There’s something truly heartwarming about receiving a gift crafted by a child. Knowing the time, effort, and love poured into a handmade present makes it uniquely special, especially during the Christmas season when families come together. However, for early childhood educators, guiding children in creating these Family Christmas Gifts can sometimes feel like navigating a tightrope. There can be pressure and judgment about whether the gifts are truly child-made or heavily assisted by adults. The key, as with many aspects of early learning, lies in balance, common sense, and a deep understanding of the children and families you work with.
To ensure the gift-making process is joyful and meaningful for everyone involved, I rely on five simple guidelines when planning Christmas projects for young children to create and take home as family Christmas gifts:
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Will the children enjoy this? Is it age-appropriate? The first question I always ask myself is whether the activity will be engaging and fun for the children. Will it be too frustrating, or will it spark their creativity? Is it tailored to their developmental stage, or am I expecting too much precision or skill? The goal is for them to feel a sense of accomplishment and joy in creating their family Christmas gifts.
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Is this manageable for a group with varying needs and schedules? Planning family Christmas gifts for a large group of children, especially those attending on different days and with diverse family backgrounds, requires careful consideration. Is the project too complex to manage with varying attendance? Does it respect different family cultures and traditions around Christmas? Simplicity and adaptability are crucial for stress-free crafting sessions.
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Will families appreciate this gift? Will they recognize their child’s touch? The purpose of family Christmas gifts made by children is to create cherished keepsakes. Will the recipients – parents, grandparents, or other family members – genuinely appreciate the gift? Will they be able to see their child’s unique contribution and personality in the finished product? The gift should be recognizably from the child, making it a truly personal family Christmas gift.
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Can we incorporate recycling or upcycling? Christmas is a time of giving, but it’s also an opportunity to teach children about sustainability. I always look for ways to integrate recycled or upcycled materials into our family Christmas gift projects. This adds an eco-friendly element and encourages children to think creatively about reusing items, turning them into unique family Christmas gifts.
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Am I allowing for child-led creativity? While having a plan is important, it’s equally crucial to be flexible and allow children to take the project in their own direction. If a child wants to deviate from the original idea, I encourage their self-expression and problem-solving. Sometimes, the most wonderful family Christmas gifts are born from unexpected creative detours. Embrace the process, even if it means a less-than-perfect outcome by adult standards. A blob of painted clay can be just as precious, if not more so, than a perfectly formed ornament.
It can be challenging to constantly come up with fresh ideas for family Christmas gifts that children can make. So, I’ve compiled a fantastic collection of inspiration, drawing from our Empowered Educator Facebook Community and creative sources from around the web.
You’ll find a variety of ideas suitable for different age groups, ensuring you can select projects that perfectly match the children in your care. Many of these ideas can also be easily adapted for multi-age groups, making them versatile for various early learning settings.
From simple, hands-on activities for toddlers requiring minimal adult assistance to projects with slightly more steps for preschoolers (ages 3-5) and more intricate crafts for school-aged children, there’s something for everyone. These are also excellent ideas for vacation care or holiday camp activities!
You will see some hand, footprint, and fingerprint craft ideas included. I understand this can be a sensitive topic, and educators often have varying perspectives. If these types of crafts are not your preference, please feel free to skip over them!
However, my personal view is that as long as we are always respectful of a child’s comfort and responses, and never force a child to participate in handprint or footprint crafts, they can be a lovely way to capture a moment in time. It’s important to offer these activities occasionally rather than making them a constant feature in your program. Remember, the process is always more valuable than the product itself. It’s all about finding the right balance when creating family Christmas gifts with children.
Let’s explore some inspiring projects to spark your imagination and help you plan wonderful family Christmas gifts the children can create this year! Click on the links below the image collages for detailed instructions and materials lists for each project.
Collage of handmade christmas gift ideas for families using children's crafts
Danielle, an educator from our Empowered Ed community, created these adorable pinecone Christmas trees with her children as delightful family Christmas gifts. Turn it into an adventure by making pinecone collecting a part of the fun! Small pots are readily available and inexpensive, or you could ask families to contribute any they might have at home.
Collage of children making christmas crafts for family gifts
Footprint mistletoe art for family christmas gifts made by children
Emma, another talented educator from our Facebook group, made these simple ‘Mistletoes’ pictures using footprint art. These, combined with other Christmas crafts, become heartwarming family Christmas gifts. Imagine how much parents and grandparents will treasure these footprint keepsakes for years to come! They are also a wonderfully budget-friendly family Christmas gift idea.
Santa painted flower pots family christmas gift idea
These charming Santa flower pots are a very cute family Christmas gift idea that also introduces a bit of gardening fun! I created these with children even when working with a very limited budget, proving you don’t need to spend a lot to create special family Christmas gifts.
Recycled CD christmas ornaments family gift idea
If you have old CDs lying around, or families are willing to donate some, recycling them into Christmas ornaments is a fantastic idea from Empowered Ed member and educator Fiona. Letting children decorate them turns them into unique and eco-conscious family Christmas gifts.
Collage of simple christmas crafts for kids for family gifts
Craft stick christmas trees family christmas gift idea for children
Fiona also shared this simple fine motor activity using craft sticks and buttons to create these sweet Christmas trees. These would make lovely family Christmas gifts, hanging beautifully on the tree year after year.
Upcycled plastic bottle christmas bells family gift idea
These festive Christmas bells, crafted from recycled plastic bottles, are not only fun to make but also a wonderful upcycled family Christmas gift. See how I made them HERE.
Image showcasing various handmade christmas gifts children can make for their families
Hand sewn snowman ornaments family christmas gift idea for older children
Educator Kim from our Facebook group created these charming snowmen using simple sewing techniques. This would be a perfect holiday program activity for older children to create more involved family Christmas gifts.
Collage of salt dough christmas ornaments for family gifts made by kids
Salt dough ornaments family christmas gift idea children can make
Salt dough is always a fantastic, budget-friendly option for family Christmas gifts and one that children thoroughly enjoy making. You can find my simple salt dough recipe HERE.
Plaster christmas tree magnets family gift idea for children to create
How simple and clever is this idea from Fiona? She demonstrates how to transform plaster Christmas trees into delightful family Christmas gifts by simply adding magnet strips to the back. This technique works equally well with salt dough ornaments!
Nature clay ornaments family christmas gift idea for children
My nature clay ornaments are a beautiful and versatile family Christmas gift idea that can be easily adapted for different age groups. I particularly love using my homemade white ‘clay’ recipe – it’s incredibly easy to make and avoids the need to buy commercial clay!
Kid-made family christmas gift ideas for daycare and family care settings
Reusable painted bags family christmas gifts made by children
What a thoughtful and practical family Christmas gift idea! These personalized reusable bags, featuring children’s artwork, come from Fiona in our Empowered Ed group.
Pinterest pin image for family christmas gift ideas from children
Collage of various family christmas gifts children can make – image 1
Collage of various family christmas gifts children can make – image 2
Text image summarizing family christmas gift ideas kids can make
Did you find an idea or two to try for creating family Christmas gifts or presents for another special occasion?
Remember to revisit and reflect on the five simple guidelines I shared at the beginning of this article. These will help ensure that the gift-making process remains a fun, engaging, and stress-free experience for both you and the children as they create their thoughtful family Christmas gifts.
Looking for even more inspiration and ideas? Join our Empowered Educator Facebook group and connect with over 15,000 other early years educators! Click on the image below to join and share your own family Christmas gift creations!
A Little About Me
Author Jodie Clarke, early childhood expert
Jodie Clarke is a dedicated early childhood professional passionate about supporting educators in maintaining their enthusiasm for their vital work! With 30 years of hands-on experience in early childhood and human services, Jodie has served in diverse roles, gaining a wealth of knowledge and practical insights.
As a mother of three in Australia, Jodie understands the joys and challenges of family life. She has already assisted thousands of educators through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training programs, and e-books. Her mission is to empower educators and enrich the lives of children through engaging and meaningful learning experiences, especially when it comes to creating heartwarming family Christmas gifts.
