Most everyone is familiar with candy dishes; they are a commonly seen and are well-liked because they are a great way to serve sweets. These gorgeous and functional dishes are available in many different forms and are referred to by as many different names, yet they are all used for the same purpose: to hold all types of small delicious pieces of candy.
These dishes are beautifully made and are fashioned from a variety of materials, including glass, ceramics, plastic or metals such as aluminum, silver or copper. They are found in all shapes and sizes: some are beautifully designed and give a touch of sophistication to any room or event; others can be made in novelty shapes that hint at fun. Many dishes are designed to be left open, while other dishes are made with covers.
Often, these dishes are collected by people just to keep in their collection of dishes. The dishes can also be used for special occasions. During holidays, people throwing parties often have these available and on display in a variety of different shapes and sizes corresponding to the theme of the holiday; New Year’s celebrations often feature candy displayed in mock cocktail glasses; at a Valentine’s Day celebration, popular dishes would be shaped like a heart or a cupid, containing candies shaped like a heart or chocolates.
Another popular candy occasion is Easter; the candy dishes would be seen shaped like a bunny or egg. At Easter, candies might even be offered in a bunny-shaped figurine that is holding a basket where the candies are placed. Halloween, another candy-rich holiday, is different; this occasion is meant to have lots of candy for trick-or-treaters! This holiday offers more varieties of novelty candy containers because there is such an emphasis on the volume of candy available at that time of year. Some of the Halloween candy holders could be shaped in holiday motifs, like a witch’s cauldron, a black cat, bats, spiders, jack o’ lanterns, skeletons and other frightening-looking shapes and forms.
Thanksgiving is a holiday when family and friends get together and appreciate their blessings. At such gatherings, it is possible to find candy dishes shaped like turkeys, pies or fall vegetables such as pumpkins and gourds representing the holiday. Christmas, also, features specialty candies that are made and flavored for the season. Typical Christmas candies that you will find are shaped like Christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, reindeer, candy canes, Santa Claus shapes, bells, gift boxes and Christmas stockings. At Christmas parties, there may also be more assorted sweets such as candy canes, sweet or spicy mints, small chocolate shapes and other specialty candies for the season.
During the rest of the year, it is also common to find these popular and beautiful candy dishes prominently displayed in households. Wedding candy dishes are usually elegantly displayed at the refreshment tables at wedding receptions. Some, meant for personal use, are often found by the owner’s bedside; others are used out in the open like cookie jars where everyone is welcome to have a piece and enjoy the candy!