For those whose Christmas holiday lacks a chimney by which to hang stockings with care, this easy-to-build cardboard fireplace makes a great stand-in.

Materials:

Four 18-inch square boxes and two 28 by 20 by 5 inch rectangular boxes (generally sold a mailing service and supply store)

Brown paper packing tape

Newspaper

Acrylic paints (re, brown, cream, black, and white)

Paper plates

Large rectangular sponge

Small rag

Sheet of gray paper (at least 20 inches square)

Time needed: approx. 1 hour

1. Build the hearth: Assemble the four square boxes. Leaving one top flap open on each box, seal the other flap edges with packing tape. Then stack two boxes on end with the free flaps on the same side and tape the flaps together.
2. Next, tape all the seams and edges to create a smooth surface for painting. Do the same with the other two boxes. Now se the two stacks sided by side so that the open flaps meet in the middle. Tape the flaps together to form the hearth’s back wall.
3. Paint the bricks: Cover your work area with newspaper. Squeeze some red, brown, and cream acrylic point onto a paper plate. Dampen the sponge and then coat its surface with paint by blotting the different colors to achieve a mottled effect. Use it to print rows of bricks on the hearth, recoating it with paint as needed.
4. Make the mantel: Assemble the two rectangular boxes and tape them together end to end. Squeeze black and white paint onto a second paper plate. Dampen the rag, dip it in both shades of paint, and apply the paint to the mantel in swirls to create a marbled gray surface. Once dry, set the mantel on the hearth and slip the gray paper in place for the fireplace floor.

Article courtesy of Family Fun Magazine.