A Christmas Candy Wreath is a simple project the entire family will love! It is festive and kids and guests love cutting a piece of candy when they visit!
In this post, you’ll find easy instructions to make a homemade Candy Christmas Wreath along with a video demonstration and free “How To Make A Candy Christmas Wreath” e-book. The e-book download link and video are below and the instructions are below them.
Free Candy Christmas Wreath e-Book!
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Here’s what to do now:
Right click the “Download” link below and save the files to your computer.
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Right click here to download the free “How To Make A Candy Christmas Wreath” e-book now!
You can also watch the “How To Make A Candy Christmas Wreath” video below!
Here are the written instructions you’ll find in the e-book! In the free e-book, you’ll also find step by step photos to help make it easy for you!
Tawra
How To Make A Candy Christmas Wreath
Each year on the day after Halloween, I go and buy candy that is marked down to half price* to use to make my Candy Christmas Wreaths. I am telling you about it now so you won’t miss out on the opportunity to get candy for less to make these great gifts.
Since I was little we have hung a candy wreath on our door. When someone came to visit, they could cut a piece of candy from the wreath to take with them when they arrived or left. Kids and adults alike love this tradition.
Some years I have tried to have mine done before Thanksgiving. That way, when we get together on Thanksgiving Day, as a small gift, I give each one of my grown children one to hang on their doors.
I hang mine up the day after Thanksgiving along with the rest of my Christmas decorations. If you are going to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, this is a great and very different hostess gift to bring.
These also make great gifts for those hard to buy for people on your gift list or for those occasions when you have to buy for a whole family but aren’t quite sure what to get for each member and you’ve given gifts in a jar for the last 5 years. It also saves you money because you aren’t having to buy individual gifts.
Another added benefit is that you can make them early in November and give them out by the end of the month. This means that by the first week of December, you can have some of your gifts totally taken care of. Oh — no wrapping necessary either!
These wreaths are very simple to make and something the kids can easily do. You’ll find complete instructions on what to buy and how to make them below.
*Don’t forget to get candy for your other Christmas recipes during the after Halloween sales. Be creative! I was supposed to use Hershey’s candy bars in my million dollar fudge recipe, but when my daughter found a ton of Hershey’s kisses for 50 cents a bag, I used those instead.
How to Make a Candy Wreath
1. First, buy your candy. You need to use wrapped candy like Tootsie Rolls, Jolly Ranchers, peppermints, bubble gum, butterscotch candies, etc. How much candy you need depends on the size of wreath you make. Usually for a 12 to 15 inch wreath, I buy enough candy to fill a large mixing bowl to the top.
I make mine with lots of mixed candy but you can make it with all peppermints, all green and red Jolly Ranchers, or whatever you like. Whatever you decide, first place it all into a large mixing bowl.
2. Cut string into about 3 inch pieces. The lengths don’t have to be exact. Just make them long enough so that they are easy to handle while you tie them around the ends of the candy and then to the ring for the wreath. You need one string for each piece of candy. I don’t sit and count how many I need. I just cut a pile and then make more when I need them.
3. Take a heavy wire clothes hanger and form it into the size wreath you would like. Cut off the hook part at the top then slightly bend the 2 ends to form small hooks that you can hook together to make a circle. I haven’t checked lately but you might be able to buy a metal circle in the wreath section at your craft store.
4. After you have made your ring, tie each string to one end of a piece of candy. This is why candy like Toostie Rolls work so well. The little flags of paper on each end make it easy to tie the string to them. Then tie the other end to the wreath ring. Keep pushing the candy together as you go so you have a nice full ring of candy.
5. When you can’t squeeze one more piece of candy onto the wreath, make or buy a large red bow to place at the top, which will cover the section where you hooked it together.
6. Tie one end of a ribbon or string to a child’s pair of scissors and then tie the other end to the bottom of the wreath. This pair of scissors is for people to use to cut their own candy.
If you want you can add this poem to your candy Christmas Wreath.
Friends and neighbors all draw near
For a bit of Christmas cheer
Take the scissors, give a snip
Then enjoy a candy nip!!
As you can see this is an easy project for kids. I mean what kid wouldn’t love to handle mounds of candy, especially it they get to sneak a piece every once in awhile?
Hang it on your door. Adults and children alike love cutting a piece when they are coming or going or both!
Jill
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Very, very cute AND simple. Thank you for sharing. The video was
GREAT!
Awesome idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi,
I have been trying unsuccessfully to watch the candy wreath video on U-tube. My computer freezes up as soon as Jill gets to the stretch out the hanger part. Ugggh so frustrating. Can you post the written direction on your blog or email me? It is so cute!
Thanks, I hate to be a pain but what a fun project to do with the kids.
Carole
Very Cute! We have 4 kids, who get waaayyy too much candy at Halloween. I went through their Halloween candy and pulled out anything that had a wrapper with two twisty sides. Honestly they would never know if I didn’t tell them. They don’t have school Friday so I am going to let them get started tieing candies for our wreath as a little fun activity. Thanks for such a fun site!
Barbara
Wow!
Another wonderful idea from you all! Thank you soooooo much.
AND you mom seems like a really nice person, just like I imagined her….ALL of you do. So fun to get to know her better by actually getting to SEE and hear her!!
Thank you, too, for being so clear with the directions and the shots taken on the video.
I esp. enjoyed the Outtakes! God gave you guys the neatest senses of humor. :-)
—Kimberly
It was so great to see your mom – I hope she will make more appearances. The candy wreaths are beautiful, I am going to give it a try.
The only think I didn’t get clearly was when tying them on, it looks like she tied on a bunch at a time – or do you tie each one on individually?
Q. what is the reason for having the scissors on the bottom? I watched the video and does each piece of candy get its on string? Then do you add a bunch of strings together to attach to the hanger?
Yes, each piece of candy is tied on by itself. Then you cut off the piece you want to eat. TAwra
I started making my wreath last night. It’s fun to do it. It’s relaxing and is getting me in the Christmas spirit. I know it will be really pretty when done. SO thanks for the instructions. God Bless.
I just wanted to tell you that yesterday I went to the dollar store and found pretty red velvety bows to go on the wreath. They were 3 for a dollar, and have gold stenciled angels and snowmen on them. Since they were so inexpensive, I bought the 3 of them for future wreaths.
I, too, just came from the Dollar Tree & purchased all my supplies – candies, pre-made ribbon that looks just like the photo, even string (they have scissors, but I already have some, & made my metal coat hanger ring as well). My husband told me recently his mother made these each Christmas. I’d never heard of them before. Then I saw your idea in an ebook I was reading on my Kindle. Decided it was meant to be – for me to make, so here I go while watching TV.! Thanks!
I tried the candy wreath and it was a bust. The candy would not stay on the wreath and kept falling off. I love your website BUT do not like this project.
I’m not sure why they fell off. You just knot each string on there and they stay. Our kids do this all the time so the only thing I can think is you didn’t tie a knot.
I am about 3/4 finished with my wreath, and it’s lovely. You do have to make sure the knots are secure. If need be, tie a couple of knots on each candy, and make sure they are tight by pulling on a couple of them, and they won’t fall off.
I was thinking about this project last night and thought it would be a great gift for a teenage girl. If you bought ear rings or a bracelet you could loop them onto the wreath along with the candy. Put a nice big bow on it with her name so it can’t be mistaken for something else.
Or little ones add some dinky toys and small things for dolls and each child gets their own wreath.
Just not as big as the one you made. Just a different type of gift with no wrapping.
Loving making the candy wreaths…great thing to do sitting down in the evening. Can’t wait to give them out!
Aren’t they fun Denise. I too love to do them in the evening and I do them when I am not feeling good with my CFS. I get so tired of being to sick and not being able to do something where these are easy enough and brainless enough I can work on them when I don’t feel good.
This looks like a holiday gift that I would like to try making. In reviewing the directions, I came up with a question with regards to a potential problem. Lo and behold, it was already asked.
So now I’m just posting to tell you I am looking forward to making a holiday candy wreath. If I have any questions, I will be sure to stop back!
Hi Jill
Just watched your video – sounds like a whole load of fun and how impressive the end result is!!! Wonderful to greet your guests with when they first come to your house.
The children looked like they had a great time helping out, and I LOVED the out takes at the end!!!! xx
Hi,
Living in Paris (France) has left me and my mother away from a lot of traditional holiday buzz, so we decided to join a Christmas bizzare (1st of my life) and I think this will be my contribution. With a little luck and your video instruction, I will look an old-hand at this ;-)
Thanks so much,
Elan
Sorry to double post , but I guess you’ll edit if wanted. The thing is that I have worried about just what Sara (comment above) said was her problem, i.e., candy falling off. The response was that she probably didn’t knot, but the video clearly says not to (no pun intended)
So, I went to download the pdf for clear instruction, but this is unavailable.
I really want to do this wreath but fear to without the instruction document. Maybe someone can email me if it’s available elsewhere.
Thanks again,
Elan
There are written instructions on the same post as the video page. I said tie once to the candy and tie with a knot when you attach it to the metal ring. You can put a knot on both if you want I was just trying to save a little only tying it with one loop on the candy the first time. It is simple but not sure how else to explain it. You tie a string to the end of the candy and then tie it to the metal ring. I’m not sure I answered your question because I’m not real sure what is the confusing part for you but hope this helps anyway.
Now I even sound confused. Bottom line is if nothing else tie the candy to the ring some way.
Jill I am going to try this but not use candy.
I am going to make one up using herbal tea packages.
I know one of our friends drinks different types of tea so I thought it would be fun for him.
Another 2 friends both drink tea so I thought if I get the teas on sale this would be a fun way to give them a gift.
The man is a dentist so I don’t think candy would be appropriate.
But this idea is a good one so I hope my idea will turn out well.
thanks for the idea.
I had to laugh when I watched the video when you said, “Have a big bowl full of candy at one side of you…” I could just imagine myself putting one on the wreath and one in my mouth, one on the wreath, one in my mouth….etc etc!
That is why I have to make sure I don’t use chocolate and buy candy mainly that my grandkids like because like you most wouldn’t make it on the wreath.:) It feels so good to confess my weakness – chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Maybe I should have said candy, candy, candy. HA!HA!
I think the poster “Grandma” has a really unique idea! This wreath could be made wit lots of different things.
I’m looking forward to trying this wreath idea! I know the grandchildren will love coming to Memaws house even more, just to be able to cut their own piece of candy1 Wonderful idea!
Yes Pat the grandkids do go crazy over it and something I didn’t expect is my “big” kids (their moms and dads) go crazy over it too. They pick through it trying to decide which candy they want or give strong hints as to what candy to put on it even more the the grandkids. HA!HA! We really are all kids at heart.
What a cute idea! We have dial up, so I was not able to watch the video. Maybe, this was already suggested. If you are like me and have to buy trash bags to get rid of your waste, but never use the twist ties from the trash bags. You could use these to tie the candies on with, it would be easier for little hands and more easily secured. Plus, with Christmas coming up stores may have red or green bags that could easily be turned inside out and converted to a bow. Practically free decoration or gift idea. Thanks for the idea.
I can not wait to start this project! I am going to get started tonight!
I just wanted to tell you that I gave the candy wreath I made to a woman at Church and she just loved it. She said to me that “it looks like you put so much work into this and I appreciate it.” She called me and told me she put it up on her front door and she notices neighbors looking at it when they pass by.
Wow, that’s great! The kids and I are getting ready to make ours this weekend. Yes, I’m a little behind.
I made candy wreaths for the first time this holiday season. They turned out so well and were received with enthusiasm by the folks they were given to.
The idea is most definately a keeper. It’s already in my list for next year.
Thanks for the inspiration!
I have been making candy wreaths for several years now but I find it easier to use small rubber bands to hold candy on hangers then all you have to do is pull off a piece of candy. They also make good fund rasiers for church. Thanks for your ideas, I am going to make one your way. Have a very Blessed Christmas.
These bring back great memories! My grandmother used to make candy wreaths and christmas trees (using styrofoam forms) every year. She used straight pens to hold the candy on. She would also used cellophane wrapped candies to create color themes. Thanks for the memories!
Great job, Jo. It was fun “seeing” you. I hope you will reconsider doing videos, this was great and love the wreath of candy.
Hugs
I have been making candy wreaths for years and everyone loves them. I usually do mine in peppermint candies and I “finger crochet” the candy on the wire…I have had people come and ask that I make one for a hospital room and nursing homes. I think it can be an all year round project for any occasion. I haven’t made any for awhile but you inspired me to get going again. Thanks for the post.
I clicked on this site for something else, and found the wreath.. It made my heart glad to see it. We used to make those every year, at Easter, Halloween, Christmas, etc., with different varieties/colors of hard candy. I had forgotten all about them until I saw your tutorial. Wonderful!!! Thanks so much. And, I’m going to start making them again, with help from the grandkids. PS-your instructions are easier and prettier than the way we used to do them!
How many pieces of candy does it take foe a clothes hanger wreath?
I usually buy enough candy to fill a large plastic mixing bowl. You know the largest bowl that comes in those nested sets. It’s hard to give an exact number because the size of the ring you use (you can make it smaller or larger), how much fullness you want and the size of the candy pieces all make a difference.
Thank you! I maqd3e this in JR High Girl Scouts in the 60’s. We used alternating green and red taffee> Thaqnks for th memory! Think I’ll make one again for memory sake!
Thanks!
Jill, Loved the video! You have a real talent for explaining things. But the outtakes were the best. Thanks for sharing those. Often, we don’t see the best side of presenters – their real selves. Thanks for being fun enough to show us that side of you. And I wasn’t sure I’d like the wreaths but after seeing your presentation, think I will try one for my son’s house.
Hard to believe it will soon be Thanksgiving and Christmas. The best to you and your family.
My dear son in law added those to the end of the video. He thought he was pretty funny doing that. HA!HA! I always felt like I had rosey cheeks like Mrs. Claus in that video. Tawra said you need more color so I added more color then it started getting really hot. The lights we used were real lights they use in a studio and I felt like I was turning into a lobster. Now I know why all those newscasters and such where sleeveless dresses. It was fun any way.
You know it is funny I make the wreaths for the grandkids but my big kids I think love it and eat more off of it then the little kids do so I think your sone and his family will enjoy it. Once you do one they are so easy to make and fun to do watching tv.
Jill, you would make a perfect Mrs Claus. Did you ever read the book “How Mrs Claus saved Christmas?” It is a good book. I think you would like it. The author is Jeff Guinn. It puts you in the Christmas spirit and is fun to read, and makes you think about things you never thought of before.
I’ll have to see if I can find it at the library Bea. It sounds good. I would love to be a Mrs. Claus. That is one of the reasons I enjoy doing my gingerbread men is to see the looks on the kids faces when they see them.
Yes, Mrs Claus reminds me of someone that is loving, good, and generous, like you Jill. There are 3 books that Jeff Guinn wrote about Mr and Mrs Claus that are fascinating. The tooks talk about St. Nicholas who was a real person and is the inspiration for Santa Claus. I know you would like the books. They do make you feel good about Christmas and helping people.
Thanks for the wreath directions and video. We will make this tomorrow at my Girl Scout troop’s holiday meeting. I am sure that they will love this craft.
I have made this wreath, but used curling ribbon to tie the candy on the ring. After all the candy is tied on, you can use scissors to curl the ribbon, adds a nice festive touch. You can also make for Valentines day, birthday parties, whatever. You can also use only candy that falls within the color scheme you want to use, weddings,baby shower, wedding shower, the list is endless. Have fun!!
My mother started making these way back in the early 1960s. She always used English toffees for the candy. Probably in part because we all liked them, but also because the wrappers were a plain coloured foil. Some years she made them all one colour, usually either green or gold to contrast with the red bow on the top, and other years she made multi-colour ones with red, gold, green, silver and blue wrappers. It always hung on the outer edge of the fireplace – far away that it wasn’t affected by the heat. It always looked gorgeous, although got a little shabbier as we began cutting from it – something we weren’t allowed to do until Christmas Eve.
They do start looking slightly worse for wear Fiona after a bit. I hang ours up after Thanksgiving and by Christmas it has shrunk almost to nothing. After Christmas I slide what is left into a bowl and we then finish it off.
I first saw these many, many years ago at work when someone brought a in smallish one as a Christmas treat for our department.
But instead of cutting off the candy we just unwrapped the loose/untied flap. Not only did we not have to deal with tiny bits of candy wrapping that didn’t immediately get to the trash, the foil and colourful wrappers continued to make a full and pretty wreath until Christmas was over.
We used to use the metal bread ties, instead of string. I haven’t done one of these in 40 yrs. I should because I used to love it