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A few years ago I volunteered as a Sunday School teacher for a class of teenagers. I wanted to celebrate their birthdays but had to keep the cost of any gift fairly low, and somehow had to figure out something I thought they might actually like. Since I find teenagers and men to be the hardest groups to find gifts for, this was a challenge. My solution was a candy can aka candy bouquet! It really is what it sounds like – a can with candy sticking out of it.
At the beginning of the year I would ask each of them what their favorite candies, hobbies and colors were. Then, when we approached their birthday I would whip up one of these cans and try to personalize them as best I could using my Cricut. I have since done these for other teenage groups, for kids and even adults!
The cans look awesome, can be reused after the candy is eaten, and can be made for less than $10 a piece. They look impressive if I do say so myself and were incredibly popular. They are always a hit and they are great for birthdays, teacher gifts, as a prize for a contest or auction, and of course, as a “just because I want to” gift.
Here's a video tutorial:
Here's the supply list:
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
a small can about 5 inches tall and 4 ½ inches in diameter - Follow the link to Amazon, or you can find these at Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree and sometimes the Dollar Spot at Target
green floral foam - this is the kind that is squishier. You don't want to use the very firm kind that looks like styrofoam
skewers (the Dollar Tree sells these. So does Walmart and most grocery stores)
fun sized, full size or box candy or other treats about the same size - I used some individually wrapped cookies too
hot glue gun
hot glue sticks
optional: Cricut or Silhouette
permanent vinyl – this is my favorite
transfer tape – here is a great one that is much cheaper than other brands and works fantastically
cellophane bags - I find 18 x 22 inches works very well
glue gun stand - if you don't have one of these, you NEED one in your life
Get started making a candy bouquet:
This first part is optional but takes the gift to the next level. Personalize the can with vinyl using your Cricut or Silhouette and some permanent vinyl. (If not personalizing jump down to here). I usually use the person's name and an image of something they like such as a hobby or interest. Using favorite colors for the graphics is a bonus too. Get designing - I used Cricut Design Space.
Measure the space on the front of the can you are using taking into account that it will look better if you leave a bit of space open above and below the vinyl. Also keep in mind that it's much easier to avoid putting vinyl on top of bumps or ridges because the vinyl won't lay flat there.
Find or buy the image you want (Etsy is a great place to buy svgs that can be used for this, as well as Cricut itself). Upload the image if needed in Cricut Design Space. If you aren't sure how to do this, check out this link which goes over the process
Once you've added the image to your canvas, you can click the text button on the left and add the recipient's name if desired. Play around with fonts until you like the way the text looks by selecting your text box and clicking font from the menu at the top left.
Select the entire design to check the sizing.
Resize the image/images so that they will fit into your space. You can do this by going to the boxes at the top of the screen and changing the width (w) or the height (H). They will change proportionally to each other unless you "unlock" them by clicking the padlock button right above the measurement boxes. Then you can change only the width or only the height without it affecting the other measurement.
Cut out your vinyl. Click the Make It button in the upper right corner.
From the next screen, select the green continue button from the bottom right.
Next, select your materials. When using Oracal 651, my machine works best if I use the everyday vinyl setting and once I have selected that, I change the pressure from default to more.
When the arrow button on your Cricut begins flashing you can insert your cutting mat with the vinyl on it under the rollers and press the arrow button.
Once the mat is in the Cricut you can press the C button which will be flashing.
Once your design has been cut out, press the arrow button to eject your cutting mat.
Using a weeding tool, peel off any area or piece you don't want on your final image. For example, remove the center of any 'o' and the background itself.
Once your design is ready, cut a piece of transfer tape a bit larger than your design and place it sticky side down on top of the vinyl.
Use a scraper, the side of a credit card or gift card to rub on the transfer tape to adhere the vinyl to the tape.
Peel up the edge of the transfer tape making sure the vinyl is coming up with it. If any pieces are stuck to the backing, carefully replace that section and rub it again with the scraper.
Once the entire design has been transferred to the tape, line up your design with the area you want to place it on and press down. Use the scraper tool to rub on top of the vinyl under the tape until you think it is secure.
Now slowly peel off the transfer tape making sure the vinyl stays on the can. If a piece isn't stuck to the can, place that area back down and use the scraper to rub it into place.
If you chose not to personalize the can, this is where you jump in.
Cut your skewers down to size. In order to “tier” the candy so you can see all of it (making it look more impressive), the skewers should be three different sizes. I cut a total of about 15 skewers and just break or cut them with heavy duty pair of scissors and eyeball the sizes.
I line up two to three fun sized candies and run a line of glue down the backs of all three and place a skewer onto the glue.
If I am using a full-sized candy bar I use either one or two skewers depending on how big it is and how heavy. If any of the candy is one of those long rectangular boxes, or a larger plastic package, I will use two skewers on the back, placing them at either side.
While the glue is cooling on the candy, I use a knife to cut a block of floral foam using the can to kind of measure how tall I want it.
Then I use the knife to trim the corners off the bottom. Making it smaller allows it to squeeze into the can.
A quarter-sized blob of glue on the bottom holds it into place.
I stick the smaller pieces that were trimmed off into the cracks around the larger chunk using more glue to secure them or just making sure they are wedged in fairly tightly.
Plop some of that gift wrap filler stuff on top of the floral foam and use about three to four of the greening pins to hold it in place. It doesn't all have to be tacked down because the candy skewers will also help hold it in place. Be prepared to deal with this stuff for a while – it's like glitter and gets everywhere. It's worth it though.
Once it's secure I use a scissors to trim anything hanging over the edge. Just make sure not to cut off too much or the floral foam will show through.
It's time to add that skewered candy. I start with the longer skewers at the back of the can and put two to four things in depending on their size. Just stab those things into the floral foam.
Next stick in the middle layer and finish with the front which should be the smallest skewers.
If something ends up looking weird just pull it out and reposition.
Once you like the look of all the candy, wrap the whole shebang up in one of the cellophane bags. I carefully place the can into one of the bottom corners of the bag, bring the unused corner up toward the top in the back and then secure it all just past the very tallest candy with some long curling ribbon.
Curl the ribbon with the edge of your scissors. If your cellophane bag looks too big at the top, cut off the excess with some scissors leaving about three inches uncut.
Ta da! You have made a really cool present. And when the candy has been eaten they can use the can for holding whatever they want. Win-win!
Here's the link to subscribe and get this great gift tag that works for any celebration! If you already a subscriber, you can find this tag along with all of my free tags in my Resource Library. The link is on my homepage here and the password is at the bottom of all of my newsletters.
Happy Crafting!
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