Even very young children can get involved in making a snowy tableau like this one. Create the peppermint house and landscape on a thick bed of royal icing spread over a piece of sturdy cardboard or an overturned baking sheet, then gather your new candy friends -- mice, snowmen, and whatever else you dream up -- for a stripy, sugary party of their own.

Cottage How-To

Make a cozy hideaway with a small dairy carton (put masking tape over the indentations at the top), a cup of royal icing, and an assortment of candies. We used peppermint squares for the door panels and licorice laces for window frames.

Tree How-To

Styrofoam cones, available in many sizes at crafts stores, are the foundation for the peppermint trees. Coat with a thick layer of royal icing, and trim with flat candies and a mint ball for the top.