

• The shape reminds us of the shepherd's crook - and shepherds were the first people to learn of Jesus' birth!
• Turn a candy can upside down and you have a "J" - for Jesus!
• The color red reminds us of how the Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:18 our sins are red like scarlet.
• The white on the candy cane reminds us of how the Bible tells us Jesus washes our sins away so we are as white as the snow!
• The stripes remind us of how Jesus died for our sins.
• It is candy and sweet - like Jesus' love for us!

Sounds like fun all around!

If you try this with your grandchildren, be sure to have a camera available as there will likely be opportunities for some great photos! Enjoy!