Use colorful candies to make an
edible Christmas tree.

• Small tomato paste can, empty and clean
• 6-inch or 8-inch-tall white plastic-foam cone
• Ruler
• Wire cutters or old scissors
• Package of 12-inch-long white chenille stems
• Wrapped candies, such as peppermints, LifeSavers, Sweet Tarts, or your favorite kind
• Jingle bells or red pom-poms (optional)
• Thick crafts glue
• Felt in a color to coordinate with the candy
• Trim, such as rickrack, ribbon, or pom-poms

1. Center the open end of the tomato paste can on the flat base of the plastic-foam cone. Carefully push the top edges of the can into the cone to make about a 1/2-inch-deep circle.

2. Use the wire cutters or old scissors to cut twelve 1-inch lengths from each chenille stem. Fold each length in half.

3. Start to decorate the cone with a row of candies around the base. To attach the candies, slip a folded chenille stem around the twisted area of the candy wrapper, or poke one end of the stem through the wrapper. Push the stem ends into the cone until the fold is tight against the surface. Continue up the cone, adding rows of candy to cover it completely.

4. If you like, fill any open areas on the cone with jingle bells or pom-poms. Thread a folded chenille stem through the metal loop on the bell, and push the stem ends into the cone. Glue the pom-poms to the cone.

5. Cut a piece of felt to cover the sides of the can, making the felt about 1/2-inch shorter than the can. Wrap the felt around the can and glue it in place. Glue lengths of trim around the felt-covered can, referring to the photos for ideas.

6. Make three or four bows with the ribbon. Cut a length of chenille stem. Wrap the center of the stem around the center of a bow. Bring the stems ends together and push the ends into the top of the cone. If you like, add a jingle bell or pom-pom to the top.