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Holidays

Put Your Kids to Work for the Holidays (16 DIY Gifts They Can Make)

Posted on December 15, 2011 - 05:31:50 by

Candace Lindemann

Candace Lindemann

We have an annual tradition where we set up a little Santa's workshop and the kids paint, glue, and bead their hearts out to make homemade Christmas gifts for the family!

 

 

Here are a few ideas kids can tackle, from toddlers up through teens: 

 

 

 

PHOTO GIFTS


Looking for the perfect gift for the grandparents? Look no further than those adorable little children of yours. Any gift to frame or feature the child's photo is sure to be a hit--especially if it is crafted by the child.

  • Photo Christmas Baubles from Red Ted Art: These paper ornaments are a fun way to keep a memento of growing little ones from year to year.

  • Decoupage Photo Pencil Holders from Naturally Educational: Keep these on your desk to store pens and pencils and brag about the cute little children/grandchildren/nieces and nephews.

  • Paper Bead Photo Frame from As the Bunny Hops: This is a "look for less" project that gets beautiful results.

 


EDIBLE GIFTS

 

What do you get the person who has everything (or has no more space)? How about a tasty treat?

  • Chocolate Dipped Spoons from Delicious, Delicious, Delicious: So very simple to make and enjoy in coffee or hot cocoa.

  • Cocoa Cones from Teaching Tiny Tots: When I think winter, I think hot cocoa. Kids can practice measuring and pouring when the help make these for friends and family.

  • Chocolate Covered Pretzel Candy from ...Just a Thought: Since my baking usually winds up as a huge #FAIL (hey, you try to measure and time with three little kids), chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles is now my default. Bag a few up with a ribbon and you have a gift!

  • Cookie Dough Log from Make and Takes: Even easier than mixes, this Cookie Log would be a great gift for someone who can't bake but loves cookies. Not that I know anyone like that.

 


ORNAMENTS, KEEPSAKES, AND JEWELRY

 

 

Little ones can make lovely things. When I asked my favorite bloggers about gifts kids can make, I received a flurry of ornaments. Nothing says the Holidays quite like a beautiful bauble you can display or wear each year.

  • DIY Wind Chimes from Hands On As We Grow: Musical like a child's laughter, I love the spirit that shines through in these Wind Chimes.

  • Bottle Cap Ornaments from Teach Mama: So sparkly and pretty! These would also make great necklaces and photo gifts!

  • Beaded Coasters from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman: Kids love beads; just ask my vacuum cleaner! These beaded coasters are colorful, useful, and so easy!

  • Snow Globes from Little Elephants: Veronique experimented until she found just the right way to make these classic keepsakes. (Hint: Use baby oil if you can't find glycerine.)

  • Finger-Knit Brooch from NurtureStore: My daughter is ready to take up finger knitting and these would make lovely presents.



INDULGENCES

 

When I was a teacher, I remember a few parents tried to sneak bottles of win in as Holiday gifts. As much as I appreciate the sentiment, here are a few other ways to say, "You work hard. You deserve a break!"

  • Bath Salts from Frugal Family Fun or Sugar Scrub from Skip to My Lou: These fragrant spa products will help the recipients relax and enjoy sugar-plum dreams.

  • Pressed Leaf Lanterns from Naturally Educational or Baby Food Jar Votives from TinkerLab:If you take a glass jar of about any size and then decoupage it with tissue paper or pressed flowers or leaves, you will get a beautiful, glowing candle holder. Use smaller jars for younger children's short attention spans.

  • Daddy's "Back Massage" Shirt from Pink and Green Mama: This one stopped me short in my feed reader! What a clever gift the whole family can give Dad. After a long night of present-wrapping, Dad can take a nap while the younger kids play with the matchbox cars.



The effort and creativity my kids put into the gift is valuable for them and the close friends and family. I can still remember how proud I was when my grandparents displayed my awkward candy dishes, lopsided jewelry boxes, and funny little paper dolls.

 


Craft supplies, $5
Hours of time, 2
The look on Grandpa's face when his precious grandchild insist he wears the hand-painted tie? Priceless.



Do your children make gifts for the people on their lists?