8 Great Gifts Kids Can Make

If your kids' Christmas shopping lists are as long as yours, it may be time to encourage them to start making their own gifts. Read on for eight simple and affordable gifts that kids can make.

Button frame- Pick up a few inexpensive picture frames from your local craft store, and then have your kids decorate them with buttons from your sewing kit. Once the frame is complete, add a recent photo of your child or a piece of your child's artwork.

Beaded jewelry- Even very young children are capable of stringing beads for a bracelet or necklace, so pick up a bag of pony beads and some string, and let your kids go to work on their own jewelry creations.

Chocolate covered treats- Set your little chefs loose in the kitchen to create some truly tasty treats. For a simple project, just pick up some pretzels and strawberries from the grocery store, and have your kids dip them in baker's chocolate.

Stepping stone- For a gift that's sure to please grandparents, have each of your kids make a stepping stone featuring his or her tiny handprints. Just pick up a stepping stone kit from the craft store, and follow the instructions on the box.

Fleece scarf- Surprise friends and family with scarves handmade by your kids. Just purchase a bit of fleece from the fabric store, and have your kids cut it into the shape of a scarf. Then, to add a little detail, have your kids fringe the ends by cutting a series of slits along the bottom of the scarf. Since fleece doesn't fray, there's no need to hem.

Magnets- If you're looking for a project that's tailor-made for toddlers, try magnets. Just purchase some finger paint, and then have each of your kids make a hand and foot print on a piece of paper. Once dry, cut out the prints, and place them between two pieces of contact paper. Then, glue a magnetic strip on the back, and your magnets are complete!

Custom Stationery- If your kids love to color, why not turn them into greeting card designers? Have each of your kids draw a picture using crayons or markers, and then take the drawings to a copy shop to have the images printed on greeting cards. Pair the cards with a stack of envelopes, and you'll have a custom stationery set that friends and family are sure to love.

Photo album- For a quick and easy gift, have your kids fill a photo album with special, hand-picked photos. Then, to make the gift even more special, encourage your kids to decorate the front of the album with leftover craft supplies.

Encourage your kids to make their own Christmas gifts, and you're sure to be impressed by the results.

-Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a stay-at-home mom, freelance writer and artist
who resides in Tennessee.