So, it’s that time of year again. The time when we raid the craft store, untangle approximately 17 miles of Christmas lights, and wonder where we stored the ornament boxes last January. We all have that one box of mismatched ornaments, right? The ones that look like a glitter bomb went off inside a kindergarten classroom?
I love my kid-made macaroni masterpieces, I really do. But sometimes, I want the tree to look a little… intentional. A little sweet. And since I refuse to pay forty bucks for a box of store-bought décor that looks like it was designed by a robot, I turn to DIY.
And what’s the quintessential Christmas candy? The peppermint stick. The candy cane.
I’ve rounded up 7 DIY Candy Cane Ornaments that are actually fun to make. No glue-gun burns (okay, maybe minimal glue-gun burns) and no fancy skills required. Let’s get crafty.
Why Candy Canes? (Because They’re Basically Christmas in a Striped Package)
Look, you could make ornaments out of pinecones or burlap. You could. But candy canes bring that pop of color and that instant nostalgia hit. Every time I see one, I think of hanging them on the tree as a kid, only to eat them by New Year’s when they were stale and slightly dusty. Delicious.
Candy cane ornaments are versatile. You can go rustic, glam, or keep them looking good enough to eat. Plus, they smell amazing if you use real ones. It’s like aromatherapy while you decorate.
1. The Classic Salt Dough Candy Cane
This is where we start. It’s the gateway craft. If you’ve never made salt dough ornaments, where have you been? Hiding under a rock? It’s the easiest thing in the world.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water (maybe a splash more)
- Acrylic paint (red and white)
- A straw (for the hanging hole)
- Ribbon or twine
The “How-To” Without the Fuss
Mix the flour and salt, then slowly add the water. Knead it until it feels like playdough—not sticky, but not crumbly. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick.
Now, here’s where I messed up the first time. Don’t try to freehand a perfect candy cane shape by rolling long snakes. Unless you’re a human pastry bag, they’ll look like sad, lumpy worms.
Instead, use a cookie cutter! If you don’t have a candy cane shaped cutter (I didn’t), just cut a simple cane shape out of cardboard to use as a stencil and cut around it with a knife. It’s way easier.
Poke a hole at the top with the straw before baking. Bake at 200°F for about 2-3 hours, flipping halfway, until they are rock hard.
Once cool, paint them white, then add the red stripes. I usually mess up the stripes and just call it “abstract art.” Slap some twine on it, and boom. Instant heirloom. 😛
2. Upcycled Candy Cane Sleds
This is my favorite project because it requires zero artistic talent. If you can glue three things together, you’ve got this.
Materials:
- Mini candy canes (the small ones)
- Full-size candy canes
- Hot glue gun (the tool of the gods)
- Small candies or faux presents for the seat
Building the Sled
Grab three full-size candy canes. Arrange them so the curved hooks are at the top, pointing outward. This forms the runners of the sled. Glue two mini candy canes horizontally across the straight parts to create the “seat” of the sled.
Pro-Tip: Lay them flat on some wax paper while you glue. Otherwise, you’ll glue them to your kitchen table. Not that I’ve done that. Twice.
Once the frame is solid, pile a few little candies or a tiny wrapped gift box on the seat. Glue them down. Hang it by a ribbon tied around the top hooks. It looks incredibly cute clustered in groups of three on the tree. IMO, these look better than half the stuff at the mall.
3. “Cracked” Glass Effect Candy Canes
Ever wondered why those glass-look ornaments cost a fortune? It’s just paint and glue! Well, sort of. This technique gives a plain glass ball the look of vintage, crackled candy.
Here’s the Magic Formula:
- Clear glass or plastic ball ornaments
- Mod Podge (the matte kind)
- Acrylic paint in red and white
- A foam brush
The Technique
Take the top off your ornament. Pour a generous amount of Mod Podge inside and swirl it around to coat the entire interior. Pour out the excess. Let it sit until it’s tacky—not completely dry, just sticky.
Now, add a squirt of red paint and a tiny squirt of white paint inside. Put the cap on and SHAKE IT like a Polaroid picture. Swirl it, twirl it, roll it around. The paint will stick to the tacky Mod Podge and crack as it dries, mimicking that delicate vintage glass look.
I love this because no two are ever alike. Sometimes they look like elegant candy stripes; sometimes they look like peppermint abstract paintings. Either way, it’s a win.
4. Fuzzy & Felted Candy Cane Critters
Okay, craft stores have these little felt sheets for pennies. Let’s turn them into something adorable.
Turning Felt into Magic
Cut a long, thin triangle out of white felt. This is your candy cane body. Roll it from the wide end to the point, forming a log shape. Glue the edge down.
Now, cut super thin strips of red felt and glue them around the rolled-up white log to make the stripes. It looks like a little swirly candy stick!
Give it a Face
Why stop there? Glue on some googly eyes and a tiny red pom-pom for a nose. Suddenly, you have a “Candy Cane Monster” ornament. I made a few of these with my niece last year, and honestly, they’re the stars of the tree now. They’re goofy, but they make everyone smile. And isn’t that the point?
5. Beaded Candy Cane Wires
If you have a bunch of pony beads left over from summer camp, this is your project. It’s a great way to keep little hands busy while you try to wrap the rest of the presents.
What You Need:
- Red and white pony beads
- Red and white pipe cleaners (chenille stems)
- Scissors
Let’s Get Stringing
Take a pipe cleaner and make a small loop at the top (the hook of the cane). String a pattern of beads onto the pipe cleaner. I usually do three white, three red, three white… you get the idea. Keep going until the pipe cleaner is full.
Bend the beaded pipe cleaner into a candy cane shape. Twist the bottom to secure it if the beads try to escape (they’re sneaky like that).
You can make them really long and lanky or short and fat. They’re colorful, durable, and if you drop one, it doesn’t shatter. FYI, these are the only ornaments my dog hasn’t been able to destroy. Yet.
6. The “Good Enough to Eat” Clay Canes (Polymer Clay)
These look complicated, but they’re actually super satisfying. We’re making faux candy canes out of polymer clay (like Fimo or Sculpey) that look real enough to trick your guests.
The “Cane” Method:
- Condition (soften) your white and red clay.
- Roll the white clay into a thick log.
- Roll the red clay into a thin, flat sheet.
- Wrap the red sheet around the white log like a blanket. Roll it gently to smooth it out. Now you have a red log with a white core.
- Twist the log gently to create the spiral pattern. Roll it out longer and thinner to reduce the size.
Now, slice the log into thin rounds. If you slice straight across, you get little pinwheel medallions. If you slice diagonally, you get longer striped pieces.
Bake and Display
Bake according to the package instructions (usually 275°F for 15 minutes). Once cool, you can glue a pin back on them for a brooch, or attach a hook for the tree.
I made a bunch of these and hung them on the tree with red thread. They look like vintage candy molds. Seriously, they’re that classy. :/
7. Ribbon-Wrapped Candy Cane Ornaments
This one is for the fabric hoarders. You know who you are. You have a bin full of ribbon scraps “just in case.” Well, this is the case.
The Materials:
- Plain wooden candy cane shapes (buy these at the craft store, or cut them out of cardboard)
- Red and white ribbon (wired ribbon works best)
- Hot glue
The Wrap Attack
Start by gluing the end of your white ribbon at the top of the wooden cane. Wrap it tightly around the entire cane, angling it slightly so it spirals down. Glue the end at the bottom.
Now, take your red ribbon. Glue it at the top and wrap it in the opposite direction, creating a striped pattern that overlaps the white.
You can leave the ends loose and curly if you use wired ribbon, which looks super whimsical. It adds texture and feels cozy. It’s like a sweater for your ornament.
Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended)
So there you have it. Seven ways to avoid spending your paycheck on generic ornaments and actually have fun getting a little sticky with glue.
Whether you go for the rustic salt dough, the glamorous cracked glass, or the slightly terrifying googly-eyed monsters, the key is to enjoy the process. Put on a cheesy Christmas movie, pour yourself some hot cocoa, and just make a mess.
Which one are you going to try first? Let me know in the comments—I’m genuinely curious to see if anyone else attempts the clay canes. They’re trickier than they look, but hey, that’s half the fun.
Happy crafting, and don’t eat all the supplies! 🎄
