Candy Cane Tree Kid Ornament Craft

It is time for the annual 10 Days of a Kid Made Christmas Ornament Inspired by Books event! Our host is Mama Miss and this is a link to the kick off post for 2015. She has hosted this event for several years. What a nice idea to connect the children’s books and ornaments for a memorable experience for the children. Each day there are 10 bloggers sharing ideas and books, so check back to her blog each day. Her Pinterest board with the full collection of all the ornaments is at this link.

This post has an idea for a candy cane tree craft for children to make and hang up to help decorate for Christmas. Basically, the ribbons are each just a little longer and tied onto the candy cane from shortest to longest.

To make the tree, 8 ribbons should be sized from 5 and 1/2 inches to 9 inches in half inch increments. 5 and 1/2, 6, 6 and 1/2, 7, 7 and 1/2, 8, 8 and 1/2, and 9 inch lengths worked well.

Here is the candy cane finished and hung on a basket for decor.

The Carpenter’s Gift

The book that inspired this (pale by comparison) tree craft was The Carpenter’s Gift by
nonfiction author David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. The illustrations were created by Jim LaMarche. This book is a multi generational story and inspirational about giving at the holidays.

It takes place in Depression era New York City, and Henry gets his wish for a warm house after a few turn of events. Later, Henry plants a pine cone from the tree that provided his home. The publisher also says:

“As an old man, Henry repays the gift by donating the enormous tree that has grown from that pine cone. After bringing joy to thousands as the Rockefeller Center tree, its wood will be used to build a home for another family in need.”

This reminded me of a gift of pine cones I received already this year. The pine cones were painted by a young painter. This idea may work for the children you teach, also.

This is the painter in her studio. She always wants to paint! Well, sometimes she draws. Well, sometimes she uses crayons. But her favorite is painting!