I know it's too early...

...but I can't help myself! I've been dreaming up a new Christmas Tree theme for this year.

Typically I'm happy with my mini trees all over the house, "MY" tree which is only decorated in white & silver on a tall skinny clear pre-lite tree  (think snowflakes, icicles, stars, birds, etc...) and Bobby and the girls have their multi-colored pre-lite tree with all their misc ornaments.

Sadly, the flooding that got mixed in with our unplugged upright freezer with thawed out frozen food/meats ruined my tree... [cue the sad "awww" soundbite] ...Bobby tells me I can't have a new tree this year.

So, what's a girl to do? Dream up a new themed tree! I want a multi-colored (think the hip pink/aqua/purple/lime colors) candy Sweet Shoppe Tree. I envision a sweet display of  thick color ribbon, sprays of glittery balls spring out from the tree, ornaments of lollipops, cakes, ice cream, popsicles, frosted cookies, gingerbread girls & boys, gingerbread houses and the like.

However, when I popped into the Dollar Tree today, the color scheme I was going to go with went out the window (unless, I do get another tree).

I brought home goodies in bright red and green. I am still going to do the candy theme, but it will be more of the peppermint candy theme.

Let me show you what I got....for $45...

I love these signs, they will add some "bulk" to the tree that is so stylish right now. I bought 2 each of the Joy and HoHoHo but only one Peace, mainly because the coloring was different.

This curling ribbon was so cute with the matte & shiny and the skinny & fat paper ribbon. There are 2 each so I'm going to alternate them and make them part of my tree topper.

What's a candy tree without large candycanes? These will be fun sticking from the tree too!

I'm not a fan of bulky garland on trees, but the shimmering of this would certainly add some glam to my tree with a hip look to it, keeping it on the trendy side.



Finally, the candy! Bring on the candy! :) LOL Here are some "wrapped candies", they have a hole drilled in the bottom of each one, so I guess you could create a garland or hang something from the end. I bought several of these, to have them sprinkled throughout the tree.

Here are some CANDY ornaments made from a resin material. I had planned on making some from Sculpy clay but this is cheaper and hey, it's faster! There are other projects that I can make to get the satisfaction of creating something. So, I bought several packs to fill out the tree.



I also found ribbon candy made from translucent red and white plastic. I'll still make ribbon candy from ribbon and ribbon spirals. I'll add more details on that later when I get ready to make them.

Here's, what I got to work on and I'm probably most excited about this.

The label on the flat round Styrofoam circles (2 in each package) reads 4 7/8 x 3/4". I plan to make two different things from these.

I will print out a peppermint candy pattern and glue to the front and back. then use that handy dandy transparent clear gift wrap (you know, the stuff you wrapped your gift baskets in) twisting the ends to make them look like over-sized peppermints! Much like this :

 

The others, will be turned into lollipops once I pick up some thin dowel rods and cut them down to size. I will insert the stick in and secure it with a little glue to make lollipops! I have several options for the lollipop design but I think I'll go with a glue & glitter option. I do glove my glitter!  Again, I'll share pictures when I make them.
Here is an inspiration piece, you know with Styrofoam, I can carve the design in it easily.

 

The little round balls you see...well, I have two ideas for these, and will have to pick up another pack. These are just white with a little glitter on them (they had gold and silver...but not the look i wanted for this tree) they are made of Styrofoam, I will insert them onto floral wire, add red glitter then I have my glittery sprays to spring from the top of the tree.

But when I got home I realized they would make awesome little lollipops. I can pick up normal lollipop sticks, but I'll insert the stick slightly off center to add the more whimsical look.  I'll add glitter to them of course!



I nearly forgot to share this cute little guy. He'll be cute on the tree too! :)