Cute Candy People Gift Bags You Can Easily Make

Go to any craft store and you'll find a variety of arms, legs, heads and accessories for making dolls. For the average person, doll making isn't an easy undertaking, but when you start with bags of candy, it's a breeze to make a cute, one-of-a-kind doll gift that's oh, so sweet.

Also at the craft stores are varieties of cellophane bags that are perfect for the Candy People craft. The types of bags you'll buy will depend upon the type of doll you want to make. For example, you can make the body of the doll from a bag of candy, then add doll-making arms, legs and head. Or, you can use the bagged candy to make the body, arms and legs, then use a craft doll head to finish the project. If you're using candy for the body, you can fill a bag yourself, or you can purchase a bag of candy that is approximately the size you'll need for the doll body.

The dolls are easy enough to assemble, especially with the assistance of rubber bands. Fill a bag of candy for the body, then use a rubber band to close it. On the side of the bag, where the arm area would go, pinch a piece of the wrapper, insert the end of the doll arm, then use a rubber band to hold the bag and arm together. You'll do this for both arms before moving on to do the same for the legs of the doll. At the top of the bag, use a rubber band to hold the head of the doll.

If you've decided to make the complete doll from candy (except for the head), prepare one large bag for the body, two small, tube-shaped bags for the legs, and two smaller tube-shaped bags for the legs. Attach the arms and legs to the large bag, in the appropriate areas. Attach the head with rubber bands as well.

You can purchase just hands and feet from the doll department, to add to the candy bags, or you can eliminate the feet and hands by simply tying the bag shut. If this is your choice, cut the bottom from the tube-shaped bags before using a rubber band to affix it to its position on the doll. Now fill with candy and use a tiny rubber band to tie around the wrist and ankle areas, allowing the ends to flare out. This will happen when you tie the rubber band up a half-inch or so from the edge.

Look around at the craft store to find an outfit for the doll, or visit your local department stores for doll clothes for the Candy Character. The clothing will not only cover the rubber bands, but will add the finishing touches to the doll.

Don't want to spend so much money on doll parts? Use old toy dolls from your child's toy box, or pick up some old Barbies from a yard sale - the arms and legs from them work great for this project.

You don't necessarily have to make a doll from the candy bag. You can make a stuffed teddy bear or other stuffed critter by removing the body area of a stuffed animal you already have, or one you've bought. Tie the stuffed arms and legs onto the candy bag, then add the stuffed bear head.

The Candy Character gift bag is unique and fun to make. You can fill the bags with other items besides candy, too. Stuff it with dollar bills for a graduate, fill the bag with a onesie to give as a baby gift, or just fill with rice so it'll sit prettily on a shelf. The Candy Character bags are perfect for children's birthday parties, Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas and other special occasions, and are easy enough for most anyone to make.