Christmas is coming

Here's a new twist on the Advent calendar - a cookie tree that provides lots of family enjoyment and entertainment and will automatically answer that never-ending question, "How many days left till Christmas?" Creating one is as simple as one, two, three. First, make the stylized tree from wooden dowels and a flowerpot. Then make, decorate and number 25 spice cookies, duplicating the simple cookie-cutter shapes and decorations on thin cork. Then you're ready to hang the cookies on the tree and store the cork look-alikes in a little basket close by. Each day, as a cookie is consumed, replace it with the appropriately numbered ornament. What begins as a treeful of cookies ends up as a treeful of ornaments to cherish for Christmases to come, and in the meantime, it's lots of fun for kids of all ages.

CORK ORNAMENTS

You need:
• 46 x 61 cm (18- x 24-in) sheet of pressed cork, 3 mm thick
• Dimensional paint
• Christmas cookie cutters such as a tree, heart, star, circle, wreath or square
• 8 m narrow ribbon or cord
• Hole punch
• Ballpoint pen

To make:
1. Trace around cookie cutters onto cork. You'll need 24 to hang on the tree and a large star for the treetop. Cut out shapes with sharp scissors and punch hole in top of each one.

2. "Ice" and number (numbers 1 to 25) each cork ornament with dimensional paint.

3. Cut 30 cm (11-3/4-in) lengths of ribbon. Thread one piece through hole in each ornament. Tie ends in a bow.