DIY Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

If I let commercial Christmas spirit get the best of our  family, I’m pretty sure my children would think the holiday was only about receiving and making toy lists. Becoming a parent has really opened my eyes to how much Christmas is about consumption of products. Children are inundated with information about the latest toy. Youtube channels, commercials, and catalogues underscore why a toy is a must-have. And thus, a sense of urgency is created for this battery operated creation. They will, of course, sell out fast. As parents, we naturally want the magic of Christmas to come alive for our kids. But the magic of the season is lost when there is only an emphasis on “What I want.”

And so, we have already begun talking to our children about families who have less than we do. We have gone through our toys and both of my kids have loaded bags full of stuff they think other kids might enjoy more than them. Also, we’ve gone over their Christmas lists and discussed why certain toys aren’t good value. And, they understand a wish list is not a get list.

Despite these lessons, I still want them to understand the idea of reciprocity. We give and we get. As such, we have already started making Christmas gifts for our family and the kids’ teachers. Already I’m seeing so much pride in both of them as they complete their work of art knowing it will be given to a loved one. I’ve compiled some of our favourite DIY Christmas gifts kids can make. All of these Christmas gifts are simple and can be done with minimal parental input.

DIY Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Crystallized Snowflake Ornaments

What You Need:

• Pipe cleaners cut or folded evenly
• Borax
• Hot water
• String
• A jar to completely submerge the ornament
• Stick, pencil or hanger to suspend the ornament

Instructions:

1. Cut pipe cleaners to a length that will sit inside your jar without touching the glass anywhere. If the ornament touches the glass, the crystals won’t form. If you don’t have a jar big enough, cutting an empty milk, juice, or detergent jug works really well.
2. Attach the pipe cleaners in a five or six-point formation.
3. Add enough hot water to fill the jug or container. For every 1 cup of hot water you use, add 3 tbs. Borax. Mix until fully dissolved.
4. Using string, attach the snowflake to a pen, stick, or hanger that will cross the width of the container.
5. Fully submerge the snowflake in the water-Borax mixture. Again, ensuring it doesn’t touch the walls of the container.
6. Leave the snowflake for approximately 24 hours before removing it from the mixture.
7. Let dry and then wrap up as a gift!

Click here to see all the other amazing DIY gifts kids can make