Homemade Giving
by Maxine A. Randall
(November/December 2008)
(November/December 2008)
In May I talked about card crafting as a way that children can honor their moms. Have you ever thought about letting your children make their own Christmas gifts? I know it would take more time for you, but the benefits to them and, may I add, to the recipients are well worth whatever time it takes. I would encourage you to think about it if you've never tried letting them give of themselves this way. It may save you money, but actually it's much more than that. It builds important "stuff" inside.
I've found some great sites to help. Back in the day when my children were very young, particularly my oldest, we didn't have the internet. We had loads of magazines and the library, though, with lots of ideas. How much fun we had, and what a delight it was for my daughters to give a precious handmade gift to someone they love. Does it help teach them to enjoy giving? You can just imagine how much enhanced the joy of giving is when that gift, done with the biggest heart, and often hands which are quite small, is wrapped and delivered. And the recipient? What do you think that gift means to them?
Want some ideas that I've found on the web? The links are below! But I would also suggest that you find some of those good craft magazines which normally have gifts for children to make and start a collection of ideas for homemade gifts that will work for the kids in your household. Another great source we used often is the library. Look in the juvenile section under crafts, parties, needlework, sewing, paper projects, scrap projects, and holidays, to name a few places. I guarantee that you'll come up with some very good ideas.
Well, this is the computer age, and this is an electronic correspondence which is connected to the web, so I most definitely want to pass these links on to you. Hope they help you to think up some nice craft ideas to delight:
moms and dads
grandparents
siblings
teachers/Sunday school teachers
babysitters
neighbors
friends
other special relatives
Trust me, you'll have fun too!
Maxine
UPDATE: Many of the sites we originally linked to are no longer operable but it should not be too difficult to find ideas at Pinterest and your local library.
KIDS CRAFTS IDEAS
Here you'll find general ideas that can be applied to Christmas or other occasions. I like these ideas even though there are no graphics of step by step instructions. These are just ideas that you can adjust to fit your situation.
Here you'll find general ideas that can be applied to Christmas or other occasions. I like these ideas even though there are no graphics of step by step instructions. These are just ideas that you can adjust to fit your situation.
MORE4KIDS.COM
Kids love making yummy stuff to give to others. There are a few more ideas here.
Again, check the links at the bottom.
Kids love making yummy stuff to give to others. There are a few more ideas here.
Again, check the links at the bottom.
FREE KIDS CRAFTS
Kids crafts, some of which can be used as gifts.
Kids crafts, some of which can be used as gifts.
