Gifts Kids Can Make for Parents for Christmas
Homemade gifts are among the most personal and sentimental of family Christmas presents, especially when children make them for their parents. While kids can make many do-it-yourself Christmas gifts out of common household items and create them safely on their own, some take an extra bit of preparation, special materials and adult supervision.
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Magazine Christmas Angel
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People often read magazines once and then discard them, so the magazine Christmas angel is a creative way to recycle while making a Christmas-themed present for mom or dad. Fold the top right corner of each magazine page down into the middle crease until the entire magazine resembles a cylinder. This can work better with smaller magazines, such as Reader's Digest and grocery store soap opera digests. Paint the cylinder silver, gold or white to represent the angel's gown, then affix a round head on top with glue, either from a foam ball, balloon or paper mache. Draw a face with a permanent marker and glue on hair made from tinsel or use an old doll's hair.
Christmas Cookie Candles
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A great do-it-yourself idea for kids who love to be in the kitchen, these homemade candles only need a few materials: cookie cutters, scissors, candle wicks and honeycomb wax sheets, available at craft stores or candle supply retailers. For each candle, cut out at least six shapes from the cookie cutter and press them all together, running a wick all the way through the two center pieces. Trim the wick, leaving about 2 inches sticking out of the top, stand the candle up and mold the bottom to fashion a secure base. Honeycomb wax is extremely pliable, so this activity can include some play dough-type fun, as well.
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Beaded Christmas Wreath
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This gift can double as an ornament or jewelry for mom. Kids can make a beaded Christmas wreath from simple Christmas-colored beads (think green and red, gold and silver) and a string or beading wire. After beading approximately 6 inches of the wreath, close the loop by tying a knot or affixing a secure clasp. Tie on a red ribbon or bow to cover the knotted or clasped area. Since the beaded Christmas wreath is so simple to make, kids can craft several in one session for various family members.
Felt Christmas Frame
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A little bit of Christmas-colored felt, scissors and glue can go a long way. Prepare a photo frame base by cutting two pieces of red or green felt to the desired size of the frame, cutting out a hole for the photo to show on the first piece. (Bigger is better, so that you can add decorations to the frame.) Put glue on the entire back of piece with the picture hole cut out of it, affix it to the other piece and let it sit overnight to dry and stiffen. When the frame base dries, sketch Christmas images (such as Christmas trees, stars and candy canes) in chalk on felt of a complementary color. Cut out the images and glue them to the frame.
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References
- Photo Credit arts and crafts image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
