12 Gifts You Can Make
12 gifts you Can Make.
Most kids love making things. Whether it’s building, painting, baking, stitching, or hammering, creating lights them up. Making things is also developmentally wonderful. It helps kids build focus, confidence, and imagination. That spark of “I made this!” brings a pride no store-bought gift can match. So this year, carve out some wonderful connection time with our little one and make some gifts.
Below is a list of 12 gifts your child (or you) can make. They’re creative, meaningful, and rooted in the simple joy of making. Side note… If you’re making these with your child as gifts to give away, plan to make extras. Your child will want to keep one for themselves!
Cookies! Who doesn’t love cookies? And what kids don’t love making them? All that fun, plus they make wonderful gifts!
Nature Swag, Garland or Wind Chime: Go on a nature hike and collect seeds, leaves, pinecones, berries, and more. Add a fancy ribbon and a big bell, then assemble with string.
Clove Oranges: These smell amazing!. Pre-poke the orange with a toothpick before inserting the cloves for easier handling.
Beeswax Projects:: Kids adore candle-making. Plan for at least a half-day, and make extra to make the prep and cleanup worthwhile. Alternatively, make Pinecone Fire Starters by dipping a pinecone in melted beeswax.
Whittling or Carving (Walking Sticks, Magic Wands, Mushrooms, Daggers): Most kids love whittling. For beginners, some gift ideas include: walking sticks, magic wands, and mushrooms are perfect. Avoid overly complex projects unless you’re experienced.
Leather or Fabric Pouch: Cut a large circle of fabric (about 12” diameter). Fold over ½” to 1” all the way around and sew to create a pocket. Use a safety pin to feed string or yarn through, then pull to gather the fabric into a pouch. Perfect for found treasures.
Drawing, Painting, Art: Use good-quality watercolor paper. Spend a day creating a color wash on the back using wet-on-wet techniques. Let dry, then draw or paint on top a few days later. Fold into a card or put in a frame for a nice gift.
Clay Sculpture/Figurine: Kids love playing with clay and making animals. Encourage your child to sculpt animals from air-dry clay and paint them. Grandma will proudly display the animal her grandchild made!
Flavored Vinegar, Salt or Butter: Add berries, rosemary, garlic, or whatever you like to jars of vinegar, salt, or butter. Make a fancy label and share with love. Have you tried balsamic vinegar on ice cream? YUM!
Hand Warmers: Sew up three and a half sides of a hand-sized rectangle of fabric, fill with rice or buckwheat, and sew the last side closed. Warm in the oven for about 10 minutes (or microwave for 30 seconds).
Knitting: Most kids love finger knitting once they learn. Use the chains to make garlands with ornaments, leaves, pom poms, or stars. If your child knows how to knit with needles, consider knitting a hat, washcloth (use cotton), scarf, or animal (chickens and rabbits are easy to make from a simple square of knitted material).
Dyed Silks: Kids love dyeing things. Use Easter egg dyes, turmeric, beets, cabbage, or safe food coloring. Silks are fun to wear for any age and also make pretty decorations.