DIY Candy Cane – The Sweetest Christmas Decoration!

I LOVE Christmas. The streets start glowing with lights, Christmas trees pop up everywhere, and the radio only plays festive songs like All I Want for Christmas is You (a classic!). And of course, Home Alone is always on TV — as it should be. But the best part? Sharing this magical season with the people we love. Seeing family and friends gathered around the Christmas table is hands down one of the most heartwarming moments of the year.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make an adorable clay candy cane to bring the Christmas spirit into your home! It’s super easy — let’s get started?

Watch the full video tutorial here!

You’ll need:

• Air-dry clay
• Acrylic gesso (optional)
• Fine sandpaper (optional)
• Paint (I’ll be using white and pink!)
• White glitter
• Glossy varnish
• Sisal cord

1. Shape your candy cane

Let’s begin by making the candy cane. Before you start shaping, knead your clay well to soften it. Then, divide it into two equal parts and roll them into two long ropes of roughly the same thickness. Dampen one side of each rope lightly with your finger and some water — no soaking! Now, gently twist the ropes around each other to form a swirl. Be careful to keep their rounded shape as much as possible. If needed, add a little more water at the joints.

Trim the ends and smooth them out with water. Then, bend the twisted clay into a candy cane shape and let it dry completely — usually between 24 to 48 hours (check the instructions on your clay’s packaging).

2. Prep for painting

Once it’s dry, you can prep your candy cane for painting. This step is optional, but it really helps give your piece a polished, professional finish.

Start by using a fine sandpaper to smooth the surface, then wipe away the dust with a damp cloth. Then apply gesso using a firm brush or spatula in thin layers. Gesso helps cover tiny cracks or imperfections. Let it dry completely (this may take a few hours).

3. Time to paint!

Now comes the fun part — painting! Paint your candy cane however you like. I’ll be using white and pastel pink because I love the soft, sweet look. But this is where you can go wild — try rainbow stripes if you want!

To create a sugary effect, brush on a layer of white glue and sprinkle white glitter over it. Finally, seal everything with varnish. I recommend using spray varnish for an even finish — it’s quick and easy. But if you don’t have it (like me!), use a soft brush to dab on thin layers of liquid varnish, preferably with a glossy finish. Don’t drag the brush, or it may move the glitter. Instead, use light tapping motions and gently spread. You can also mix the glitter in the white glue and then apply it. That way, the glitter won’t fall off!

4. Add a cord to hang it!

If you want to hang your candy cane, just tie a piece of sisal cord to it! In the video, I show you a strong knot that won’t come undone: the Square Knot. It might look like a regular knot we all use every day, but watch closely — it's slightly different. The way I tied it is great because it’s not permanent: you can easily remove the cord if you don’t want to hang the candy cane, and then put it right back on when you do!

---

Thanks to the magical world of DIY, you can create beautiful Christmas decorations from scratch — and it’s such a fun activity to do with your friends and family! Challenge them to make sweet candy canes with you and see whose turns out the cutest!

Don’t miss the upcoming Christmas DIYs I’ll be posting here on the blog, and let me know in the comments what you think or if you have any requests!

Wishing you the sweetest, sparkliest Christmas ever!

See you next time! Ladybug out!