How to Spend a Homemade Christmas with Your Family without Spending Money!

When I was growing up we did not have any money for extras, but my mom was creative, so my sisters and I were the assembly line for her Christmas-gift crafting creations. Of course styles change over the years, but what we called "trash-to-crafts", is now being referred to as green, recycled, repurposed, reusable, responsible, good stewardship, etc. Whatever you call it, it just makes sense to make whatever you can, and have a fun Christmas anyway!

Call it what you will, making family Christmas gifts from your recyclables makes perfect sense these days, and will save your family a ton of money! Make everything from your Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, wrapping paper, and bows. However I like to save beautiful bows and ribbons to reuse anyway. Here is a listing of very easy family crafting ideas (with links to step-by-step directions) helping your children get into the gift-giving spirit of the season, while learning responsible stewardship.

Homemade Christmas Cards

Making Christmas cards can be as simple as purchasing pre-stamped postcards from the post-office. Just use Christmas-y rubber stamps, to creatively stamp out red and green images onto the card face. Allow the stamped artwork to dry, address to recipient, and then pop into the mailbox!

Your kids could add Santa stickers, hand-drawn candy canes, and write personal messages to family members. What grandparents wouldn't love to receive one of those inexpensive, yet specially decorated, handmade holiday cards? Here is also a quick reference article for adding scripture onto your homemade Christmas postcards "Bible Scriptures Ideal for Christmas Card Greetings".

Homemade Holiday Gift Wrappings

Make gift-wrappings using any number of papers, from newsprint to colorful construction papers, or inexpensive art rolls of kids' table-top paper (blank newsprint) or white butcher-paper rolls. Rubber-stamp, or hand color repeating holiday designs, and add (optional) Christmas stickers to your wrapping papers, after artwork has dried.

The trick to making homemade wrapping papers look good is to use beautiful ribbons, and tie a large colorful bow on top. You could also tie or glue, a homemade Christmas tree ornament, or cookie cutter, onto the center of your bow, as a bonus gift/decoration!

Seashell-Crafted Gifts to Make

These fun shell crafts can be a lot of fun for your older kids 5 to 18 years old. The mess factor on this project can be high, so try to set these up on an over-sized work table, for everyone to join in the gift-making fun! Choose from these 3 elegant seashell-gift projects.

"Make a Shell Mirror Reflecting the Sea Shore"

"Homemade Seashell Memory Boxes Kids Can Make for Gifts"

"Homemade Seashell Christmas-Tree Ornaments from the California Coast"

Soft Fabric & Yarn Crafting Gifts

These crafts are easy for sewers (or those who crochet) to make; especially if there are lots of fabric and ribbon scraps (or odd yarn balls) lying around from other projects. Try making these easy-sew (and quick-crochet) projects for gift giving.

"Homemade for Baby's First Christmas"

"Kids Hand-Stitched Applique Christmas Gift Pillows"

"Contemporary Repurposed Hawaiiana Applique Quilt"

"Ribbon-Floral Embroidered Hand Towels"

"Fall Season Quick-Crochet Ombre` Scarf"

Gifts from Your Kitchen

If your family prefers cooking or baking together, try whipping up some of these fun holiday gifting treats. Make sure to put some aside for your family, to prevent unwanted nibbling along the way.

"Homemade Christmas Treats with Tags"

"Impressive Christmas Gourmet Baskets That Are the Perfect Family Gift"

"Quick & Healthy Gifts to Make with Your Kids"

"Christmas Doggie Cookies: Wholesome & Homemade Christmas Treats"

Now you have lots of easy-to-make gift ideas for the holidays. Don't let a lack of money keep you or your kids from having a great Christmas. Homemade gifts are not only fun to make as a family they are the most cherished gifts to receive!