Candy Wrapper Collage: For Dentists Everywhere

Trick-or-treaters beware. There are dentists out there proposing that you spend several hours in the cold collecting candy, and willingly trade it in for a paltry amount of cash. Your candy will then be sent off to support troops overseas. The purpose? According to Dr. Berdahl, it’s “a great way to prevent cavities and support the troops.” This is mean, mean, mean on all fronts. Unless I’m missing something, is off-loading candy onto troops a good idea for their teeth?  And isn’t pigging out on candy a childhood right of passage? Let’s just learn to brush our teeth properly, shall we, and get on with the fun.

The thought of giving colourful candy wrappers a second life really appeals to children. It gives them a wonderful and permanent way of proudly displaying what they collected and indulged in on Halloween, a time when my dentist actually gives out candy. Bless his soul.

Materials

• thick cardboard or foam core
• spray adhesive
• white glue
• candy wrappers
• varnish

Instructions

1. Select the surface you will be creating your collage on. It will be getting several layers of glue and varnish, so make sure it is thick to prevent buckling. And stay away from corrugated cardboard which, when wet, bends in the direction of its pleats. Foam core is a good choice.

2. Lay out all your candy wrappers and open them up so they can lie flat. Cover the surface of the board with spray adhesive and begin adding the wrappers. Make sure to overlap them so the board doesn’t show. Once they’re all down, paint the entire surface with a mixture of 1 part white glue to 1 part water. Allow to dry, then add another layer. This will keep all the wrappers in place.

3. Finally, paint on a layer of varnish which will add a bit of sheen to the surface. Once this is dry, flip the board over and trim any excess candy wrappers from the edges with scissors, and you’re done!