Christmas Cardboard Fireplaces

Last year we shared how to make these Christmas cardboard fireplaces on our Facebook page and you all loved it.  I never got the chance to make my own but promised myself that I would do so this year…….and today I did just that.  The kids absolutely loved it and as per usual were not really of much help but thoroughly enjoyed the decorating stage.

Here’s what I did.

What you need:

• boxes, mine were very strong and sturdy but I have seen examples with cereal boxes
• stanley knife
• clear packing tape
• brown or white paper
• brown poster paint
• 3 sheets of black cardboard
• blue tac
• kitchen sponge
• paper plate
• drop sheet

What you do:

1. Gather your boxes and join using packing tape to make the two sides of your chimney.  Cut to size if needed. My finished chimney sides were 82 x 34 x 34 cm.
2. Join the rest of your boxes to make the mantel.  I was lucky and had one box that was 116 x 34 x 16 cm.
3. If your boxes have writing on them cover with brown or white paper. This will be the colour of your mortar.  I only covered my mantel box and I did this with brown paper. I think you could also use timber contact for a different look.
4. Lay out your drop sheet and place down your chimney boxes.  Pour your poster paint onto the paper plate and plunge your sponge into it.
5. Start making a brick pattern on the 3 visible sides of your chimney boxes.
6. When dry assemble by firstly placing 1 piece of black cardboard on the floor and the other two up the wall.  I used blue tac to hold them in place.  Then place the chimney stack in position and the mantel on top.
7. Decorate!

Tips

• Try to get boxes that are all the same size.  I think the boxes that photocopy paper comes in would be great.
• Don’t worry about how much packing tape you use the paint sticks well to it.
• Practice the brick sponging on a piece or cardboard before starting on your chimney.  It took me a few rows to work out how much pressure to use and to get the hang of it.
• Look at different coloured poster paint or coloured paper to give a different look.  I have seen red brick with white mortar that looked very effective.
• I chose not to join the mantel to the sides so that the fireplace can easily be unpacked and stored away for next year.

To my surprise this was a rather quick activity, I did all this in less than 2 1/2 hours.  My kids have been decorating and redecorating all afternoon!  Have fun making your own!