Your holiday
dilemma is solved! Here are
inexpensive, simple, and easy gifts your students can make. You’ll save money as you nurture the
true spirit of giving in children.
Best of all, these projects will be treasured because they are one of a
kind! They are made by the gifted
hand of a child!
It’s important to
be sensitive to different beliefs children may have this time of year. Gifts don’t have to be for Christmas or
Hanukkah ~ you can give someone a gift anytime just because you care about
them!
Hint! Make sure that children DO these
projects themselves! They need to
reflect the children’s individuality and efforts.
PENCIL CAN
Materials: juice
or vegetable can, glue, pasta, spray paint
Directions: Remove
the label from the can. Let
children glue pasta (bow ties, spirals, macaroni, etc.) around the can. Spray paint gold or silver.
Adaptation: Children can also cover a can with
construction paper. Next, let them
create a collage on the can with pictures and words cut from magazines.
KEY RACK
Materials: wood
scraps (4” x 10”), nails, markers, picture hangers
Directions: Let
children decorate the wood with markers.
Next, let them hammer 4 nails spaced evenly apart. Attach a hanger to the back.
Adaptation: Children could also paint wood scraps.
SCARF HOLDER
This is similar to the key rack except children attach plastic hooks to hold scarves, belts, or ties.
COUPON BOOK
Materials: paper,
markers, pens, construction paper, ribbon
Directions: Each
child will need 3 sheets of paper.
Cut the paper into fourths to make 12 pages. On each page, children write (or dictate) a different job
they could do for their parents, such as set the table, give a back rub, clean
their room, etc. Make a cover from
construction paper. Hole punch in
the upper left hand corner and tie with a ribbon.
PET ROCK
Materials: rocks or stones (about the size of a fist), markers, felt, wiggly eyes,
yarn, glue
Directions: Go
on a rock hunt and let each child find a special rock. Have children wash their rocks and set
them aside to dry. Decorate the
rocks with wiggly eyes, markers, yarn hair, etc. Add a piece of felt to the bottom to make a paper weight.
Adaptation:
Let children name their rocks and write stories about how to care for them.
NAPKIN RINGS
Materials: paper towel rolls, stickers, yarn,
lace, fabric, buttons
Directions: Cut the cardboard roll into 1 ½”
sections. Decorate with stickers,
yarn, fabric, lace, etc.
Adaptation: Insert holiday napkins.
