Holiday Decorating with Candy

This is a holiday decoration that I came up with a few years back, mostly out of necessity – we didn't have a lot of money to spend on decorations, so I needed lots of bang for my buck. I used this idea a couple of years in a row, first on our mantle, then in the kitchen, and it never failed to get compliments.


Here's all you need:
• Peppermint candy
• Candy canes
• Peppermint sticks
• Clear glass containers – glasses, vases, hurricanes, whatever you have in the house will work with this idea
• Red satin or grosgrain ribbon, optional

Get enough candy to completely fill several containers. (Hint: Keep them in their wrappers and you can reuse year after year.)

Then just have fun. Hook candy canes around tall, cylinders or clear glass tumblers. Stand peppermint sticks in shorter, rocks glasses and tie with ribbon. Fill a brandy snifter or a martini glass with peppermint candies and tie the stem with a ribbon. Fill the bottom of a vase with peppermint candies and stand peppermint sticks or candy canes to resemble a bouquet in "water."

Then arrange the filled containers all together, varying the height. I suggest placing them in among some greenery or garland for the added color and pop. Little white lights look gorgeous with this, too.

This idea would make a fantastic centerpice for a holiday buffet table (I may do this myself this year!).