If you want to raise children who are resourceful and creative, it can help to model resourcefulness and creativity! Here are gifts you can wrap for your children that emphasize the joy of homemade love.
10 homemade gifts for young children:
Snack box:You’re already buying food as part of your regular family budget, so why not browse your pantry and set aside the special snacks you know your child loves? A snack box is a fun way to make their day by showing them you know their favorite foods! (Yours truly can attest to this – we gifted my berry-obsessed toddler berries for a birthday, and the joy was second to none).
Artwork:Children are master artists and love to generously give us their drawings and paintings year round, but have you returned the favor? It can light up their world to have a special drawing, photo, or painting they know you made for them, too!
Family photo album:Okay, this may require printing costs or a small splurge on a photo album if you do not have one sitting around. But this is a great way to also loop in family members who may not live close. You can ask aunts, uncles, family friends, and grandparents to submit their favorite recent photos and then put it all together for your little one to treasure!
Personalized calendar:Design a calendar for your child’s bedroom on Canva, or a similar service that makes graphic design accessible. Consider a simple weekly view if they are young, moving into monthly as they get older and have a better sense of time (typically Ages 3-4+).
Hot cocoa in a cozy mug:This might cost you next to nothing if you already have hot cocoa in your pantry somewhere! Just package it up sweetly by repurposing one of your favorite mugs and presenting it to your child as a special little treat. What if the mug is breakable? Early childhood is a great time to practice caring for delicate objects! They will feel so special being trusted to hold a real mug with your guidance.
Can you knit? Try a blanket!If the holidays arrive with snowy weather where you live, try a beautiful hand-knit blanket (or cozy socks, mittens, and hats).
Cardboard Box Playhouse:If you have an imaginative little one, try saving some cardboard and jazzing it up to function as a pretend house or rocketship (or whatever their current favorite thing is). This one can have a “WOW” factor if your little one isn’t suspecting it and didn’t see you build it!
“Bucket list” jar:Repurpose a jar and fill it with paper squares that have experience and quality time ideas written on them. Be sure to write things that you’ll truly be able to say “yes” to when chosen by your child. They could be as small as a “movie night,” or “playing a board game together,” or for outings like “trying a new restaurant together” or “visiting a museum.”
Homemade bubbles:If your little one loves a bubble bath, why not make more bubbles for them? This can be done by blending together just a few common household ingredients: ¾ cup liquid castile soap ¼ cup vegetable glycerin 5-8 drops of kid-safe essential oils Optional food coloring for color exploration
Homemade playdough:You’ll need: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup salt 2 tablespoons cream of tartar 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cups water Food coloring (optional)
Combine the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. Then, add water and vegetable oil. If you want to make the entire batch the same color, add the food coloring to the water before mixing it in. If you want different colors, you can divide the dough and add colors later. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. The mixture will start to thicken. Continue stirring until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove the dough and let it cool before kneading it on a clean surface. Store your mix in an airtight container!