Candy Christmas Tree

Directions: Paint the flowerpot in desired colors and trim the lip with ribbon, using the hot glue. Crumple half a sheet of newspaper and place it at the bottom of the flowerpot. Paint the topiary gold or other preferred color. 

When dry, insert it into the pot until it fits snuggly. Begin attaching the candies in rows around the bottom of the tree by poking a pin through the wrapper's edge and pressing it into the foam. Continue to fill the tree working in rows from the bottom up. Fill the base of the tree with candy in the same manner. Paint and decorate the star, adhere the toothpick with glue, and attach to the top of the tree. 

Variations: Use other candies, such as peppermint twists or toffees. Instead of a flowerpot, use coffee cups or other types of containers. To give as a gift, wrap the tree in cellophane and add a bow. 

Supplies:

• Gold-colored and other assorted acrylic paints and paint brush

• Ribbon and hot glue gun

• 1 foam topiary tree, 18 inches tall

• Newspaper

• 1 6-inch flowerpot

• 2 large bags of wrapped candies with sealed edges

• 1 box of straight pins

• Toothpick

• Wood or cardboard star