How to Decorate a Candyland-Themed Hat for a Christmas Tree Topper

Transform your Christmas tree into a whimsical Candyland dream with this adorable DIY candy-themed hat topper! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to decorate a sturdy, velvet-covered top hat with handcrafted faux sweets like donuts, macaroons, and ribbon candy, all made from easy-to-find craft supplies.

Whether you’re going full-on pastel Candyland or adding a touch of sugar to a traditional tree, this topper is a sweet showstopper. Let’s get crafting!

Supplies You’ll Need:

To Decorate the Hat:

• DIY sturdy top hat (cardboard base, covered in velvet or felt)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Mod Podge
• Acrylic craft paint (pastel shades like pink, blue, mint, yellow)
• Foam paint brushes or regular craft brushes
• Puffy paint (optional for “icing” effect)
• Toothpicks or skewers
• Paper plates for glitter control
• Fishing line or floral wire (for attaching pieces to the hat or tree)

For Faux Donuts:

• Foam rings (around 4″ diameter)
• Mod Podge + paint mix
• Polymer clay sprinkles or glitter
• Styrofoam blocks to hold donuts while drying

For Faux Macaroons:

• Foam discs (Dollar Tree or craft store)
• Scissors or sanding block (to round the edges)
• Yarn (for “filling” between macaron layers)
• Glitter (chunky or fine)

For Ribbon Candy:

• Glitter foam sheets (non-adhesive or adhesive-backed)
• Ruler and scissors or rotary cutter
• Hot glue gun
• Optional: Adhesive-backed foam for easier handling

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Your Tree Topper Hat

Start with your sturdy hat base. I made mine from cardboard and covered it in a beautiful pink velvet. You can also use felt, foam sheets, or paper, depending on your style. For an extra professional touch, I even lined the inside!

Once your base is ready, set it aside while we create the sweet treats.

2. Create Faux Donuts

1. Use foam rings (about 4 inches wide) to act as your donut base.
2. Mix equal parts Mod Podge and paint in your chosen color (I used pastel blue, pink, yellow, and green).
3. Insert a skewer into the foam ring so you can paint it without mess.
4. Coat the entire donut in the Mod Podge/paint mix.
5. While the donut is still wet, sprinkle on polymer clay sprinkles or glitter.
6. Place into a foam block to dry.

Tip: Mix different sprinkle styles for a bakery-fresh look!

3. Make Faux Macaroons

Take a foam disc and trim the edge with scissors or sand it for a rounded shape.

1. Paint the outer rim using your Mod Podge/paint mix. Don’t worry about the flat center — it’ll be hidden.
2. Add glitter while still wet.
3. Once dry, glue a piece of yarn between two discs for the “filling.”
4. Let dry fully before attaching to the hat.

Tip: Use soft pastel shades to match the Candyland theme; think mint green, lavender, butter yellow, and blush pink.

4. Craft Ribbon Candy

1. Cut strips of glitter foam sheets (about 1″ wide).
2. Fold and glue in alternating directions to mimic the classic ribbon candy shape.
3. If using non-adhesive sheets, glue two pieces back-to-back first for a firmer shape.
4. Continue folding and gluing until you reach your desired candy length.
5. Trim the end and let it dry.

Tip: These look especially cute when made in alternating pink and blue or red and white!

5. Assemble the Hat Decorations

1. Once all your candy pieces are dry, arrange them on the top and brim of your hat to plan your layout.
2. Use hot glue to attach the donuts, macaroons, and ribbon candy securely.
3. Add sprinkles, glitter, or puff paint icing around the “icing” band of the hat for extra flair.
4. To make the topper tree-ready, glue fishing line or floral wire to the bottom so you can secure it in place.

Display & Decorate!

Once complete, place the hat proudly on top of your tree! It’s the perfect focal point for a Candyland, whimsical pastel, or fun kids’ holiday tree.

You can even pair this topper with other DIY candy ornaments, foam lollipops, or your handmade ribbon bows to pull the whole look together.

Pro Tips:

Keep a styrofoam block or old box handy for holding painted items while they dry.

• Mix paint + Mod Podge so you only need to do one step; it seals and sticks!
• Reuse skewers and sprinkles by working over paper plates.
• If your hot glue leaves strings, blast it with a hair dryer on low to melt them away.
• Use puffy paint to create faux frosting drips for extra sweet detail.

Final Thoughts

Decorating your own Candyland tree topper hat is such a fun and creative way to personalize your holiday décor. These handmade sweet treats look so realistic and sparkly; you’ll fool everyone into thinking your tree is a holiday bakery!

Let me know if you make one and tag me on social so I can share your creation.

Happy crafting, sweet friends!