Handmade Holiday: gifts kids can make

By Nancy Blakey

The memory erases what is unnecessary.
   Maurice Baring

Ask your child what they got during the holidays last year, and the odds are he will not remember; she will have forgotten. In the end most of the stuff in our lives, even the stuff we think is very important, falls aside and accumulates behind the walls of memory. Instead we remember a sudden snowfall, or a power outage. We remember the smells and tastes of the holidays, the music and the anticipation, because they play a starring role in the season. They are more necessary to tradition and ritual, to making memories, than expensive gifts, and we respond to it at a deep and human level.

Some people call the urge to spend too much during the holiday season affluenza, a virus of consumption that leaves us weak and feverish from spending more time and money than we can afford. There is a simple antidote. Spend time on relationships and on experiences. One way to make the season more meaningful is to create gifts and holiday decorations with your family.  The memories made together will outlast the costly store-bought decorations and the gifts purchased then crossed off the list. Making time for a handmade holiday will take no longer than drinking a cup of coffee, or watching a TV show. It is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the season.  

Edible Gingerbread Forest

Several of these make a sweet forest scene by themselves, or good additions beside a gingerbread house.

What you will need:
Sugar ice cream cones
Ready made frosting tinted green with food coloring
Red hot candies, silver balls, holiday sprinkles, etc.
Wax paper

Place the cone upside down on a piece of wax paper. Cover the cone with green frosting and press on the red hots and holiday sprinkles while the frosting is wet.  

Dazzling Hand Drawn Ornaments

These gorgeous ornaments have multiple uses: decorate the tree with them, use small ones as gift tags, or set one at each place on the holiday table.

What you will need:

Metallic ink pens in silver or gold
Glass ball ornaments (any color)
Ribbon (1” or 5 cm, wire edged ribbon in silver or gold looks fabulous)
Small towel
Your imagination

Place the ornament on the towel to stabilize it as you draw. With the cap on, shake the pen several times, then press the tip on a piece of scrap paper until the ink begins to flow. Ready to paint? Write names and dates, or draw shapes or scenes upon the ornament. Decorate one side of the ornament and allow the ink to dry before turning it over to decorate the other side. For the final touch, tie the ribbon through the hanger loop.  

Treasure Soap

You can either buy glycerin soap at candle making supply stores or use Neutrogena soap bought from the store.  This is an easy project kids love to make!

What you will need:

Glycerin soap (available at soap supply or most candle making supply stores) or  a couple of bars of Neutrogena soap
Paper cups or microwavable containers
Knife to cut soap
Molds for the soap (available at the candle making store or you can experiment and use small gelatin molds, sea shells, ice cube trays, etc.)
Small toys or figures to place inside the soap
Optional: glitter confetti, herbs, tinsel, small piece of pine etc.

Cut the glycerin soap into ice cube size chunks, and place it in the paper cup or container.  Place in the microwave and melt it for 10 to 20 seconds. That’s all it takes! Place the small figure, toy, herbs or desired item in the mold. Pour the melted glycerin into the mold. Allow to cool until firm then remove the soap from the mold. If the soap sticks to the mold, place it in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Burlap Bowls

Any absorbent cloth can be used to create these beautiful bowls, but we especially like the rough-hewn look of burlap. When dry fill them with potpourri, home cooked goodies, or a small collection of treasures such as shells from the beach, or special rocks found on a walk.  

What you will need:

Burlap, lace doilies, or any other type of absorbent cloth material
All purpose white glue
Water
Large zipper-type plastic bags
Bowls in assorted sizes to use as a form
Holiday cookies or treats
Newspapers

Spread the newspapers over your work area and place the bowls you will be using as forms upside down upon the paper. Cut dinner plate sized circles from the burlap or material. Experiment with different size circles for a variety of bowls. Don’t worry if your child’s circle of burlap has unraveling edges, this lends a different look with a beauty of its own.
    
To stiffen the cloth, pour one part glue and enough water to slightly thin it into the plastic bag. Zip the bag closed and squeeze the mixture through the bag to mix thoroughly. Next, place the burlap circle into the plastic bag and seal. Have your child coat the circle entirely with the glue by squeezing the sealed bag. Wring out the excess glue from the circle and you are ready to place it over a bowl. Allow the burlap to dry overnight and pull it from the form. Voila! A beautiful bowl! Place the goodies in the bowl and you have a wonderful gift.

Published in Kindred issue 24, December 07