Allergen Friendly Christmas Treats For Kids
Christmas.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. (Admit it, you started singing, didn’t you? Lol!)
Christmas is definitely up there on my list of favorite holidays ever. In fact, the whole entire holiday season just makes me want to sing and dance and deck the halls with bells of holly. How can you NOT love this time of year? The festive decorations. The beautiful light displays. The Christmas carols. The joy of picking out gifts for your friends and family that you KNOW they will love.
There’s also the fun and sometimes head-scratching traditions your family has. The looks of sheer (almost maniacal) delight on your kids’ faces when they wake up on Christmas morning to see what awaits them under the Christmas tree.
The excitement they have when they are digging through their Christmas stockings to see what sweet treats you’ve slipped inside for them. This is the most wonderful time of the year!
But you know what’s not the best?
Soy. Allergens. Allergies.
Unfortunately, we’re not the only family who has to deal with food allergies. The holiday season can make it a bit difficult to avoid hidden allergens found in cookies, candies, and other treats. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of allergen-free treats for kids that you guys can reference when shopping for stocking stuffers and goodie bags. I hope it helps!
Free2b
When it comes to chocolate treats that are 100% vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-free, Free2B is definitely worth checking out. Their products are free from the top 12 allergens! With flavors like Dark Chocolate, Rice Chocolate, Peppermint Dark Chocolate, and Blueberry Crunch, they have some really good options to choose from. If you prefer to make your own treats, they also sell baking chips and have some pretty cool recipes on their site.
Yum Earth
For the lollipop and gummy bear lovers in your life, Yummy Earth has some fantastic treats that are free from tree nuts, gluten, egg, dairy, and wheat!
YumEarth Organic Lollipops, Assorted Flavors, 5 Pound Bag
Christmas Yum Earth Organic Candy Cane Pops- 40ct
Happy Family
This company sells allergy-friendly snacks for kids of all ages (and their moms). And it doesn’t hurt that they use environment-friendly packaging.
Home Free
If cookies are more your thing, Home Free makes really tasty cookies that don’t have tree nuts, gluten, eggs, dairy or wheat. Some of the flavors they have are vanilla, chocolate chip, double chocolate chip, and lemon burst, They even have holiday cookies like chocolate mint, ginger snap, and the classic sugar cookie.
Home Free Gluten-Free Non-GMO Mini Cookies 2 Flavor Variety Bundle: (1) Chocolate Chip, and (1) Vanilla, 5 Ounces (2 Boxes)Homefree Treats You Can Trust Gluten Free Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie, Single Serve bag, 1.1 Ounce (Pack of 10)
No Whey Foods
If you feel like splurging, No Whey Foods has some super cute treats to choose from such as Vegan Advent Calendar. They are 100% free of milk, peanuts, tree nuts, gluten, eggs, soy, and artificial colors/flavors. Plus, they are vegan and kosher!
Milkless Holiday Figurines (Two Pack) – Milk Free, Nut Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, VeganChocolate Truffle Collection – Gluten Free, Milk Free, Nut Free – 15 PiecesSafe Santa Christmas Chocolate – Gluten Free, Milk Free, Nut Free, …I Love Pop – Gluten Free, Milk Free, Nut Free.
Enjoy Life
Enjoy Life has some fantastic soft baked mini cookies that are perfect for stocking stuffers. They have 7 different flavors (including snickerdoodle and sugar crisp) that are all free from the top 14 allergens – wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, egg, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Enjoy Life Chocolate Bars, Soy free, Nut free, Gluten free, Dairy free, Non GMO, Vegan, Ricemilk, 1.12 Ounce Bars (Pack of 24)Enjoy Life Baking Chocolate, Soy free, Nut free, Gluten free, Dairy free, Non GMO, Vegan, Paleo, Semi Sweet Mini Chips, 10 Ounce BagEnjoy Life Chewy Bars, Soy free, Nut free, Gluten free, Dairy free, Non GMO, Vegan, Cocoa Loco, 5 Count (Pack of 6)
Amanda’s Own
Now this one is adorable! They have a ton of really cute Christmas and Hanukkah treats (all of which are free from the top 8 allergens) your kids will love. They also have allergy-friendly cookie dough for those of you who love to get your bake on during the holidays. Just be sure to order by December 16th to get them on time.
Spangler Candy
Spangler Candy (who sells kid favorites like Dum Dums) offer a variety of sweets that are free of the most common allergens.
Peppermint Candy Canes 3 – 18 ct boxesDum Dums Pops, 30 Pound
Sensitive Sweets
If you’re looking for an allergen-free gingerbread house to put together with the kids, Sensitive Sweets has you covered. Their vegan gingerbread house kit is free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, coconut, oats, sesame, and artificial colors/flavoring.
Soy-Free Candy in Stores
Doing some last-minute shopping for a child with soy allergies and need to know which candy at your local grocery store is safe to buy? Here is a list to help you out:
Red Vines Licorice Twists
Sweetarts Classic
Nerds
Charms Blow Pops
Sour Patch Kids
Pixy Stix
Lifesaver Gummies
Original Lemonheads
Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks
Starburst Original
Red Vines Licorice, Original Red Flavor, 5oz Trays (12 Pack), SweeTARTS Original Candy, 5 Ounce Box (Pack of 12)Nerds Variety Bundle 14 Count – 5 Different Flavors w 14 Total Boxes Blow Pops, Assorted Flavors, bubble Gum Filled Pops, 3 LB Bulk CandySour Patch Kids Candy (Original, 1.9-Pound Bulk Bag)Wonka Pixy Stix, 300 Stix , Assorted FlavorsLife Savers 5 Flavors Gummies Candy Bag, 7 ounce (12 Packs)Lemonhead Candy – 0.9 oz Box (24 Boxes)Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, Variety Pack, 24 Pouches, 0.8 oz EachSTARBURST–Original Fruit Chews-Strawberry, Cherry, Lemon, Orange Flavored Chews–Party Size Bag–54 Ounces
Stocking Stuffers
Are you contemplating a shopping trip for tasty, allergen-free stocking stuffers, but don’t want to leave the house? Thanks to Amazon Prime, not only do you not have to go any further than your mailbox, you can also save money on shipping. Plus, Amazon Prime items generally arrive within 4 days. Even if you wait until the week of Christmas, you can still get all the goodies delivered on time to slip them inside the kids’ stockings on Christmas Eve. I know how it is to shop for allergen-free treats, so I’ve gone ahead and done the work for you. Below, you will find a list of allergen-free stocking stuffers that the kids (and maybe even the adults) in your family will love. Happy shopping!
Unicorn Boogers
What kid wouldn’t like to eat unicorn boogers?! How about kids who love things that sound hilariously gross? Unicorn Boogers kills two birds with one stone. This allergen-free, fruit-flavored candy comes in a pack of 12.
YumEarth Organic Lollipops
Not only are these colorful lollipops organic, vegan, and gluten-free, they’re also 100% free of the top 8 allergens (egg, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and gluten). This bag of 300 lollipops includes fun flavors like: Pomegranate Pucker, Wet-Face Watermelon, Strawberry Smash, Googly Grape, Very Very Cherry, Perfectly Peach, Razzmatazz Berry and Mango Tango.
Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops, 12.3 Ounce (Packaging May Vary)
Mini Airheads
This treat needs no introduction. A favorite treat of kids young and old, Airheads are free of the top 8 allergens. And with flavors like orange, grape, cherry, watermelon, blue raspberry, and mystery, kids are sure to love finding these nestled in their Christmas stockings.
AirHeads Mini Bars Case, Assorted, Non Melting, 25 Pound
Mike and Ike Merry Mix Candy Cane
Speaking of classics, you can’t really go wrong with Mike and Ike chewy candies. They’re such a tasty, fruity treat! As an added bonus, the candy cane container is perfect for Christmas.
Mike and Ike Merry Mix Candy Cane Christmas Stocking Stuffer, 4 oz, Pack of 3
PEZ Christmas Collection
Know someone who loves collecting Pez dispensers? They will be excited about the Pez Christmas collection. Some of the characters available include Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, a reindeer, a polar bear, a snowman, and elves. This comes with 2 sleeves of fruity candy, but be sure to buy a bag of refills as well.
Pez Candy Dispenser Winter Christmas Holiday 12 PackPEZ Candy Refills – Assorted Fruit Flavors, 2 Lb Bulk Bag
Lollibrights
Looking for a treat that doubles as a toy? Look no further than Lillibrights! They come in 6 characters: Green Apple Frog, Smiley Lemon, Blue Raspberry Bear, Orange Goldfish, Strawberry Rose, and Cherry Heart. Once the candy is gone, the toy lights up, keeping young children entertained. They are free of all of the top 8 allergens.
Smarties Candy Canes
The people at Smarties know what we want. You already know they are a go-to candy for Halloween, but did you know they also make allergen-free Candy Canes? Better go grab a bag now!
Smarties Candy Canes ‘Tis the Season 12 candy canes
Skinny Pop Popcorn
I am a firm believer that there’s never a bad time for popcorn. Grab some of these individual-sized bags of Skinny Pop Popcorn and add it to everyone’s Christmas stocking. In addition to the original butter flavor, they also have White Cheddar. Yum! NOTE: Be careful when grabbing this. The seasonal with peppermint DOES have soy.
SkinnyPop Popcorn Variety Snack Pack, 0.5/.8oz Bags (.36ct Variety Pack)
MadeGood Granola Minis
Did you know that each bag of granola minis has the same amount of nutrients as a full serving of veggies. With flavors like chocolate chip and mixed berry, the kids won’t even notice! They make a tasty and wholesome snack for the entire family.
Gimbal’s Gourmet Jelly Beans
With an impressive 41 flavors in the jar, this is a treat that kids and adults will love. Grab a handful or two to fill up a goodie bag, tie it with a festive ribbon and let your family have fun tasting and guessing the flavors.
Gimbal’s Fine Candies Gourmet Jelly Beans, 41 Flavors, 40-Ounce Jar
Of course, candy isn’t the only thing you can put inside of a stocking stuffer. There are lots of allergy-friendly Christmas stocking stuffers that your loved ones may love to receive. For example, fresh fruit and veggies are always an option.
In fact, many families have a Christmas tradition where they nestle an orange inside of every stocking. There are several different stories behind this, one being that the orange represents the gold coins that the real-life Saint Nicholas left to cover a man’s dowry when he couldn’t afford to marry off his daughters. Whatever the reason, though, it’s a simple, tasty and healthy snack.
Tips for Adults Who Don’t Have Kids with Allergies
Although food allergies are extremely common, if you don’t have to deal with them on a regular basis, it can be difficult to know how to navigate the holiday season. Reading this article is a great start, so kudos to you for that! Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are going to be whipping up tasty treats in your kitchen.
Avoid the Top 8 Allergens
When cooking treats, try your best to avoid the top 8 allergens. They are dairy, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. I have many recipes on my site here and more to come that are allergy friendly. From Oreo Cookies, Rice Krispie Snowmen to Dark Hot Chocolate and Winter White Hot Chocolate.
Ask About Allergens
If you are hosting a holiday gathering, ask people to let you know about any allergens. This way, you can prepare meals, desserts, and snacks that are safe for everyone. It is important that you check all labels, especially if you’re not used to having a kiddo around with an allergy. There’s a lot of hidden allergens we overlook.
Have Allergen Notes
If you are unable to completely avoid allergens, be sure to let loved ones know which treats contain allergens and what they are. For example, if you bake brownies, you should let people know if they contain dairy, eggs, wheat, or nuts.
Avoid Cross-Contamination
If you are making some treats that are allergen-free, but others that are not, be sure to avoid cross-contamination. When possible, prepare and bake the allergen-free goodies first. If not possible, be sure to clean any surfaces that came into contact with an allergen THOROUGHLY before cooking the allergen-free food. Also, use fresh utensils and bowls.
From our Soy-Free and Allergen Friendly house to yours,
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays!
