an Advent calendar. This year,
try som ething new by using
a bookshelf or a grouping of
cubbyholes to hold small gifts,
one for each D ecem ber day
until Christmas.
Take
turns
opening
each
day’s present, or let a visitor do
the honors. Be creative with
w hat’s inside each package— it
can be som ething personal for
the recipient or as simple as a
candy cane.
OPPOSITE AND ABOVE LEFT: Christmas displays can be made in the most
unlikely places. Designer Lori Hellander transformed this hutch into an Advent
calendar. ABOVE LEFT: Make the "N oel" garland by printing letters onto card
stock and stringing them from yarn. Finish off with a felt ball glued onto each
end. ABOVE RIGHT AND RIGHT: Fill the nooks and crannies of the Advent
calendar with a small token for each day.
is a simple paper cone that
can
be
covered
w ith
deco-
rative
paper
and
treasured
family
photos.
Filled
w ith
candies
or
small
pinecones,
the cones can double as easy
holiday favors for unexpected
visitors. A soft, and surprisingly
lightweight, felt garland wraps
the tree in warmth.
As
Christm as
gets
closer,
children— and
even
adults—
love the daily countdow n of
Best of Christmas Ideas
57
