WACKY WINDOWS
Decorate your windows for the Festive Season! Mix
together 1 Tbsp. paint powder and 1 Tbsp. liquid
dish soap. With windowsills covered, paint bells,
stars, reindeer, etc. on windows. To clean, wash off
with wet rag.
PSYCHEDELIC SNOWMEN
Why not decorate the yard too?! Pour 1 C. water and
1 tsp. paint powder (or 20+ drops food coloring)
into a spray bottle. Then, spray colored water on
snowmen or snow castles, or spray designs on a fresh
bed of snow.
PAPER MACHE PIÑATA
Add to the fun on New Year's Eve! Mix together 1/2
C. wallpaper paste and 2 C. warm water (or 1 C.
flour and 1 1/8 C. cold water), adding few more
drops of water if thickens too much. Dip newspaper
strips into paste and smooth onto balloon until 5 or
6 layers all over, leaving small opening at top.
When dry (after several days) pop balloon and fill
opening with treats. Tie string through 2 small
holes made at top and hang for children to knock
with rolled up newspaper.
GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Cream together 1/2 C. butter and 2/3 C. brown sugar.
Mix in 1/2 C molasses, 1 egg, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1
tsp. cinnamon, and 2 1/2 C. flour. Spread or press
into cookie sheet to 1/2" thickness. Bake at 350'.
When cool, cut into 6 rectangles, and use icing to
"glue" house together. Decorate with candies,
sparkles, cereal, etc.
COLORED CHRISTMAS POPCORN
Mix together 2/3 C. butter, 1 1/2 C. white sugar, 1
C. corn syrup, and 2 packages red Kool-Aid in a pot.
Boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from
heat and stir in 1 tsp. baking soda until foamy.
Quickly mix in 16 C. popped corn (1/2 C. kernels).
Spread popcorn out on pan to cool. Then, make a
batch with green Kool-Aid.
CHOCOLATE FONDUE
A great way to bring the new year in! In a fondue
pot or saucepan, heat 1 can Evaporated Milk (385 ml)
and 2 1/2 C. chocolate chips on low, stirring
constantly, until melted and smooth. If you wish,
add peppermint flavoring, 2 tsp. instant coffee
dissolved in few drops of water, or 3/4 C. peanut
butter. Dip fruit, maraschino cherries, or pieces of
doughnuts or cake into mixture.
PLASTER HAND PRINT
In large yoghurt container, mix together 1 C. water
and 2 1/4 C. plaster of Paris (from lumber store) to
thickness of a milkshake. Pour into pie plate. When
plaster is firm enough to hold a shape, press your
hand into and carefully lift up. Let dry. Record
date and your name on back.
PERSONALIZED T-SHIRT
With parent supervision, melt crayon scraps in an
empty tuna or soup can over boiling water. Working
quickly, paint pictures or messages on an old
T-shirt or apron. To make colors permanent, cover
designs with fabric scrap and press with hot iron.
PET ROCK PAPERWEIGHT
Glue 2 well-shaped rocks together to make the body
of a duck, ladybug, or other creature. Add features
with felt markers, bits of felt or fabric, pipe
cleaners, etc.
DONUT BIRD FEEDER
Why not make a gift for the birds, too! Sandwich a
bagel between 2 plastic lids. Thread string through
hole in lids. Tie a big fat knot on bottom and hang
from house or tree. - - or, string popcorn onto
thread and hang on trees.
CREATIVE GIFT WRAP
Design your own gift wrap! Paint fancy designs on
newsprint using sponges, cotton balls, old
toothbrushes, an old pot scrubber, or a straw (to
blow paint). When dry, use as gift wrap.
Reprinted with permission from
"Help! I'm Bored!", ISBN 0-9680809-0-1, $14.95 Cdn,
$11.95 US. (Bluebell
Cockle Shell Books, E-Mail - dale&janine@3web.net)
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