Making Christmas presents with children is great fun – but of course it also takes a bit of time and a lot of patience. Watching children excitedly and proudly hand over the gifts they have made themselves is reward enough for all the effort.
Why does it make sense to make Christmas presents with children?
During cosy family crafting time, children develop both their creativity and their fine motor skills by gluing, painting, cutting and kneading. By following crafting instructions, children also experience a personal connection to the gift, which in turn makes it more valuable. The fact that gifts are not just taken as read and that giving gifts can be just as valuable as receiving them is probably the best feeling we can give our children.
Where do I find the materials for the gifts?
When it comes to Christmas presents, you don't always have to resort to bought materials. You can find many suitable and Christmassy materials in nature which are perfect for a making Christmas gifts. Whether stones which are colourfully painted for use as paperweights or balcony decorations or whether pinecones and beech nut shells to make scented potpourri, many things can be created from natural materials.
Many larger “DIY” shops such as Jumbo or Migros Bau und Hobby also offer good and easy ideas along with the necessary materials while suitable craft kits can also be ordered online, for example from Brack.ch.
What is the right gift?
There are numerous possibilities - , useful everyday objects such as painted salad servers, homemade coasters, decorated wooden boards or a colourful kitchen towel are particularly popular. Gifts that can be eaten, such as Christmas cookies, homemade herb salt or oil and perhaps homemade jam are, of course, always very welcome - let's face it, there are also some people who like their homes to be properly styled and prefer not to use painted kitchen towels.
Christmas gifts should suit the person receiving them but it is just as important to bear in mind the time needed for crafting because otherwise the joy of crafting quickly fades away for everyone involved. The younger the child, the less time can be invested per gift.
When should you start making presents and what should you bear in mind?
Of course, “the sooner the better” applies here, but many things are still possible at short notice. Older children should definitely be involved in the selection of the gift idea as this will greatly increase their motivation. Parents should always make sure that the instructions for the gift are appropriate for the age and dexterity of the child. The instructions should not be too complex because toddlers in particular quickly lose interest in crafting if individual steps take too long. The best experiences emerge from well-prepared crafting afternoons: all the materials are ready, the table is laid out, there is nice music playing in the background and a well-organised process has been organised. In this way, you can proceed step by step and create several gifts in one afternoon.
Gift ideas for 2 to 3-year olds:
Gift ideas for 3 to 5-year olds:
Gift ideas for school children:
