The holiday season is basically a competition to see who can accumulate the most clutter, right? We’ve got the lights, the garlands, the inflatable snowmen on the lawn that are definitely going to deflate by Christmas Eve. And then there’s the tree. Specifically, the ornaments.
You could go out and spend your hard-earned cash on a box of generic, perfectly round balls that look like they came from a hospital waiting room. Or, you could raid the pantry, grab a bag of candy canes, and actually have some fun. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather get a little messy with some glitter than spend $40 on something my cat will just knock over anyway.
So, grab a glue gun (the most useful tool known to womankind) and let’s make some DIY candy cane ornaments that actually look good. I’ve rounded up seven of my favorite ideas that are simple, cute, and cheap enough that you won’t cry if one breaks.
Why Candy Canes? (Besides the Obvious Munch Factor)
Ever notice how candy canes are like the fruitcake of the candy world? Everyone buys them, but no one actually wants to eat them after December 1st. They just sit there in that sad little bowl on the coffee table, collecting dust.
That’s why they’re the perfect DIY material. IMO, they’re nature’s (okay, candy factory’s) perfect crafting stick. They’re curved, they’re colorful, and they smell like a winter wonderland. Plus, if a project goes sideways? Well, you’ve got a sugary snack to console yourself with. Win-win. :/
Your Crafting Arsenal: What You’ll Need
Before we jump into the deep end, let’s gather our supplies. Most of this stuff is probably already lurking in the back of a closet somewhere.
- A hot glue gun and a million glue sticks. (Seriously, buy the big pack.)
- Candy canes. The standard size works for most projects, but grab some mini ones too.
- Twine, ribbon, or baker’s twine. This is for hanging.
- Paint. Acrylic works best.
- Glitter. Because it’s not Christmas until you’re finding sparkles in your hair in March.
- Clear drying school glue.
- Parchment paper (so you don’t glue your project to your kitchen table… not that I’ve done that).
- Other random bits: Bells, small ornaments, fake holly, felt.
1. The Classic Wreath Ornament
This is the OG of candy cane crafts. It’s simple, elegant, and a great starting point if your crafting skills are usually limited to pouring a bowl of cereal.
Assembling the Mini Wreath
First, grab four standard-sized candy canes. Lay them on your parchment paper in a circle, with the curved hooks all facing outward. It should look like a flower or a pinwheel. The tips in the center should overlap just a little bit.
Now, for the moment of truth. Fire up that glue gun (careful, that stuff is hot enough to melt the polar ice caps) and put a generous dollop right in the center where all the canes meet. Hold them in place for about 30 seconds. You want to make sure they’re secure before you move on.
Adding the Festive Flair
Once your wreath shape is solid, it’s time to pretty it up. I like to tie a big, chunky red velvet ribbon around the top hook and let the ends dangle down. You could also wrap the whole thing in thin jute twine for a rustic look.
For an extra touch, glue a few little sprigs of fake greenery or a tiny red berry pick right over the glue joint in the middle. It covers up the mess and looks super professional. Hang it up, and boom—instant holiday chic.
2. Glitter-Dipped Candy Canes
Look, I’m a firm believer that everything is better with glitter. It’s a scientific fact. These ornaments are ridiculously easy, and they catch the tree lights like a disco ball. Warning: This project is not for the faint of heart. You will be finding glitter for weeks.
The Dip Technique
You’ll need some mini candy canes for this one. Lay down some parchment paper and pour a small amount of clear school glue into a shallow dish. In another dish, pour a generous amount of your favorite fine glitter. I’m partial to a classic silver or a deep, icy blue.
Hold a candy cane by the straight end and dip the curved hook into the glue. Let the excess drip off for a second, then gently dip it into the glitter. Swirl it around to get full coverage. I use my fingers to pat the glitter onto the glue to make sure it sticks, but be warned—this transfers glitter to your fingers, then to your face when you itch your nose, then to the dog… you get the idea.
Sealing the Sparkle
Set the glittered candy cane on the parchment paper to dry. This is the hardest part because you just want to touch it. Don’t. Let it sit for at least an hour.
Once it’s dry, you might get a little glitter fallout. That’s normal. I like to give mine a very light spritz with hairspray to seal it. Tie a piece of silver thread or thin ribbon around the straight end, and you’ve got an ornament that looks like it was kissed by a winter fairy. ✨
3. Modern Abstract Trees
Okay, this one sounds a little weird, but trust me. It’s for the people who like their Christmas decor to look like it belongs in a modern art museum. It breaks the candy cane “rules.”
Breaking the Canes (The Fun Part)
This is where you get to be destructive. Take a handful of standard candy canes and put them in a sturdy ziplock bag. Grab a rolling pin (or a hammer, if you’re feeling aggressive) and smash them into smaller pieces. You want a mix of big chunks and tiny shards. Pro Tip: Do this on a solid surface, not your granite countertops. Your spouse will thank me.
Arranging Your Masterpiece
On your parchment paper, lay out the broken candy pieces to form the shape of a simple Christmas tree—a triangle with a little trunk. Start with the bigger pieces to outline the shape, then fill in the gaps with the smaller bits.
Once you’re happy with the layout, carefully drizzle or paint a layer of clear school glue over the whole thing. You can also use the glue gun to tack down the main pieces, but be careful not to melt the sugar. Let it dry completely. It will be a stained-glass effect of peppermint. Attach a ribbon at the top, and you’ve got a super unique, modern ornament.
4. Sweetheart Candy Cane Arrows
I saw these on Pinterest a few years back and thought, “That’s adorable, and I’m definitely stealing that idea.” They’re perfect for a “love” themed tree or as a cute little gift topper.
Creating the Arrow Shape
For this, you need two candy canes per arrow. One will be the arrow’s shaft, and the other will provide the tip and fletching (the feathers at the back—yes, I had to Google that word).
Take one candy cane and use your glue gun to attach a second one, with its curve going the opposite direction, at one end to form the arrowhead. Then, take two small pieces from a third candy cane (you might need to snap them carefully) and glue them to the other end of the shaft, angled outwards to look like feathers. It sounds complicated, but once you do it, it clicks.
Fletching and Finishing
Because the arrows are a bit more delicate, I like to reinforce the glue joints by wrapping them with thin baker’s twine. It adds a cute, rustic detail and makes sure nothing falls off. You can leave them as just red and white, or paint the “shaft” a solid color. I did a set in matte white with red detailing, and they look fantastic. Hang them pointing downwards on the tree for a whimsical touch.
5. The “Snowy” Cane Wreath
This is a variation on the classic wreath, but with a heavy dose of winter magic. It’s perfect if you’re going for a “Frozen” themed tree or just really like the idea of snow (without having to shovel it).
Building the Base
Follow the same steps for The Classic Wreath Ornament above. Use four candy canes to form your base wreath. Let it dry completely.
The Snow Bath
Now for the fun part. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment. Place your candy cane wreath on it. Mix a small amount of white acrylic paint with some school glue to make a thick paste. Use an old paintbrush to roughly dab this mixture all over the wreath. You don’t want it perfect; you want it to look like snow drifts.
While the paint/glue is still wet, sprinkle a generous amount of white glitter or chunky artificial snow over the whole thing. Lift the baking sheet and gently tap off the excess. The result is a wreath that looks like it was plucked straight from a blizzard. So cozy.
6. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Candy Cane
Let’s be honest, crafting with kids can be a “hot glue gun for mamas only” situation. But this is a great project for little helpers because it’s mostly about sticking things on.
Assembling the Face
You’ll need a jumbo candy cane for this. The bigger the better. Use your glue gun to attach a pair of googly eyes near the top of the straight part, just below the curve. Then, glue a small red pom-pom to the tip of the curve for the nose.
Antler Situation
Here’s where it gets tricky. You need to give your Rudolph some antlers. Take two small brown pipe cleaners. Twist the base of each one around the top of the candy cane’s curve, just above the eyes. Then, twist and shape them to look like antlers. This is where personal expression comes in—maybe your Rudolph has majestic antlers, or maybe he has little nubs. Both are valid. Tie a ribbon around the bottom to hang it, and you’ve got a whole herd of reindeer.
7. Geometric Crystal Canes
This last one is for the patient crafter. It’s a little more involved, but the result is seriously stunning. It turns the humble candy cane into a piece of modern decor.
The Glue Gun Geometry
You’ll need about 6-8 candy canes for this. The idea is to create a 3D geometric shape, like a star or a cube. The easiest one is a simple star prism.
Start by gluing two candy canes together at their hooks to form an “X”. Then, glue two more to that, building outwards. You’re basically constructing a shape where the candy canes form the edges. It helps to have a picture of a geometric star next to you for reference. Work slowly, holding each joint until the glue sets. Use the parchment paper to keep everything from sticking.
Adding Dimensional Weight
Once your basic shape is built and solid, you can leave it as is for a clean, minimalist look. Or, you can take some thin jewelry wire and wrap it around the joints for extra detail. I’ve also seen people carefully weave a strand of battery-operated fairy lights through the structure, which makes the candy canes glow. It’s a total showstopper on the tree, and you can casually mention that you built it when your guests ask where you bought it.
Wrapping It Up (Pun Intended)
So there you have it. Seven ways to turn a pile of leftover Christmas candy into memories that will last a lot longer than the sugar rush. Whether you’re a glitter-holic, a modernist, or just someone looking for a fun afternoon activity, there’s a candy cane ornament here with your name on it.
The best part? When the holidays are over, you can either pack them away carefully for next year, or… you know… eat them. I won’t judge. Now, I’d love to know—are you a wreath purist or are you brave enough to try the geometric crystal canes? Drop a comment and let me know! Happy crafting, friends.
