Sparkle Craft: DIY Flying Wish Paper
In Martin and Sylvia’s house, winter is a time rich in magic and wonder. Everything slows down, and a lot more time is spent looking at books and snuggling by the fire.
In the At Home with Martin & Sylvia story, “Winter Dreams,” we learn more about the magic. After a conversation about cozy sleep, Mama suggests that the family compare their dreams. Brother and sister later marvel at how their dreams actually come true in strange and unexpected ways.
New Year's Resolutions
Whether you call them “resolutions,” “intentions,” or even plain old “wishes,” the start of the new year is a time to dream a little. We can practice this is many ways. Scribble down thoughts in a fresh notebook. Pick and display a theme word. Or just sit down with a cup of tea and a stack of garden catalogs. January is such a perfect time to really nail down your hopes for the coming busier seasons.
One of our favorite ways to celebrate some of those January dreams is with flying wish paper.
About Flying Wish Paper
If you've never seen it before, it's delightful! You write your wish on a special thin paper, roll it into a tube, and light the top edge on fire. The paper will burn down for a minute, but then it flies up into the sky, carrying your wish with it.
The first year we did it, I was a little concerned about lighting the wish paper on fire inside the house. Obviously, you should use common-sense precautions, but we've done this several times inside now and our house is still standing. (If you're still nervous, it's a good idea to do a “test” lighting outside so that you can see what the paper is going to do before you try it in the house.)
While you can buy flying wish paper commercially, it's so easy to DIY that it's hardly worth the trouble to track down a place to purchase it from. If you've got a few tea bags on hand, you're all set. Learning how to make intention paper or flying wish paper is easy! Here's how:
How to Make DIY Flying Wish Paper
Materials
- Tea bags
- Small screwdriver or staple remover
- Markers
- Matches
- A small plate
Directions
Use a small screwdriver or staple remover to carefully pull the staple out of the top of each tea bag.
With the staple removed, unfold the paper and pour out the tea. Reserve the tea for drinking, loose-leaf style, later.
You should now have a thin paper tube. Use the markers to decorate the tube any way you like.
You can write words or draw pictures and symbols — whatever best represents your wishes, intentions, and dreams for the coming year.
When you're finished, it's time for the fire. Stand the flying wish paper tube up on the plate, and use a match to carefully light the top rim.
The paper will burn normally for a minute, but then — right at the last — it will fly up, dramatically carrying your dreams, hopes, and wishes into the sky.
If you liked this tutorial, here are others you might enjoy:
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About the Author
Meryl Carver-Allmond
The Sparkle Kitchen Series is created by Meryl Carver-Allmond.
Meryl lives in a hundred-year-old house near the prairie with her sweet husband, two preschoolers, one puppy, one gecko, and about ten chickens. While she's been writing since she could pick up a pen, in recent years she's discovered the joy of photography, too. She feels lucky to be able to combine those skills, along with a third passion — showing people that cooking for themselves can be healthy and fun — in her Sparkle Kitchen posts.
