Homemade Christmas Treats: Stocking Stuffers!

As a mom with 3 kids, I know well how to stuff a stocking. Stockings are one of my favorite parts of Christmas. I love them so much, in fact, that last year, I decided to start collecting them. I hung them all over the living room. This year, I plan to dig out some suction cups, and hang a stocking of some sort in every main room window.

One thing I've been interested in, though, is making stocking stuffer treats from scratch. Something the kids will enjoy, and that doesn't come from the store. In my extensive blog, forum, and website browsing, I've come across a few interesting ideas.

Now... to limit myself to just a few, so I'm not fattening the kids up for 2010!

Fast & East Peppermint Marshmallow Kabobs- These are simple to make, and sound great. I know my kids and Nick will love these! Skewer mini-marshmallows on a wooden kabob stick (found in big packs at any department store for around $2), then cover them in melted chocolate, and sprinkle with crushed candy canes! Freeze immediatly so the marshmallows don't melt. Wrap individually, tie with a bow, and pop them into the stockings!

You'll Need:
Mini Marshmallows
Wooden Skewers
Meltable Chocolate (baking chips work)
Peppermint candies or candy canes
Cello bags
Ribbon

Candy Bar Snowman- So simple & easy, though the treat isn't homemade. The idea shows it using a Hershey's bar, but I think this would be cute with other candy bars, as well, such as a Twix bar. Wrap a candy bar with white paper, and add a cheery snowman face. Add a fleece scrap for a scarf, and make a tiny hat out of fleece scraps. These would take a bit more time with the small amount of sewing, but would be just adorable!

You'll need:
1 Candy Bar per person
Fleece Scraps
Markers
Sewing Machine


Rice Krispie Treat Pops- Simple & cute, and of course, easy to make! Make the treats according to the directions, then cut into squares. Add a popsicle stick to them, and dip them into melted chocolate. Add sprinkles to the top, then wrap in cello bags, and tie with a ribbon!

You'll Need:
Rice Krispies or Generic cereal
Marshmallows
Butter
Popsicle sticks
Meltable Chocolate
Sprinkles
Cello bags
Ribbon

Snowmen on a Stick- This is one a friend of mine on Gather did last year, which I thought was adorable! I even helped by giving her an idea on what to use for the scarves (fruit by the foot!). The link also gives other ideas on what she made to put into stockings. The article does not give instructions, so they are listed below the ingredients.

You'll Need:
Large Marshmallows
York Peppermint Patties
Reeses Bell's (These are a Holiday specialty- bell shaped Reese's cups)
Black piping frosting, thin- not gel!
Orange piping frosting, thin- not gel!
(The gel melts and runs)
Wooden skewers
Cello bag
Ribbon

What To Do:

Skewer 3 large marshmallows, leaving about half an inch of space on top. Skewer 1 Peppermint patty on top of the marshmallow, and pipe a tiny bit of frosting to the top, to help 'glue' the Reese's bell to the patty. Skewer the bell into place, making sure not to poke it out of the top of the bell.

Using Fruit by the Foot, cut a length off, and cut the edges to fringe, then wrap it around the 'neck' of the snowman, and knot it into place if you are able.

Lastly, pipe the arms, buttons, and face onto the snowman. Wrap in cello & tie with a ribbon!

Christmas Candy Train- Perfect for the little train lovers in your family! These have been around for a long time, and are pretty easy to make. If you would like, you can wrap the longer pieces in construction paper to hide the logo's and candy wrappers. Keep all candy wrapped up! Using just a small dab of hot glue, you can glue these into place without melting the wrappers, or having glue seep into the candies.

You'll Need:
1 package of stick gum, small, such as Juicy Fruit or Big Red. No Plen-T-Packs!
1 roll of live savers or breath savers
1 Hershey's kiss
1 wrapped Caramel
4 Round hard candies, wrapped
Glue

I hope you enjoyed these Christmas candy treats, and hope you'll share any ideas you have made in the past or for this year, as well! Comments are loved & appreciated!