Shared by my aunt, Amy, several years ago, Candy Cups have become a gift-giving standard for me.  I’ve made them for Christmas and birthdays and with all sorts of candy.

They’re easy, inexpensive, and make gorgeous gifts for the hard-to-shop for.  Think teachers, friend,s and anyone who likes candy.  Sugar-free candy works, too!

Once all your supplies are gathered, it’ll take you about an hour to make one candy cup.

You’ll need:

• Glass or Mug (I prefer clear, but any kind will work, the heavier the better!)
• Candy with loose or twisted wrappers (example used approximately 40 oz. of peppermints)
• Styrofoam ball (size depends on your glass or mug)
• Filler for the cup – recycled paper or candy
• Bamboo Skewer
• Scissors
• Hot Melt Glue
• Greening Pins (also available at the hobby store with the floral accessories)
• Ribbon
• Cellophane

Push the bamboo skewer into the Styrofoam ball, all the way through the top. Put it in the glass to and push down until the ball is snug in the glass.

Snip off the excess skewer with your scissors. You can also use large fingernail clippers, a utility knife, or pruning shears.

With the skewer still in the glass, fill the bottom with candy. Ideas are like M&Ms, Hershey’s Kisses, or Peppermints (though you could really use any candy). Another option is shredded paper, but the candy on the ball will make the cup top-heavy, so having a heavier filler keeps it from tipping over and gives the gifted a sweet bonus.

Place a small dot of hot melt glue on either side of the rim of the cup.  Gently press the styrofoam ball onto glue, holding in place until it sets. You don’t need much, just a touch for stability.

candies in twisted wrappers

greening pins

Use greening pins to add candy to ball by poking pins through the loose end near the twist of the candy wrapper.  Depending on the candy, you can get two or three on each pin.

Start at the bottom and work your way up to the top, moving in a circular pattern.

First Round complete.

Second Round.

Third Round.

Fill in any holes with more candy & greening pins.

Final round complete, all the holes filled in.

Wrap in cellophane and embellish with a bow or ribbon.  The cellophane is optional, but it provides insurance that your candy will get from point “A” to point “B” intact.

Gift it!

Variation with M&Ms and Coca-Cola glasses

Variations by Amy Maxey – toffee coffee & bubble gum soda glass.

Find my free patterns on Sewhooked & Fandom in Stitches.

♥ Jennifer O

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