A Christmas tree in the living room is beautiful, but when it’s filled, it can also be good. Hanging surprising, cute or flashy sweets from the branches will give a perfect foretaste of the final meeting at the foot of the decorated tree. Here are some sweet ideas to chew on.
The classics
Yes, we canes!
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A great classic that exists in different sizes and colors
Timeless and made to measure to invite themselves into the branches of the fir tree: Christmas canes, with their red and green colours, their curvature for easy hanging and their little mint scent, are perfect for embellishing the tree and justifying frequent visits. They can be bought in batches, and some confectioners make them in larger sizes, with varying shades, to be devoured over the days.
Roundly tied balls
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
It’s not Easter yet, but that’s no reason not to rush for chocolate cocos.
Also unavoidable, the balls wrapped in aluminum and equipped with a string always remain attractive. They are very easily found in confectionery, chocolate makers or grocery stores. If our favorite chocolates are sold wirelessly, you don’t need to be a great handyman to make one.
The festive
Piece
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A small bundle that is worth its weight in delicacies
Very easy to find and bright with their golden side, chocolate pieces are often a hit with the youngest. Those sold in small batches in sachets will be very easy to integrate into a tree, by adding a simple ribbon and multiplying the treasure caches at the bottom of the branches.
Small bags of beautiful sweets
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Small stars in the branches can cause stars in the eyes.
A very simple proposal focusing on the aesthetics of candies: all you have to do is fill small transparent bags (or opaque if you want to bet on the surprise) with the bulk candies of your choice, preferably evoking Christmas, a ribbon, and the turn is done. We have set our sights on these colorful little stars, pleasant after a heavy meal. Mixes, favorites, guilty sins: everything is allowed, as long as there is a touch of fantasy.
The mignonettes
Umbrella tree
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Small chocolate umbrellas, very beautiful, and practical to protect yourself from a little craving
Original and designed to be hung, these chocolate umbrellas are just waiting to unfold in your mouth. They come in two sizes, small and large, with a variety of colors to add extra accents to the tree. Designed by Barcelona chocolatier Simon Coll, they were unearthed at the Oscar confectionery on rue Saint-Hubert.
Almond setting
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
For a change, this little box of marzipan smells like the holidays.
Okay, hanging from a branch is not the primary purpose of these little marzipans, but their super cute side convinces you to find a trick to insert them there. We can leave them in their box and sacrifice one from time to time, or pass a small string over each of them. What’s more, it’s a change from the usual chocolate and sweets. Check to see if your local baker-pastry chef makes them (these were found at the Polish pastry shop in the Jean-Talon market). At worst, they will be placed in the nursery!
A large gourmet piece
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A large slab of dark chocolate and raspberries! You can reinstall the elastic that surrounds its packaging box to be able to hang it on the branches. To be crunched on low heat.
As edible Christmas decorations are often made with milk chocolate, gourmets leaning more towards cocoa can take a look at Juliette & Chocolat, which offers various holiday bars, including this one, dark chocolate and raspberry. It’s a big chunk (80g), to be eaten in bite-sized pieces as December 25 approaches. The string around the box allows it to be hung, but a sturdy branch must be provided.
The confusing
For those with fangs
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
It’s Christmas for everyone, including for pitou. And if one of the guests inadvertently bites into one, there’s no danger, these treats are essentially made of peanut butter and apple sauce.
Pets are part of the family, right? So, why not scatter a few treats for little ones in the tree? These, available at Mondou and made in Canada, are made of peanut butter and apple compote. Some are specially planned for the holiday season (houses or gingerbread men), but it is easier to attach a ribbon to these. Is it really necessary to specify that they should be placed high in the branches, to avoid any accident with the tree?
On the way to the tea parties
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
How about a little chai tea bag with the contents visible?
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PHOTO FROM RENAUD BRAY’S WEBSITE
These little sachets would find their way on the tree. Small flat compared to deficiencies in French translation on the box.
1/2
Biting into chocolate and sweets is fine, but the holidays also happen in glasses, and a good comforting chai is always welcome. Tea bags are rarely very aesthetic, but those marketed by Camellia Sinensis, in their transparent mesh revealing the ingredients, are pretty enough to be hung from the branches. In addition, the chai blend diffuses a pleasant smell. We pass by the tree and hop, we grab a chocolate and a small sachet for a spicy break. You can also find English Tea Shop assortment boxes at Renaud Bray, with pretty individual pyramid packaging in holiday colors (the addition of a ribbon will be necessary).