Text: Pieces of paper cut into long strips – those strips are taped or stapled into interlocking rings, creating a chain. The chain holds as many links as there are days until an event–a holiday, the end of school, etc–and every day, a ring is removed every day until the event occurs and the chain is gone.

Context: AB recalls making these chains with her friends in elementary school as a countdown to Christmas. They would use colored construction paper and hang them up in her friends’ houses as a fun activity to commemorate the season.

Analysis: This is a simple and fun activity to commemorate an upcoming holiday or event. It works well for children, as all that is recquired is cutting paper and either taping or stapling it together–it does not need much supervision or materials, but works well as a festive activity. AB mentions learning this at her friends’ houses, but this is also an easy enough craft to do in school, allowing for lots of decoration and chances for children to express their creativity.