How to Make a Candy Cane Tree Topper

Give your tree a sweet appeal with this brightly colored decoration made from real candy canes. Sugared gumdrops are clustered at the center as an added visual treat.

By

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on October 29, 2020

candy cane tree topper — Photo: SHANNA SULLIVAN

This candy cane craft is the culmination of so many delightful aspects of the holiday season. Plus, using gumdrops and candy canes to create a magnificent Christmas tree topper is the perfect way to spend a cold winter afternoon before Christmas. We used ours to decorate our Nutcracker-inspired "Land of Sweets" Christmas tree.

What You'll Need

Materials

Candy canes (Smarties Candy Canes)
Gumdrops
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Spray sealant (Flex Seal Spray Rubber Sealant Coating)
Cardboard
Craft knife (Martha Stewart Craft Knife)
Small wooden dowel (Hilitchi Fluted Wood Dowel Pins Beveled)

Instructions

Unwrap candy canes. Taking two at a time, face them toward each other to create a heart shape. Use a dab of hot glue on the two points where the canes touch, at the base and tip of the hook.
For large candy canes, arrange 11 "hearts" (22 candy canes) in a circular shape. Dot hot glue on the points where the canes touch on their straight sides.
Layer gumdrops at center of topper, securing with hot glue.
Spray with clear sealant to strengthen the wreath and protect it from getting sticky in warmth and humidity.
Cut a circle from cardboard as a base and affix to a small dowel to display topper on tree.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART