Tom Aicklen, 10, and his sister, Charlotte, 7, (left) celebrate special occasions by making decorations for the family home in Oakville, Ont. Last Christmas they decorated a trio of trees for the family room. Here's how:

You need:
Live potted evergreen
Galvanized pail or big terra-cotta flowerpot
Red construction paper
Hole punch
Narrow ribbon
Markers
Tapestry needle
Licorice Allsorts
Metallic thread
Over-sized star cookie cutter
Scrap piece of Styrofoam
White glue
Sparkle glitter
Chenille stem
White mini-lights
Blue-and-white gingham ribbon
Candy canes
Silver foil
Favourite ornaments
Doughnut-shaped chocolates or cookies

To make:
Set live potted evergreen inside a galvanized pail or big terra-cotta flowerpot.

From red construction paper, cut circles, punch a hole in each and thread a narrow ribbon through hole; tie ends together to form a hanging loop. With markers, write the name of one family member on each circle, draw line and patterns on it, then hang it on the tree. With tapestry needle. thread licorice Allsorts onto heavy metallic thread to make a garland, then drape it around the tree. Press oversize star cookie cutter into a scrap piece of Styrofoam to cut out, then dab on white craft glue and dip star into sparkle glitter. Stick on e end of a chenille stem up into base of star and twist other end around tip of tree.

Add white mini-lights, a blue-and-white gingham ribbon garland, candy canes, silver foil stars and some favourite ornaments, if desired. Spike bough ends through hole in doughnut-shaped chocolates or cookies.