How to Decorate a Hungarian Christmas Tree

In Hungary, children believe the angels decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Handmade ornaments with homemade candy, called "szalon cukor," adorn a Hungarian Christmas tree.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• White Tissue Paper
• Christmas Tree Skirts
• Christmas Trees
• Angels
• Bells
• Candles
• String Along Light Sets
• Tree Stands
• White Yarns
• Hard Candies
• Scissors

1. Make szalon cukor by taking a package of white tissue paper and cutting it into small rectangles, approximately 6 ½ inches long by 5 inches wide.

2. Cut each end of the white tissue paper rectangles with scissors to make fringe.

3. Take two pieces of tissue paper and roll a hard candy in the center. Traditionally, Hungarians use a hard candy with a fudge-like center or homemade quince candy, but Malted Milk Balls also work well.

4. Twist on both sides of the candy between the candy and the fringe.

5. Cut white yarn into 12-inch pieces. Make a loop by tying the two ends of one piece together.

6. Lay the looped yarn down and place the candy ornament down on the looped yarn; pull the "round" end of the yarn through the "knotted" end, around one end of the candy ornament.

7. Repeat steps 3 ' 6 until all of the white tissue paper rectangles have been used (approximately 150 ' 200 szalon cukor).

8. Hang the szalon cukor generously all over the tree. Other ornaments may also be added for color.

9. Clip candleholders with white candles on the ends of the branches.

10. Top the tree with an angel.

11. Ensure you have a bell hanging on the tree for the angels to ring, signaling that Baby Jesus has arrived with gifts for the children on Christmas Eve.

Tips & Warnings

• Strings of white lights can be substituted for actual candles. Exercise caution if you do opt for candles, as they may be a fire danger on a Christmas tree.

• To expedite the process of cutting the tissue paper into rectangles, continue to fold the tissue paper and use a knife until the rectangles measure approximately 6 ½' long by 5' wide; 25 ' 30 tissue paper rectangles can be fringed at a time.

• Add more color to the tree by wrapping a small piece of metallic paper around the candy.