Christmas Tree Decorating Idea

Writen by Cheri Barlow

When Christmas draws near, children are enchanted by the wonderful gifts soon to be delivered by Santa. Visions of sugarplums are the inspiration for this Christmas tree decorating idea. This holiday fantasyland is sure to delight children of all ages and is designed with Santa's workshop in mind. This tree is trimmed with delicious-looking ornaments. Gingerbread men, garlands, Santas and big red bows fill the branches of this snowy Christmas tree.

Start off with a flocked Christmas tree. Whether you decide to use a real Christmas tree and flock it yourself or to use an already flocked artificial tree makes no difference.

This tree has giant peppermint candies that are made from 1" thick plastic foam. Cut a 6" diameter circle from the foam for each candy. Apply one coat of white gesso to each candy allow to dry. Next, paint the candy white with acrylic paint and allow that to dry. Now, with red paint, paint a pinwheel pattern on each candy. Wrap each candy in cellophane and twist each end like a candy. Tie a green ribbon onto each end.

A lollipop can be made the same way as above. Paint the circles green and allow that to dry. Next, paint swirls of white like a lollipop. Attach a dowel to one end for the lollipop stick and wrap the lollipop part in cellophane.

Make gingerbread cutout cookies using gingerbread shapes and Santa shapes. Make them with large cookie cutters to match the scale of the candies. Decorate cookies with icing and candies. Use a straw to cutout holes in the tops of the cookies prior to baking to allow for hanging. Use ribbons for hanging.

Make garlands with white and green licorice snaps. Also make garlands with caramel popcorn and wind around the tree.

Hang your newly made ornaments onto the tree and wrap with garlands. Either make or purchase red bows with white pokadots and tie the bows to the ends of the branches. The bows should be large enough to keep with the scale of the other ornaments.

This would be a fun project to have the kids help with. Or, it would be just as much fun to surprise the kids with the finished project.

Cheri Barlow http://www.christmastreeshoho.com/trimmingchristmastrees/ http://www.christmastreeshoho.com For more information about Christmas trees, please visit our website.