| Kids love playing a part in the Christmas | | | | themselves by rolling it tightly and then |
| festivities and when you let them make their | | | | tying it with a ribbon. |
| gifts it is also educational. They learn they | | | | |
| can reach their goals through the process of | | | | Another homemade Christmas gift that kids can |
| creation, hard work and organization. Most | | | | easily make is a lightweight balsa wood box |
| importantly, through gift-making they obtain | | | | for storing little personal items or stamps. |
| a strong moral foundation by sharing their | | | | It can be decorated with small colored beads, |
| love and caring for others. There are many | | | | or glue faux jewels on the lid, and then |
| easy homemade gifts that your children can | | | | perhaps put a picture of the child on the |
| make for friends, family and neighbors. By | | | | inside of the box. Add a cardboard bottom for |
| just taking a little time out of your | | | | a little extra support and then put a felt |
| schedule, you can provide an example of the | | | | lining for some added color. Make it a |
| spirit of love for your children and other | | | | keepsake by adding a special date on the top |
| special people in your life. These easy craft | | | | of the box. |
| gift ideas are inexpensive to make and a lot | | | | |
| of fun, as well. Start a new family holiday | | | | Kids also like to give other box type gifts, |
| tradition of homemade gift making with your | | | | such as clear plastic formed boxes. Companies |
| children. | | | | on the internet carry them. Spend just a few |
| | | | extra dollars and buy one with a slit on the |
| Easy gifts for your kids to make at Christmas | | | | top for a piggy bank for their friends. Make |
| time can be so many things. How about an easy | | | | the box unique by painting it with permanent |
| latch hook rug kit your child can make for a | | | | paint in a favorite color and then glue a |
| loved one? Many major discount stores carry | | | | multicolored ribbon on it. Your child may |
| them. Start your child off with a small | | | | like to add a penny to the box to get the |
| project that he will be proud to give as a | | | | gift recipient started on his new piggy bank. |
| gift. Appealing designs are cats or flowers. | | | | |
| These are very safe for your child to begin | | | | Other easy gifts for kids to make are simple |
| on because there are no small dangerous items | | | | ribbon bookmarks or ribbon jewelry. Make |
| such as needles or scissors. A good idea is | | | | plain pillowcases a special and unique gift |
| to separate the little yarn threads into | | | | by having your kids dip their hands in paint |
| small storage containers, so he will be able | | | | and print their names on the pillowcase. |
| to use them as needed. The latch hook itself | | | | Grandparents will love these gifts because |
| is very safe - it has no sharp parts - but be | | | | they're not only useful, they will be able to |
| careful to warn your child not to run with | | | | keep their grandchildren close to their |
| it. The kit's canvas is clearly marked with | | | | hearts every night when they go to sleep. |
| where to place the colored yarn, and the back | | | | |
| can be taped for later quick stitching so it | | | | Helping your children create these easy |
| will hold securely. | | | | projects will mean so much to them and |
| | | | others, especially those that live apart from |
| Another fun homemade gift project is fleece | | | | them. Your kids want to be able to say that |
| scarves. Material is easily found in fabric | | | | they made their gift themselves, so be sure |
| and craft stores. The material is available | | | | to let them do as much of the gift-making as |
| in a variety of designs, from solids to | | | | they can. It can be tempting to correct them, |
| colorful holiday prints. With your child as | | | | but allow yourself to ignore their little |
| your helper, you can cut and measure the | | | | mistakes, and know that they are making their |
| width and length necessary. Edges can be | | | | gifts with the all the love that is in their |
| plain or cut them into short strips on the | | | | hearts. And isn't that the true spirit of |
| end to add some pizzaz. Let the kids wrap it | | | | Christmas? |