The familiar red and white striped candy cane is a iconic symbol of the holiday season. These sweet decorations evoke nostalgic memories of Christmas past while adding a whimsical and playful touch to holiday decor. Candy canes can be used to embellish Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, tablescapes and more, infusing your home with seasonal charm. This article will give insights on creative ways to incorporate candy cane ornaments into your holiday décor and provide tips and inspiration to craft your own.
Popular Types of Candy Cane Ornaments
Candy cane decorations come in many delightful shapes and sizes. Whether store-bought or handmade, these festive adornments are sure to amplify your Christmas spirit.
Some of the most popular types of candy cane decor include:
- Traditional Candy Canes: No decor is more iconic that the classic curved candy cane. Hang them on the tree, use as place card holders or bunch them in a vase or tin.
- Lollipop Ornaments: Candy cane lollipops make playful tree décor and stocking stuffers.
- Candy Cane Wreaths: Adorn your front door or mantel with a festive wreath made from red and white striped candy canes.
- Candy Cane Picks: Embed candy cane picks into wreaths, garlands, centerpieces and more for pops of peppermint.
- Glittery and Painted Candy Canes: Add pizzaz with metallic, ombré or uniquely decorated candy canes.
- Candy Cane Arrangements: Group candy canes together in glass vases or tins for dazzling displays.
Get Creative: DIY Candy Cane Ornament Ideas
Crafting your own candy cane decor allows you to customize pieces to match your decor. Unleash your creativity with the following DIY ornament ideas:
Twisted Candy Cane Wreath
- Materials: Candy canes, red ribbon, hot glue gun
- Instructions: Arrange candy canes in a circle, alternating upside down and rightside up. Glue where they intersect. Use ribbon to hang.
Felt Candy Cane Ornaments
- Materials: Red and white felt, white embroidery floss, fabric glue, candy cane sprinkles
- Instructions: Cut crosses from felt in equal sizes. Stack the white on red, then glue. Embroider stripes onto the white side. Glue sprinkles along the edges.
Etched Glass Candy Jars
- Materials: Glass jar or vase, Armour Etch glass etching cream, candy cane sprinkles
- Instructions: Apply etching cream on jar to draw candy cane stripe patterns. Let set for 30 minutes. Wipe away cream residue. Fill jar with candy decor.
Sparkling Candy Cane Votives
- Materials: Glass votive holders, candy canes, crushed candy cane sprinkles, E6000 glue
- Instructions: Glue base of candy cane along inside rim of votive holder. Fill bottom of votive with crushed candy. Place battery-operated candle inside.
How to Incorporate Candy Canes into Holiday Décor
Wondering how to effectively include candy canes into your Christmas décor? Here are creative ways to deck your halls with the iconic striped candies:
Christmas Tree Decor
- Wrap garland in red ribbon and intersperse candy cane picks
- Tuck candy canes between tree branches
- Hang edible ornaments like candy cane lollipops with ribbon
- Top with a handmade candy cane tree-topper
Staircase Display
- Arrange candy canes of varying sizes in a glass vase or empty tin, alternating directions
- Affix candy canes along a garland draped along banister
Front Door Embellishments
- Tie bundles of candy canes to wreath with red ribbon
- Create a candy cane door hanger
- Hang a strand of candy cane lights
Table Centerpieces
- Group apothecary jars in the center filled with candy canes
- Scatter votives with candy cane designs down table runner
- Add pops of candy cane picks to flower arrangements
Stocking Decor
- Use candy cane hooks to hang stockings over the fireplace
- Tie tiny candy canes to stocking cuffs
- Glue a bow made from candy canes atop stockings
Sweeten Any Space
Whether they adorn your tree, sit pretty on your tablescape or hang cheerfully at your front door, candy canes are guaranteed to amplify the holiday spirit. With their nostalgic charm and sweet disposition, these striped, peppermint sticks make merry, uplifting additions to Christmas décor. Craft a wreath, some ornaments or a centerpiece with candy canes this season to brighten your home with delicious decoration.
FAQs
The number depends on the size of your space and how many decor elements you want to embellish with candy canes. Get a variety (100-500) to start and buy more if needed.
Use glassware like vases, jars or hurricanes to hold bundled candy canes. Hang them along stair railings or incorporate into tablescapes. Also try wreathing your front door.
Yes, after extensive exposure to heat or humidity, candy canes can go bad. For decor, keep them in a cool dry place sealed tight in packaging or air tight containers. Change them out yearly.
An easy candy cane craft is a twisted wreath made from taping candy canes into a ring and twisting halves opposite ways. It takes minutes but makes a big decorative impact.
Let candy canes melt into hot drinks like coffee or cocoa. Crush them up to sprinkle on cakes, cookies or cocktails for a peppermint touch. Or stir them into dips, candy barks, cereal mixes, etc.
Specialty food safe paint pens or luster dust work best. However you can also wrap masking tape around stripes for cute patterns.. with edible glue and sprinkles as another creative option.
Get an assortment! Larger canes make stunning singular décor pieces, gorgeous tree toppers or garland focal points. Mini candy canes work well for scatterings, embellishing small crafts, gift bags, baking projects etc.
Conclusion
Candy cane ornaments offer a tasty way to infuse extra sweetness and whimsy into your holiday décor. Let your creativity run wild by crafting handmade candy confections or embellish your displays with store-bought candy décor. However you choose to include them, candy canes are sure to upgrade your Christmas aesthetic with their iconic red and white stripes and delicious peppermint flavor. Deck your halls this season with the nostalgic wonder of candy canes!
