As an alternative to gingerbread houses, try making Christmas Trees from sugar cones with the kids! This activity requires less setup, fewer materials, and is a much easier clean up (as long as the sprinkles stay where they can be swept!). The finished product makes a beautiful display to enjoy all season long: trees dressed for the holidays in a winter wonderland of sugar.

Supplies Needed:

• 6-12 sugar cones
• 1 can of frosting (green or white) for every 6 cones
• Plastic bag for piping frosting*
• Sprinkles! (have a few options for variety)
• White granulated sugar for “bed of snow” display

* Piping bags with metal or plastic tips work well. You can also use a plastic storage bag with the corner snipped.

Directions:

1. Prepare the frosting by spooning it into the plastic bag. Cut out one corner, a very small cut, between ¼ inch and ½ inch. This works best with one or two spoonfuls at a time, you can always refill if needed.
2. Frost the outside of the cone, making it green to resemble a Christmas tree. For smaller children, spreading the frosting with a butter knife might work best.
3. Holding the cone from the inside, decorate it with your choice of sprinkles. Be careful as the cones can be brittle!
4. Display all of your decorated trees in your “bed of snow” made from basic white granulated sugar.