By Martha E Bishop

Reindeer craft projects are great for children of all ages. And one of my favorite reindeer crafts is making candy cane reindeer. In fact, it is one of my favorite things to do for Christmas.

Candy cane reindeer are the most versatile of reindeer craft. They can be hung on your Christmas tree or used to adorn the top of a package. I've seen them swept into an "updo" hair style and tucked into pocket protectors. Group them into a glass vase for an original holiday center piece or lay them on the plate as a place card holder. Candy cane reindeer, hot glued around a potted poinsettia turns an inexpensive plant into a gift with whimsical pizzazz.

For this candy cane reindeer craft, you need to gather up your supplies:

• Candy canes
• Pipe Cleaners (I buy one pack each of black, red and white)
• Tacky Glue
• Tiny pompoms
• 4 or 5 mm jiggle eyes
• Tooth pick
• 1/8" grosgrain ribbon
• Tiny jingle bells
• Scissors

How to Make a Candy Cane Reindeer:

1. For this specific reindeer craft, DO NOT unwrap the individual candy canes.
2. Take the ribbon and cut one end into a long chiseled point. Seal the raw edge with Tacky Glue. Let dry.
3. At the tip of the candy cane's "crook," glue on a pompom. This is the nose.
4. About 1 1/2" up from the nose, apply the eyes, side by side and touching. Let dry.
5. When the glue on the ribbon is dry, string all your jingle bells on at one time, leaving 3 to 4 inches between each bell.
6. Snip the bells apart.
7. About 2" down from the crook of the candy cane, place a dab of glue. Center the jingle bell on the front of the "neck" and tie the ribbon in a knot. Push the bell and ribbon into your dab of glue. Let dry.
8. Take a pipe cleaner and cut off two pieces from the end, each 1 ½" long.
9. Take the long piece that's left and bend it in half.
10. Take the two short pieces and twist around each end, about 1 ¼" to 1 ½" in from the ends. Twist it snugly so it won't slip.
11. Before applying the antlers, round them a little bit - both the longer shank and the shorter points.
12. At the very top of the crook, place a dab of glue. Go under the "nose" and push the pipe cleaner up against the neck of the candy cane reindeer. On the top of the neck, bring the antlers together and twist - two times around is usually sufficient.
13. Reshape the antlers until they are pleasing to your eye.

Don't limit this candy cane reindeer craft to the traditional red and white candy canes. Reindeer crafted in the green and white wintergreen candy canes are lovely. Pale, pastel candy canes can add a new twist to this traditional treat.

Don't stop with making just one candy cane reindeer. Make a whole herd, and then share!

For other types of reindeer craft, go to: http://www.missbeesdesigns.com

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