Treats for the Tree

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments as a child was a tiny blue bird covered with so much sparkling glitter it looked good enough to eat. In fact, one year (when my parents weren't looking), I actually gave it a little lick, thinking it was just another holiday sweet. The cardboard taste immediately told me otherwise, and I can still remember my disappointment. Decorations so tempting should taste good, I told myself.

Today, as a parent and food writer, I know they can. Together with my children I've developed the candy ornaments listed below, many of which are so simple even my three-year-old can assemble them himself. What's more, when the holidays are over, these ornaments have a way of conveniently disappearing, saving cleanup time. Best of all, however, is the way they look hanging on our family Christmas tree. I always place them on the lowest branches, so the kids can admire and eat them.

Barbara Albright has written numerous cookbooks and is coauthor, with Cathy Guisewite, of GIRL FOOD (Andrews McMeel Publishing).