Make Homemade Heartfelt Holiday Gifts With Kids

Best Simple and Thoughtful Personal Presents for Family and Friends

Nov 14, 2009 Tamiko Nicholson

Make simple and special gifts at home this Christmas, from love in a bottle to a book of memories. These can easily be made by both kids and grown-ups.

Sometimes holidays like Christmas can become very commercialized and it’s nice for kids to be part of holiday giving that is about symbolizing love and care for another without being materialistic. Homemade gifts are great for kids to make, but adults can create these personal treasures too.

Give a Loved One "Love in a Bottle"

Get a bottle and some paper for this present, and it’s nice to get red, pink and white construction paper if possible. Cut the paper into hearts that will fit into the jar. Then write love messages on each of the hearts. Some examples are simple ones like “I Love You” or “Hugs and Kisses.” If kids can’t write yet, parents can do it for them and let the kids decorate the hearts with sparkles, crayons or felts. Put a label sticker or glue on a piece of paper that says “Love in a Bottle.”

Make a Jar of Appreciation

All that is needed is a jar and paper cut into small slips. Get a white label to stick on the side of the jar, and write “Jar of Appreciation” on it or cut a rectangle out of paper with the same words and glue it on to the jar. On the slips of paper, write down words of appreciation. A person can brainstorm all the things that he or she appreciate about a friend or family member and the things they are thankful for when it comes to this special person in his or her life. For example, “Thank you for making delicious dinners for our family every night.” Or “I am thankful for all your patience with me during my terrible teen years.”

For younger children, parents can write out the sentences and have the child decorate the strips of paper with crayons and stickers. After writing on the slips, roll them up in a spiral so they can look more interesting in the jar.

Present a Pot of Positive Thoughts

Get any kind of pot, from a clay plant pot to a pretty decorative bowl, and a bunch of smooth flat stones to fill it. Clean and dry the stones if they are from outdoors or buy some from a craft store. Then paint the stones a variety of colors or leave them as is. Write a positive message or word on each stone. For example, “love life” or “I love you!” to one-word terms like ”Laugh,” “Hope,” “Share” and “Smile.”

Write a card to go along with this gift, explaining that each rock symbolizes a positive thought for that person, and if that person is ever feeling down he or she can reach in and grab a positive thought (or two or three!) and know that someone is thinking about him or her.

Create a Book of Memories

This can be done simply with kids or to a high art scrapbook level. Buy a blank-paged book or a scrapbook and fill with photos, drawings and small items that could be glued into the book. Write about important memories that the family has shared with this person, such as a Book of Special Memories with Grandma. Brainstorm with kids about some of their favorite times with the person and look for photos, magazine cutouts or have kids draw pictures that relate to the memory.

The memories can range from how this person has changed the life of those around him and her to very funny or sad moments as well. Start off the sentences with “I remember…” or “I have a great memory of…” For example, “I have a great memory of when you first took me fishing. I was so happy to catch my first trout.” Or “I remember when I had to go to the hospital for an operation and you visited me every day.”

These simple and heartfelt gifts are great for Christmas, birthdays or any time of the year to give to someone special in a child or a family’s life. Any of these gift ideas can be mixed and matched as well; it can be a pot of memories or a jar of appreciations. And, if a jar isn’t handy use a small box or another type of container instead. It’s also possible to get a big basket and do a variety of these gift ideas to give to someone.

Also check out Quick and Easy Homemade Christmas Decorations, Eco-Friendly Christmas Wrapping Ideas and Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Teachers too.

HOL101

The copyright of the article Make Homemade Heartfelt Holiday Gifts With Kids in Kids Crafts is owned by Tamiko Nicholson. Permission to republish Make Homemade Heartfelt Holiday Gifts With Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Kids Can Put Sparkles on Messages	Give a Bottle of Love as a Holiday Gift	Write Messages for Jar of Appreciation
Kids Can Paint Rocks with Positive Thoughts	Use Boxes Instead of Jars for Homemade Gifts