Treat Yourself

The holidays will be sweet with these tasteful ideas for covering a tree with candy and cookies.

 

Stick to it

This starburst of peppermint sticks explodes with color. Lightly coat a 3-inch-diameter plastic-foam ball with red acrylic paint. Press peppermint sticks into the ball about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Remove each stick, add a dot of tacky glue to hold it in place, and replace the stick.

 

The art of baking

Decorate plain round sugar cookies by adding bright, geometric patterns inspired by modern art. Using a drinking straw, press a hanging hole into each cookie before baking. After the cookies cool, ice them with minimalistic strips and squares.

 

Kissing ball

Take a new twist on the old-fashioned kissing ball. This one uses something much more passionate than mistletoe: chocolate. Hot-glue foil-covered candies to a plastic foam ball, then add a ribbon for hanging.

 

Ring in the season

String up a fun, edible ornament made from colorful candies. Shape armature wire (available at art supply stores) into a circle and form a loop at one end. Slide ring-shaped hard candies onto the wire until it is packed full. Turn down the remaining end of the wire to keep the candies from sliding off.