I have an entire drawer in the bathroom cabinet filled with soaps that smell like berries and vanilla. But even the most exotic of bath accessories takes a backseat to a one-of-a-kind soap created by a young artist. I should warn you now--your children will find this craft addictive. Buy many bars of soap and expect your relatives to be exceptionally clean in the coming year.

MATERIALS

Bar of soap
Acrylic paints
Paintbrushes
Aluminum
Coffee can
Large pot
Canning wax or a white candle

Have your children paint designs on the soap with the acrylics, while you create a double boiler. Put the coffee can in a pot half-filled with water. Drop in wax and melt it over low heat. Then use a disposable paintbrush to cover the design on top of the soap. Let the wax dry. The protective coating will allow the soap to be used without washing away the picture.