The Living Christmas Tree

Senior Associate Editor Traci Smith shares the story of setting out holiday cookies and milk, and waiting for Santa Claus.

Gourds may look like odd, lumpy vegetables, but to some people, they present a world of decorative possibilities. Ruth Nix, of Camden, Ark., can turn the humble veggies into works of art. She got her start some four years ago, after seeing her first display of painted gourds at a craft show.

This ornament goes together quickly with scraps you probably already have laying around your craft room.