Incredible Edible Christmas Decorations

Holiday sweets and treats are part of the season, but not everyone has time to devote to extended projects. Here are three easy, edible projects – one you’ll want to eat, one that smells more delicious than it tastes, and one for your feathered friends. Whether or not you do any baking, these treats will have your house looking festive, smelling wonderful, and full of the Christmas spirit. Chocolate-Dipped Candy Canes What You Need:

• Candy canes
• Chocolate chips
• Red and green holiday sprinkles

What You Do:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper.
2. Starting at the bottom, partially peel back the transparent wrap on each candy cane. Leave enough wrap on to cover the curved handle. Touching only the covered part will keep the candy from getting grubby while you work.
3. Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until thoroughly melted.
4. Hold the candy cane above the pot and use a spoon to coat the candy cane with melted chocolate.
5. Place on the baking sheet and sprinkle liberally with sprinkles.
6. When completely cool, peel off remaining plastic wrap and discard. Wrap each cane individually in clear baker’s wrap and tie with a pretty bow. Arrange in a bowl or on your tree.

Clove Oranges What You Need:

• 1 orange
• whole cloves
• a thin ribbon
• optional: a nail

What You Do:

1. Press the cloves all over the orange, covering every inch. If pressing the cloves through the skin hurts your child’s fingers, make it easier by poking guide holes with a nail.
2. You can also choose to insert the cloves in a pretty design, leaving some of the orange uncovered. In that case, though, you’ll have to discard the orange when it starts to decay. If you cover the whole orange with cloves, it will last indefinitely.
3. Set aside in a cool, dark place to dry, about two weeks.
4. Tie a ribbon around the ball and hang it from your tree or in a doorway.

Christmas Cookies Fit For the Birds What You Need:

• Soft whole grain bread
• Peanut butter or shortening
• Birdseed
• Yarn or twist-ties from garbage bags

What You Do:

1. Use holiday cookie cutters to cut festive shapes out of the bread, reserving crusts for another purpose.
2. Use a straw to make a hole in the top of each shape.
3. Tie a ribbon or string a twist-tie through each hole.
4. Spread each shape thickly with peanut butter or shortening.
5. Sprinkle with birdseed, pressing with your hand until it adheres.
6. Hang from an outdoor tree or bush and watch the birds flock to your home for a holiday feast!