They’re probably okay – you might want to open one and see if it’s got that sort of sticky/mushy layer they get when they’re old. Even then, they’re still okay to eat!

I think they should be okay; sugar doesn’t go bad, right?

Candy canes are pretty icky to start with, if you ask me (which you kinda did) so I don’t know how any one could tell the difference between a fresh one and a stale one. Then again, I can certainly tell when a candy corn has celebrated an anniversary…

there’s always this novel approach:
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/1228442484061990663pFCnuK

Personally, I think they’re best when they are old and soft, but have Rudi eat one to see. If no one ate them last year, you could probably get away without buying new ones this year! However, if you think of them as decorations, buy new and then take the leftovers into work.

Looking at what’s in them, I don’t think they go bad, though they may lose some of the hard candy aspect over time and become gooey messes:

From http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/bldes24.htm

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
red food coloring

Instructions

The instructions portion of the comment seems to have vanished, so I’ll add it again:

Cook sugar, corn syrup, water, and cream of tartar to a very hard ball stage (use candy thermometer: 250 to 265 degrees F.). Remove from heat and add peppermint. Divide into two parts and add red coloring to one part and mix well. Pull pieces of each part to form ropes and twist red around the white to make candy canes.

Thanks for visiting–it’s great to meet you. I can’t wait to try the STR, but I must finish Christmas gifts first.

I think they will be fine! Have a fun party!

I read every once in a while! But I never comment. Except now. FWIW: I didn’t miss the candy canes. S’mores & M&Ms were quite sufficient holiday sweets.