If you give several birthday parties over the course of each year you probably struggle to find new themes and decorations that won’t break the bank. By the time you’ve bought gifts and provided food and beverages even a simple birthday party can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a cheap way to decorate for a birthday party this year why not decorate with candy? No, not bowlfuls of chocolates and hard-tacks but assorted candies that you’ve created yourself. Now, we’re not talking about cooking and baking; we’re talking fake candies that can be used to decorate the main table, shelves – even the floor!
There are several different ways to make the candies so that you can possibly use things you already have around the house. One candy you can make is created from a cardboard tube. You can use something as small as an empty toilet paper roll or something as large as a tube from an empty roll of gift wrap. Start by wrapping the tube with foil. Don’t worry if the foil crinkles somewhat as you wrap it. The purpose of the foil is to cover the ordinary appearance of the cardboard tube.
Choose cellophane in colors of pink, blue, green, yellow or even gold and silver when you visit a nearby craft store. The cellophane will create the appearance of candy from the cardboard tube. After wrapping it in foil, wrap it once again in cellophane. Cut the length of the cellophane so that it wraps around the tube with just a little extra to overlap. Cut the width of the cellophane so that it is much longer than the tube.
Roll the cellophane around the tube and tape the edges to secure. At each end gather the extra cellophane and twist it. Tape in place. Tie a ribbon around and use scissors to curl it. You can use more than one ribbon to create the color scheme you want. Twist, tape and tie ribbons around each end of the cellophane-wrapped tube. To make this candy appear much larger in diameter wrap it in foam or other materials before covering it in foil and cellophane.
You can create different looks for the candies by the things you use to wrap them. For instance, instead of foil you can wrap the tube with solid-colored gift wrap. Wrap a tube with pink gift wrap and pink cellophane to create a very pink candy. Wrap a tube with pink gift wrap and gold cellophane, though, and you’ll create a totally different appearance. Combine various papers and cellophane colors to create a collection of unique candies.
Make a different type of candy by using a cardboard box. Use one that has a single flap as a lid or cut flaps off and use the box like that. The open side will need to be the bottom of the candy, though. Wrap the box in colored paper or foil. There’s no need to cover the inside of an open box. Cut the paper so that it wraps around the box with a couple of inches to spare. Cut the width of the paper so that it is much longer than the box is wide. Wrap the paper around the box and tape in place. Twist the ends, as you did with the tubular candy, and tape to secure. Tie ribbons around the ends and curl them with scissors.
Make round candies by using wadded up grocery bags, paper towels, newspapers or similar items. Shape the into a flat, round shape and wrap with foil then paper. Twist the ends, as you did with the other candies, then secure with tape and add ribbon. You can even use play balls to make candies. Simply wrap the paper around them, twist the cellophane ends, then add curled ribbon.
The finished candies can be set upon counters, tables and even tossed in the floor. They can be made somewhat little or really enormous. They’re perfect for a child’s birthday but also suitable for Christmas, Easter and some other holidays. Gather a few smaller ones on the table as a centerpiece or just place the candies, here and there, in the room where the party will be held. They cost so little to make and you can store them after the party and use them again in the future.
Reference:
- Purchase cellophane here: www.michaels.com
