This, my friends, is a fun gift idea inspired by the Berlin Candy Bomber. And if you don’t know who the Candy Bomber is, you should! His story is just the most heartwarming thing ever.
In fact, here is a video that will you introduce you to Col. Hal Halvorsen. This is actually a promo video from PBS for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert they’ll be broadcasting this year throughout December—the “Candy Bomber” story was narrated by Tom Brokaw in the middle of this concert. So tune in at 1:33 to hear part of the story!
Guys, I mean it. Tune in right now. No skipping. You will cry it’s so touching. I myself never cry when watching movies, but this little video had me!
Gathering your tissues now? Good. Get a basket, some candy, tissue paper, and string while you’re at it. Oh, and maybe some tape and an inkpen. That’s all you need in order to “candy bomb” someone for yourself!
So this DIY is kinda self-explanatory…
1. Create a “parachute” out of tissue paper and string. I got the directions for this from the Christmas From Heaven book about the Candy Bomber (not sure I can share their directions, so I won’t!) but feel free to just wing it. You got this 🙂
2. Add some text to the top of the parachute, if you like, with an inkpen.
And you know what? I bet if you wanted your parachute to have a permanent round shape you could set it on top of a balloon, paint Mod Podge over it, and let it dry. Ha, sorry I don’t have tutorial shots for that, but it’s an experiment I’ll let one of you try!
3. Decorate your basket (optional, of course.) But, as my mom says, “Tie a bow around anything, and it becomes a present.”
4. Fill your basket with candy.
5. Attach the parachute to the basket. Nothing special here. As long as it kinda stays for when the person will be receiving it, it’s fine. Obviously you won’t actually be dropping it. (Well…I hope that was obvious.)
6. Provide the recipient with some way of knowing the story of the Berlin Candy Bomber. You can give them a link to the video like I did here, hand-write the story, give them a copy of Christmas From Heaven, or even give them a copy of the Christmas concert featuring this story along with the basket. Just so that they get the reference!
7. Again, optional, but you should totally leave this on someone’s doorstep and run away. Leave something telling them they’ve been “candy bombed!” How fun is that?? Seriously…I think dressing up in black, sneaking up on someone’s house with a friend, ringing their doorbell, and running away is the funnest most fun, most exhilarating thing ever. Not to mention hilarious as you try not to get caught.
So let’s go shower people with candy, mmkay? Do it for Hal. Do it for Christmas!
Ready set go.
Love, Maurine
1 Comment
Aw I miss you Maurine. I was actually just thinking of how this time last year we were all still together and madly rushing around with finals (Okay so one of us still is…in about four more hours actually!) and decorating the apartment. I hope you're having a great time out there!!!