Best Edible Ideas for Christmas Tree Ornaments
Fun Ways to Decorate on a Budget & Get the Kids Involved
Nov 4, 2009
Glass ornaments are elegant and polished, but there’s something cozy feeling about a Christmas tree decked out in attractive edibles. For those on a Christmas budget, or families who simply enjoy do-it-yourself projects, consider cooking up some of these delicious ornament ideas. These edible ornaments can safely be made with crafty preschoolers, with adult supervision.
Popcorn and Cranberry Garlands
Stringing popcorn and cranberries is a nice, calm family activity which leaves plenty of time for talking in between swiping handfuls of popcorn. All that’s needed to start the garlands is a big bowl of popped, butter-free popcorn; some fresh cranberries (frozen will thaw, drip, and be soggy); and a needle and sturdy thread. These garlands do take quite a long time to complete, especially if the Christmas tree to be ornamented is large, and younger children will want to be very careful with the needle. For extra fun, let the kids gently roll freshly popped popcorn in a bowl of Christmas colored glitter.
Home Baked Cookies Make the Best Tree Ornaments
Baking cookies is a cherished Christmas tradition, particularly shaped cookies (such as stars, trees, snowmen and Santa Claus) made of shortbread, gingerbread or sugar. Tasty recipes for sumptuous butter shortbread, traditional gingerbread or sweet sugar cookies can be found online or in any baking cookbook. It may be a good idea to double the recipe, depending on the expected yield, to make sure there are enough cookies for the tree and family, too.
Before baking the cookies, a small hole will need to be punched in the top so that a ribbon, string, or hook can be passed through. After the cookies are out of the oven and cooled, they can be decorated with icing (a good, thick royal icing won’t drip), sprinkles, glitter and candies. The only real challenge is refraining from eating all the ornaments before they go on the tree!
Candy Canes
For an extra splash of color and traditional fun, candy canes may be added to the Christmas tree. Store-bought candy canes are inexpensive and will stay good no matter how long the tree stays up. Their shape makes them easy to hang, and their cheerful red swirls are nothing if not tasteful. Wrapped in the plastic they’re packaged in, they can be reused in years to come or safely eaten once the tree is taken down.
Unique and Fun Ideas from the Candy Store
Garland can also be made from many edible goodies. Head to a local candy store and just watch as the ideas leap off the shelf! Wrapped lollipops, gumdrops, gummy bears and jujubes can all be threaded to create very unique edible ornamentation for a one-of-a-kind Christmas tree.
Edible Décor Ideas for Grown Ups
As shown in television commercials, the lovely Ferrero Rocher bonbons can be formed to make a sculptural Christmas tree for a tabletop or festive mantel decoration – perfect for an adult holiday cocktail party. Lindt Chocolates Lindor truffles are also well proportioned and suitable for creating a sparkling – and delicious – Christmas creation.
With some creativity and patience, all kinds of delicious, attractive, and sweet-smelling decorations can be added to a Christmas tree – making it an affordable and edible holiday to remember.
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