I remember falling asleep by the fireplace one Christmas because I was determined to meet Santa Claus. I was so disappointed in myself when I woke up Christmas morning to find my stocking full of presents and Santa’s cookies and milk gone. I had slept right through being in the very same room with Santa Claus!

My Dad told me the sleigh woke him up when it landed on our roof. I thought he must have super-sensitive Dad hearing, because I didn’t hear a thing.

Santa Claus stories are fun – and so is imagining what his all-important sleigh looks like.

Try this month’s craft and design your very own version of Kris Kringle’s sleigh.

Materials

√ Candy canes

√ Flat pack of gum or flat candy bar

√ Wrapping paper

√ Smaller wrapped candy or decorations

√ A driver for the sleigh such as a candy Santa, gingerbread man or a teddy graham

√ Hot glue gun, with glue

Instructions

1) First wrap your candy bar or pack of gum in wrapping paper. This will be the base of the sleigh.

2) Make a line of glue along each long edge of the candy bar or pack of gum then press a candy cane along each line making sure the hook part of the candy cane is pointing in the right direction. (See photo.) This makes the base of the sleigh. Let the glue dry at least an hour or longer to ensure a strong hold.

3) Now that you have a sleigh, you can choose what to put on it. Maybe you would like to write a nice message on the wrapped base of the sleigh. Try taping and gluing various other wrapped candies to the sleigh as mini presents and add a candy Santa or gingerbread man. Whether used as a decoration for your home or as a gift for your child’s teacher at school, these sleighs are sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Holly Harrison is a regular contributor to Lowcountry Parent. Address comments, questions or craft suggestions to editor@lowcountryparent.com.