by Linda Ann Nickerson

Created on: March 18, 2007   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

Kids love creating special Christmas gifts for loved ones. Firestarters make a wonderful wintry gift. Here are several varieties:

1. Simple Firestarters. Using a vegetable peeler, shave candle stubs and crayon bits onto 12" x 12" squares of waxed paper. Tie into bundles with colorful paper ribbons.

2. Tie colorful birthday candles together in bundles with pretty ribbons. Trick candles add to the fun, as they sparkle in a fireplace!

3. Rub cotton balls in petroleum jelly (Vaseline). Tuck several in a little plastic bag, and seal it shut with a perky bow.

4. Fill a paper lunch sack with dryer lint. Fold the top shut, and tie it with a raffia bow.

5. Collect pine cones outside (or pull them from pot-pourri around the house). Have children color the outer petals with the sides of unwrapped crayons.

6. Use a double-boiler, or place a metal bowl inside a saucepan filled with water. Over low heat, melt candle stubs and broken crayon pieces. Dip wood chips or pine cones in melted wax. Place on waxed paper to cool.

7. Purchase pretty paper cups. Fill these with wood shavings. (Pet stores are an excellent source for these. Some are even cedar, which emits a lovely scent.) Cover tops with small squares of waxed paper, and tie with colored yarn or string.

Write a tender note to go with each tinder gift!

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