Goody, Goody... 5 fun things to do with Gumdrops

Gumdrops just make me happy.

They are bright, colorful and festive any time of year.

They are also one of the most versatile of all the goodies in candyland.

Here are some of my favorite ways to use them...

Yellow gumdrops with a sprig of rosemary make instantly festive pineapples.

Much more convenient than a trip to Hawaii!

Gnome matter how hard I try, 

I can not resist these legendary garden creatures...

A scoop of ice cream, sugar cone and strategically place gumdrops, 

turn an ordinary desert into a magical treat!

(I use Clover Sonoma Sweet Cream, 

not only is it the perfect color but I think it makes the perfect scoop.)

The word drop often has a negative connotation, 

"I dropped my phone", "She dropped the ball", etc.

But if you put the word after lemon or gum it makes everyone smile.

Why not combine the two into a happy hour crowd pleaser?

I shake together:

2 oz chilled vodka, 1/2 oz Triple Sec, 1 oz simple syrup and juice of half lemon

Garnish with floating slice of lemon and skewered yellow gum drops.

I make sure the gumdrops rest on top of the liquid,

 so the sugar from the candy dissolves into the cocktail!

Upgrade the gingerbread man's house to a sweet and colorful abode...

Nestle him in an acrylic house full of gumdrops 

and he'll have the most festive place on the block.

Lastly, gumdrops make the perfect wreath.

They are ideal for decorating cupcakes, cookies or simply on a plate...

Sweet holiday wishes!

Gingerbread house for airheads!

0. This post has been sponsored by Airheads. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
   

The holidays just aren't the same until we've built a gingerbread house.

My kids always look forward to it,
it just kicks off the merry and bright season.

This year's was the easiest and cutest one yet, 

we used only tangy, taffy Airheads candies to decorate!

Not only are they sweet, fruity, vibrant and delicious, 

because they are moldable there are endless ways to accessorize your house.

Armed with a stack of Airheads bars, and a gingerbread kit with white frosting
we got to work building our abode...

One of my favorites are the whimsical trees.

Colorful and fun on their own or easily decorated with "ornaments"...

You can have a whole forest of trees in just minutes.

All you need are Airheads bars, kitchen scissors, a ruler and a fine tip marker 

(mine has edible ink but any marker will do if you aren't eating them)

Line up your ruler...


On the back side of the bar,
make a mark at 1 inch at both sides, then at 1/2 inch intervals down the bar...

Cut the 1" section into a point for the top of your tree...

Then cut horizontally at the first of your marks, 

being careful to stop before you hit the crease in the middle of the bar

(it is a perfect guide for the center!).

Next go down your tree to the next marker,

 and cut up diagonally to meet the cut you made prior...

Continue until you have your desired height and repeat on the other side...

(and save those triangular scraps for your ornaments - see below)

Ta Da....

A gingerbread house is not complete without candy canes.

Using Airheads, you can make them in a variety of sizes and I love mixing up the colors...

For these, I took 2 colors of Airheads bars and cut them into approximately 2 inch strips...

then using kitchen scissors, I cut thinner strips in each color for my first cane...

About 3 seconds in the microwave made them perfectly soft and pliable to roll...

then twist together...

and curve your cane...

To make ornaments for trees or rooftop decor, 

simply save your scraps

(if you haven't eaten them all)

or cut tiny bits of Airheads and roll into tiny balls.

The warmth of your hands softens them up...

I have to say we've got the most amazing house on the block, 

especially after putting down the Airheads Xtremes landscaping.

Happy decorating!

For more fun ideas on how to craft with Airheads visit and follow them on Pinterest. To

learn more about Airheads candy visit their website and follow them on Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

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The Easiest Gingerbread Houses Ever

I have a confession.

 I don't like making Gingerbread Houses.
There I said it.

I love the idea and I'm thrilled when other people do it but,

mine never turn out they way I imagine, it's messy, sticky and frustrating.

So, I have cheated to created the easiest 

Gingerbread Houses Ever...

Still cute, fun and cheery

and all you need are

Gingerbread People and Gum Drops

(I got both of the Pepperidge Farm Cookies and Gum Drops at Safeway)

Plopped into clear acrylic houses and you are done!
(houses at select Michael's stores)

and if you want to have the fanciest house on the block,
add Christmas Lights
(flashing necklace also from the supermarket)

bloomdesigns sundayshowcase skiptomylou pintsizedbaker projectinspired homework