Deck the halls with Christmas candy

Looking for a different Christmas activity to do with the kids? Christmas candy is an inexpensive and fun ingredient for making cheerful Christmas decorations. It's both colorful and delicious. Decorating with Christmas candy makes your home sparkle. You'll all go to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in your head after seeing your halls decked with these cute Christmas candy decorations.

Gumdrop swords

These Christmas tree ornaments may get gobbled up long before the big day. You'll need a package of toothpick swords sold at party stores, some string and a package of colorful gumdrops. Just fill up the swords with gumdrops by stabbing and sliding them on to the toothpick. Attach a string to sword handles for hanging and you're done. These also make great party candy without the string attached.

Colorful candy ball ornaments

These Christmas decorations can be used on the tree or as edible gift accents. Purchase snap together plastic ball ornaments at the craft store. Fill them with loose, colorful, small Christmas candy. Gum drops and peppermint lozenges work well. Fill both sides before snapping them together. Add a red ribbon for hanging or tying to large gifts.

Ribbon candy icicles

These pretty Christmas candy ornaments can hang on your tree or from garlands. Purchase ready made ribbon candy. Carefully make a hole at one end with a hand drill. The easiest way to do this without a drill is to use the tip of a sharp knife. Spin the knife point gently, like you would the drill. Thread colorful yarn through the hole for hanging.

Christmas candy candle holders

These are pretty and practical. They make a nice lighted centerpiece, accent or luminaria. Fill a plain glass ivy bowl with red and green M&Ms or other small Christmas candy. The candies hold the candle in place. Surround the candle with peppermint sticks or candy canes.

Note: Use electric tea light candles in these. Real candles may cause the candy to melt!

Wrapped Christmas candy garland

It's easy to make Christmas candy garland using wrapped candies. Use a needle and thread to string a long garland of different size, shape and color Christmas candy. Small candy canes in between peppermints is one way to do this. You can also push unwrapped gumdrops directly onto the string but this gets a bit sticky.

Candy mosaic

Use a piece of poster board or foam board and all different types of Christmas candy for this decorating idea. Lay the candy down to make the desired pattern or picture before gluing. Pick up each candy one by one and dab it with glue before putting it back in place. Coat finished mosaic with acrylic craft spray. Let dry and hang up for a beautiful and unique Christmas decoration. Do not eat.