How to Make Christmas Ornaments With Candy Molds

Make recycled Christmas ornaments out of paper.

Making Christmas ornaments out of candy molds is a project that can be shared by children and adults; the best part is, these are recycled ornaments that make use of old newspapers, magazines or printer paper. Plan to make the decorations at least a week before you plan to hang them or give them away because they take time to dry.

Things You'll Need

• Paper (recyclable)
• Water
• Blender
• Candy molds
• Cooking spray
• String or ribbon
• Scissors
• Acrylic or tempera paint (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose the type of paper you want to recycle. Newspaper makes gray-colored molds, but is suitable for painting. If you want unpainted white ornaments--snowflakes, for example--use bits of blank white printer paper.

2. Tear the paper into small pieces and fill a blender about halfway. Pour warm water into the blender to the highest fill line.

3. Blend the paper and water, first on the slowest speed, gradually blending faster until it's a smooth pulp. If desired, blend in some glitter.

4. Spray candy molds with cooking spray. Press the paper pulp halfway into the molds.

5. Cut string or ribbon into eight-inch pieces. Fold them into loops. Place the open ends of the loops on top of the pulp in the molds and add pulp so that each mold is full and each one has a string or ribbon ornament hanger.

6. Place the molds in a dry place. Allow at least 48 hours and up to several days to dry.

7. Remove ornaments from molds. Finish with paint, stickers or other ornamentation, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• To make ornaments that can be planted in the spring, add some wildflower seeds to the pulp in Step 5.

References

• Pioneer Thinking: Making Handmande Paper