House-Shaped Gift Box

What You Need:

• Photo of your home
• Scissors
• Small box of lightweight cardboard
• Glue
• Small craft knife

What You Do:

1. Have your child cut the picture of your home out of the photo. Keep shrubbery or plantings that are in front of the house but remove the lawn, sky and trees that are behind the home.
2. Hold the house cut-out up to the box. The box should be slightly smaller than the photo. Tell your child about the false fronts found on buildings in western boom towns. These fronts were taller than the actual building as well as a bit fancier looking, just as the photo is fancier than the box.
3. Glue the photo onto one side of the box.
4. After the glue dries, use the craft knife to carefully open the front door. Remember to leave one side of the door uncut to act as the hinge.
5. Once the front door has been cut, position it so that it is open slightly so that it looks welcoming.
6. What can you put in the box? Possibilities include edible treats or personal notes to cheer up the person who will receive this home away from home.

Options: If your family spends the holidays with a specific family member but one person can’t make it, send them a model of that home complete with holiday treats. You can also send a collection of homes, each representing the house of a family member or friend.