Families cherish those adorable little gifts that our kids make with their own hands. It’s not just about the gift, but the love and thought that goes into it. With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect time to help our kids create something special. I’ll share some easy and delightful homemade Christmas gift ideas from kids that are sure to bring smiles and warmth to your holiday season.
This site contains affiliate links, please view the disclosure for more information.
Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas from Kids
A Little Time, Lots of Love
Think about when we sit down with our kiddos, surrounded by colorful paper, sparkly glue, and all those fun stickers. We’re not just keeping them busy; we’re making memories. You know how kids love showing off what they’ve made? That’s because they’re super proud of what they’ve done and they’ve learned something new – maybe how to tie a knot or cut in a straight line. And hey, it’s a bonus if they learn to clean up afterward!
Christmas Gifts from the Heart
Let’s chat about those adorable gifts our little ones make. Sure, they might not look perfect, but boy, are they special! When our child gives us a wonky-shaped clay pot or a card with more glue than glitter, it’s like they’re giving us a little piece of their heart. These gifts are about the love and thought they put into them – way more precious than anything bought from a store.
Ideas for Happy Crafting of Homemade Christmas Gifts from Kids
Crafting can be a bit messy and wild, but oh, so worth it. Choosing the right project is key. Little ones might love sticking and pasting, while older kids can handle more complicated stuff like painting or making bead jewelry. And remember, it’s their project, not ours – no matter how much we want to step in and make it ‘perfect.’ Oh, and one more thing – always have wipes or a cloth handy. Glitter and paint have a way of getting everywhere!
Learning Made Fun
Did you know crafting homemade Christmas gifts can be super educational for kids, too? Yep, without even realizing it, our kids learn about colors, shapes, counting, and even a bit about different cultures if we’re making something like a holiday decoration. It’s like sneaky learning – in the best way!
Handprint and Footprint Art
Snowman Family Portrait
Kids love playing with paint, and this idea lets their creativity shine. Using white paint, help your child stamp their handprint on dark-colored paper. Turn these handprints into a snowman family by adding details like hats, scarves, and faces. Frame this adorable creation, and it becomes a heartwarming Christmas gift.
Materials:
- Dark-colored construction paper
- White, black, and orange paint
- Paintbrushes
- Markers or colored pencils
- Picture frame (optional)
Instructions:
- Spread newspapers or a plastic sheet to protect your work area.
- Pour white paint into a tray. Assist your child in coating their hand with white paint.
- Carefully press their painted hand onto the dark paper to create a handprint.
- Once the paint dries, use markers or colored pencils to add details: black dots for eyes and buttons, an orange carrot nose, and little scarves.
- If desired, add a festive message or the year.
- Frame the artwork for a polished look.
Reindeer Footprints
This one is messy fun! Paint your child’s foot brown and press it onto paper. The heel becomes the reindeer’s head, and the toes are the antlers. Let your child draw a face and add a red pom-pom for the nose. It’s a cute and personal gift, perfect for grandparents.
Materials:
- Brown paint
- Paper (preferably thicker stock for durability)
- Red pom-poms
- Glue
- Markers
Instructions:
- Protect your surface and pour brown paint into a tray.
- Help your child step into the paint, coating their foot evenly.
- Press their foot onto the paper.
- Once the print dries, use markers to draw eyes, antlers, and a smiling mouth.
- Glue a red pom-pom on the heel for the nose.
- Add a festive background or message if desired.
Handprint Cards
Using paint and blank cards or cardstock, children can make unique handprint cards. They paint their hands and press them onto the card, then once dry, they add details to turn the handprint into a festive character like a reindeer or Santa. A personal message inside completes the card.
Materials:
- Blank cards or cardstock
- Paint (various colors)
- Markers or pens
Instructions:
- Paint your child’s hand with festive colors.
- Press their hand onto the card to make a print.
- Once dry, add details to turn the handprint into a Christmas character (like a reindeer or Santa).
- Write a warm Christmas message inside.
Homemade Christmas Ornaments – Creative Gift Ideas from Kids
Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough is easy to make with just flour, salt, and water. Help your child roll out the dough and use cookie cutters to make shapes. They can press their hands or use stamps for decoration. After baking and cooling, they can paint and glitter them. These ornaments can be yearly reminders of your child’s growth and creativity.
Materials:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water
- Cookie cutters or molds
- Acrylic paint and brushes
- Ribbon or string
- Straw or pencil (to make a hole)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Mix flour and salt, then gradually add water to form a dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut shapes with cookie cutters or molds.
- Use a straw or pencil to make a hole for hanging.
- Bake for 2 hours or until hard.
- Once cooled, paint and decorate.
- Thread ribbon through the hole for hanging.
Photo Frame Ornaments
Collect some popsicle sticks and glue them into a square frame. Your child can paint and decorate the frame with beads, sequins, or stickers. Place a family photo or their picture inside. It’s a perfect way to cherish memories on the Christmas tree.
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Glue
- Acrylic paint
- Decorations (beads, sequins, stickers)
- Photos
- Ribbon or string
Instructions:
- Glue four popsicle sticks together to form a square frame.
- Once dry, paint the frame.
- Decorate with beads, sequins, or stickers.
- Cut a photo to fit and glue it to the back of the frame.
- Attach a ribbon or string for hanging.
Yummy Christmas Goodies – Homemade Gift Ideas from Kids
Decorated Christmas Cookies
Baking together can be a fun activity. Prepare some simple cookie dough and use Christmas-themed cutters. Once baked, the real fun begins. Let your child decorate with icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Pack these in a cute box with a ribbon, and it’s a delightful treat for anyone.
Materials:
- Cookie dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Christmas cookie cutters
- Icing (various colors)
- Sprinkles and edible glitter
Instructions:
- Roll out your cookie dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake as per the recipe instructions.
- Once cooled, decorate with icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter.
- Package in a box or cellophane bags with ribbons.
Homemade Fudge
Homemade fudge is surprisingly easy and makes a luxurious gift. With supervision, let your child help with simple steps like stirring and adding ingredients. Cut the fudge into small squares and place them in a festive tin. It’s a sweet gift, literally!
Materials:
- Chocolate chips or melting chocolate
- Condensed milk
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Nuts or other mix-ins (optional)
- Baking pan
- Parchment paper
Instructions:
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips, condensed milk, and butter.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla extract and any mix-ins.
- Pour into the pan and refrigerate until set.
- Cut into squares and place in a festive tin.
Crafty Homemade Christmas Gifts from Kids
Personalized Mugs
Buy some plain white mugs and special porcelain markers. Your child can draw or write messages on these. It’s a fun way for them to express their creativity and a great gift for coffee or tea lovers in the family.
Materials:
- Plain white mugs
- Porcelain markers
Instructions:
- Clean the mugs to remove any dust or grease.
- Let your child decorate with porcelain markers.
- Follow the marker instructions for drying and setting (usually involves baking in the oven).
Beaded Jewelry
If your child enjoys threading beads, why not make some jewelry? They can create necklaces or bracelets with beads of different colors and sizes. This kind of gift is especially cherished by aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
Materials:
- Beads (various sizes and colors)
- Elastic string or thread
- Scissors
- Clasps (if not using elastic string)
Instructions:
- Cut a length of string or thread.
- Let your child thread beads onto the string, creating patterns.
- If using elastic, tie the ends securely. If using thread, attach clasps.
- Trim any excess string.
Homemade Christmas Decor Gift Ideas from Kids
Clay Pot Christmas Characters
Small clay pots can be transformed into charming Christmas characters. Kids can paint the pots and use materials like felt, fabric scraps, and googly eyes to create Santa, elves, or reindeer. These decorations can add a personal touch to any festive setting.
Materials:
- Small clay pots
- Acrylic paint
- Brushes
- Felt or fabric scraps
- Glue
- Googly eyes
Instructions:
- Paint the clay pots in festive colors and let them dry.
- Decorate to turn them into Christmas characters like Santa, elves, or reindeer.
- Add googly eyes and use felt or fabric for details like hats or scarves.
Pine Cone Christmas Trees
For this nature-inspired project, children paint pine cones green and then decorate them with small pom-poms or sequins as ornaments. A star sticker on top makes it resemble a miniature Christmas tree, perfect for table decorations or as part of a Christmas display.
Materials:
- Pine cones
- Green paint
- Small pom-poms or sequins
- Glue
- Star stickers
Instructions:
- Paint pine cones green and let them dry.
- Glue small pom-poms or sequins to represent ornaments.
- Top with a star sticker.
- These make lovely additions to a Christmas table or mantlepiece.
Personalized & Homemade Christmas Gift Wrappings and Cards
Hand-Decorated Wrapping Paper
Children can personalize plain brown or white paper by drawing, painting, or using stamps and stencils. This custom-made wrapping paper adds a special touch to Christmas gifts, showcasing the child’s creativity and effort.
Materials:
- Plain brown paper or white butcher paper
- Paints, markers, or crayons
- Stamps or stencils
Instructions:
- Roll out the paper.
- Let your child decorate with hand drawings, stamps, or stencil designs.
- Use the paper to wrap gifts, giving them a unique and personal touch.
Personalized Gift Tags
Using cardstock or repurposed old Christmas cards, kids can create festive-shaped gift tags. They can punch a hole and thread a ribbon through it, then write the recipient’s name and a sweet message. These tags add a heartfelt touch to any Christmas gift.
Materials:
- Cardstock or old Christmas cards
- Hole punch
- Ribbon or string
- Markers or pens
Instructions:
- Cut the cardstock or old cards into shapes (like stars, trees, or bells).
- Punch a hole and thread a ribbon or string through it.
- Have your child write the recipient’s name and a small message.
Pop-Up Christmas Cards
Children can create delightful pop-up Christmas cards using colored cardstock, scissors, glue, and decorations like markers and glitter. They can cut and fold parts of the card to create a 3D effect, such as a Christmas tree or Santa Claus, and then personalize it with festive decorations and messages.
Materials:
- Colored cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers or crayons
- Stickers or glitter
Instructions:
- Fold a piece of cardstock in half to create the card.
- Cut and fold parts of the inner card to create a pop-up effect (like a Christmas tree or Santa).
- Let your child decorate the card with markers, stickers, and glitter.
- Write a festive message inside.
Final Thoughts on Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas from Kids
Homemade gifts are not just about saving money. They’re about spending time with your kids, nurturing their creativity, and making memories. Each of these homemade Christmas gift ideas from kids offers a unique way to spread joy and love. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, get a little messy, and help our kids create gifts that come straight from the heart. Happy crafting, baking, and creating!
