Candies that are given to children for the New Year in different countries

New Year’s traditions vary greatly across the world, but one universal element is the tradition of giving children candy.

The type of candy given to children often reflects cultural preferences, local ingredients, and customs of each nation. These candy gifts for the New Year are usually chosen not only for their taste, but also for their symbolic meaning associated with the New Year celebration, including wishes for prosperity, happiness, and health.

???????? In Russia, one of the central elements of New Year’s celebrations for children is sweet gifts of various candies. Boxes or bags of chocolate, toffees, caramels and other sweets are traditionally handed out by Father Frost and his assistant, the Snow Maiden. Common brands include Alyonka chocolate, known for its distinctive packaging featuring a girl in a headscarf, numerous chocolates and various types of "caramels" (hard candies), as well as hollow chocolate figures (most often a hare or Father Frost). These candies often come in elaborately decorated tins or packages that reflect the festive atmosphere of the season.

???????? In Japan , where New Year (Shogatsu) is the most important holiday of the year, children receive gifts known as "otoshidama", which are usually envelopes filled with money, but candy also plays an important role in the celebration. Traditional Japanese sweets, or "wagashi", are often shared. Mochi, a chewy rice cake, is sometimes sweetened with sugar or filled with red bean paste. "Kagami mochi" is a special treat associated with the New Year and symbolizes the wish for a long and prosperous life. Children may also receive more modern candies, such as chocolate-covered rice crackers or Pocky sticks.

???????? In the United States , while Halloween is more associated with candy, sweets are still a central treat in New Year’s celebrations, especially in homes with children. Chocolates in the shapes of clocks, coins, and stars are commonly given to symbolize the passage of time and good fortune in the coming year. Jelly beans, leftover Christmas candy, and holiday M&M’s are also part of the New Year’s tradition in many families. In a more traditional setting, peppermint bark or fudge may be given as a treat to reflect the winter season.

???????? In Germany, New Year (Silvester) is celebrated with a variety of traditional sweets that are shared between children and adults. Marzipan is particularly popular, and marzipan pig-shaped figures (Glücksschwein) symbolize good luck in the New Year. Four-leaf clover or horseshoe-shaped sweets are often given out, also symbolizing good luck. In addition to marzipan, children may receive small bags of mixed sweets, including chocolate coins, jelly beans, and licorice, which is common in many European countries.

???????? In Mexico, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with piñatas filled with candy and small toys for children. Traditionally made of clay or paper mache, piñatas are an integral part of the festivities, and they take on special significance during the New Year. The candies that spill out of the piñata often include dulces de leche (milk candy), tamarind-flavored candies, and pelon pelo rico, a spicy tamarind candy that is popular with children. Chocolate coins and other sweets with symbolic meanings of wealth and prosperity are also common.

???????? In China, the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated with the giving of hongbao, or red envelopes filled with money, but candy is also an important part of the celebration. One popular candy given to children is tangyuan, a sweet rice dumpling filled with sesame paste, peanuts, or red beans. The round shape of tangyuan symbolizes the unity and completeness of the family. Children are also given candied hawthorn berries on skewers called tanghulu, which are both sweet and sour. Various types of fruit candies and jellies also play an important role in the New Year celebrations, especially those shaped like mandarin oranges, which symbolize wealth.

???????? In South Korea, the Lunar New Year, called Seollal, involves eating tteok, a chewy rice cake that is often sweetened with honey or sugar, and sometimes filled with sweetened red bean paste. While these traditional rice cakes are central to the celebration, children are also given more modern sweets, such as chocolate coins or hard candies. The symbolism behind the gifting of sweets still revolves around hopes for a sweet and prosperous new year.

???????? In Italy, children can get "torrone," a type of nougat made from honey, sugar, egg whites, and nuts that is especially popular during the winter holidays. Torrone comes in different consistencies and flavors, from soft to hard, and can be dipped in chocolate. Italian children can also get "panettone" or "pandoro," sweet breads that are sometimes filled with candies or chocolate chips. These traditional sweets symbolize abundance and prosperity in the coming year.

???????? In India, New Year is celebrated in different regions, but sweets have a universal meaning. Children are traditionally given laddus (sweet balls made of flour, sugar and ghee), barfis (milk-based sweets) and jalebis (deep-fried spirals of dough soaked in sugar syrup). These sweets symbolize joy, prosperity and happiness. In some parts of India, children are given coconut-based sweets or sweets flavored with cardamom, saffron and other spices.

???????? In France , the traditional sweets associated with New Year are calissons, sweets made from ground almonds and candied fruit covered in royal icing. These sweets are usually given as part of a larger assortment of chocolates and treats that may also include chocolate, nougat, and candied fruit. French children may also receive bouches de Noël, a dessert associated with Christmas but often carried over into the New Year festivities. The intricate decorations on these cakes often include candies or chocolates.

???????? In Greece, New Year is also the feast of Saint Basil, and one of the most cherished traditions is cutting "Vasilopita", a sweet bread or cake with a coin hidden inside. Children are delighted by the prospect of finding a coin in their piece, which is believed to bring good luck for the whole year. Along with "Vasilopita", children are often given "melomakarona" - cookies soaked in honey, and "kourabiedes" - shortbread cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Across cultures, the candies and sweets given to children during New Year celebrations reflect deeply rooted traditions and local customs. They serve as both a symbol of celebration and a wish for prosperity and happiness in the coming year, and the anticipation of receiving a bag of candy makes New Year a favorite holiday for children around the world.