Holiday Popcorn Balls

5 quarts warm unsalted popped popcorn

Glaze:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vinegar

Ribbon
Small Christmas trimmings
Sequins and small spangles
Dressmaker pins with colored heads

Keep popcorn warm in a 300 degree F oven. Butter sides of heavy saucepan. In it, combine sugar, water, salt, corn syrup and vinegar. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook without stirring to hard-ball stage (250 degrees F on candy thermometer).

Pour slowly over hot popcorn, mixing well. Butter hands lightly; form 4-inch balls. Let balls dry thoroughly. Decorate with ribbon, trimmings, sequins, and spangles, holding all in place with pins. To hang, pin ribbon loops at top of balls; or use balls as table decorations.

Yield: 8 large balls