Fender Washer Peppermint Candy Ornaments on Holiday Tree

DIY Fender Washer Peppermint Ornament

Transform simple fender washers into charming peppermint candy ornaments that bring a sweet touch to your holiday tree! These delightful ornaments look just like wrapped candies and are perfect for adding a whimsical, festive touch to your decorations.

Difficulty Level: Easy
Time Required: 40 minutes (plus drying time)
Cost: Under $10
Age: 8+ with adult supervision
Watch How It's Made

Materials Needed

Hardware:

  • 1-1/2" OD Fender Washers

Paint Supplies:

  • White acrylic paint
  • Red acrylic paint
  • Paint brushes

Ribbons:

  • Red wire ribbon
  • 1/4" white ribbon
  • Additional ribbon for hanging (your choice)

Tools:

  • Scissors
  • Pencil (optional for marking stripes)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Paint Base Coat

Apply 2-3 coats of white paint to the fender washer, allowing each coat to dry completely.

Pro Tip: Light, even coats will give you better coverage than one thick coat and prevent drips.
Step 2: Create Stripes

Paint alternating red stripes around the washer. You can freehand these for a handcrafted look, or use a pencil to mark guidelines first.

Pro Tip: For perfectly spaced stripes, divide your washer into 8 equal sections before painting.
Step 3: Add Wrapper Effect

Once paint is completely dry, tie white ribbon around the inside to the outside on both sides of the washer. Add a 3-inch piece of red wire ribbon in the middle on each side.

Step 4: Style the Ribbons
  • Fluff out the ends of the red wire ribbon
  • Cut the ends in a zigzag pattern to create a candy wrapper effect
  • Use the sharp side of open scissors to curl the white ribbon ends
Step 5: Add Hanging Loop

Tie your chosen ribbon to the top of the ornament for hanging.

Creative Variations

  • Color Options:
    • Green and white for mint candy look
    • Blue and white for winter theme
    • Pink and white for sweet peppermint
  • Pattern Ideas:
    • Spiral pattern instead of stripes
    • Dots or swirls for unique candy designs
    • Metallic paint accents for extra sparkle
  • Ribbon Variations:
    • Use glitter ribbon for extra shine
    • Try different widths of ribbon for varied effects
    • Mix multiple ribbon colors for more festive look
  • Display Ideas:
    • Create sets with varying sizes of washers
    • Use as gift package decorations
    • String multiple ornaments together for a candy garland
Pro Tips:
  • Paint the edges of the washer first, then work on the flat surfaces
  • Use a hair dryer on low heat to speed up drying time between coats
  • Keep ribbon tails equal lengths for balanced appearance
  • Make several at once while your paint is out

Ready to Make Your Peppermint Ornaments?

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