How to String Popcorn and Cranberries

Nothing brings back childhood Christmases like long strings of popcorn and cranberries, and it's still a great project for kids (since popcorn is a relatively healthy snack and cranberries are inedible).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Needles (s)
• Sturdy Threads
• Cranberries
• Popcorn

1. Pour cranberries into a bowl and pick out and throw away any soft or brown ones.

2. Pop the popcorn (microwave is fine - just get the "natural" kind) and let it cool.

3. Thread a needle with heavy-duty thread (such as buttonhole or quilting thread); pull until doubled.

4. Thread one cranberry down to the end and knot the thread around it to make an anchor.

5. Carefully thread popcorn and cranberries alternately or in a pattern until thread is full. Leave enough of an end to tie another cranberry-knot when you're done.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on your popcorn and cranberry strings, especially if you make them early in the season; after a few weeks, they get kind of sad and old looking.
• If you've got kids of different ages, it's a good idea to do this while the younger ones are napping or busy at something else. Cranberries taste bitter, but they're still a choking hazard for very young children, and needles are sharp.

[Papercraftdiva]

on 12/8/2008 If you want to keep the garland from year to year, start with slightly stale popcorn, then string it using the instructions above. After the holidays, store the garland in a large, sealed plastic bag in a cool location and it will keep for decades! My family strung popcorn in the 1980's and I finally had to discard it (kernels break over the years) last year. You can purchase clear finish spray sealants at arts & crafts stores which will add a little shine and help preserve the popcorn, but be careful to use a very light coating (in a well-ventillated area) to prevent the popcorn from disintegrating from the moisture in the sealant.

[Pepsigal525]

on 4/19/2007 That sounds great. Could you dip the strings of popcorn and cranberries in something to coat them to preserve them? Just a thought...

on 1/4/2006 String smaller sections of popcorn on fishing line (preferably) tie the ends together to form a round wreath. Use liquid glue and dilute it with a little water, in a small bowl. Dip the popcorn wreath in the glue mixture, immediately sprinkle with green glitter, let dry on wax paper. Take cranberries and glue to the wreath. Hang on tree as ornaments.

on 11/22/2005 I found an old reel of fishing line to string our cranberries and popcorn. I also added gold raisins - they seem to shine with the lights on the tree.

on 11/22/2005 It's easier to string the popcorn on dental floss.