It's hard to believe the festive season is almost upon us - it's crept back around like a sneaky cat without a bell! If you're frantically trying to organise gifts and goodies for your loved ones, we may just have the perfect option that you whip up yourself at home. It combines two fabulously festive things: a piñata and a Christmas cracker. Filled with lollies, confetti and anything else you want to hide inside, this playful, oversized goodie box is a gift that gives twice.



MATERIALS

coloured cardboard (the rectangular sheets you get at the newsagent are the perfect size!)
confetti and lollies
scissors
cutting knife
souble-sided tape
pencil
ruler
colourful cord or string
hole punch
crimping shears (to cut zig zagged edges on paper)



INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare the template using the diagram below and the following tips:
- Measure the 9cm segments from the outside edges in.
- The diamonds should be 10cm long and 8cm wide. The incomplete diamonds on the edges are exactly half the measurement of the other diamonds.
- The card is separated into three 16cm segments and one 2cm segment up top, which forms a tab.
- After measuring everything, score along each line with the edge of the scissors to make the folds nice and sharp. Then fold along all the lines.



2. Pile confetti and lollies onto a piece of crepe paper and roll into a bon bon shape, twisting the ends closed. Seal up the ends with sticky tape.



3. Affix double-sided tape on one side (the outside) of each tab.



4. Place the crepe lolly bag on the middle segment of the cardboard and fold up the piñata, sticking the tabs to the inside edges.



5. Tie string around one end of the piñata. The fold lines should dip inwards to create the bon bon edges.



6. On the other end, punch two holes as shown in the image and thread string through for hanging. Knot the string on the inside of the piñata. Then seal up this end as you did in Step 5.



7. Cut a thick long strip of coloured card, the length of an entire piece of the cardboard. Use a bowl to trace and cut a circle, then use the crimping shears to make a zig zag edge.



8. Stick the circle to the long strip using double-sided tape, then wrap the entire thing around the piñata, sealing in the back with double-sided tape.



Your piñata is now ready for all sorts of festive fun!