Handmade Holidays: Force Red and Green and (Paper)white Bulbs

Okay, so these don't look like much now, but they will in a few weeks, I promise. And they make great gifts. When the paperwhites (also known as narcissus) bloom, they smell wonderful and look clean and cheery in the dead of winter.

Gather a few glass jars or old vases--- I like to reuse old canning jars. Fill 2/3 of the way with firm, fresh cranberries (you can also use small pebbles, but I like the red-white-green thing these have going on). Place a paperwhite bulb in the center, and fill in any gaps with more cranberries. Then fill the jar with cold, clean water and place in a cool windowsill and wait. In a few weeks you'll have an amazing display of greenery and sweet white flowers. Tie raffia or ribbon around the jar and presto, instant present.