Although the stores are trying to convince us it's time to start putting up our December holiday decor, I'm personally just not ready to start thinking about snowmen and red-nosed reindeer invading my home in November. We're still working on the autumn leaf theme around our house.

If you're not ready to move onto December yet, either, here's a simple idea for a fun decoration to make with your kids. And now that I think about it, you could even make decorations for your Christmas tree or for small homemade holiday gifts out of these simple projects. Wheat Weaving: 1) Soak wheat on the stalk (from craft stores or local farmers) in a tub of water for an hour or so. 2) Holding three seed heads together, braid the stems of the wheat stalks. 3) Curve the ends around to make an oval loop, a circle wreath, or even bend it a bit to make a heart shape.

4) Tie with brightly colored ribbon. As the stalks dry, they'll hold their shape. Add to your autumn decorations -- or give as gifts!  

The Author:   Deborah Taylor-Hough (mother of three) is the author of several books including the popular 'Frozen Assets: How to Cook for a Day and Eat for a Month' and the newly released 'Frugal Living For Dummies(r)' (Wiley, 2003). Visit Debi online for more articles, helpful ideas, and subscribe to a free newsletter or two by going to: http://hometown.aol.com/dsimple