Just back from New England last night and still recovering from a rather hectic trip. While I will have a few (much less than usual) posts from the trip, I thought it might be nice to do a bunch of short posts in the run up to Christmas with some of our Christmas tips in the Marketman household. Much of this might not be new to many of you, but let’s see how this goes. If you have been reading this blog for a while, you will know that Christmas is a BIG DEAL in Marketman’s household, so take this holiday journey or frenetic December rush with me…
First up, holiday candy… Nothing says the holidays are around the corner than a big bowl or jar filled with peppermint candy canes. Some years we have an abundant bowl of foil wrapped chocolates, while other years there is a candy buffet that is sugar overload for young and old alike. I actually like eating a peppermint candy cane every now and then, but most cheap drugstore versions don’t really seem to have much peppermint flavor in them these days… you have to get artisanal type candies like those made by Hammond’s, here. At any rate, if you go the lower budget route ($1.49 for 40 mini-canes in the photos) vs. $2.50 or so for a single artisanal candy cane, you can have say 160-200 in a large jar (photo) for about PHP300 total. Guests who come and go over the next month or so can take a candy or two, and when we have holiday parties, more will be consumed. If you are in Manila, try Metro grocery in a few days for candy canes, they had a wonderful selection last year. S&R and Rustan’s also carry candy canes. In the U.S., I have to say, I was most impressed with the Christmas candy selection at Target, Rite Aid and other drugstores, particularly in the hinterland towns of New England… :)
16 Responses
Welcome back,MM!
Love the twinkling lights in the background! You are getting good with your photo-shots.
Short posts are better than none :)
Welcome back! Hope you had a wonderful trip and Thanksgiving.
I love candy canes as well! I use them also as a decor when wrapping gifts, speically for the kids, it’s a nice accent! :)
Can’t wait to see your upcoming posts featuring the yearly tradition in the MarketMan household “GingerBread House” :)
i love the apothecary jar not so fond of the peppermint candy canes, we have a lot of these ancient jars big and small still with the chemical powder, my great grandaunt is a pharmacist and my spinster aunt just did not touch them someday i will go home and ask permission if i could clean them , she still has Bulaklak, Liwayway and Kislap magazines late 50s and 60s
Welcome back!! I was wondering when you will post again (I’ve been checking your site everyday…that sounds scary, right? LOL)
I’m excited on your upcoming Xmas posts.
YEY!!! He’s back!!!
i love candy canes, MM. i like to dunk them in my coffee or hot chocolate after the holidays
Wow!! Welcome home! Have been checking everyday if you have a post and was so happy to see your candy post…yes I look forward to your Gingerbread house…hope the teen will still want one…Happy holidays…I look forward to the small posts. They”re small to you but bring BIIIIIIGGGG joy to me when I read them….am sure the rest feel the same…welcome back to you all…
Yey! :)
this is an out of topic inquiry…. may i know if you have tried preserving kaffir limes using loads of salt, just like they do with lemons? we have some harvest from the farm and i would like to know how to preserve them… any suggestions,po? i noticed you have photos/topics regarding kaffir lime fruit and leaves, and you or your numerous followers might have some ideas/suggestions to preserve them… thanks ….
Welcome back MM. Looking forward to your Thanksgiving posts.
welcome home MM!!!
Love the photo, MM … the candy canes as well. Happy Holidays!
Glad you and family had a wonderful trip to the great Northeast! 12-1-12 noted. Start of the holiday season for me. literally go by the calendar, kelangan, Deciembre. Heard some trivia question on TV recently – which country observes the longest Christmas season – ta – da – the Philippines!! Looking forward to your holiday posts!!
Welcome back po! Warm greetings po from Sta. Cruz, Laguna! God bless you!
Welcome back Market Man! Hope you enjoyed your New England visit, hectic as it was. It must have been stunning there this time of year.
am awaiting for the gingerbread house blog entry :)