I’m really excited to finally share my Michael’s Makers Dream Tree for this year. Last year I did a rainbow Christmas tree, and this year my tree was inspired by another one of my favorite things, candy! I actually ended out making a Candy Land Christmas tree and I tied in a lot of elements of the classic game. I really love how the tree turned out – it’s so fun and whimsical. But I think my kids love it even more than I do!
So I’ve actually made a few different candy themed Christmas ornaments in the past, and I used a lot of those in my candy tree. You can find these tutorials here: lollipops, peppermint candies, ice cream cones, and wrapped candy. I also made some popsicle ornaments out of glittered cardstock, some gumdrop ornaments out of the tops of plastic easter eggs and some glitter, and some gummy bear ornaments by attaching hooks to gummy bear pencil sharpeners. I also bought a lot of ornaments at Michael’s. I especially love the beautiful donut and cake ornaments.
And one of the most fun elements that I created for this Candy Land Christmas tree was the gummy bear tree topper. I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to turn it into a tree topper or just a decoration, but I really do love how it turned out as a tree topper. It’s even prettier in person. I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with this one too, haha. I took an empty plastic container of animal crackers and spray painted it pink. Then I covered it in Mod Podge and a matching pink glitter. When that dried I sprayed it with a sealant, but another coat of Mod Podge would also work well. Then I drilled a whole in the bottom of the container and placed it around the top of the tree.
So as you can see, I didn’t follow the game Candy Land exactly, but a lot of the ornaments were inspired by it. Of course I got the game out as a reference, but I also used some elements of the older versions of the game that I remember playing as a kid… like the sugarplums. I made those by attaching green glittery leaves to purple ornaments. I also made some blue frosted snowflakes and popsicles to represent Queen Frostine and the Ice Palace. And of course the most recognizable aspect of the game is the giant rainbow road garland that I made out of paper and wrapped around the tree.
I used a lot of faux fur elements as well as pink and gold. Michael’s has a really beautiful selection of pink and gold Christmas decor this year and I seriously wanted to buy it all!
What I love about the idea of a Candy Land Christmas Tree is that you can take it in so many different directions. I think it would also really pop on a white Christmas tree. Michael’s has their largest tree assortment this year, including colored and flocked trees. Check out all of their trees, ornaments and coordinating holiday decor on Michaels.com. A few more fun ornaments to include would be gingerbread men made of polymer clay, cupcake ornaments, and maybe some of those delicate glass ornaments that look like ribbon candy. Inspired to start decorating your own tree? Make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the rest of the Michaels Makers’ dream holiday trees that were created this year.
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