DIY Projects & Crafts Holiday Crafts Christmas Crafts How to Make a Candy Cane Tree Topper Give your tree a sweet appeal with this brightly colored decoration made from real candy canes. Sugared gumdrops are clustered at the center as an added visual treat. By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 29, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: SHANNA SULLIVAN This candy cane craft is the culmination of so many delightful aspects of the holiday season. Plus, using gumdrops and candy canes to create a magnificent Christmas tree topper is the perfect way to spend a cold winter afternoon before Christmas. We used ours to decorate our Nutcracker-inspired "Land of Sweets" Christmas tree. What You'll Need Materials Candy canes (Smarties Candy Canes) Gumdrops Hot glue gun Scissors Spray sealant (Flex Seal Spray Rubber Sealant Coating) Cardboard Craft knife (Martha Stewart Craft Knife) Small wooden dowel (Hilitchi Fluted Wood Dowel Pins Beveled) Instructions Unwrap candy canes. Taking two at a time, face them toward each other to create a heart shape. Use a dab of hot glue on the two points where the canes touch, at the base and tip of the hook. For large candy canes, arrange 11 "hearts" (22 candy canes) in a circular shape. Dot hot glue on the points where the canes touch on their straight sides. Layer gumdrops at center of topper, securing with hot glue. Spray with clear sealant to strengthen the wreath and protect it from getting sticky in warmth and humidity. Cut a circle from cardboard as a base and affix to a small dowel to display topper on tree.