With a little planning, there’s no reason why you and your kids can’t create Christmas presents for all your family and friends this year. People will value their presents for their thought and children will learn how to make something out of very little. Plus, you’ll also save cash. So set aside a weekend and have a go at some of these projects.
Christmas cards
Make sure you have plenty of glitter, glue, old magazines and wrapping paper the kids can cut up, felt pens and some strong cardboard. Don’t just throw it all at them and walk away. Sit down with the kids and make a few yourself, while helping them decide which colours and designs to use.
Don’t forget to make gift tags as well.
Candles
Send the kids around the house to gather up all the odd, used candles you have lying around. If you don’t have any, buy a box of simple white candles from the supermarket and purchase some wicks from a craft store. All you need to do is melt the wax down in a double boiler, add some food colouring for colour and some essential oils for smell and then pour into a mould. An old china teacup makes a lovely candle mould.
To keep the wick in the middle of the candle while it hardens, tie it to a skewer or pencil and place this over the top of the mould, resting it on either side to hold the wick in the centre.
When candles are set (you can put them in the freezer to hurry the process along) pop them out of the mould and decorate with Christmas stickers, stars and glitter. You could also paste on a photo of the person you’re making it for, or simply leave your homemade candle in the teacup.
Decorate a frame
Simple wooden picture frames are cheap from department stores and $2 shops, so buy some and get your children to paint and decorate them. Choose a nice family photo, or take one yourself, print it out and put it in. A great present for anyone in the family who doesn’t live nearby.
Make a mini garden
If you start early enough, you can grow this from seed but it might be easier to invest in some seedlings from the garden centre. Have a look around the house and see what you can turn into a great plant pot. An old paint can rinsed out, painted on the outside and decorated with a few holes punched in the bottom can look great, or simply a bright coloured bucket with some holes in the bottom.
Plant a selection of different herbs like parsley, basil, chives and coriander in a pot or go for something more colourful by planting bright orange marigolds in a lime-green pot.
Cook or bake
Most kids are more than happy to get involved with making sweets like fudge and coconut ice, so make a big batch and put them in sterilised jars. Decorate the top of the jar by cutting out a circle of brightly coloured fabric, then securing it over the mouth of the jar with a rubber band and a ribbon.
Make lemon dusters
This is one of my favourite things to make for gifts. Get the kids to cut up old cloth nappies, flannel sheets or towels into dustcloth-sized squares. In a bowl, put half white vinegar and half water and a couple of drops of lemon essential oil. Soak the cloths, then squeeze out. Take some lemons and peel off thin strips of rind to scatter on the dusters. Roll up to form little balls of cloth with bits of lemon inside. Stack into a lovely old jar with a tight-fitting lid, throwing in the odd bit of lemon peel as you go. Seal. These make gorgeous dustcloths for cleaning furniture and will leave the room smelling amazing.
Make jewellery
You can buy beads online or in craft shops, or you could even drag out some of your own old jewellery and recycle the beads. Get the kids to make bracelets or necklaces for friends and family.
