Ho ho ho, it’s that time of the year again, when the smell of fresh pine and peppermint fills the air. And speaking of peppermint, have you ever tasted the deliciousness of a candy cane during the holidays? It’s one of my favorite memories from childhood, sneaking one or two from my mom’s candy jar and savoring the cool and refreshing burst of flavor.
But did you know that candy canes can be used for more than just a sweet treat? That’s right, my friends, this roundup of crafts is all about the candy cane and its versatile potential for creating new and exciting DIY projects for the holiday season. So, let’s get into it!
First off, one of the biggest challenges of working with candy canes is actually opening them. Anyone else struggle with the frustrating shrink wrap? But don’t worry, I have a few tips that might help. Some people find that twisting the wrapper back and forth before gently pulling it off works best, while others prefer to use scissors to carefully cut it open.
Now that we’ve got that sorted, let’s dive into the tutorials! One of the first projects on my list is a melted candy cane wreath. This is a fun and simple project that requires only a few basic supplies, like a wreath form, candy canes, and a hot glue gun. The melted candy canes are used to cover the wreath form and create a beautiful and festive decoration for your front door or wall.
Peppermint Candy Christmas Platter — CraftBits.com
Candy Cane Hearts — CraftBits.com
Fun (and EASY) Christmas Crafts to Make with Peppermints | Heavenly Homemakers
Candy Cane Candlesticks Craft – My Turn for Us
Melted Peppermint Candy Ornaments
How to Make Peppermint Candy Ornaments – An Alli Event
Peppermint and Candy Cane Wreath – Sweet Pea
Table Centrepiece – Candy Cane Candle holder — CraftBits.com
My top tips for melting candy canes are as follows, always use baking paper to help move the design around easily and it saves your oven pans too. I also invested in these heatproof cooking gloves
. I use them for hot glue work as well.
I often get asked if you can melt candy cans in a microwave. Yes, you can microwave candy canes. Simply place your candy canes in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on 50% power for 1 minute, check then repeat. I find the melt time varies by brand so experiment until you find the right amount of time for your candy cane.
Broken candy canes are the easiest to melt and can be added to a double boiler to melt down, stirring constantly.
I popped my candy canes in the oven at 250F for 10 minutes, checking every few minutes. This is where the heatproof gloves come in handy as you can press and poke the candy canes to see if they are malleable yet.
Candy canes are a well-known Christmas emblem. Their festive red and white stripes decorate houses and trees while their minty aroma tempts taste senses.
Candy canes are the most popular non-chocolate candy throughout the month of December, selling 90% of them between American Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to the National Confectionery Association, a U.S.-based organisation that represents the confectionery business.
Here is the
Legend of the Candy cane
Candy Cane Story
Jesus Gentle Shepherd,
this cane of red and white
proclaims the sweet love story
born on Christmas night
This cane, you see, when turned around
begins your name of Love
and now becomes a symbol
of peace proclaimed above
The lively peppermint flavor
is the regal gift of spice
The white is your purity
and the red your sacrifice
And so this cane reminds us
of just how much you care
and like your Christmas Gift to us
it’s meant for all to share
Another fun project is a candy cane reindeer. This is a great project for kids and is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. All you need is some candy canes, a red pom-pom, googly eyes, and a bit of ribbon. Simply glue the pieces together to create a cute and whimsical reindeer decoration.
For those of you who love to add a bit of sparkle to your holiday decor, I’ve got a tutorial for a glittery candy cane vase. This project requires some clear glass vases, candy canes, and glitter, and it is a fun and easy way to add some holiday cheer to your home. Simply break the candy canes into smaller pieces and use hot glue to attach them to the vase. Then, cover the pieces in glitter to add a touch of sparkle.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a unique way to display your holiday cards, I’ve got a tutorial for a candy cane card holder. This project is simple and requires only a few candy canes and some ribbon. Simply glue the candy canes together to form a wreath shape and use the ribbon to hang your holiday cards. It’s a fun and festive way to show off your holiday greetings.
In conclusion, candy canes are not just for eating during the holidays, they can also be used to create new and exciting crafts. Whether you’re melting them, gluing them together, or adding a bit of glitter, the possibilities are endless. So, gather up your supplies, put on your crafty hat, and let’s get to making some holiday magic!
