Low Cost Gifts for Kids to Make

They really enjoyed the time we spent together making them. Also from little on they learn to give. Of course the family was always happy to receive these special gifts.

For the younger children here are a few ideas that are easy to make, but still make very useful gifts.

Pinecone Birdfeeder*:

Large pinecone
Peanut butter or lard
Birdseed
Ribbon or twine
Dixie cup or small container
Artist paint brush

Work on a piece of wax paper or newspaper. Put some peanut butter or lard in a Dixie cup or small container. With a paint brush cover the pinecone with the peanut butter or lard. Put some birdseed on the wax paper and roll it around till well coated. Set aside on the wax paper to dry out for a little while. Finally, tie a ribbon or piece of twine around the pinecone, enough to be able to tie the pinecone on a tree branch. Put in Ziploc baggie before boxing or wrapping this gift.

Helping Hand Gift Certificate*:

Paper plate
Paint
Marker
Pencil
Paint brush
Scissors

With a paint brush, paint the palm and fingers of the child's hand, with desired color.
Have the child firmly press their hand on a paper plate. Let paint dry and wash the child's hand.

When it is dry, take the child's handprint and trace with a pencil. Cut the handprint out along the pencil line.

With a marker, write on the handprint "To: ______ Good for a Helping Hand when needed. From _____".

The kids can give one of these certificates to the neighbors. They can have them help with a chore in the yard or such. Kids in general love to help out.

Paper Plate Coupon Holder*:

2 paper plates
Brads
Hole punch
Scissors
Ruler
Glue
Ribbon or twine
Items to decorate the paper plate with, such as sequins, construction paper shapes, paints or markers.

Take one of the paper plates and with a ruler and pencil, mark down the middle of the paper plate. Cutting on the line, cut the paper plate in half.

Next, glue the two halves together; this will make the holder sturdier. Decorate the outside of the half of plates, which would be the actual bottom of the paper plate.
Put the paper plates together, (there should be a space between plates where coupons will be held) along the rim of the paper plates punch five holes. Put a brad through each one to hold the plates together. Punch a hole at the top of the whole plate and put ribbon or twine through to make the hanger for the coupon holder.

If you do not have a hole punch or brads, a stapler could be used instead.

For the older children a Cocoa Mug* makes a nice gift. A pair of them would be a great gift for grandma and grandpa. Christmas mugs can be purchased at the dollar bill store or any thrift store this time of year, usually for 25 to 50 cents.

Hot cocoa mix
Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Miniature marshmallows
Ribbon

For each mug put in enough cocoa mix into a plastic baggie (the fold type not Ziploc).Add 10 chocolate chips and 10 miniature marshmallows to baggie. Tie baggie closed with a piece of ribbon. Add a note that says "Add 8 to 10 ounces of hot water and mix well". Attach note to ribbon and put in mug. Coffee or tea also works nicely in the mug instead of cocoa.

Decorated Snowman Pot*:
For this gift you will need a small clay pot. I use the 4-5 inch pots, but what ever size you choose, will work.
White and navy blue paints
Small, medium and large white buttons (for snowman)
Small piece of plaid flannel or homespun material
Q-tip
Glue

Paint the outside of the clay pot navy blue and let dry. Take the Q-tip and dip in white paint. Lightly dab on the outside of the pot to create snowflakes. Let snowflakes dry.

Glue large, medium and small buttons on the side of the pot to make a snowman. Take a piece of the flannel and glue on the neck of the snowman for his scarf.

You can also put a few silver sequins on top of a few snowflakes to add a little bling.
Fill with some peppermint candies or Hershey kisses.

This Snowman Pin* makes a nice gift for a grandmother, aunt or even the babysitter.

A 1" and 2" white button
2 small wiggly eyes
Pin back
Ribbon
Wax paper
Tacky glue or glue gun (if helping the child)

Work on a piece of wax paper. Take the buttons and put them face down on the wax paper, placing buttons side by side. Glue pin back on the buttons, so half the pin is on each button. This will hold the snowman together. Let glue dry.

Turn the pin over and glue the wiggly eyes on the smaller button, which will be the head of the snowman. Take a piece of ribbon and glue it to the neck of the snowman for his scarf. Putting this on a homemade Christmas card makes a very nice gift.

Magnetic Button Frames* are a nice gift to make for someone who keeps pictures or articles on their refrigerator. You will need:
A piece of craft foam
Multi colored buttons
Magnetic stripping
Glue
Scissors
Pencil

Cut a piece of craft foam 4" by 5", or desired size. Mark in 1" along the piece of foam, to make the opening of the frame. Cut out the opening.

Next take the buttons and glue on the frame with a design you like, or cover the frame completely with buttons. Let the buttons dry on frame.

Turn the frame over and glue a piece of magnetic stripping to the top and bottom of the frame. Two inch pieces seem to hold the frame up well.

Holiday Potpourri* needs to be made with the help of an adult.

Pint size canning jar
Canning jar band
Doily
Christmas ribbon
Oranges, lemons and limes (3 of each)
8 cinnamon sticks (broken in pieces)
4 bay leaves (crumbled)
½ cup whole cloves
½ cup whole allspice
1 cup of small pinecones

Peel fruit, removing only the peel. Cut into 1"- 1 ½" pieces and set on a cookie sheet.
Place into a 175 degree, preheated oven. Dry in oven for about 1 ½ hours until the peels feel leathery. Spread on paper towel and let air dry completely for 24 hours.

Take all the ingredients and mix well in a large bowl. Fill jars with the mixture of potpourri. Put doily on top of the jar and put canning jar band on to hold the doily. Take a ribbon and tie it around the band and make a bow.