It's the most wonderful time of the year...For lovers of mint!

Thanksgiving has not yet passed, but it is undeniable that the holiday season is upon. The stores have ambushed us with holiday themed goods, decorations, and music as we stroll the aisles, there's no missing it. While I generally find the early arrival of the holidays a bit annoying, there's no denying there's one thing I truly relish...The arrival of holiday themed goodies featuring mint flavor.

I am among those who enjoy the flavor of mint. My favorite candy are spice flavored jelly beans with peppermint, spearmint, clove, anise, and cinnamon flavors.

Luckily, I have secured a reliable source where I can obtain these year round in bulk, allowing me to stock my desktop dispenser. We, the mint lovers of the world, must be a minority because most anything mint flavored generally enjoys a very short life cycle, only to disappear from existence.

But sometimes, a little holiday magic gets to working and these bundles of joy return. Today, perusing the candy aisle of my local Walmart, I came across a sight I had not beheld in a number of years, mint flavored Kit Kats. These appeared one holiday season of yore, only to vanish for years to come. I am pleased to say they are back this year, and I stocked up!

A more reliable treasure is Mint flavored M&Ms. These were around intermittently a while back, but seemed to have enjoyed a renaissance and are present on the candy aisle shelves all the time now. The holiday twist is they get a peppermint variety (as well as the holiday color treatment),

A recent find are the candy cane Joe Joes for Trader Joes. Basically an oreo with the filling mint flavored and including little bits of peppermint stick. Get them while you can, they are only around during the holidays, and once they are gone, they're gone.

My white whale of mint flavored yummies, Walmart carried some delicious chocolate cookies a few years back, made by Andes Candies. One year only, never saw them again. I can only hope those come back around.

Before you know it, New Years will be in our rear view mirror, and all the special goodies gone, hopefully to reappear next year. Sad as it is to see them go, I can start to pine away for the appearance of the Easter Goodies a few scant months later. Yes, I have a problem.