On a lighter note, a bit of whimsy: The San Antonio News-Express held a wand-making contest. ...the San Antonio Express-News asked readers to make their own wand. Our only prerequisite was that the wand have a meaning unique to the one who created it, much like the wands in the Harry Potter books.
The creativity and thought the kids put into their wands is incredible and it was very nice to see something like this being encouraged, even if it was rooted in a fictional series for inspiration. Hopefully as they grow older, this will help guide their footsteps to a path that's right for them.
Do you personally use a wand? Did you make yours, or was it a gift, or store-bought?