Finished Allen Key Candy Cane Ornament on Holiday Tree

DIY Allen Key Candy Cane Ornament

Transform an ordinary Allen key into a charming candy cane ornament for your holiday tree!

Watch How It's Made

Printable Instructions

Download the step-by-step instructions to take to your workspace.

📄 Download PDF Instructions
Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: 30 minutes (plus drying time)
Cost: Under $10
Age: 5+ with adult supervision

Materials Needed

Fasteners & Hardware

  • 1/4" Long Arm Allen Key / Hex Key (L-Wrench)
    • Quantity: 1 per ornament
    • Material: Any finish (will be painted)

Additional Materials

  • White acrylic paint
  • Red acrylic paint
  • Clear protective sealant (optional)
  • Ribbon (1/4 inch width)
  • Fine-grit sandpaper (optional)
  • Painter's tape (optional)

Safety First!

  • If being worked on by a child, adult supervision is recommended for painting
  • Cover workspace to protect from paint

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preparation
  • Clean the Allen key thoroughly
  • Dry completely with clean cloth
  • Optional: Lightly sand surface
Step 2: Painting
  • Apply white base coat
  • Allow to dry completely (5 minutes)
  • Create diagonal stripes with painter's tape (optional)
  • Paint red stripes
  • Remove tape while paint is wet (if using the painter tape)
Step 3: Finishing
  • Allow paint to dry (10-15 minutes)
  • Cut ribbon to 6-8 inches
  • Tie ribbon for hanging

Creative Variations

Traditional Holiday

  • Classic red and white stripes
  • Red velvet ribbon
  • Optional glitter coating

Modern Metallic

  • Silver base with gold stripes
  • Metallic ribbon
  • Chrome finish effect

Rustic Style

  • Distressed white base
  • Burgundy stripes
  • Twine for hanging

Pro Tip: Perfect Stripes

For the cleanest stripes, use thin masking tape and remove it while the paint is still slightly wet. This prevents paint from peeling and creates sharp lines.

Ready to Start Creating?

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