Cardboard gift boxes are as much fun to build with as classic wooden blocks…stack a small one on the back of a bigger one, glue some buttons on the bottom edge, and voila! You have a car!

Let your kids pick out the wheel color and soup up the body with different colored washi tape. Add a paper tree to the top, and it becomes that magic moment of hauling the best part of Christmas home to the family!

What you need:

• 1 ½” x 2 ½” white jewelry box
• 1 ½” x 1 ¼” white ring box
• 4 medium green buttons
• 2 small yellow buttons
• 2 extra small red buttons
• ½” wide light blue washi tape
• ⅜” wide patterned tape
• 2/8” wide dark blue tape
• Twig
• 1 sheet of two tone green paper
• 1 silver star sequin
• Approximately 18” string
• Hot Glue
• Scissors

Make it!

1. Glue together top and bottom of larger jewelry box and turn upside down. Glue top of ring box to the back end of larger box to create car body.
2. Wrap bottom “bumper” of car in patterned tape, wrap skinny tape around top edge of the box and add rectangles of light blue tape to ring box for windows
3. Glue four green buttons on sides of box for wheels, red buttons in back for tail lights and yellow buttons in front for headlights.
4. Cut two 4” circles out of green paper. Fold the bottom section of one circle into a triangle then fold back and forth in the opposite direction to create a folded tree shape. Repeat with two other trees. Glue three trees together along their edges to create a pyramid shape. Glue piece of twig inside pyramid for a trunk.
5. Glue tree to the top of car and add star to the point.
6. Wrap string around car, knotting above tree and knotting again at the ends to create a hanging loop.

When I think of what I love about Christmas tree decorations, it’s two things…the lights and the ornaments. So making a lit ornament is a win-win for this crafter.

We played around with lots of ways to get make these little boxes glow, and with a string light bulb poked through the back, these snowflake shapes came to life.

Now I just want to decorate a whole tree in these! Who’s with me?

What you need:

• Square jewelry box  (3 ½” x 3 ½” )
• Exacto knife
• Paint and Paint brush
• A square of white paper
• Two colors of washi tape
• Scissors
• String
• Pencil
• Nail file
• Hot-glue gun

Make It!

1. Draw a 2 ½ “ square in the center of the box lid to leaving a ½” margin on all sides. 
2. Use the exacto knife to cut out the square, and sand down thee edges with a nail file.
3. Paint the top and sides of the box and let dry.
4. Trace top of box onto white paper and layer washi tape inside the square to create a criss crossing snowflake design.
5. Cut out square and secure in the center of lid opening with washi tape.
6. Poke a hole in the back center of the back using a pencil or scissors.
7. Cut and knot a loop of string, glue it into top corner of the box lid and close the box to secure.
8. Hang on tree, inserting light into the back of box.

If you happen to have a few extra gift boxes laying around as you are shopping and decorating and baking and shopping some more, save one to make this precious snow scene diorama!

This is one DIY Christmas ornament that will definitely become a focal point of your tree!

What you need

• 3” x 2” jewelry box and fluffy cotton filler
• 4” x 4” square of blue sparkly paper
• 3 small white pom poms
• 1 black perler bead
• Green, orange, and black paper
• Twig
• Silver star sequin
• ⅛” red ribbon
• White string
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
• Pencil
• 1/16″ paper punch

Make it!

1. Trace the bottom, side and top edge of the box onto blue sparkly paper, cut shapes and glue into back, sides, and top of box.
2. Cut box filler into a curved hill shape and secure in box with glue.
3. Cut two 2” circles from the green paper and cut each circle in half. Fold the bottom section of one circle into a triangle then fold back and forth in the opposite direction to create folded tree shape. Repeat with two other trees.
4. Secure two trees in the back of the box. Glue a piece of twig to the third tree as a trunk and glue in front of snow drift. Add star to the top with glue.
5. Glue three pom poms in a stack then secure in front right corner of the box. Use tiny paper punch with black cardstock to create two eyes, and add small slice of orange paper for carrot nose. Cut a 1/4-inch circle from the black paper, glue to the top of snowman head, and add the perler bead to create a hat. Cut a 2 ½” piece of red ribbon and tie below the head to create a scarf.
6. Squeeze a line of hot glue around the opening of the box and add string, trimming off excess.
7. Cut a piece of red ribbon, approximately 12” long, and secure around box with hot glue starting at the bottom and leaving a loop at the top for hanging,

Like any present-filled holiday, my kids are always amped up like never before on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. And when that gift-fest is mixed with the lighting of candles…well, let’s not even go there. But here’s a very easy DIY, flameless menorah that you can make for your family in literally less than 10 minutes (give or take, depending on how fast a painter you are).

I made a version of this years ago when I was on staff at Parents, but I thought I’d remake it with a slightly cleaner look! You can make it very sleek and simple with just one color straw and one color erase, or mix it up and make it cray!

What you’ll need:

• 9 large spools
• 1 small spool
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• 9 paper straws
• 9 eraser caps

Make it!

1. Paint all 10 spools in the color of your choice. Let dry.

2. Stack the small spool on top of one of the larger spools. You can glue it or just rest it.

3. Push straws down into each spool hole, making sure the straw in the stacked spools sits taller. Top straws with eraser caps, per the eight days of Hanukkah.

I love love love this project because it’s literally the easiest thing you can ever make. And because you can keep your Hanukkah candles “lit” all day. And because it’s a quick, non-waxy clean-up. And because, well, it’s darn cute!

Countdowns are fun, and countdowns that include surprises are even better. Tomorrow marks the start of advent calendar season and, whether or not you celebrate Christmas, crafting a calendar is a winter activity anyone can enjoy. If making a month’s worth of treat containers sounds daunting, don’t worry. We’ve collected ten of our favorite DIY ideas that are totally doable. Some are made for filling with prizes while others feature family bonding ideas. Whichever one you choose, making winter mornings something to look to forward is the type of holiday magic we can all appreciate.

1.

With some paint and yarn, we transformed a peg board into a 2-D Christmas tree (above). Paper ornaments, hung with mini clothespins, flip to reveal fun family activities. Get the full how to from Country Living.

2.

For an easy option that packs a graphic punch, check out Super Make It’s paper bag advent calendar for Parents magazine. Add clothespins to painted triangles to create a forest of cheery trees that will brighten up any room.

3.

Is there anything more appealing than a pile of presents? Create every kids’ dream on a smaller scale by folding paper bags and adding bows. Idea via Tell Love and Party.

4.

This paper city is the kind of calendar you’ll be tempted to let live on your mantle year round. Download the free printables from Mr Printables to construct your own tiny town.

5.

For a more personal cityscape that doubles as a photo display follow instructions from The House that Lars Built. The treats in this calendar are pictures of loved ones, and really, what’s sweeter than that?

6.

A Subtle Revelry‘s pill case calendar certainly proves that good things come in small packages. Just add numbers to turn this drug store staple into a pint-sized present holder.

7.

Add another layer of fun to the advent surprises by making a punch cup calendar. Your kids will have a hard time waiting to reveal the next treat. FamilyFun magazine shares the how to.

8.

For another active advent calendar, try these pretty piñatas from Fabric de Imaginacion . Paper pyramids fit all sorts of sweet surprises, or fill them with confetti for an indoor snow flurry!

9.

Give empty cans an upcycled makeover with some spray paint and tissue paper tops. Stacked into a pyramid they make for eye catching display that can be used year after year. Project found via Room Envy.

10.

Finally, if you’d rather buy an advent calendar but still appreciate some DIY elements, the 25 days of stickers from Pipsticks is a great option. Each envelope hides a seasonal sticker sure to spark new crafting ideas. (And while you’re there, order a sticker subscription for a monthly dose of sticker joy in your kid’s mailbox!)

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