How to Make an Easy Hawaiian Candy Lei

In Hawaii, people do not only like to give and receive leis made of Hawaiian flowers and other fresh things like ferns and leaves, but we also like to exchange fun and creative leis.

Since we are at the beginning of the month of October and there is an abundant variety of individual sized candy bars and packages at this time of year due to Halloween, I thought it would be the perfect time to share with my readers how easy it is to make a candy lei or candy necklace.

You don't need a fancy candy lei making kit, specially decorated cellophane, plastic tubing, netting, or ribbon--although you can buy those items at a craft store or online store if you don't mind spending the cash. What I propose is doing something quick and easy with stuff you probably already have at home--well except you may need to get more candy:)

Directions for Making a Candy Lei

First purchase or make your own candy. Hard candies, gum, jelly beans, and the like are good. Stay away from chocolates and other candies that could melt from a person's body heat when being worn as a lei.

Have fun, for example Vegan Momma may want to make her candy lei with her little daughter and fill it with healthy treats, or Kenyo could fill his candy lei with gourmet foodie items. We also offer those cute little triangle packs of macadamia nuts individually or by the 24 count case which can save you some money.

Next, roll out a few feet of clear or tinted plastic wrap (the kind that is probably in your kitchen drawer right now) and lay it on a table. 4 feet for adult sized leis and 3 feet for children sized leis is a good average length. Place your candies down the middle of the plastic wrap spaced 1-2 inches apart. Leave 3 inches or so of space at each end of the plastic wrap so you have room to tie the ends together afterwards.

Fold over one long side of the plastic wrap to cover the candies. Fold the other end over it so it forms a loose plastic tube surrounding the candies. If you are using very small candies and the plastic wrap looks too bulky, you can trim one side of the plastic wrap first with scissors.

Cut a few lengths of curling ribbon, raffia, or any kind of decorative ribbon you may have into 6-12 inch lengths, depending if you want to knot the ribbon or tie the ribbon into bows or curl it.

Starting at one end of your lei, tie a knot or bow in between each candy to form individual compartments. When you reach the last candy, connect the end of your lei to the beginning and tie together to form a loop. Cut off any excess plastic wrap. You can tie an optional large bow or little toy over the joined area.

That is all there is to it! It is appropriate to give candy leis for any holiday or event such as a Halloween party, Christmas, Easter, graduation, birthday...

You can also make your candy lei longer and turn them into candy garlands to decorate a room!

If you enjoyed readying this post, please share it with others. Mahalo!

Comments

[Sheila]

I love this idea! Even though my family is all grown up now, we still do Christmas stockings. Making a lei with Christmas goodies would be a fun stocking stuffer.

[HawaiiVacationGifts]

Thanks for the great stocking stuffer idea Sheila!

[Angie]

That's a really neat idea! I might use that one for Christmas!

[HawaiiVacationGifts]

Please let us know if you do!

[Opal Tribble]

I'll have to try this out. I know my daughter would love this. It's also looks like a fun project. :-)

[HawaiiVacationGifts]

Hi Opal,
If you do this project with your daughter, it would make a great post with your wonderful photos!