The holidays are basically here, and if your living room is starting to look a little less “Winter Wonderland” and a little more “my kid threw up tinsel,” I feel you. We all want that festive magic without dropping a fortune at the big-box store.
That’s where the humble candy cane comes in. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, and honestly, it’s way more versatile than just something to stir your hot chocolate with (though it’s great at that, too). I’ve gathered eight of my favorite DIY candy cane decorations that are ridiculously easy to make. Grab a bag of peppermint stripes—let’s get crafting.
1. Candy Cane Door Arch
Why should the inside of your house have all the fun? I love making a big statement at the front door, and this arch is a total showstopper. It’s the first thing guests see, and it screams, “Yep, I’m super festive and put together,” even if I’m hiding a mountain of laundry behind the door.
What You’ll Need
- A wire wreath frame (the bigger, the better!)
- A few packs of extra-large candy canes
- Green florist wire
- A large red bow
Assembling the Giant Treat
First, unwrap all those candy canes. I know, it’s a bit of a workout, but think of it as pre-holiday calorie burning. 😛
Once they’re free from their plastic prisons, start attaching them to the wire frame using the florist wire. You want to layer them, overlapping slightly so the frame disappears. It’s like shingling a roof, but way more delicious-smelling. Secure the ends of the canes to the frame tightly—you don’t want a gust of wind to take out your masterpiece. Top it off with a massive, fluffy bow at the bottom center, and hang it with some sturdy ribbon. FYI, this thing gets heavy, so make sure your command hooks are rated for it!
2. Peppermint Pillar Candle Holders
Candles instantly make a room feel cozy, don’t they? But plain glass holders can be a little boring. This is one of those projects that looks super high-end but is actually just you glue-gunning candy to a jar. It’s our little secret.
Let’s Get Sticky
You’ll need some short, pillar-style candle holders (think the ones from the dollar store) and a bag of miniature candy canes. The key here is to use a high-temp glue gun so the bond is strong.
Simply apply a line of glue to a candy cane and press it, curved side out, onto the glass. Work your way around the holder, keeping the canes tight together. I like to tie a piece of rustic twine or a thin velvet ribbon around the middle for a finished look. Pop a tea light or a small pillar candle inside (battery-operated is safer, IMO), and you’ve got instant hygge.
3. DIY Candy Cane Ornaments
Sometimes the best ornaments are the ones that look like you made them with love (and possibly a glue stick in one hand and a cookie in the other). These are perfect for the tree, or for tying onto gifts as a fancy little tag.
Simple & Sweet Designs
- The Classic Cross: Glue two candy canes together at their hooks to form a heart, or back-to-back to form an “X” shape. Add a little faux holly sprig or a mini pinecone where they join.
- The Reindeer: Glue two googly eyes and a tiny red pom-pom nose onto the curve of a single candy cane. It’s Rudolph in ornament form! Add a jute string to hang it.
- The Wreath: Carefully glue three or four miniature candy canes together in a circle, alternating directions. It’s fiddly, but the result is adorable.
4. Candy Cane Striped Mason Jar Vases
I have a serious addiction to mason jars. They’re just so useful! For the holidays, I like to dress them up to hold my utensils at parties or to display a small bunch of evergreens. The trick? It doesn’t involve a single lick of glue on the jar itself.
The No-Glue Method
Find some classic red-and-white striped paper straws. Measure them against the height of your jar and cut them down so they stand just a little taller than the rim.
Then, simply wrap a rubber band around the middle of the jar. Tuck the straws under the rubber band, side-by-side, until the jar is completely encircled. Hide the rubber band with a piece of festive ribbon or some baker’s twine. It takes ten minutes, tops. You’re welcome. 😉
5. Glittered Candy Cane Trees
If you’re like me and can’t have too many glittery things during the holidays, this one’s for you. These little trees are perfect for mantle decor or as a centerpiece on a coffee table. They look complicated, but it’s basically just stacking and glittering.
Stack, Glue, and Sparkle
You’ll need a bunch of standard-sized candy canes and a styrofoam cone. Starting at the bottom, hot glue the candy canes around the base of the cone with the curved hooks pointing outward.
Work your way up the cone, staggering the rows so they look like tree branches. Once the glue is dry, you can go wild with Mod Podge and fine glitter. Brush the Mod Podge onto the “tree,” sprinkle with glitter, and tap off the excess. I use a white glitter for a snowy look, but you do you.
6. Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cones
Okay, this one is technically edible and decorative. It’s the perfect thing to have on hand for carolers or to give as a little hostess gift. Plus, it smells amazing sitting in a basket by the fire.
The Layering Technique
Take a clear cellophane bag and drop a handful of miniature candy canes into the bottom. Next, add a few tablespoons of high-quality hot cocoa mix. On top of that, add a layer of mini marshmallows and maybe some chocolate chips.
Tie the bag shut with a pretty ribbon and attach a gift tag with instructions: “Crush candy canes and stir into hot cocoa!” I keep a whole basket of these on my kitchen counter, and they disappear fast.
7. Modern Minimalist Wreath
Not everyone loves the “more is more” look. If your style is a bit cleaner and more modern, this wreath is for you. It proves that sometimes, less really is more. Ever wondered how to make candy canes look chic? This is it.
Breaking the Curve
For this project, you need to be a little ruthless with your candy. Unwrap a bunch of canes and use a sharp knife to carefully cut the curved hook off, leaving you with just the straight, red-and-white striped part.
You’ll need a simple metal or grapevine wreath form. Then, using hot glue, attach the straight candy pieces to the form in a pattern. You can do them in a radiating sunburst pattern, or all pointing in the same direction for a sleek, wind-swept look. It’s geometric, it’s graphic, and it’s gorgeous.
8. Last-Minute Mantle Garland
It’s Christmas Eve, your mantle is bare, and you’ve got a million other things to do. I’ve been there. This garland is my panic-save decoration. It takes no time at all and looks incredibly festive draped across a mantle or down a stair railing.
The Easiest Hack Ever
All you need is a length of festive ribbon (wired ribbon works best for shaping) and a bunch of candy canes. That’s it.
Simply tie the candy canes onto the ribbon at regular intervals. You can tie a simple knot around the straight part of the cane. I like to alternate directions—one with the hook facing left, the next with the hook facing right. Fluff the ribbon out a bit, and your mantle is instantly ready for its close-up. See? Panic averted.
So there you have it—eight ways to turn a 99-cent bag of candy into a winter wonderland. Whether you’re going for full-on glam or quick-and-easy, these projects are a blast to make.
I’d love to know which one you try first! And if you end up covered in glitter and glue, just remember: it’s not a crafting session until someone loses a candy cane to the dog. Happy holidays, and happy crafting! 🎄
