The holidays are fast approaching, and sometimes the best gift is the one crafted with love. If you're running out of time, don't worry! Here are 10 easy, heartfelt, and budget-friendly gift ideas for Christmas and Hanukkah that kids of all ages can make.
1. Personalized Ornaments
Great for: All ages (from toddlers with help to older kids)
Create personalized holiday ornaments to hang on the tree or use as keepsakes for family members.
Materials:
- Clear glass or plastic ornament bulbs
- Craft paint, glitter, or washi tape
- Small beads or rhinestones
- Ribbon or twine
Shopping List:
- Clear ornament bulbs (buy online or at craft stores)
- Paint pens or acrylic paint (red, green, gold, silver)
- Glitter (optional)
- Ribbon/twine for hanging
- Small rhinestones or stickers (optional)
How-To:Kids can fill the ornaments with glitter, paint their names or holiday designs, or even add beads and rhinestones for extra sparkle. A fun idea is to personalize each ornament with a family member's name or favorite colors.
2. Photo Snow Globe Frames
Great for: Kids 5 and up
A homemade photo snow globe frame can be a touching gift, especially if you add a favorite family photo inside.
Materials:
- Empty jar with lid (such as a mason jar)
- Fake snow or glitter
- Small figurines (optional)
- Photo (cut to size)
- Hot glue gun (adult supervision needed)
Shopping List:
- Mason jar (or any clear jar with a lid)
- Fake snow or artificial snowflakes
- Mini figurines (think tiny reindeer, snowmen, or Christmas trees)
- A printed photo (family or pet photo)
- Glue gun and glue sticks (if available)
How-To:Attach a photo to the inside of the jar lid using a hot glue gun. Add a sprinkle of fake snow or glitter to the jar, and glue small figurines inside. Twist the lid onto the jar, shake it gently to see the snow fall, and voila! A magical, personalized gift.
3. Handprint/Footprint Art
Great for: Toddlers and younger kids
Capture a special moment by turning little hands or feet into a work of art.
Materials:
- Non-toxic craft paint
- Blank cardstock or canvas
- Paintbrushes
- Markers
Shopping List:
- Non-toxic paint (red, green, blue, gold, etc.)
- Paper (thick cardstock or canvas works best)
- Washcloths or paper towels for cleanup
How-To:Paint the child’s hand or foot and press it onto a blank canvas or piece of paper. After it dries, use markers to create a holiday scene, such as reindeer antlers from handprints or snowmen from foot prints. Frame it for a beautiful, sentimental gift.
4. Homemade Holiday Cards
Great for: Kids of all ages
A heartfelt card can be a meaningful gift that is treasured by family members.
Materials:
- Blank cards or card stock
- Markers, colored pencils, or watercolors
- Stickers, glitter, or washi tape
- Stamps and ink (optional)
Shopping List:
- Blank greeting cards or card stock
- Markers, colored pencils, and/or watercolors
- Stickers, glitter, and other embellishments
- Rubber stamps (optional)
How-To:Kids can create their own designs with markers or paints. Personalize each card with a handwritten message, and decorate with fun stickers or glitter. Let them sign the cards with love, and they’re ready to go.
5. Cinnamon-Scented Ornaments
Great for: Kids 3 and up
These delightful ornaments fill the air with a spicy, festive scent and make great gifts.
Materials:
- 1 cup cinnamon
- ½ cup applesauce
- 1 tablespoon glue
- Ribbon for hanging
Shopping List:
- Ground cinnamon
- Applesauce (unsweetened)
- School glue or craft glue
- Ribbon for hanging
How-To:Mix cinnamon, applesauce, and glue to form a dough. Roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes. Make a hole at the top with a straw to thread ribbon through. Let the ornaments dry for 24 hours before gifting.
6. Homemade Cookie Mix in a Jar
Great for: Kids 8 and up
Perfect for a baking-loving family, this simple gift is both practical and fun.
Materials:
- Mason jar or large glass container
- Flour, sugar, and baking soda
- Chocolate chips, oats, and other mix-ins
- A ribbon or fabric for the jar lid
- Recipe tag
Shopping List:
- Mason jars (or any large clear jar)
- Flour, sugar, baking soda, salt
- Chocolate chips, oats, or dried fruit
- Ribbon or fabric to cover the jar lid
- Tag for the recipe
How-To:Layer ingredients for cookies (such as chocolate chip or oatmeal) into a mason jar in the order listed in the recipe. Attach a recipe card to the jar so the recipient knows how to prepare the cookies once they have all the ingredients.
7. Handmade Candles
Great for: Kids 8 and up (with supervision)
Candles make beautiful, practical gifts that feel indulgent and special.
Materials:
- Candle wax (soy or beeswax)
- Wick
- Essential oils (for fragrance)
- Molds (muffin tins, mason jars, or silicone molds)
Shopping List:
- Candle wax (soy or beeswax)
- Wick with a clip
- Essential oils (e.g., lavender, cinnamon)
- Molds (old mugs or jars)
How-To:Melt the wax in a double boiler, then stir in essential oils for fragrance. Attach the wick to the bottom of the mold, pour in the wax, and allow it to set. Once cool, trim the wick, and your homemade candle is ready to gift.
8. Decorated Mugs
Great for: Kids 6 and up
Create a one-of-a-kind mug by decorating plain ceramic mugs.
Materials:
- Plain white mugs (ceramic or porcelain)
- Oil-based paint markers or ceramic paint
- Oven for baking (to set the design)
Shopping List:
- Plain white ceramic mugs
- Oil-based paint pens or ceramic paint
- Ribbon for wrapping (optional)
How-To:Let kids decorate the mugs with holiday-themed designs, names, or fun doodles. Bake the mugs according to the paint instructions to ensure the designs stay put. You can even pair the mugs with hot cocoa mix for an extra special touch.
9. DIY Lip Balm
Great for: Kids 8 and up
This lip balm is a thoughtful and practical gift that’s simple to make.
Materials:
- Beeswax pastilles
- Coconut oil
- Essential oils (like peppermint or vanilla)
- Small tins or lip balm tubes
Shopping List:
- Beeswax pastilles
- Coconut oil
- Essential oils (peppermint or vanilla)
- Small containers or lip balm tubes
How-To:Melt beeswax and coconut oil together. Add a few drops of essential oils for scent, then pour the mixture into small containers or tubes. Let it cool and solidify, and your homemade lip balm is ready to gift.
10. Salt Dough Handprint Plaques
Great for: Kids of all ages, especially young children
A lasting keepsake of tiny hands, these salt dough plaques make a timeless gift.
Materials:
- 1 cup salt
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup water
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters or shapes (optional)
- Paint for decorating
- Ribbon for hanging
Shopping List:
- Salt
- Flour
- Water
- Paint (acrylic or washable)
- Ribbon for hanging
How-To:Mix salt, flour, and water to make a dough. Roll it out and create handprints or other shapes with cookie cutters. Once dry, kids can paint and decorate the plaque. Thread a ribbon through a hole at the top for easy hanging.
I wish I was this creative but these ideas are brought to you with help from my bestie ChatGPT
