18 Candy Cane Crafts The Whole Family Will Enjoy
The season’s most ubiquitous sweet is more versatile than you think.
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The holidays are quickly approaching, and it's time to deck the halls. Maybe you have a collection of bottle brush trees you love displaying every year, or you are just looking for more general holiday decorating ideas. But if you're like us, part of the fun of the holiday razzle-dazzle is heading to the craft corner (or bin) and embarking on a fun and easy DIY project. Maybe you want a Christmas craft for the kids or grand-kids or are thinking big and want to go all out with a glam Christmas door decoration. No matter your desire one of the delightful candy cane crafts in this gallery will surely fill the bill. Try your hand at a playful holiday wreath covered in a plethora of different shapes candy canes—it will look great above the mantel!—or opt for a tastier DIY like delicious chocolate dipped hot chocolate stirrers. For a slightly more time intensive, but still very easy, project, head to the kitchen and cook up a candy cane swirly tree. The little ones will love transforming candy canes into the cutest reindeer and there are no shortage of ideas here. So enlist the whole family to create one or many of these easy and fun DIYs that you can use as socking stuffers, party favors, on the holiday table, and more.
Editors Tip: Excluding any projects that go in the oven, spray all the candy canes with clear varnish before you start crafting. This will make crafting easier and help preserve the candy canes so you can display the projects year after year.
Candy Cane Vase
The holiday centerpiece will never look better than when displayed in a candy cane-covered vase.
To make: Attach candy canes to a glass vase with hot-glue. Tie a ribbon around the center; fill with flowers.
Candy Cane Stick Christmas Treats
We guaranteed that kids won't believe their eyes when they spy these super fun candy trees.
To make: Bake 3 candy cane sticks on a parchment
paper–lined baking sheet at 225°F until just pliable, 3 to 6 minutes.
Starting from bottom, quickly wrap candy canes around a
cone-shaped Styrofoam form, trimming as needed. Repeat until tree is fully covered. Hot-glue red hots to starlight mints; attach to trees. Glue a melted mint star (see Melted Peppermint Candies below) to top.
SHOP CANDY CANE STICKS
Candy Cane Sleds
Santa will come running for a treat served up in one of these cute candy cane sleds.
To make: Wrap small white jewelry boxes in thin holiday ribbon, holding it in place with double-sided tape. Attach two candy canes to the bottom of each box with hot-glue. Attach candy cane sticks (if desired) to the back of the box. Fill with candy.
Gift Flair
Add sweet sparkle and flair to this years holiday packages.
To make: For the large present, attach two candy cane stems with the hooks facing in opposite directions using hot-glue. Loop ribbon around the hook, and tape to the back of the package. Wrap another length of ribbon around the center; secure with tape, and attach mints with hot-glue. Add a bow with hot-glue. For the small
package, simply tie two small candy canes in the knot of a ribbon tied around a package.
SHOP RED RIBBON
Candy cane placecard holders
Great guests in sweet style with these simple place card holders. Make using one type of candy cane or opt for various colors.
To make: Snap ends off three candy canes to make differing lengths. Attach candy canes together so that two face forward (these will hold the card) and one faces backward for balance (similar to an easel) with hot-glue.
Melted Peppermint Candy Ornaments
This super simple DIY will make your tree extra special this year. Note: Melting the candies makes it degrade, so these won't last for more than one season.
To make: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grease parchment and insides of cookie cutters. Set cutters on baking sheet; fill with a single layer of mints in bottom, breaking to fill any gaps. Bake at 350°F just until melted, 5 to 6 minutes. Let stand 2
minutes, then poke a small hole in top. Let stand 5 minutes; remove cutters. Thread a piece of twine through the hole to hang.
Hot Chocolate Stirrers
Enjoy these sweet treats while sipping hot chocolate and watching your favorite holiday flick or leave a few out for Santa!
To make: Dip ends of candy canes in warm melted semisweet chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes; place on a parchment paper–lined plate, and chill. Lightly mist large marshmallows with water. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes; let set.
Candy Cane Hook Wreath
Large and dramatic, this candy cane wreath takes maximum advantage of the sweet hooked shape.
To make: Arrange candy canes in a circle with the hooks all facing the same direction. Attach together with hot-glue (don’t worry if the
ends don’t line up, as they will be covered.) Top center with round peppermint candies, overlapping them slightly and holding in place with hot-glue. Thread ribbon through two candy canes at top to hang.
Candy Cane Garland
So a little love this year with this sweet candy cane garland.
To make: Attach candy canes together, either in a heart shape or back-to-back, with hot-glue. Tiered twine around canes where glued. Loop over red twine, and hang.
Candy Cane Door Swag
Loop ribbon or twine around around the top most candy cane to hang this adorable door swag.
To make: Attach extra-large and regular size candy canes together, staggering the heights and direction the hooks face, with hot-glue. Tie a bow around the stem, and insert greenery.
Candle Holder
Display these sparkling crafts on the dining table or above the mantel.
To make: Attach candy cane sticks to a glass pillar candle holder with hot-glue. Wrap with ribbon, and add peppermints or a mini wreath and greenery for decoration.
SHOP CANDY CANE STICKS
Candy Cane Wreath
Display on the front door or above the mantel this wreath is guaranteed to bring loads of holiday cheer.
To make: Wrap a 12-inch foam wreath form in white ribbon. Attach
candy cane sticks, small candy canes, and peppermint balls with hot-glue to conceal the form. Loop a ribbon around top of wreath
to hang.
Bow Tie Candy Cane Reindeer
Kids can practice their shoe-tying skills by securing the bows on this simple craft.
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
Double Candy Cane Reindeer Craft
A sparkly red "nose" is a glitzy finishing touch on this cute creature.
Get the tutorial at Penny Pinchin' Mom.
Rudolph Candy Cane Bars
It just takes a few items to transform chocolate bars into wide-eyed reindeer.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts n Crafts.
Candy Cane Reindeer Pops
Use these pops as a stirrer for a cup of hot cocoa.
Get the tutorial at Finding Zest.
Die Cut Candy Cane Reindeer
Enlist your little reindeer to help assemble these fancy Rudolphs.
Get the tutorial at In the Cat Cave.
Chocolate Candy Cane Reindeer
Use dark, milk, or white chocolate to whip up this sweet treat.
Get the tutorial at Smart School House.
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