Traditions - Nordstjernan

How to make a smaellkaramell

The "smällkaramell," probably the most favorite homemade Christmas ornament in Sweden. It is pretty and long-lasting, if you treat it with care. Here's how to make it.

How to make a 'smällkaramell'
In case you missed a recent Christmas workshop at one of the Swedish or Nordic institutions in America, here, to the right and step by step, is how to make a Swedish “smällkaramell” for your Christmas tree - as fun to make as it is to hang in your tree. Some people put a gift or even some cany inside, but opening it will needless to say ruin the ornament.

1.You need: Colored tissue paper (use several layers and at least two colors. We used two layers of green and one layer of red). An empty toilet paper roll or paper towel roll. Clear tape. String or yarn. A pretty image to glue on (we used a Christmas sticker). Scissors.

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2. Stack the tissue paper, layer on top of layer. The color at the bottom will be the main color. Put the empty roll in the center and mark the tissue at both ends of the roll with a pen.

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3. Draw parallel lines across the tissue that intersect the marks (we used a ruler to help make the line straight, but it’s really not necessary).

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4. Fold the edges back and forth to create accordion-like folds on both sides toward the two lines you’ve drawn in the middle. Stop when you reach those lines.

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5. When you’ve folded both sides it should look like this.

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6. Cut the folded paper all the way up to the lines. The thinner you cut, the more “curls” your finished “smällkaramell” will have.

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7. When you’re done, it should look like this.

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8. Put the empty roll in the middle of one side and roll it to the other like this.

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9. Fasten the tissue paper with a piece of clear tape.

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10.Carefully (you don’t want to mess up the “curls”) thread your string through the roll, and fasten the ends (we curled them with the scissors but you don’t have to).

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11. Glue or stick on something Christmassy.

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12. Voilà! You’ve got yourself a Swedish “smällkaramell” —an age-old tradition and an ornament we guarantee you’ll find in most homes for Christmas. If you’re careful when you pack it away, you can use it for many years to come.

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