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 often decorative as well as practical and are usually made from glass; there are other styles and compositions that display the candy just as well, including ceramics, plastic or metals such as aluminum, copper or silver. They are made in all shapes and sizes. Some are elegantly designed and give a sense of class and sophistication to any surrounding; others are made in exclusive shapes that hint at festivity and a good time. The dishes can come with covers to be able to keep the candy covered, however if you want them without you can purchase one without, or simply keep the cover off.

These dishes are often collected by people who enjoy them simply as collectibles, other people have dishes of various shapes that they display and use to serve candy from at all times! Especially when hosting guests at parties during the holidays, people will have these dishes available and on display filled with candy. The dishes used on special occasions can match the theme of the holiday; New Year's celebrations often include candy displayed in pretend cocktail glasses. At a Valentine's Day celebration, popular party themes can center on hearts or cupids containing heart-shaped candies or chocolates.

Another popular candy dish occasion is Easter; these Easter dishes are typically shaped like a bunny or an egg. At Easter, candies might even be offered in a bunny- or basket-shaped figurine holding a basket. Halloween, another candy-rich holiday, is different; this occasion is meant to have lots of candy for trick-or-treaters! The holiday offers varieties of novelty candy containers; at Halloween, there is an emphasis on the volume of candy available! Some of the Halloween candy holders are often shaped in holiday motifs: witches, cauldrons, black cats, bats, spiders, jack o' lanterns, skeletons and other creepy-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 attractive candy dishes notably displayed in households. People often offer wedding candy jars at wedding receptions to serve their guests. A gorgeous wedding candy dish is great for an added accessory to a special day.