what to do:

1. cut the colored cardstock into 1”x8.5” strips for the bulbs, and cut the gray cardstock into 1.25”x4” strips for the light sockets
2. fold each colored strip in half and punch a hole in the end
3. score the gray paper every half-inch, and punch a hole in the third section. Then fold the strip along each score and use the tape to stick the ends together
4. slide the colored paper strip inside the gray paper circle, thread a string through the holes and repeat for all the bulbs. You’ll love it a whole watt!

what to do:

1. preheat the oven to 300°F
2. in a large bowl, mix the flour and salt, then slowly pour in the water and mix until everything is blended. Use hands to finish mixing, until the dough is soft and completely blended
3. place half of the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out until the dough is 1/8” thick, then remove the top layer of parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining dough
4. lay the dough out flat and cut shapes with the cookie cutters, leaving the shapes on the parchment. Remove the excess dough and put the parchment with shapes on a baking sheet
5. using the straw, poke a hole at the top of each ornament to make a hole for hanging
6. bake in the oven for an hour, or until the dough is hard
7. wait for the dough to cool, then get busy! Use paint, glitter, or whatever decorations you want to make your ornaments festive and fabulous
8. thread a ribbon, string or ornament hanger through the holes, and really spruce up your holidays!

what to do:

1. print out the template here or create one of your own
2. cut carefully, removing the shaded areas (if you used the template)
3. wrap the paper band in a circle so the ends meet, then tape the two ends together
4. place one of the tea lights in the center and enjoy the glow!

what to do:

1. Use your ruler to divide your construction paper into even rectangular strips. Cut along the lines you measured and sort your strips by color. You should have at least 24 strips with 8 of each color. 
2. With your maker, write numbers from 1 to 24 on alternating color strips of construction paper. Feel free to also decorate your paper strips as much as you like. 
3. Starting with the strip of paper with the number 1 on it, create a ring by connecting and gluing two sides of the rectangle together. Then repeat with the rest of the strips of construction paper going numerically and looping each strip around the previous number. 
4. After you are done linking the chain feel free to display it somewhere in your home where it can be easily reached. As each day goes by between December 1st and December 24th, rip off one of the chain links to help count how many days are left until Christmas.