Christmas is the time of year when people think about others, and that should include kids. Making gifts for friends and family is a great way to teach children that a gift does not have to cost a lot to be valuable. Making your own gifts is an excellent way to teach children the meaning behind the phrase “It’s the thought that counts.” The gifts described here can be made by kids of all ages, but an adult will need to be involved in some of the processes. Use your own judgment, based on the age of your children and their individual skill levels.
Honey Spoons
Honey spoons are easy to make and much-appreciated by tea drinkers and others. Here’s what you need:
1/2 cup honey
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 cup water
Mix the ingredients over a medium heat until the combination reaches the hard crack stage, which means it will quickly form a solid ball when a drop of it is put into cold water. This is about 290 to 310 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove it from the heat and let it begin to cool, but don’t let it get so cool that it hardens. Dip a heavy plastic spoon in the honey mixture until the spoon’s bowl is well-coated, then place it on a greased cookie sheet to cool. Repeat this until all the honey is gone. Once the spoons have cooled and the honey is hard, wrap each one individually in cellophane. Place them together in a gift mug to complete the present.
The Book of Me
Kids who like to color or write will enjoy this activity. Print out 12 pictures on full-sized printer paper of your child engaged in various activities, ideally one for each month of the year. Let your child write something about the picture on the bottom of the page, or on a blank sheet that can be placed with the picture. Very young children can either dictate what they would like to say or make some drawings to enhance and personalize the picture. Place the entire collection in a report folder to make a gift that is easy to send to a loved one who is far away. A title page with the child’s name and the year on it adds a special touch.
Grandma’s Herb Garden
Buy three small, plain clay pots. Help your child decorate the outside of the pots with pictures of flowers, gardens, or anything else that the child feels is appropriate. Fill the pots with potting soil and plant a different herb in each. Use kitchen favorites such as chives, oregano and mint, or any others you feel the recipient will appreciate. Do this well in advance of Christmas, then water and care for the plants so that they will be well started in time for gift giving. Label each one so that Grandma knows just what kind of herbs she is getting in her miniature garden.
Fire Starters
Simple fire starters can be made from dryer lint and wax. Stuff each compartment of an egg carton with dryer lint, packing the lint as tightly as possible. Fill each space with melted wax, either plain or with some color and scent added. Pour it in slowly, since it will need time to soak into the lint. Melting wax requires great care because of the fire danger, so emphasize to your child that this part of the job must be done by adults only. Allow the carton to cool completely, until the wax is firmly set. Cut the compartments apart and place them in a decorated box. They don’t look as fancy as some, but these little fire starters are reliable, and anyone who uses a wood stove or a fireplace in the winter is sure to appreciate them.
Yule Log
Lay out several sheets of newspaper, folded the long way down the middle. Use only black and white newsprint. Discard colored or slick sheets. Sprinkle some color crystals, made for creating different colors in the fireplace (these are available at many variety stores), over the surface. Place another layer of newspaper on top of the first, and add more crystals. Repeat this until you have 8 to 10 layers of newspaper. Start at one end and roll the paper tightly, being careful not to spill the crystals. When the “log” is rolled, tie it with some twine. Be sure to tie each end, to hold the crystals in, as well as a tie in the middle. Wrap the log in cellophane and tie with ribbons to make a unique present that will be fun for everyone to watch when it burns.
5 Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make