Now What?

It was just over a week ago when we ran around cheerfully shouting ‘See you next year!’ to everyone and anyone. It’s a joke we all share, knowing how absurd it sounds. ‘Next year’ is literally only a day or two or three away from the day we say it, depending on how much time off we have off from work, or when we will see the person next. We can only say it once a year and mean it, so we relish the time when we can.

Unless, of course, you were lucky enough to be able to sell all your belongings, pack a few undies and a bathing suit, and head over to the beaches of the Seychelles Islands for a year.

The noise makers, champagne flutes and badly recorded versions of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ are now tucked away with the Christmas decorations for another year. Our living rooms are devoid of any sparkling light or activity. The bowl of dust-covered ribbon candy is the only remnant of the season past. We sigh in relief grateful that the chaos is over, routines resuming with previously scheduled regularity, but yet.....

Now what?

Our lives are dictated by seasons and holidays. In the months following Christmas and New Year’s, although we stumble into work secretly glad for the return of routine, we scowl in our coffee cups and mumble ‘now what?’ Leftover Christmas candies and treats are our only joy.

Next on the calendar is Ground Hog Day, February 2nd. Not a holiday, and no food or candies are consumed, so scratch that. Valentine’s Day, February 14th, approaches and although not a work-free ‘holiday,’ at least we can gorge on chocolate. The Easter Bunny follows-up by breaking into our homes, leaving a (welcomed) mess of chocolate. Ground Hog Day and Valentine’s Day (for some) was a bust, so the Easter Bunny better pick up the slack. At least we can mainline chocolate again, drowning our sorrows in sugar and cocoa.


But what do we do in between? Sure we raced out on Boxing Day anxious not only for deals on electronics and Chia Pets, but also for deals on chocolates and candies. While waiting for more holidays in which to excessively gorge ourselves on candies, chocolates and lavish dinners (turkey again?), we are back to the original problem; now what? What do we have to look forward to?

In my angst to find SOMETHING to look forward to in the months leading up to another holiday/excuse to eat everything sugar or chocolate-laced in sight, I found the perfect ‘calendar’ a person could ever dream off.

A Candy Holiday Calendar. Be still my heart!

The wonderful folks over at the National Confectioners Association, www.candyusa.com , just saved my life and sanity.

‘Representing the Candy, Chocolate & Gum Industries since 1884,’ the National Confectioners Association is a trade organization representing and supporting manufacturers, distributors and retailers of CANDY (the proper word is confection).

Searching the website under ‘candy holidays,’ I rejoice out loud, thanking Mr. Hershey (chocolate bars, USA, 1894), Mr. Nestle (chocolate bars, USA, 1875,), Mr. Rogers (chocolatier, Victoria, BC, 1885), and Mr. Purdy’s (chocolatier, Vancouver, 1907) for making our world a better place. Here are just a few of the holidays I found:

• January 8th is National English Toffee Day.
• January 26th is National Peanut Brittle Day
• February 19th is Chocolate Mint Day.
• March 19th is National Chocolate Caramel Day

The list goes on. For a moment, my anger surged; WHY DIDN’T I KNOW ABOUT THESE HOLIDAYS?! But before I lost all mental faculties, verging on doing something stupid like swearing off candies forever in revolt, I sat back...

...and thought about it....
...and ate a leftover chocolate from New Year’s...
...and realized....

...there is always something to look forward to, at any time of year, no matter what the season. The most simple can brighten your day, candy or otherwise.

There is so much to look forward to – even in the little things – while waiting for the Easter Bunny.

Now go eat a chocolate - you’ll feel better.

Happy New Year!