Home-Made Gifts

Posted on Feb 1st 2016

Home-Made Gifts - CRAFTS for Kids!

"School is out and I am suppose to have fun!", a child's version of summer time. No time for parents to have fun when their children are home 24 hours a day, every day, bored. Make their time useful and fun by suggesting they make practical, simple gifts for Christmas. Yes, I said Christmas! A stockpile of handmade gifts for Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles, all of whom will oooh and aaaah when they are opened.

HOME-MADE GIFTS - economical, and so personal!
By Janine Lynn

PLASTER HAND PRINT
In large yogurt container, mix together 1 C. water and 2 1/4 C.
plaster of Paris (from lumber store) to thickness of a milkshake.
Pour into pie plate. When plaster is firm enough to hold a shape,
press your hand into and carefully lift up. Let dry. Record date
and your name on back.

PERSONALIZED T-SHIRT
With parent supervision, melt crayon scraps in an empty tuna
or soup can over boiling water. Working quickly, paint pictures or
messages on an old T-shirt or apron. To make colors permanent,
cover designs with fabric scrap and press with hot iron.

PET ROCK PAPERWEIGHT
Glue 2 well-shaped rocks together to make the body of a duck,
ladybug, or other creature. Add features with felt markers, bits of
felt or fabric, pipe cleaners, etc.

DONUT BIRD FEEDER
Why not make a gift for the birds, too!
Sandwich a bagel between 2 plastic lids. Thread string through
hole in lids. Tie a big fat knot on bottom and hang from house or
tree. - - or, string popcorn onto thread and hang on trees.

CREATIVE GIFT WRAP
Design your own gift wrap!
Paint fancy designs on newsprint using sponges, cotton balls,
old toothbrushes, an old pot scrubber, or a straw (to blow paint).
When dry, use as gift wrap.

Reprinted with permission from "Help! I'm Bored!",
Over 300 Children's Activities for Ages 2-12

Janine Lynn is a parent, author, and educator. Born and raised in
Alberta, she enjoys team sports, biking, gardening, traveling, and dreaming up new ideas for future books. She wrote "Help! I'm Bored!" because she wanted all of her favorite teaching ideas collaborated into one book, ready to use for any occasion. Her current project involves developing seminars and workshops for presentation at parent/teacher conventions.