How to Recycle a Water Bottle Into a Candy Container Ornament or Party Favor

If you regularly use bottled water, you know how quickly they pile up. Cut down on your recycling load with this easy Christmas ornament or all-year party favor. A great project for scouts and other groups.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty water bottles
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• yarn or ribbon
• candy

1. 
    

   Take a water bottle and carefully cut off the top third.

2. 
    

   Cut the bottom part into 8 equal petals -- leaving 1-2 inches whole at the bottom.

3. 
    

   Punch a hole in at the top and bottom of each petal - center the holes.

4. 
    

   Cut 8 pieces of yarn or narrow ribbon -- about 8 inches long each. Thread a piece through one of the bottom holes and pull through to the center of the piece of yarn. Thread the ends of the yarn through the top hole so they criss-cross. Tie a knot at the top of the petal. Repeat with each piece/petal.

5. 
    

   Fill with candy. Divide your yarn into 2 bunches and tie at the top, bringing all the petals together in a point. Take another piece of yarn or ribbon and wrap around the yarn, tie in a bow. Trim off the ends of the yarn, so you have a neat tassel. Insert an ornament hook (if needed) into the knot.

Tips & Warnings

• Smaller candy like Skittles (shown here) or M&Ms should only fill the solid bottom of the bottle -- But larger candy like foil wrapped Hershey's Kisses or wrapped peppermints would look great and could fill the whole ornament.
• For a neater look round the edges of each petal.
• If doing this project with younger children, pre-cut the bottles and clip the corners off the petals -- they can be sharp.