| Candy Train Most of the candy shown will be found in bulk packs. They are smaller than the candy you purchase separately. There are plenty of different types of candy combinations that will work well if you can't find the exact type shown. You need: 1 Pack of Cinnamon Gum 1 Roll of Life Savers 1 Mini Peanut Butter Cup 5 Bite-Size Chocolate Bars 16 Mint Candies 3 Small Kit Kats 2 Candy Kisses 6 Tootsie Rolls 1 Pack of Dentyne Gum Glue Gun Instructions: Fold and glue cellophane paper ends of mints to back of candy. For Engine: Glue 4 mints to pack of gum for wheels. Glue Life Savers to gum and peanut butter cup to Life Savers. Use 3 bite-size chocolate bars to finish. For Caboose: Glue 4 mints to Kit Kat bar and 2 mini chocolate bars to Kit Kat. Top with a pack of Dentyne. For Cars: Glue 4 mints to Kit Kat bar and top with candy of your choice. |
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| Potpourri Wreath Candle Holder You need: Candle CD that you don't need Potpourri Gold Beads 6" Wreath (or Garland to form into a wreath) Felt or Craft Foam Low Temp Glue Gun or Tacky Glue Instructions: Trace around CD onto felt or foam. Cut out and glue to printed side of CD. Shiny side will be up. Secure candle to middle of CD with wax or glue. Glue wreath to CD. Decorate with potpourri and gold beads |
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| I have put togather an assortment of Christmas Decorations that you can make fairly easy and inexpensively.Along with that I have thrown in a few interesting bits of Christmas history. |
| The tradition of decorating the Paradeisbaum, or Paradise trees, originated in Europe. Christians would celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve by acting out important events in Scripture. One of the skits that was performed was the 'The Garden of Eden' scene. Since it was the wintertime in Europe it was not possible to find an apple tree with apples, so an evergreen tree would be substituted. The actors first hung apples on their "Paradise Trees", later adding other adornments such as dried fruits and nuts. The increase in popularity of the Paradeisbaum is attributed to Martin Luther. It is believed that he first added lighted candles to his Paradise Tree after walking home through the woods one winter evening. He was in the midst of composing a sermon and was awestruck by the brilliance of the millions of twinkling stars above the evergreens. So inspired by the beauty of God's creation, he cut down an evergreen and brought it home to his family, then wired lighted candles to the tree to recreate the starlit scene. Paradise trees eventually became known as 'Christ Trees', then Christmas Trees. It is believed that Christmas trees were brought to America by Germans that immigrated to Pennsylvania. The diary of Matthew Zahm of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, records the introduction of the Christmas tree being brought to the New World December 20, 1821 |
| History of the Christmas Tree |
| Candy Cane Reindeer Place two candycanes back to back (one "hook" is going left, the other "hook" going right). Wrap both canes with the brown yarn beginning about half way up the "cane". Stop wrapping when you get to the "hook". Hot glue two eyes and one red "nose" onto the yarn. You have a candycane reindeer. |
| Candycanes brown yarn wiggly eyes small red pompoms glue gun |
| Clay Pot Angels Turn pot upside down and glue wooden bead on top for angel's head. Paint a face on the head. Tie ribbon into large bow. Glue on back of pot for wings. Glue yarn or doll hair (can be purchased from craft stores) on top of head. Decorate with whatever you like, buttons down the front, ric-rac around the bottom of pot, paint, sequins, whatever! Let the kids be creative and have fun! |
| miniature clay pot large wooden bead paint wide ribbon yarn or doll hair |
| Cover a coffe can with candy canes using a hot glue gun. Tie a festive bow around the middle and fill with candies or flowers. |
| Would you like to read the Legend of the Cany Cane? |