Make a matchbox advent calendar

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For a fun advent calendar, stick matchboxes together and fill with charms or sweets.Remove the matches and arrange the boxes in five rows so there are ten on the bottom row, seven on the next, four on top of that, then a row of two, and just one on the top.

Stick the boxes together in their rows using a glue gun, then cover the exterior of each row with pretty festive paper. Next, stick the rows together using the glue gun. Use stamps or stickers to print the numbers from 1 to 24 on the boxes. Fill with a range of tiny gifts.

Paper, £1.75/sheet; wooden Father Christmas, £10 (set of 48); tissue paper, £1.50/pack: all Paperchase. Sweets, from a selection, Hope and Greenwood. Vintage plate, similar from Heritage Antiques. Stamp set, £7.95, Muji. Mini glue gun, £9.49, Hobbycraft. Ribbon, £6.50/10m, RE

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