ADVENT CALENDAR

As you near December 25, add to the excitement of Santa’s arrival by starting each day with a lovely message or small gift. Materials needed: Pen, C6 white envelopes (25), printer (optional), scissors, white cord, sticky tape or pins, white-painted pinboard or similar, paper or card (for handwritten notes), small gifts, small wooden pegs (25), selection of flora

To make: Using pen, neatly write numbers 1–25 on bottom right-hand corner of each envelope. Alternatively, print numbers with your home printer. Measure and cut five 1m lengths of cord. Tape or pin cord to a whitepainted pinboard or similar, spacing each one to suit. Place handwritten notes or small gifts inside each envelope. Working from the top row, left to right, peg the envelopes onto the string in numerical order. Decorate the calendar with sprigs of flora on randomly selected envelopes. Starting December 1, take turns to open an envelope until the big day.