Are you looking for a fun and easy DIY Christmas decoration that the whole family can create together? This edible activity is not only adorable but also filled with colorful joy. You may have guessed it: we’re making gumdrop a candy wreath!
Making a gumdrop candy wreath is incredibly simple and utterly adorable – not to mention edible! Instead of gluing the gumdrops, we’ll attach them using toothpicks. Personally, I think the wreath is too cute to eat (and I’m loyal to chocolate), but I can’t say the same for my kiddos!
Contents
What You’ll Need for the Gumdrop Candy Wreath
- Gumdrops/Spice drops. I bought mine from Walmart. Most grocery stores sell them, especially this time of year. I used roughly 138 gumdrops, which equates to about 2/3 of a 24oz container. Play it safe and buy a little more than you need. It’s better to have some left over than to not have enough. Amazon is also a great choice, and it is typically my go-to, but I worry about items that are not returnable.
- Toothpicks. I cut ours in half.
- Styrofoam Circles. We used 6-inch circles. Mine was packed on half of the circle when completed, and boy, was it heavy for a little wreath! I weighed it, and it was 1 pound. Anything larger would be pretty hefty after applying the gumdrops, so keep that in mind when choosing a size.
- Scissors used for cutting the toothpicks in half (optional). I used strong food-cutting scissors. You can also break them with your hands.
- Ribbon or Twine for hanging
A Little Prep Helps a Lot
If you’re using a small styrofoam circle, like ours, you’ll need to cut the toothpicks in half to attach the gumdrops. I found it most efficient to cut several toothpicks in advance. Be sure to make a clean cut to avoid any splinters or small bits that could end up in the gumdrops, especially if you have a little one who will want to eat them.
Arrange Your Gumdrops
When you begin placing the gumdrops onto the candy wreath, I found that inserting the toothpick into the Styrofoam first and then attaching the gumdrop works best. Although you can insert the toothpick into the gumdrop first and then attach it to the Styrofoam, the toothpick often pushes too far into the gumdrop or goes straight through it when inserting it into the Styrofoam.
When arranging the gumdrops on the candy wreath, I decided to try two different approaches. For my first attempt, I randomly placed the gumdrops without focusing on creating straight lines. In my second attempt, I aimed for a more structured look by aligning the gumdrops in straight lines along the outer and inner edges. I thought this would give the wreath a cleaner appearance, but ultimately, I preferred the random arrangement. The random placement resulted in less white space showing through, which I liked better.
Most people probably couldn’t tell the difference, for instance, Edgar, but my nitpicky brain noticed it.
Meli initially had a structured pattern in her mind but later shifted to a random arrangement.
Another side note is that I lost Xander a little in this activity. The candy probably wasn’t enticing enough for him (cinnamon and spearmint flavors), so he preferred playing with Play-Doh alongside us. He snuck a few cinnamon gumdrops, but it isn’t the type of candy you can’t get enough of.
Embellish Your Candy Wreath
Once you’ve finished attaching your gumdrops, add any additional embellishments to fill in white gaps or introduce a bit of variety. I kept mine simple, but Meli rummaged through the candy bowl and found some gummy bears she couldn’t resist incorporating.
Attaching gummy bears to the candy wreath was more challenging than the gumdrops. You need to push and twist the sharp end of the toothpick through the gummy to ensure that it stays on the toothpick.
Once you have finished decorating your candy wreath, it’s time to add a method for hanging it. We chose Twine and a colorful, Christmas-themed rope, but you can also opt for a fancy ribbon to hang it. Whatever you choose can help convey your candy wreath as an elegant or whimsical look. Nevertheless, your little ones will be proud of this delightful candy wreath decoration!
Other Options
A candy wreath is so versatile. We used Christmas colors since it is right around the corner, but there are many other options. Add white gumdrops to give it another color for extra dimension. Use black and orange for a stunning Halloween candy wreath. A rainbow-colored wreath with randomly dispersed gumdrops is also adorable and perfect for any occasion. Meli and I are already planning to create that variation around Easter time. She loves rainbow everything right now.
Feel free to incorporate other types of candy. Anything soft that fits on a toothpick is perfect. Dots, taffy, mini marshmallows, starburst, tootsie rolls, and maybe even candy corn are a few options that come to mind.
Final Thoughts on Our Gumdrop Candy Wreath
Crafting a gumdrop candy wreath is a fun and simple activity and a fantastic way to add a sweet and colorful touch to any celebration. Whether you’re creating a traditional Christmas wreath, a Halloween-inspired design, or a vibrant rainbow centerpiece, the possibilities are endless.
This activity is perfect for family bonding, allowing everyone to get creative and add their personal flair. Plus, with its edible twist, it’s sure to bring joy to your little ones and the adults in your life. So, grab your supplies and start crafting—you’ll end up with a delightful decoration that’s almost too cute to eat (but don’t let that stop you)!
We can’t wait to see the charming candy wreath masterpieces you and your little helpers create! Please share your questions, thoughts, and photos! We would love to hear your feedback and see your creations. Happy decorating, and Merry Christmas!
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