You'll need a pattern you can duplicate at an instant printer — if you're willing to spend some weekend time — to execute the box. Make it a family-fun project; get Mom and Dad, even Grandma, to work with the kids.

The box size can be large or small, depending on your needs, by enlarging or reducing the original pattern. Youngsters should work under adult supervision, because a sharp-edged X-Acto knife is needed to cut out parts of the pattern. You can use the sample design or decorate the exterior with crayons, marking pens, stickers, whatever. Or simply write in a can't-fail "I love you" sentiment.

Ten copies of paper will get you 30 miniature boxes, if you position the pattern to make use of the limited space.

• Vellum or card-stock paper (heavier than normal bond), in red — or white, if you want to add on red or pink, the common Valentine's hues; how many sheets depends on the number of boxes you want to make.

• Rubber stamps, pad to decorate.

• Other decorating items, such as crayons, heart stickers, puffy paints, assortment of pens, cut-out magazine images, other paste-ons such as tiny dried or silk flowers.

TOOLS, AIDS

• X-Acto knife, to slit the box and cut out one portion.

• Scissors.

• Double-edged tape or quick-dry glue, if you're doing paste-ons.

• Scoring tool, to "score" folding sections of box (a "dry" or inkless ball point pen will do).

• Ruler to use with scoring tool.

SERVICES

• Access to a photocopier, at an instant printer.

• Paper supply store; but printers sell card stock, too.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Use adjoining pattern; can be enlarged or reduced.

• Maximize your card stock (two large or three smaller boxes fit on 8 1/2 by 11 sheets).

• Run off at printer.

• Score pattern, as specified.

• Cut slit, for tab.

• Cut out unneeded section.

• Decorate with inks, stamps or paste-ons.

• Assemble box.

• Fill with sweet treats, trinket, or love note.

Wayne Harada is a box-making hobbyist. Reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.

Free help with college financial aid applications

You're planning for college, but you're a bit concerned about that labyrinth called "financial aid." Well, help is here, and it's free.

Tomorrow's College Goal Sunday 2005 will help families through the process of completing the the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is the application required by most colleges, universities and vocational/technical schools.

Bring your 2004 tax return (or your parent's return if you're under age 24), W-2 form and other 2005 income and benefits information to any of these sites, beginning at 1 p.m.:

• Kapolei Middle School cafeteria, 91-5335 Kapolei Parkway.

• McKinley High School auditorium, 1039 S. King St.

• Castle High School cafeteria, 45-386 Kane'ohe Bay Drive. 593-2262, 591-2708.

Don Ho

Jasmine Trias

You know it's the end of football season when the Pro Bowl comes to town. Sigh! The annual game at Aloha Stadium begins at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow (airing live on ESPN, too). Tickets are $30-$150, available at the stadium box office, Ticketmaster outlets and online at ticketmaster.com. (877) 750-4400.

Singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, in town for a concert at the Hawai'i Theatre tonight (7:30 p.m.; $20, $22.50, $27.50; 528-0506), will sing the national anthem before the game. Island icon Don Ho and "American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias will perform in the half-time show.

Sunset on Beach with Billy Bob and classic Elvis

Tonight's film, in conjunction with Pro Bowl activities, is the high-school football drama "Friday Night Lights," starring Billy Bob Thornton. Tomorrow's feature, celebrating the first Hawaiian music Grammy, is the always-popular "Blue Hawaii," starring Elvis Presley.

Sunset on the Beach events begin at 4 p.m. each day; films hit the screen at about 6:45 p.m. Admission is free. 923-1094.

Cookie alert at Ward Centre for all monsters

Cookie monsters, there's a sweet treat for you tomorrow at Kaka'ako Kitchen at Ward Centre. It's the 2nd annual Cookies with Heart — Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe Contest, a 5 p.m. taste-off of cookies from 20 original recipes. Get there early: A $5 ticket lets you sample the cookies; the Hawaii Coffee Co. will provide coffee and hot chocolate.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

Blood pressure gets pumped at Macy's today

Macy's stores at Ala Moana Center, Pearlridge Center, Kahala Mall and Windward Mall will offer free blood-pressure screenings as part of the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women," a campaign to alert women about the risks of heart disease and stroke.

Men are welcome to be tested, too. Hours are from noon to 2 p.m. today. 945-5894.

Moscow State Circus stars entertain with flash, dash and daring at Blaisdell

Two members of the famed Wallenda family, Rietta and Lyric Wallenda, will give a special performance.

The last time the circus was in town was last March.

Show times are at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. today and at 2 and 6 p.m. tomorrow.

Tickets are $22, $27 and $32 adults; $14.50, $19.50 and $24.50 children. Coupons available around town are good for a $7.50 discount on kids' tickets; or, buy a $22 adult ticket, and the coupon lets in a child for free.

A dollar from each redeemed coupon will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.

The Honolulu Advertiser is a sponsor. (877) 750-4400.

Head to Bishop Museum for Family Sunday games storytelling, food, fun

Bring the family to the Bishop Museum tomorrow for the 5th annual Mary Kawena Pukui Storytelling Festival Family Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It's a chance to learn about Hawaiian history and includes makahiki games, food, craft activities and entertainment. Storytellers from Hawai'i, Alaska and Massachusetts will participate.

And Island authors including Momi Lum, Leimomi Akana, The Advertiser's Bob Krauss, Leonard Villanueva, illustrator Roy Chang and former first lady Jean Ariyoshi will autograph their books.

Of course, all the exhibits at the museum are open for perusal, including the new traveling exhibits, "Nature's Numbers" and "A Forest Journey." These exhibits, from the Franklin Institute Science Museum, offer hands-on activities that showcase the wonders of the natural world and the nature of mathematics.

Admission is wonderfully affordable: $3 for kama'aina and military; free for museum members. and kids younger than 3. 847-3511.

Tickets on sale for Jimmy Buffet playing April 19 at Waikiki Shell

That's right: Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. today for a concert by Mr. Margaritaville Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. Show time is 7 p.m. Buffet was last here in January 2004 for a packed concert at the same venue.