THE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS THEMED TREATS

Every year for the Holidays, standard, run-of-the-mill products get their special Christmas make-overs and become something just a little bit more festive. Now for this list's purpose I'm not talking about foods that come out just for Christmas on their own like candy canes, Christmas wreath cookies, Christmas candies, and the like. No, these items already have a standard that's out all year long, these just get the pretty packaging and Holiday shapes or flavors. So, in an attempt to locate as many of these particular products as I could to fill a top 10, I ran into a bit of a SNAFU. It seems it's more difficult than you might otherwise think to find decent pics of this stuff on the web. So, instead, I hopped on down to our local Wal-Mart and actually snapped a couple photos on my own rather stealthy-like. I was a little worried that some vested buffoon might apprehend me and I'd have to sputter out some nonsense story about being an undercover Wal-Mart secret exec or some shit. But I didn't, and I kept my secret snapping to myself. Well, with that, here's the list. YUM!

10) MCDONALD'S EGG NOG SHAKE

** I really wish I could find something good to say about this mess, but I just can't stomach dairy and poultry blended into a fluid custard. Gack! Be that as it may, this particular item is a hugely popular twist on Mickey Dee's standard shake flavors and really does a fine job of representing the Holiday much the same way as their equally wretched Shamrock Shake. Vile. **

9) STARBUCKS HOLIDAY FLAVORED COFFEE BEVERAGE GIFT PACK OF DOOM

** You know it's nearly Christmas when Starbuck's Coffee Monopoly Conglomerate introduces its bevy of holiday flavors like ginger bread, cinnamon, candy cane, and Bits O' Rudolph. You too can own the deliciousness for your very own for the mere pittance of one month's salary. Enjoy! **

8) HOLIDAY CLUB SNACK STICKS

** This is one of the pictures I took in the store so please excuse the little flash point in the center. Anyway, it appears that these Club snacks are pretty much the same thing that they always are, just with a nice Holiday box including a cute little red bow and some Christmasy sparkles to boot. Yum, Crisp-Mas! **

7) PEEPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

** Remember back a dozen years ago or so when Peeps were just an Easter product so named for their little chick design? Yeah, well then they inundated every freakin' Holiday like like some kind of marshmallow mold. Seriously, check out the Peeps web site HERE to really experience their take over. So, as you can see, these demon mallow spawn are pretty much always available, therefore have an inclusion in this list. Besides, those Gingerbread Men are really damn cute. **

6) CHRISTMAS AND COCA COLA: A HOLIDAY STANDARD

** I would likely be chastised for not including Coke on this list since it's a well known fact that the design for the company's Santa has pretty much become the gold standard for how he looks to everyone. It is assumed that whomever designed Santa did so for Coke making his red and white get-up match the logo color scheme. Well, whether or not that's true is beyond me, but, regardless, Santa adorns Coke's stuff from November through February. Ho Ho Ho! **

5) WHO DOESN'T THINK CHRISTMAS WHEN YOU'RE EATING POP TARTS?

** For the first time this year, Kellogg's has introduced not only a Christmas-flavored Pop Tart, but also gift-like packaging including TO and FROM spots and a bow. Look, I can dig wanting to dress up your food stuff for the Holiday, but if anyone ever gave me a Pop Tart for Christmas, I'd have kicked their ass. Holiday style. **

4) LITTLE DEBBIE LOOKS CHILLY

** Each and every year, Little Debbie releases several cakes, brownies, and donut flavors that feature seasonal seasonings like cherry cordial, cinnamon, and sparkly Holiday sugar. Beyond that, they've re-molded many of their cakes into Christmas Trees! Now that's brilliant! I've included two pictures for this one because, frankly, I thoroughly enjoy both of these. NOM! **

3) THE INFAMOUS JONES SODA HOLIDAY GIFT PACK

** Say, that looks yummy: sugar plum! Can't go too wrong there. Okay, so, egg nog... yeah, that makes sense. Wait, does that say 'Christmas Tree'? So, what, pine? Eww... And, finally -well, this one has to be good, right?- Christmas Ham. Ham. In a bottle. Hmm... **

2) OREO PLUS CANDY CANE CREME = AWESOME

** Oreos are the nation's best-selling cookie. Seriously, look it up. So, what could possibly top their already amazing flavors such as: Double Stuff, Mint, Chocolate Creme, and Fudge? Well, I'll tell you: Candy Cane. Oh. Sweet. LORD that sounds like a little disc of Heaven right there. **

I forgot this pic a second ago. Sorry. Oh, and It's one of mine. OOH!

1) THE CAP'N DONS A SANTA SUIT FOR THE HOLIDAY

** That's right, the number one has got to be Christmas Crunch from the fine folks at the Capn' Crunch factory. Each box contains three essential Christmas shapes: trees, stars, and Santa hats! Oh, and little balls supposedly representing either ornaments or rabbit turds. I sincerely hope it's the former. Oh, and I've tossed in a commercial for your Holiday pleasure. Cool! **