CREATE A SENSE OF MAGIC WITH LOVINGLY HANDCRAFTED DECORATIONS
SUSTAINABLE SNOWFLAKES
Paper snow stars will add wintry whimsy to a window. (Difficulty: medium)
Draw a large rectangle on a roll of white baking paper, with jagged triangles along the two short sides, as pictured. Repeat this shape along your paper roll until you have five spiky rectangles for a small star (12-36cm diameter), or 10 for a large star (40-59cm diameter). Cut out each shape, then make horizontal folds, like a concertina, about 1cm wide. Once you have a long, folded strip, fold in half so the short edges touch. Use a glue stick to coat the inside fold of each concertina, then pinch together until the sides stick and stay. Unfold, ensuring only the glued edges are sticking. Assemble the star by gluing the concertinas in pairs until you have a complete star. To stabilise, cut out two small circles of thicker paper and apply with strong glue to the centre front and back of the star. You can build and layer additional stars in varying sizes for a textural look. Let the glue harden before displaying.
FOLKISH FALLALS
Playful baubles originating from Poland to adorn your boughs. (Difficulty: advanced)
Draw and cut out 12 circles in your choice of paper. For a 7cm bauble, you’ll need circles with a diameter of 8cm. Fold each circle in half three times and unfold so eight creases radiate out from the centre. With a coin, draw a smaller circle inside each. Cut along each crease towards the smaller circle, then add some glue to the top right corner of one of the slices you’ve made. Place the point of a pencil in the top left corner and roll the slice until it forms a tip and the glue sets. Repeat for every slice on all 12 circles until they are stars, then poke a hole in the centre of each. Thread a button on to the middle of a 40cm length of string. With a needle, thread both ends of string through each star, ensuring the stars’ outsides face up. Thread a second button on top of all the stars, pulling on the two ends of the string until a ball is formed. Secure with a couple of knots to hang – and impress!
TABLE SERVICE
Create a unique tablescape with handmade celestial touches. (Difficulty: easy)
Cut out a square in your chosen size from some pretty paper (we recommend using double-sided). Fold it in half, with the folded edge towards you. Fold then
