Kids love being a part of the festive holiday season of
Christmas and by letting them make gifts for others it teaches them so much. They learn how to create, how to organize, and
the value of hard work to achieve their goals. More importantly it gives them the moral compass of giving through love and
compassion for others.
There are easy homemade gifts that young children can make
to give to family, friends, and neighbors. By taking a few moments out of your busy holiday schedule, you can exemplify
the true spirit of love not only for others, but for your kids as well. Besides, these easy craft gift ideas are inexpensive
and a lot of fun to make. So create a new family tradition of homemade gift making with your children.
For example, give your kid a chance to make a handy latch hook rug for
someone they love. Most major discount stores carry them, and you can start your kid off with a small sized one to give as
a gift. Designs include everything from a cat to flowers. There are no little pieces of dangerous items to keep up with such
as needles or sharp scissors. The tiny yard threads can be separated into small storage containers and dispensed as needed.
The latch hook itself has no sharp parts to be concerned with; however you may want to warn your kid not to run with the curved
tool. The canvas is clearly marked with the placement of colored yarn, and the back can be taped, and later quick-stitched
by you so it will hold securely.
Another fun
homemade gift that your kid can make is fleece scarves. Material can be found at different fabric and craft stores. The material
comes in a variety of designs, both solid and holiday prints. With a little help from you, kids can cut and measure the width
and length desired. Edges can be left plain or cut into short strips on the end to add a little flare. Kids can even wrap
it themselves by simply rolling it tightly and securing it with a ribbon.
Another type of homemade gift kids can make for Christmas is to pain a light-weight balsa wood type box,
which then can be decorated for storing small personal items such as stamps or trinkets. Small colored beads or faux jewels
can be glued onto the lid and a picture of themselves can be placed on the inside of the box top. A cardboard bottom can be
added for extra support along with a felt lining to jazz it up. Adding the date to the top of the box will make it a keepsake
for sure.
Kids like to give other box-type
gifts such as the clear plastic formed boxes. Many companies on the Internet carry them, and for a few extra dollars you can
buy one with a slit in the top that would make a great piggy bank gift for their friends. Again, this box can be painted with
permanent paint, and glue can be applied to stick a multi colored ribbon on it. Kids might like to add a penny into the box
to keep their friends guessing.
Other types of hand-made
gifts can be easy ribbon bookmarks or even ribbon jewelry. Also, plain pillow covers for the bed can be decorated by your
kid by dipping their hands in fabric paint and adding their handprint plus printing their name on the case. Grand parents
really love these types of gifts from their grand kids because they’re not only useful but they’re very close
to their hearts each time they lay down for the night.
Another
easy yet practical project is to buy items such as pieces of cedar wood that come with a little hanger attached for hanging
in the closet and let your kids paint designs on them, along with their name and the year.
You can help your kid create all of these easy projects quickly, and it will mean so
much to them and to their gift recipients. Just remember to let your kid do as much as they can because they want to be able
to say they made it themselves. Even though it’s tempting to correct the small mistakes they may make, it’s just
as easy to look away, knowing they made it with all of the love in their hearts -- which is the true spirit of Christmas.
