Use these paper-plate hats to decorate bookshelves, station them at the checkout counter, and pin them to bulletin boards. You can even wear them, if you use the larger paper plates!

Cost: 50¢ each
Time: 10 minutes or so

Here's what you need:

• Two paper plates (the floppier the better) for each hat
• Scissors, tape, stapler or glue gun, pencil, spray paint, and some twine or string

Here's what you do:

• First plate: Fold in half. Make cuts along the four dotted lines (see diagram below). Fold cut edges to inside and staple (or hot-glue). Trace the crown (first plate) onto second plate. Soften and gently fold out bottom of crown.
• Second plate: Cut out center of plate a half-inch inside the traced line.
• Place crown over hole and staple (or hot-glue) to brim. If you staple, put tape over staples to prevent snagging.
• Spray with brown paint (in a well-ventilated area) or hand out paintbrushes to your decorating posse and use temperas.
• When dry, wrap twine or string around the crown.