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25 Candy Cane Crafts That Are Sure to Sweeten Your Holiday

Deck the halls with red and white treats!

By Shelby Deering
candy cane crafts
Tatiana Maksimova//Getty Images

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Is there a symbol that represents the holidays more than the candy canes? This classic Christmas candy certainly has a long history, with mentions all the way back to the 17th century as symbols of shepherds’ staffs. Nowadays, they line store shelves during Christmastime, often in every color you can imagine. While Buddy the Elf may have considered candy canes to be an entire food group, they also happen to be pretty perfect for making candy cane crafts. When you’re not enjoying them as a minty Christmas treat, candy canes can be easily transformed into DIY wreaths, mini reindeer, Christmas table centerpieces, and ornaments. And it doesn’t just stop at using candy canes themselves. You can make your own candy canes out of fabric, pipe cleaners, and other materials to create garlands and even pillows.

Then there’s also the option of simply using red and white candy-cane colors and stripes to craft Christmas decorations, from archways throughout your home to entire candy cane themed trees decorated from top to bottom. Apart from sweetening up your home, candy cane crafts are also charming DIY gifts to make during the holiday season. Candy cane bath bombs make great stocking stuffers, while candy cane hot cocoa pops can be gifted to your children’s teachers. Make it a candy-cane Christmas with these 25 creative craft ideas.

1

Glittery Candy Cane Jars

candy cane crafts jar
SUSTAIN MY CRAFT HABIT

Make this holiday season a time to shine with these handmade candy-cane inspired jars. Decorated with glittery stripes and mini candy canes tied with ribbon, you can place small gifts inside or use the jars for decoration around your house.

Get the tutorial at Sustain My Craft Habit.

SHOP JARS

2

Giant Candy Cane Pillow

candy cane crafts pillow
LOVELY INDEED

To add some extra fun to a sofa or chair this Christmas, craft this (gigantic!) candy cane pillow. It’s sure to add a festive, and cozy, pop to your living room.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

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3

Candy Cane Reindeer

candy cane crafts reindeer
ONE LITTLE PROJECT

Oh, deer! These candy cane reindeer are just too adorable for words, and they make for fun mini gifts and ideal stocking stuffers, too.

Get the tutorial at One Little Project.

4

Candy Cane Garland

candy cane crafts garland
DESIGN IMPROVISED

Whether you’d like to dress up a corner of your kitchen or add some flair to your Christmas tree, this cute candy-cane garland will do the trick.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

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5

Candy Cane Bath Bombs

candy cane crafts bath bomb
CRAYONS & CRAVINGS

To make a bath smell delightfully peppermint-fresh, whip up these candy cane bath bombs. Gift them to your friends this Christmas, but don't forget to keep a few for yourself. They make for the perfect winter self-care.

Get the tutorial at Crayons & Cravings.

SHOP CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS

6

Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes

candy cane crafts pipe cleaner candy cane
HOUSE OF HAWTHORNES

Pipe cleaners come together for these oh-so easy-to-make decorative candy canes. Use them on top of presents or add a special something to a swag or wreath.

Get the tutorial at House of Hawthornes.

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7

Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Pops

candy cane crafts hot cocoa
BOULDER LOCAVORE

With these candy cane hot cocoa pops, you’ll be all set with gifts to give away to friends, family, teachers, postal workers, and more. They're sweet, chocolatey, and perfect for a cozy night in.

Get the tutorial at Boulder Locavore.

8

Candy Cane Centerpiece

candy cane crafts centerpiece
HOME IS WHERE THE BOAT IS

Gather up all the candy canes and peppermints! It’s the easiest Christmas centerpiece ever, and this tutorial will show you how to get the look.

Get the tutorial at Home Is Where the Boat Is.

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9

Candy Cane Fabric Twine

candy cane crafts fabric gift wrap
MY POPPET MAKES

Bring some candy-cane magic to your gifts this Christmas! After making this red-and-white twine, you’ll be able to wrap up your presents with some extra joy.

Get the tutorial at My Poppet Makes.

10

DIY Candy Cane Christmas Card Kit

candy cane crafts card
ETSY/CARDSNCRAFTSSTUDIO

If you’ve been wanting to make your own Christmas cards, but aren’t game for gathering all the materials, this DIY kit makes it easy—and we can’t resist those cute candy canes!

$24+ AT ETSY

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11

Candy Cane Jingle Bell Ornament

candy cane crafts jingle bells ornament
A PRETTY LIFE IN THE SUBURBS

Jingle bells, indeed! Using miniature red and white bells, you’ll follow these steps to make a candy-cane shaped ornament, or several if you’d really like to dress up your tree.

Get the tutorial at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs.

12

Candy Cane Sleigh

candy cane crafts sleigh
MAKE LIFE LOVELY

This edible craft can be made in just five minutes using mini chocolates and colorful candy canes. Not only do they look just like sleighs, but they're also perfect for dropping into your kids' stockings.

Get the tutorial at Make Life Lovely.

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13

Candy Cane Bow Wreath

candy cane crafts bow wreath
AUBREE ORIGINALS

Do you have any leftover red and white bows? Or are you heading to the dollar store? This budget-friendly candy cane wreath is free or nearly free thanks to these gift bows.

Get the tutorial at Aubree Originals.

14

Candy Cane Dog Scarf

candy cane crafts dog scarf
GOLDEN LUCY CRAFTS

Your pup can look their holiday best with this adorable, crocheted dog scarf, outfitted in candy cane stripes.

Get the tutorial at Golden Lucy Crafts.

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15

Melted Candy Cane Ornaments

candy cane crafts ornaments
CRAFTY MORNING

Your kids will love helping you make these melted candy cane ornaments shaped with cookie cutters. Plus, they'll make the kitchen will smell so good.

Get the tutorial at Crafty Morning.

SHOP COOKIE CUTTERS

16

Candy Cane Cookies

candy cane crafts candy cane cookies
Will Dickey

To make it a candy-cane themed crafting session, don’t forget to serve these candy cane cookies to all your pals! They have a hint of peppermint extract for that minty flavor.

Get the Candy Cane Cookies recipe.

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17

Candy Cane Stocking

candy cane crafts stocking
CRAFTING CHICKS

With a free printable stocking template, a bit of washi tape, and some candy canes, you can make up these sweet little gifts in a flash.

Get the tutorial at Crafting Chicks.

18

Candy Cane Wreath

candy cane crafts wreath snowflake
ROSE BAKES

Who knew that candy canes are the perfect supplies for making a wreath? Follow these steps to make this pretty, snowflake-inspired shape for your front door.

Get the tutorial at Rose Bakes.

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19

Candy Cane Wrapping

candy cane crafts wrapping
THE HOUSE THAT LARS BUILT

While standard wrapping paper is well and good, why not give it some DIY, candy-cane panache? You’ll place teeny gifts inside a cardboard tube that’s gussied up with candy cane stripes.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

20

Candy Cane Archway

candy cane crafts archway
RAVEN ELYSE

Candy cane colors look stunning on doorways and archways, as this tutorial proves. Your guests will grin as soon as they see this display!

Get the tutorial at Raven Elyse.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

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