How to Make a Gumdrop Garland

Gumdrops are a great way to sweeten a table and a tree without adding to holiday calories.

Gumdrop garlands are a classic tree decoration. Whether you decide to decorate your entire tree with a candyland theme or just add a little "sugar" to a table centerpiece with this fun decor item, you will enjoy creating this tasty decoration alone or with your children.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing line
• Gumdrops
• Yarn needle
• Clear, spray on varnish
• 2 large gold beads
• Hand towel

Instructions

1. Tie the end of the fishing line around one of the gold beads. This will prevent the gumdrops from sliding off the end of the garland. Make sure that the knot is secure.

2. Measure out the length of fishing line so it is as long as you want the garland to be. If you are going to use the garland on a small tree, you may want between 4 and 7 feet. If you are planning to decorate a larger tree, then you can compare lengths of store-bought garland to determine how long the line should be. You can also make multiple shorter strands and then tie them together.

3. Thread the fishing line through the yarn needle. Make sure that the length of the fishing line is manageable. You may need to have a fairly long "tail" hanging through the eye of the needle.

4. String the gumdrops. Push the needle through a gumdrop and the push the gumdrop down off the needle and onto the fishing line. Do this repeatedly until you have created a garland. Your hands must be completely dry or the gumdrops will get sticky, so be sure that you have a towel handy if your fingers get moist from handling the candy.

5. Tie the second gold bead onto the other end of the garland. If you have extra line, make sure that you tie the bead flush to the last gumdrop rather than at the end of the fishing line.

6. Spray the entire garland with the clear varnish. This will discourage pests from eating the garland and will also prevent the candy from molding or melting on the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish, you can also string other types of candy or fruit, such as peppermints with holes in the middle or cranberries, on the garland. Other people prefer to intersperse gold beads throughout the garland.

• Make sure that your children are aware that the clear varnish will not only make the garland taste bad, but it is also bad for them and can make them sick. If you have very young children, you need to either keep the garland out of reach or save this project for when they are older.