Easy Handmade Gifts Kids Can Make for Christmas

Jaipi Sixbear, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Nov 7, 2011 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

You want to teach your kids making gifts for Christmas can be more fun than buying them. They're concerned about the quality of their hand-crafted items. All their other friends are handing out cool gifts. Is there a happy medium? Is it possible for kids to produce quality hand-made items for Christmas? Sure there is. You just have to select the right products for them to make.

A photo collage is simple enough. In fact, it's difficult to make a bad one. Kids find photo memories of friends or family, print them out and glue them to stiff paper. Visit the scrap-booking store for stickers, embellishments and more to dress up the collage. Purchase a simple frame for their collage. Friends and family will love the thought that goes into this quality hand-made Christmas gift.

Crocheted scarves are easy to make. Since they're rectangular, kids need learn only one or two stitches to make them. They don't really even need a pattern. They can just stitch a row in the width they desire. Then add row upon row until the scarf is the right length.

No time to teach crochet to kids?

They can make a scarf from fleece fabric:

*Cut out a long rectangle.

*Cut fringes at the ends.

*Slip jingle bells or beads onto the fringe.

*Tie the fringe in knots.

What an easy, yet beautiful handmade Christmas gift!

Note: Small children might need help with the cutting for safety

Fleece blankets are wonderful when watching TV. A few years back, I made some for homeless shelters during the holidays. It was so much fun, I made more for my grand-kids, who begged me to teach them how. Kids can do this simple craft quite quickly. Once again, small children might need help with the cutting.

Here's how it's done:

*Cut two equal lap blanket sized pieces of fleece.

*Cut a 4x4 piece out of all corners of both pieces.

*Cut a 4 inch fringe around the edge of the remaining fabric.

*Place the two fringed pieces back to back, good side facing out.

*Tie the fringe of the two fabric pieces together.

Now your kids have a super thick, pretty blanket to give a loved one for Christmas. Of course, you can also make these blankets for shelters as a family project. It's an awesome way to get your kids started thinking of the less fortunate.

Custom soap is always a hit. You don't want your kids trying to work with lye and other chemicals. Who knows how that soap will turn out? Check your local craft store for simple melt and pour soap bases, scents, molds and additives instead. It's a great way to create a high quality soap without any special soap making skills.

Here's the easiest way for kids to make soap:

*Melt soap base in microwave.

*Stir in scents and additives.

*Pour into molds.

*Let cool.

*Remove from molds.

*Wrap and place in a pretty basket.

So simple and a high quality product as well!

What's the best part of teaching kids to make quality homemade Christmas gifts? The time you get to spend with them, of course.