Family Projects for the Holidays

Getting the kids involved in making holiday gifts and decorations

Many, many moons ago when my children were actually little children (and we were quite poor), we all learned how much our extended family and friends loved to get presents from us that we’d made ourselves, however imperfect they might be. Because they represent some real thought, some hard work, and each comes with a little bit of ourselves mixed in.

That first year I’d decided that there would be no ornaments on our tree that we didn’t make. Got some construction paper, glue and glitter, and went to work. Daughter made some nice round ornaments with patterns of bright glitter on both sides that nicely reflected the lights. Son decided cutting glittered rounds into spirals worked nicely, and they certainly did! They hang with depth a little like icicles, but with personality. Then the next year they got together and made many more glittered paper ornaments with the names of loved ones written in puffy paint on top of the glitter, “so they can be here with us for Christmas,” my son explained. We still have a surprising number of these paper and glitter ornaments, and hang them still, every Christmas.

As presents for others we started with some simple candlemaking, a kit with wax, dye and some plastic molds that I bought on sale. The kids made some extremely ugly monkey-face candles that my Mother-in-Law still cherishes. She’s never lit them, they come out for display every Christmas in her home. We still make all our own Christmas cards out of basic scrapbooking supplies and recycled cards from years before, and all the grandchildren started out making their own holiday gifts and decorations with whatever’s on hand. Someday I might collect all the great kid-ideas and write a craft book, since most of those type of books are written by Martha Stewart types instead of kids who have The Best Ideas On The Planet.

If you’ve got children old enough to wield a pair of scissors and use an Easy-Bake oven, there are some very good craft ideas out on the web this time of year that you might want to try. It’s good quality time to spend with your children, a fine mess to be made (and cleaned up) by all, and lots of laughs! It can become a tradition at your home too, and it honestly does impart a different sort of view of the “holy days” than what they get from television or the mayhem at the mall.

Deborah over at Simply Thrifty blog has a list of 50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself that has links to instructions for all 50 items. These include a wreath, an evergreen garland, greeting cards, popcorn and cranberry chains, a Menorah, a dreidle, traditional Kwanzaa decorations, and a bunch of good cookies, cake and candy your kids can help you whip up. Pine cone ornaments, stockings, bath salts and potpourri – there’s something here for every level of skill and every age range.

So if you’re sick of the consumerist frenzy and ‘Bah, Humbug!’ mood of what should be a joyful holiday season, set some time aside for your family. Amass some paper, glitter, old cards, toothpicks, felt and glue and get busy! You’ll never be sorry, and your children will learn something valuable about holidays and about their own abilities which will only be reinforced tenfold when the recipients of their gifts let them know how truly appreciated they are!

Links:

50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself

The Garden Granny [Holiday Food Gifts]

Discount Craft Supplies

Anything Crafts

1001 Full-Size Patterns, Projects & Ideas

365 Easy Projects for Every Occasion

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