Pen Pals

Help the kids in your life correspond with other kids in distant places by introducing them to the pen-pal connection. Assemble the materials listed below to get them started on designing their own stationery.

Time frame: One to two hours

Level: Easy

What you need:

Pen-pal list
Paper
Envelopes
Textured scissors
Fine-tipped markers
Stickers
Stamps (You might want to choose a theme for the stamps you buy, such as animals, nature, holidays, landscapes, geometric designs, and so on.)
Stamp pads
Glitter pens
Storage box
Homemade bow

Check your school system or a local library for a possible list of pen pals. Be sure to put your own name on the recipient's pen-pal list.
Assemble the supplies listed and place them in a plastic storage box. Wrap the box with a homemade bow.
Spend some time designing stationery and envelopes with the recipient, and get this new pen pal started on writing to people on the list.

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Excerpted from:

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Making Great Gifts � 2001 by Marilee LeBon. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.

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