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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