Whenever I host the 4th of July BBQ, I like to give my guests a little something special to remember the evening. There are a lot of options to choose from, such as photos from the event or small flags, but these things can be complicated or expensive. A few years ago, I started making these candy goodie bags and they were a hit with my guests! The process is simple, inexpensive and they add a nice handcrafted touch to your party. To add an additional element of charm to your party, decorate a wicker basket with colorful ribbons and store your goodie bags in the basket as a decoration, letting your guests pick them up throughout the event. Have fun experimenting with a wide variety of candies and materials to create a look that is unique and beautiful that your guests are sure to love!

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time required: 10 minutes for a set of 10 favors
Age Range: 8 and up

Things you’ll need:
Tulle
Scissors
Measuring tape
Candy
Sparkly pipe cleaners in several colors

Things to do:
1. Measure a 6″ x 6″ square of tulle and cut it out. Try to keep your edges straight, but don’t worry about tracing and cutting a perfect square. We will trim the excess later.

2. Place a small amount of candy in the center of the tulle. Choosing pieces of candy that won’t melt is a great idea, especially during summer months, because it will keep the potential mess to a minimum.

3. Lift the outer corners of the tulle until they meet in the center and secure them with pipe cleaners. Using several pieces of different colored pipe cleaners creates a really neat look.



4. Trim any excess tulle from the top of the goodie bag.