Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

When my sister and I were growing up, we used to enjoy making our parents homemade cards and gifts for holidays and birthdays. While homemade gifts seem to be more rare these days, kids still enjoy making things for their parents and friends. This article provides you with Christmas gift ideas that kids can make.

Placemats: If your child likes to draw, have him or her draw or color a picture on a large piece of paper. When your child is done coloring or drawing his or her picture, laminate the paper or cover it on both sides with clear contact paper. Homemade placemats make good Christmas gifts that kids can make easily. Your child can draw and/or color multiple pictures for multiple placemats. These placemats will truly be treasured by whoever receives them.

Magnets: Another gift a child can make easily is a magnet. He or she can pick out a photo of him or herself to make a photo out of. Laminate the photos either with a laminating machine or with sheets of laminating paper that have a slit in which you can slide the photo. Once the photos are laminated, cut around the picture so that it is the desired size. Next, put a magnetic strip on the back. These strips can be purchase at a craft store.

Coupon Book: I made a coupon book for my mom in the third grade and she seemed to really enjoy it. It is an easy Christmas gift for kids to make. Get some construction paper in one or several colors. Fold the paper into fourths and cut along the creases to make four squares out of each piece of paper. Take a crayon or marker and write down things that you will do for the recipient of the present. For instance, "This coupon is good for one load of laundry," "This coupon is good for an hour of time with me doing something you enjoy," or, "This coupon is good for walking the dog without complaining."

Use as many sheets of construction paper as you need to make the number of coupons you desire to give. Eight squares is a good number to use for this project - six squares for coupons, one square for a title page, and one square for the closing page of the book, where you can write a message such as, "Merry Christmas, I love you," and sign your name.

When you are finished writing, staple the side of the squares in order to hold them together in a book format.

Pencil Holder: Pencil holders are another Christmas gift kids can make. Take an empty concentrated juice can and wash it out thoroughly. Peel off the label if you are able to do so. Next, measure the width and circumference (length) of the can with a flexible measuring tape. Add one inch to the circumference of the can. Write down the measurements so you do not forget them.

Cut a piece of construction paper according to the measurements you took. Draw pictures or write messages on the construction paper. Some ideas for things to draw or write include drawing a picture of yourself or your family or writing, "Merry Christmas" along with the year you made the pencil holder. Once you are satisfied with how you've decorated your paper, laminate it either with a laminating machine or with laminating sheets you can slide the paper into. You can purchase laminating sheets at a craft store.

Cut the lamination around the paper so it will fit the can neatly. Use a glue stick and rub it on the back of the laminated paper. Stick the paper to the can; it should overlap slightly when you wrap the paper around it.

Next, choose a different color of construction paper and cut the same circumference size you did for the laminated sheet one inch wide. Use a glue stick to stick the one inch wide piece of construction paper on top of the can, putting on side of the paper on one side of the can and folding it over the edge of the can so the other side of the paper sticks to the inside of the can. This will protect the recipient from getting hurt on the sharp edge of the can.

Lip Balm: Lip balm is a great present for an older child to make as a Christmas gift. You can pour the finished lip balm into a pill bottle you get at Wal-Mart in the travel section or into another small, clean container.

You will need the following ingredients to make the lip balm: 2 tablespoons of grated beeswax, 3-4 drops of pineapple, coconut, or peppermint extract, the contents of one vitamin E capsule, and 1 ½ teaspoons of coconut oil - you can add an extra teaspoon of coconut oil if you feel the solution is too stiff).

Heat the beeswax and coconut oil over low heat, stirring well. Add the vitamin E and the extract of your choice. Finally, pour into the small container. This recipe makes 1 ½ ounces of lip balm.

If your child enjoys making Christmas gifts, these are just a few of the Christmas gifts kids can make. These are projects your kids will have fun making for family member and friends this holiday season!

Sources:

Amazing Moms: Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make - Easy Homemade Gifts Ages 2-6:

http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/gifts_kids_make2-6.htm

Essortment: Kids Craft Ideas: Gifts That Kids Can Make:

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/giftsthatkids_sluu.htm

Scribbit Motherhood in Alaska: Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make:

http://scribbit.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-gifts-kids-can-make.html