How to Make a Candy Wreath!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family, friends and good food!  We had a great time and as always ate way too much.  Over the past week I had 3 dinner parties and to say the least, I'm pooped!  Never the less it's time to gear up for the  holidays. 

I enjoy purchasing gifts to give to everyone in my family but when it comes to those that provide me with a service I often like to bake or make them something.  One of my favorite things to do is to make a Candy Wreath.  It's a fun gift that can be displayed in your home or business for all to indulge in, by simply cutting a piece of ribbon that's attached to some candy and then secured onto a wire ring.

My candy wreath pictured here has lots of colors, but you could use just one or go with a particular theme.  You can make them with Christmas colors (as shown here), Chanukah colors, for a birthday party for either adult or child, or baby shower.  You get the point?  For some creative ideas check out this website that's devoted to making candy wreaths.

These take about 3-4 hours to put together.  I did mine in 4 evenings while sitting in front of the tv at my kitchen table.  The time went by quickly especially while watching a favorite show.

Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

• wreath ring to tie the candy onto

or

• hanger (stretched and shaped into a circle)
• curling ribbon - color(s) of your choice
• 3 pounds of wrapped candy I used Royals purchased from General Candy (came in 6 lb packs)
• Large decorators ribbon to tie onto the top of your wreath
• small scissors (to hang from wreath that will cut ribbon on candy from wreath)

Instructions:

Cut curling ribbon for each piece of candy about 10-12 inches in length to tie onto one end of the candy.  You can use any type of candy or gum, etc. that is wrapped and twisted at least at one end.

Once the ribbon is tied onto the piece of candy (no need to knot it, just one tie around) wrap it onto the wire ring and make a knot so that it can't fall off.  Continue doing this, bunching the candy tightly together as you go.

Continue until you have a about 1/2 inch of space left.  This is where you will add your decorators ribbon.  However, prior to adding the large ribbon take the sharp side of a scissors and curl each piece of ribbon.  Once you've done this - using an extra long piece of curling ribbon, attach a small child-like scissors to it, and tie onto the 1/2 inch open space at the top of the ring.  You will want the scissors to hang about 6-8 inches below the bottom of the wreath.  This is what everyone will use to cut off a piece of candy with.

Then tie your large ribbon on, making a pretty bow.  To that, connect another piece of large ribbon, wrapping around the center knot of the bow making a large loop.  This is where you hang the candy wreath onto a hook or nail.

Note:  If you decide to use a wire hanger, one that you hang your clothes on - be sure it's a heavy duty hanger.  Shape into a large circle leaving the hook at the top.  The hook will act as the hanger.  I recommend decorating that with decorators ribbon.

If you go to a candy supply store like I did you can get a great value.  The candy I purchased came in a 6 pound bag for just under $23.  Enough to make 2 candy wreaths.  A fabulous gift for a reasonable price.

That's all there is to it!  This is a great project to do while sitting around.  Your kids will love to help.  In fact, we use to do an assembly line and the whole family got involved. 

Enjoy!