At this time of year, it's easy to feel like a chicken (or, uh, turkey) with her head cut off. But don't let holiday to-dos overshadow the true spirit of Thanksgiving. This year, find ways to feel grateful every day, starting with this easy-to-make paper wreath that can hold family members' declarations of gratitude.
Materials
• 26 squares of 4" x 4" light brown construction paper
• 26 squares of 3" x 3" white construction paper
• 26 squares of 3" x 3" dark brown construction paper
• 26 squares of 2" x 2" white construction paper
• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
• 14" metal wreath base ($16.99; at Michaels stores)
• 52 stalks of wheat ($4.99 per bunch; at Michaels stores)
• Gold spray paint (we used Krylon Metallic Spray Paint in Gold, $7.99; KMart.com)
• 26 gold balls (we used style PF28214, $3.50 for 6; Fun2Bead.com)
• Strips of paper
Directions
1. Lay out 4" x 4" squares of light brown paper on a diagonal. With hot glue, glue 3" x 3" white squares into top corners of brown ones, lining up squares so a sliver of brown is visible. Mold squares into cone shapes; hot-glue at seams.
2. Repeat step 1 with 3" x 3" dark brown squares and 2" x 2" white squares.
3. Fold the very bottom of the larger cones up and over the metal wreath base and fasten in front with hot glue all along the perimeter.
4. Place smaller cones in the grooves between two larger cones. Tuck bottom corners over the ring, fastening with hot glue on the back of the wreath, until entire wreath is covered.
5. Cut off bottom of wheat stalks. Lay wheat tops on newspaper and spray gold. Let dry.
6. Hot-glue wheat tops into grooves between cones.
7. Hot-glue a gold ball below each wheat stalk around inner perimeter of wreath.
8. On Thanksgiving, pass out pieces of white paper, ask friends and family to write down what they're thankful for and tuck the notes into the cones. Read them aloud over dinner.
Photo: Lisa Hubbard/Woman's Day; Production: Eddie Ross
