Thank you to Pam from Gingerbread Snowflakes who wrote this tutorial just for Dollar Store Crafts. Please check out her blog, which is dedicated to holiday crafting, for some amazing projects, such as Tissue Paper Candle Decorations, Felted Dala Horse Ornaments, and her INCREDIBLE House Advent Calendar. She has so many wonderful ideas – I read her archives for hours when I first came across her blog. Thanks again, Pam! – Heather

Here is a quick and easy, last minute advent count down to Christmas created from tinsel chenille stems found at the dollar store.

No need to make numbers, just clip off the candy from any tree. (A great opportunity  for children still learning to count to practice!)

And if there are two or three children in the household, two or three pieces of candy can be hung from the hook at the top of each tree.

To make the tree you will need:

• 48   12″ tinsel chenille stems found at the dollar store – 50 in a package for $1
• Sewing thread and long needle -  on hand
• Ornament hooks – on hand
• Wrapped candy – left from Halloween or on hand or purchased

Total: $1 and up
I hung mine from the garland on my mantel but they could be hung from the branches of a small tree, or from a light fixture over the dining table or in a window.

1. Overlap two chenille stems about an inch and twist together to form one long piece.

2. Form a tiny loop in one end and twist to secure. Slip an ornament hook through the loop.

3.  Use any cone shaped object around the house to form the spiral tree shape. Or make a cone out of cardboard from a cereal or cracker box.

Holding the looped end at the small end of the cone, wrap the stem tightly around the cone shape and then slip the spiraled stem off the cone.  You can tweak the trees as you wish to create a nearly perfect spiral or a whimsical spiral.

4. Thread a long needle with sewing thread.  Tie one end of the thread to the candy.  Use the needle to carry the thread up through the spirals – (the needle makes this step much easier).

5. Allow the candy to dangle slightly below the bottom of the spiral tree. Remove the needle and tie the thread to the ornament hook.

If you wish you can add a star to the top or glue tiny baubles to the stems.  But if this is a last minute project, they look festive just as they are.

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