As the holiday season quickly approaches, many of us face the delightful challenge of finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones. While store-bought items may offer convenience, nothing conveys love and thoughtfulness like a homemade present … especially from a kid! Creating Christmas gifts by hand not only allows for personalization but also fosters a deeper connection between the giver and the recipient.
Why Choose Homemade Gifts?
- Personal Touch
- Homemade gifts reflect the time and effort you invest in creating something special for someone you care about. Unlike mass-produced items, each homemade gift carries a unique story, making it all the more meaningful.
- Cost-Effective
- Crafting your gifts can be more affordable than purchasing high-end items. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you and your kid can create beautiful gifts without breaking the bank.
- Sustainable Choice
- Making gifts at home minimizes waste and allows you to choose eco-friendly materials. This not only benefits the environment but also promotes conscious consumerism. Great lessons for our kids!
- Encourages Creativity
- Homemade gifts provide an opportunity to unleash your kids’ creative potential. The process of making something with their own hands can be incredibly fulfilling.
Inspiring Homemade Gift Ideas
Here are some thoughtful and creative gift ideas to consider making with your kids.
Candles
Materials: Wax, wicks, essential oils, and jars.
Instructions: Melt the wax, mix in essential oils for fragrance, and pour into jars with wicks. Or grab some beeswax sheets and a wick and roll some candles.
Handmade Soaps
Materials: Soap base, essential oils, and molds.
Instructions: Melt the soap base, mix in fragrance, pour into molds, and let it set.
Knitted or Crocheted Items
Ideas: Scarves, hats, or blankets.
Instructions: Choose a simple pattern and yarn to create cozy gifts that carry the warmth of your effort. Or grab a knitting loom to make easy work of your scarves or hat making.
DIY Bath Products
Ideas: Bath bombs, scrubs, or soaps.
Instructions: Use natural ingredients and essential oils for a spa-like experience at home.
Handmade Ornaments
Materials: Felt, wood, or clay.
Instructions: Craft unique holiday ornaments and personalize them with names or dates to create lasting keepsakes.
Artistic Creations
Ideas: Paintings, drawings, or photographs.
Instructions: Consider gifting a piece of your child’s art, which can be a deeply personal and treasured gift.
Tips for Crafting Success
Plan Ahead-Start early to avoid the last-minute rush, giving your children time to perfect their creations.
Gather Supplies- Make a list of materials you’ll need and shop for them in advance to ensure you have everything on hand.
Get Inspired- Look for tutorials online or in craft books to spark your kids’creativity. Websites like Pinterest are great sources of inspiration!
Involve Others- Make it a family activity by inviting loved ones to join you and your kids in crafting. This can create wonderful memories and shared experiences.
Local Stores for Craft Supplies
If you’re in the Portland area and need supplies for your homemade gifts, here are some great local stores.
Three Local Locations – Alberta, Sellwood, and Division
This place is awesome! And they have the infamous Wall of Washi (so much washi tape). They have curated art and craft supplies, an amazing selection of local goodies, unique curiosities, sticker and stamp walls, a fairy world, a stationery section, large art and wrapping papers, and kids’ merchandise.
Two Local Locations – Beaverton and Gresham
There are multiple locations offering a wide variety of crafting supplies, including scrapbooking and DIY project materials. They basically have EVERYTHING. Any gift you want to make, including fiber materials and soap-making supplies, can probably be made with the supplies there.
756 NE Lombard Street. Portland, OR 97211
Georgies is the place for ceramics, clay, and all sorts of accessories. They even have air-drying clay. They also have candle-making supplies, including sheets of beeswax—the best craft supply ever for kids.
Homemade Christmas gifts are a beautiful way to express love and appreciation for family and friends. They reflect thoughtfulness, creativity, and effort, qualities that make any gift truly special. Embrace the joy of creating and spread holiday cheer with your family’s unique creations!
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.