2nd Day of Christmas - What's with the box?

On this, the 2nd Day of Christmas countdown, we're opening the door to creativity with the ultimate gift, in my opinion.

How many times have you heard of people bought the most tricked out, expensive gift for a kid, only to have the child eventually chuck it away in favour of the box it came in?

Yes, today's gift is just a cardboard box. But think of the possibilities! Illustrated above are two interesting things that can be made from a simple cardboard box - a mobile doll house, and some household appliances. For the boys, you can fashion out some cars, planes, swords and whatever else you fancy.

The beauty of the box, is that it's very, very inexpensive, and it yields a variety of possibilities. You can buy the plain, smooth ones online for under $10.00, or you can get used ones from the grocery or hardware for free.

The trick will come in encouraging your child to be open to playing with a cardboard, non-flashy toy. But once they see that you can doodle on it, cut shapes into it, join it to other boxes and such, they should more than go for it. I mean, isn't that a rather cute, cardboard stove?!

L.M.N. Harris.