STOCKING FILLERS

Christmas comes once a year and brings lots of lots of cheer. This is the time for prayers and presents. Here are some ideas to make gifts for your friends and family.

*  Let’s start from the main door. To make a Christmas wreath, all you need is a paper plate. Cut the centre part of the plate and glue some pictures of a stocking, a candle, a snowman, and some bells. You can collect all these pictures from old cards. Attach a ribbon at the back as a loop/ hinge. Your wreath is ready.
*  To make a lantern as a wall decoration, you would need a shopping bag. You can make 2 lanterns out of one bag. Draw a lantern and a candle in the middle with a flame. Cut out the shaded parts. You can paint your candle and lantern. To get a waxy effect, drop the melted wax only on the painted candle. Colour the flame yellow.
*   A photo frame can be made out of an old greeting card. Fold an old greeting card in half and give it a frame by sticking a bright paper strip across. Glue a photo of your friend, aunt or uncle. Cut out some cardboard stars and stick them on one side of the frame. To make the stand, take a strip of cardboard and fold it over. Make a slit behind the frame and push the cardboard strip in.
*   Would you fancy Santa on a horse instead of Rudolph? All you need is a picture of a whole Santa — gum boots and all, 2 cloth pegs and a horse’s picture. Cut out and paint the horse’s picture. Cut off the legs of the horse! Now place Santa on the horse. Insert Santa’s legs on either side of the horse. Fix the cloth pegs from the stomach of the horse so that your horse can stand on his own.
*   To make an antique jewellery box, you would need an old wooden box which your mother is ready to discard. Paint a landscape on the inside of the box. You could even glue a charming landscape cut out from an old calender. Present it to someone who can use it as a playing cards box or to an aunt who loves collecting jewellery.
*   You can dress up an old cane basket and make it look gorgeous. Decorate it with paper flowers, stars, and ribbons. Fix a bow on the top of the handle. Fill it with sweets, ear rings and charms for a friend.
*   An old glass plate can be turned into a fruit platter with 3 or 4 shiny shampoo bottle caps and fevicol. Turn the plate upside down and glue the bottle caps like pegs. Once you are sure the legs are fixed and the glue has dried, turn the plate right and pile it high with fruit or nuts.
*   Candle holders make lovely Christmas gifts. You would need an empty six-egg carton, some silver ribbon and old lace.Turn the carton upside down and you will find 2 big holes. Two decorative candles can be fixed through these holes. But before you do  that, dress up the carton using silver ribbon and lace, or paint it with bright colours.
*   A magazine holder sounds cool, doesn’t it? You would need a 24”x 20” cloth and cardboard of the same size. Stich a bag by doubling the cloth. You will have a pillow-like bag ready. Insert the cardboard in it, stitch the loose ends and fold it in half, leaving at least 2 gaps (where the magazines can be placed). Attach a ribbon on each side of your cloth bag, applique some lace or an old brocade piece on one side.