The map above displays the results of our latest candy research: the top 3 most popular Christmas candies in each state. See the goods by hovering over your state (non-mobile only). Christmas isn't just about candy, because there is so much more to it. However, there is also a lot of candy involved. The weeks leading up to Christmas are filled with baking, decorating, and making fun crafts with kids. Do you hang candy canes from your tree? Maybe you make chocolate lollipops shaped like reindeer? Or decorate snowman cookies with sprinkles and peppermint candy? Ok well, a lot of people do, you know. :) And it all adds up. So which Christmas candy do people like the most? It varies by state. This year, we received over 26,000 responses. As part of our survey, we also checked with our friendly major candy manufacturers and distributors to make sure our results matched their seasonal observations. You might be surprised by the results, illustrated above in the interactive candy map. Here are some key takeaways: Peppermint Bark Thunder For the second straight year, Peppermint Bark has become the number one holiday candy in three new states. Previously seen as a regional phenomenon, the phenomenon has now spread to states like California and Texas. Peppermint bark now occupies 11 states in all regions except the northeast. Reese’s Cups Declining This year, Reese's Cups lost three number one spots. Wait. There must be some kind of mistake here. Reese’s Cups have long been the divine candy of the gods with zero flaws and only an amazing chocolate and peanut butter combination along with perfect texture and soft snap. How could it be that they are becoming less popular?! You can only get the numbers from me. The two spots they lost were to peppermint bark (California and Texas) and to Hershey Kisses (Illinois). That doesn't mean people love Reese's any less, just that it's no longer the only star. Snickers Rising Additionally, Snickers topped the charts in Vermont, Arkansas, and Georgia this year. Snickers appears on the map only 8 times total in any of the top 3 spots in any state, so that's a significant jump. Everyone knows Snickers is awesome. Is it also becoming a holiday favorite? That could be very strong for Snickers in the future. Chocolate Santas Soaring Santa Claus is coming to towns across North Dakota, Maine and New Mexico where he knocks off previous top holiday candies like Reese's Cups and Candy Canes. Wow. These are perfect stocking stuffers and who doesn't love a nice piece of chocolate? Festive and delicious, it makes sense, but as a trend it is challenging to identify the bigger question: why only now? According to the National Retail Federation, holiday spending this year will be mostly on par with 2019, with a lot more emphasis on decoration and food than gift giving, and travel will be down a lot this year for obvious reasons. #2020. If spending on holiday candy remains the same as last year that would put total holiday candy sales over $2 Billion. That’s using annual spending trends and applying them to the National Confectionery Association’s (NCA) $1.93 Billion estimate from 2017. However, there is another factor to consider. As a result of the pandemic, candy sales have risen above normal levels. According to the NCA, they are up 3.8% between March 15th and August 9th, and Halloween candy sales were up 12%. So we could go even higher this holiday season. An increase of 3.8% would put the 2020 holiday season candy sales in the ballpark of $2.13B. We won’t know until it’s all said and done.
