Christmas is a season of giving, and nothing quite matches the heartfelt charm of a gift crafted by little hands. There’s an undeniable magic in receiving a present made by a child, a tangible representation of their time, effort, and affection. For those in early childhood education, guiding children through this process can be incredibly rewarding, though it also requires careful navigation to ensure the focus remains on the children’s creativity and effort, rather than adult intervention. The key is balance, common sense, and a deep understanding of the children and families you serve.
Alt text: A brightly decorated Christmas tree surrounded by wrapped family Christmas gifts, emphasizing the joy of handmade presents.
To ensure that creating Family Christmas Gifts is a positive and enriching experience for young children, I rely on five simple guidelines when planning projects:
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Child Enjoyment and Age Appropriateness: Will the children find joy in this activity, or will it lead to frustration? Is the project suitable for their age and developmental stage, or are my expectations too high? The goal is to foster a sense of accomplishment, not overwhelm them.
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Group Dynamics and Practicality: Is the craft or project manageable for a large group of children with varying attendance schedules and diverse family backgrounds? Simplicity and adaptability are crucial for smooth execution in a group setting.
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Gift Appeal and Personal Touch: Will the recipient – be it a parent, grandparent, or family friend – appreciate this gift? Will they recognize it as a unique creation from their child, imbued with personal meaning? The gift should resonate as something special and from the heart.
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Sustainability and Resourcefulness: Can I integrate recycling, upcycling, or reusing materials into this project? Incorporating eco-conscious practices teaches valuable lessons and adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to the gifts.
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Child-Led Creativity and Flexibility: Am I open to letting children take the present-making idea in their own direction? Encouraging their individual expression, problem-solving, and creativity should be paramount, even if it means deviating from the original plan. Embrace the unique outcomes – a blob of red clay can be just as precious as a perfectly formed ornament! Let go of perfectionism and celebrate the process.
Finding fresh and engaging DIY Christmas gift ideas for kids can be challenging. That’s why I’ve compiled a treasure trove of inspiration from the Empowered Educator Facebook Community and across the web, perfect for creating memorable family Christmas gifts.
This collection includes a variety of ideas tailored to different age groups, making it easy to select projects that suit the children in your care. Many can also be adapted for multi-age groups, ensuring everyone can participate in the festive fun.
You’ll discover simple, hands-on activities ideal for toddlers (requiring minimal adult assistance), projects with easy-to-follow steps for preschoolers (challenging their developing skills), and more intricate crafts for school-aged children (also great for holiday programs and camps!).
While handprint and footprint crafts are included, I understand these can be a sensitive topic. If you prefer to avoid them, simply skip those ideas. However, when approached respectfully, honoring a child’s comfort and autonomy, these can be lovely ways to capture a moment in time. Remember, process is always more important than product – it’s about balance and creating positive experiences.
Let’s explore these creative projects and spark your imagination with exciting new ideas for kid-made family Christmas gifts this year! Click the links below the image collages to learn more about each project and the materials you’ll need.
Alt text: Collage of diverse handmade Christmas gifts for families, showcasing affordability and child-friendly crafting.
Alt text: Child-crafted pine cone Christmas trees in small pots, a budget-friendly and nature-inspired family Christmas gift idea.
Empowered Ed member Danielle shared these charming Christmas trees made from pinecones. Turn gathering pinecones into a fun nature walk, and source inexpensive pots from budget stores or ask for parent donations.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Emma, another educator from our Facebook group, created these adorable “Mistletoes” pictures using footprint art alongside other Christmas crafts. These footprint keepsakes are inexpensive family Christmas gifts that parents and grandparents will treasure for years.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Alt text: Santa Claus painted flower pots, a fun and simple DIY family Christmas gift project for kids.
These Santa flower pots are a delightful family Christmas gift idea, offering a chance to incorporate a bit of gardening fun. They’re budget-friendly and always a hit with kids.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
If you have old CDs lying around, Fiona, an Empowered Ed member, suggests recycling them into festive Christmas ornaments. Let children decorate them for unique and eco-conscious family Christmas gifts.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Fiona also shared this simple fine motor activity using craft sticks and buttons to create charming Christmas trees. These make lovely, lightweight family Christmas gifts to hang on the tree year after year.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Alt text: Upcycled plastic bottle Christmas bells, a creative and sustainable family Christmas gift craft for children.
These Christmas bells, crafted from recycled plastic bottles, are not only fun to make but also promote upcycling. Find out how I made them HERE. They are perfect budget-friendly family Christmas gifts.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Educator Kim from our Facebook group created these adorable snowmen using basic sewing techniques – an excellent holiday program activity for older children wanting to create special family Christmas gifts.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Alt text: Salt dough handprint ornaments, a classic and personalized family Christmas gift idea for kids to make.
Salt dough is always a winning, budget-friendly choice, providing endless fun for children. Find my simple salt dough recipe HERE. Salt dough ornaments are timeless family Christmas gifts.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
How easy is this? Fiona shows us how to transform plaster Christmas trees into magnets by adding magnet strips – perfect for family Christmas gifts. Salt dough works wonderfully for this too!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Alt text: Nature-imprinted clay ornaments, beautiful and natural family Christmas gifts crafted by children.
My nature clay ornaments are a beautiful and adaptable gift idea for different ages. I love using my easy-to-make white ‘clay’ recipe – no store-bought clay needed! These nature-inspired creations are unique family Christmas gifts.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
reusable bag gift ideas using children
What a thoughtful family Christmas gift! These reusable bags, adorned with children’s paintings, come from Fiona in our Empowered Ed group. Practical, personal, and eco-friendly!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Alt text: Collage of diverse handmade Christmas gifts, inspiring educators with creative family Christmas gift ideas for kids.
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Save money and help children to create a special handmade Christmas present for family and friends with this collection of project and activity ideas!
Did you discover a few ideas to try for Christmas present making or another special occasion?
Revisit and reflect on the 5 simple guidelines I shared at the beginning of this article to ensure a fun and stress-free process for both you and the children as they create these heartfelt family Christmas gifts.
Seeking more ideas and inspiration? Join our Empowered Educator Facebook group and connect with over 15,000 fellow early years educators. Click the image below to join!
A Little About Me
Jodie Clarke
Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional dedicated to supporting educators in maintaining their passion for their vital work. With 30 years of hands-on experience in early childhood and human services, Jodie offers practical guidance and inspiration across various roles.
As a mother of three in Australia, Jodie understands the demands of both family and career. She has empowered thousands of educators through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training, and e-books, helping them thrive in their profession.
