If you’d like to try making a whimsical outdoor decoration, this one is easy! Hopefully, you have a Michael’s Craft Store near you where they have very large, lightweight, hollow plastic balls in stock for the holidays. They remind me of over-sized ping-pong balls and come in different sizes. They offer them in red, white & green colors. I’ve been in their stores a couple of times this year and have noticed that no one is buying them and I think it’s because they don’t know what to do with them. However, I have an idea for using them to create large, whimsical outdoor candy blow pops and I’ve included directions for you (below). If you don’t have a Michael’s near you, just locate a party store or Dollar Tree and use rubber balls instead.
You will need: Large hollow plastic balls (Michael’s) or rubber play balls in red and green, wired ribbon, clear cellophane (the kind you wrap “gift baskets” with or use pre-formed “gift basket” plastic bags (Dollar Tree), PVC pipe (cut in equal lengths; I chose 3 ft. for my garden) to be used as the lollipop stands, large suction cups, strong adhesive, wired holiday ribbon, thin wire or pipe cleaners.
Directions: After securing each plastic or rubber ball to the suction cups (add glue to suction cup AND ball for more stability), glue the bottom of the suction cup to the top of each PVC length & allow to dry well. Cut a large piece of the cellophane (large enough to cover the entire ball plus 8” extra). Center cellophane over top of ball and secure all ends underneath the ball, around the PVC or wood stick, with a piece of wire or pipe cleaner. Complete your holiday lollipops with a bow tied around the wire to hide it. Repeat. Hint: I used shrink-wrap bag & a blow dryer to suction the shrink-wrap to the ball only for a more air-tight design.
If you love decorating with CANDY at Christmas,
check out my 2 most recent Christmas Home Tours on YouTube for even MORE IDEAS!
Just click on each of the links below, turn up your speakers,
fix a cup of cocoa and enjoy some Christmas Inspiration and Ideas:
Enjoy the Creativity!
What a fun idea !! All of your Christmas decor and ideas are wonderful. Your home is truly a winter wonderland … thanks for sharing it with all of us. Merry Christmas !!
Awwww, thank you Becca. I appreciate YOU for checking them out, and for adding your “like” to my ideas… it keeps me inspired to come up with new ones! I already have some great ones ready for the next season. 🙂
How did you attach the candy canes to the shutters
Hi Lauren, I used zip ties, but you can also use heavy duty (long) ornament hooks or heavier fishing line.
Thank was a great idea!
Great idea! Why not put a light into each ball! They’d look great lit up!
Love these blow pops ! Looks like I’ll be making some soon
What glue did you use? I tried hot glue gun and it popped one of the balls. Thanks.
You’ll need a stronger glue Debbie. Something safe for all weather. Check the DIY stores. I used Gorilla.
Love the idea !! What size suction cups and where can you get them? I didn’t see them pictured.
Thanks
Lisa Me
Thanks Lisa… buy the largest ones you can find. I measured the opening to my PVC and matched that to the knob on the top of the suction cup to make sure it fit inside the PVC opening. Enjoy the Creativity! Eileen
Hi there! I know this post is from 2010, but I LOVE the blow pop suckers you mage but when I say I CAN’T FIND THEM AT MICHAEL’S NOR ANYWHERE ONLINE, I cannot find them:( Amy advice?!
Thanks so much
I made them from children’s playballs (dollar store) and pvc pipe Stephanie. I’m not sure where you would find them.
Where do u get the suction cups at
I found them at the hardware store Cristina.
Love these ideas
How big are the balls you used? Can you show pictures of the suction cup and ball step?
Hi Michelle, sorry for the late response… tis the season! 😉 I used 10″ play balls from the dollar store.
Enjoy the Creativity! Eileen
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how did you make the wreath and candy canes on window?
I didn’t… those were purchased