Easy Neighbor Gift IdeaCandy Cane Popcorn and Printable Gift Bag

Hi guys!  For years we have given our neighbors and friends this Candy Cane Popcorn at Christmas time.  A couple of times I got creative and tried something new, but people always beg for us to bring back the Candy Cane Popcorn.  It’s so stinkin’ good!  Plus, it’s easy to make.  You can whip up enough for everyone on your list in just a couple of hours. 
 

All you need are Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses and microwave popcorn.  Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll sprinkle it with crushed candy cane “dust”, but you don’t have to.  It’s every bit as good without.

Candy Cane Popcorn

2 bags Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses {or white chocolate chips if you can’t find the kisses}
3 bags Pop Secret Home Style microwave popcorn {or your favorite brand}

Pop the popcorn.  Remove all the unpopped kernels and place in a large bowl.

Unwrap the kisses and place in a microwave-safe bowl.  Melt the kisses in the microwave in 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between. 

When all the kisses are melted, pour over popcorn and stir gently to coat.  Spread popcorn out on wax paper to cool and allow the candy coating to solidify.  After it is cooled and dry, break into bite-size chunks and serve {or package as gifts}.

I also designed these printable bags you can use to package it in.  Printing a cute logo on the bag makes even a brown paper lunch sack seem special.  If you’ve never printed on paper bags before, get ready for your life to be changed!  It is really easy.

How to print on a paper bag:

You will need:  

Large lunch sacks {I got the 6x12" "jumbo" bags}
A design to print {download my Candy Popcorn logo or design your own!}
ribbon

If you are using my design, you can skip ahead to the PRINTING steps.

If you want to DESIGN your own bag:
1. Open Microsoft Word.  Choose Blank Document.

2. Click on Page Layout in the upper left corner and then choose Size.  Go all the way down to the bottom of the drop-down menu and choose "More Paper Sizes".  Choose "Custom Size" in the pop-up window and enter the dimensions of your bag.  If you are using the Jumbo bags, you will enter Width: 6   Height: 12   and click OK.

3. Create your design using cute fonts and clip art -- whatever you like.  Remember, your print will turn out better if you keep it on the upper part of the bag, rather than the part at the bottom that is folded.

When you are ready for PRINTING:
1. Click on "Print" and then go to "Printer Properties".  

2. All printers are a little different, but make sure you flip the design 180 degrees so that it will print in the right spot on your bag and be right side up. For me it is under Page Layout.  Once you have checked the box, click OK.

3. Insert bag into printer as shown below:

I found it helpful to make sure the crease on the bottom of the bag was really sharp so that the printer would pull it in without a problem.

4.  Click Print and watch the magic happen:

Fill the printed bags with popcorn, tie the top with cute ribbon, and you’re all set to deliver holiday happiness to the whole neighborhood.

Merry Christmas!

Amy