• Candy canes add pizzazz to gift bags.candy canes image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
  
  Craft gift bags decorated with candy canes are easy to make and look festive. These instructions describe how to transform a store-bought gift bag with handles into a tasty work of art. A finished gift bag will have six detachable candy canes attached to six colored craft foam circles (or other shapes, if you prefer). Each candy cane circle will have four strands of curly ribbon tied around the cane.
  
  

Materials

• Candy canes
  Gift bags with handles
  Card stock
  Craft foam sheets
  Glue
  Curling ribbon
  Scissors
  Protractor
  Pencil
  Utility knife
  
  

Planning

• Decide how many gift bags you want to make and the sizes you want to use. Plan to put at least six candy canes on each bag. Think about what size candy canes will look good on each bag. You may want to use all the same size candy canes, or a variety of sizes. Decide if you want one color of craft foam for the circles, or several colors. Also determine what color ribbon you want.
  
  

Templates

• Measure the length of the candy canes. Using a protractor, draw a circle on the card stock one inch in diameter less than the length of the candy canes. For example, if the canes are six inches long, draw a five-inch-diameter circle. If you bought candy canes of various lengths, make each card stock circle one inch in diameter less than the canes. When you have the circle templates prepared, lay them on the craft foam sheets, draw around them, and cut them out. You will need six circles for each bag.
  
  

Circles

• Measure the width of the candy canes. Find the center of each circle and mark it lightly. Place a mark 1/4 inch above the center and another 1/4 inch below the center. Use the utility knife to cut two horizontal slits the width of the candy cane in the two marks.
  
  

Assembly

• Put a candy cane through the two slits in a circle. If the cane is too big, make the slits a bit larger. Cut four pieces of curling ribbon twice as long as the candy cane. Tie these in a knot around the cane at the upper slit and curl the ribbon. Repeat for all six candy cane circles. Arrange the candy cane circles in different spots on the gift bag. When you find an arrangement you like, glue the circles to the bag. Repeat this step for the other gift bags.