A Gift Idea That'll Spark Creativity

Coming up with gift ideas is challenging no matter what age you're dealing with, but it doesn't have to be. If you're like me and you're looking for ideas that'll keep the imagination going and spark creativity, here's and idea that'll bring smiles to both the recipient and their parent.

Make a Creative Caddy:

Pick up one of those lap-style snack trays that have the compartments on both sides. They're made of a sturdy plastic, they're easy to clean and they can be moved anywhere the child is allowed to create. (When you get started, you'll be surprised how much you can fit in these compartments.)

Fill the compartments: pencils, erasers, doodle pads, pads of construction paper, pencil holders, rubber stamps, scissors, glue sticks, rulers, markers, crayons, small coloring books, stencils, stickers and stationary.

You can choose to fill the caddy on the spot and wrap the entire gift in cellophane "gift basket style" or you can opt to wrap each item separately. Some kids like unwrapping each item, while others like to see it all together right away, so try to figure out their tastes ahead of time.

When I assembled these for my children, it was very cost effective and I could fit a lot into the compartments. Each caddy (I made up three), when it was filled, cost approximately $14.00 without tax. I found the caddy's at a super center (like Wal-Mart) and the rest was bought from the dollar and clearance sections of the craft store (like Michael's).

Other ideas for products to fill the compartments with:

• glitter glue
• glitter gel pens
• die-cuts
• watercolor paint sets
• scrapbook embellishments
• small jewelry making kits
• small wooden paint project kits
• make your own puzzle kits
• pipe cleaners
• magnets
• foam shapes and letters

My children use their caddy's daily and keep their "work spaces" organized based on their tastes. (meaning, they rearranged everything the way they like it in all the compartments) They have their "works in progress" on the surface of the caddy and everything else put away, that way they can return to their projects whenever the mood hits.