Photo Credit: ktylerconk
Post by Contributing Writer, Michele of Frugal Granola
Part of the fun of Christmas preparations in our family is involving the little ones in making homemade gifts. Depending on their ages/abilities, the level of their contributions may vary, but they love the feeling of “being in on the surprise.”
It is so sweet to see a child’s joy of giving on Christmas morning, when they say “I made it just for you!” (On the occasion when they admit, “Mama/Daddy helped,” I just respond, “That’s what mommies/daddies are for! You did a wonderful job.” And they smile.)
Some children creatively think of gifts to make for members of the family on their own, while others may prefer an “assigned” project that you work on together. Here are some ideas that allow for little hands, to get you started.
The majority of these projects are intended to be done as a family/with a parent; savor the joy of Christmas together! Many of these gifts are also suitable for friends/neighbors or extended family; tailor it to your family’s gift-giving traditions.
Photo Credit: katerha
For Mama
- Homemade Sugar Scrub (Children love to smell the bottles of essential oils, and choose their favorites!)
- Pallet Shelves (Great for little people that love to hammer the nails.)
- Orange Flower Hand Lotion (from “A Natural Noel“)
- Happy Angel Ornaments
- Energizing Bath Tea Bags (If you don’t want to use muslin bags, disposable bags that you iron shut are also available.)
- Seed Balls or Decorated Tins of Seeds
- Orange Peel Candles
- Bird Seed Ornaments
Photo Credit: James Bowe
For Daddy
- Pallet Shelves (also on the list for Mama)
- Homemade Aftershave (Again, children love smelling those essential oils! We’ve made recipe #2, adding in aloe and masculine-scented essential oils of cedarwood and lavender.)
- Embroidered Handprints (Place in a small frame for his office/desk.)
- Spoon Garden Markers (He’ll be ready for spring planting!)
- Homemade Custom Notepads (The business card suggestion is a great idea, too!)
- Herbal Fire Starters (It’s even more fun if the children have helped grow/gather the herbs.)
- Mini First Aid Kit (The perfect size to tuck into a glove compartment or fishing box.)
- Bowl made from Baking Soda Clay (to store the odds & ends at his desk or dresser)
- Magnetic Airplane Clip (to display all their art for Daddy!)
Photo Credit: Nico Paix
For Siblings
- Homemade Cornstarch Paint
- Fabric Roads (Perfect for repurposing old jeans, and pairs well with a new toy car!)
- Domino Stones (or Alphabet Rocks)
- Watercolor Sketch Books (These could make good gifts for Mama or Daddy, too.)
- Homemade Moon Sand (If you’re in the US, the “corn flour” is known as “cornstarch”.)
- Mini Crayon Holder
- Busy Bags (such as the Felt Play Board)
- Homemade Finger Paints
- Shape-Sorting Memory Game
Gift-making can be a wonderful time of intentionally carving out some quality family time together, as well as practicing generosity for others. You’ll be establishing cherished traditions, valued character traits, and life-long memories!
Wonderul post, Michele! I love making things w/ my kids. We have plans to make nativity ornaments for two people in our lives.
I love this post! I am due to have baby #4 this week and have done an almost all homemade Christmas this year. I was looking for some things for my kids to do(a little hard for me since I’m not very crafty). I think I can handle some of these!!! My kids are old enough now to be making things to give and I think it makes giving so much more special when they’ve made the gift themselves.
This is a WONDERFUL list. I have always enjoyed this blog, but the Christmas posts are FABULOUS! I am loving every one! Right now I’m doing the 12 days of Christmas for my husband. I’m pregnant with our first and I feel like I’m bookmarking every one of these posts to do with my kids for future Christmases.
Thanks, Maegan! Congratulations to you & your husband on the upcoming baby.
Blessings,
Michele
Love it! I just wrote about homemade Christmas gifts, too. We’re doing all homemade stuff this year, except for a couple of larger gifts for the kids that people are handing down to us. I think it’s so much more special!
WOW- thanks for listing the roads from my blog post! I am so excited! So glad to have found your blog too now.
Have a great day!
Thanks for the idea, Jen! They’re fabulous!
Blessings,
Michele
What great idea!! The orange peel candles sound like a fun thing to make. I have a lot sitting around that I was planning on candying.
I’m planning on making some candied orange peel this week, too!
Although those candles are so enticing, aren’t they…? 
Thanks for this list! The kids love making gifts. I am going to get my daughter to do those home made roads for her little brother. That is smart, and easy to clean up and store.
Hope you all have fun!
My daughter loves to play with the toy cars almost as much as her brother; don’t be surprised if your daughter has to “try them out” first. 
Blessings,
Michele
lovely ideas–thanks for all the links!
Sarah M