Have you ever received a homemade gift that completely made your heart melt? Maybe it was a really intricate drawing from one of your kids that you framed and hung in the living room for years. Or maybe your best friend gave you a batch of those incredible chocolate chip cookies that you love so much along with a recipe card finally divulging the secret ingredients.
With the prices of just about everything at an all-time high, you might be looking to save a little cash on gifts this holiday season. And with the kids soon off from school, it can be a really fun task to include them in putting together some thoughtful gifts for all your loved ones.
A homemade gift not only allows you to give someone special in your life a little piece of yourself, but it also shows them that you took the time and effort to create something just for them. And that’s what the holiday season is all about.
Let’s take a look at five homemade gift ideas to make with the kids for family, friends, and neighbors.
1. Who wouldn’t love their very own hot cocoa kit?
If you’re fully stumped on what you can get for your neighbors across the road who always drop by with a Christmas cake over the holiday season, a homemade hot cocoa kit is sure to make their sweet tooth sing.
All you need to start are some miniature Mason jars with lids. Four ounces is the ideal size to create a mug of hot cocoa. Have the kids grab the funnel and you can just start layering ingredients. You’ll want to layer the bottom of the jar with about 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. On top of that for a nice contrast, add about 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. Then layer on 2 tablespoons powdered instant dry milk. Add a pinch of salt if you like.
Then you can customize it however you see fit. This could mean a layer of chocolate shavings or chips. Some red and green sprinkles would make a cute addition. On top of all the powder ingredients, you can add a heaping amount of mini marshmallows and you’re golden.
Just write up some easy instructions to attach to the jars about how all they have to add is some hot water. Put it all in a basket with a couple of holiday mugs and have the kids deliver the hot cocoa kits on a snowy December afternoon.
2. If there’s a fellow parent in your life who’s in dire need of relaxing, this DIY spa kit has their name written all over it.
If you’re a parent, it’s very likely that you simply don’t take the time to indulge in some much-needed self-care. Now follow this sentiment when you’re thinking about some of the overworked moms and parents in your life who would love a day at the spa.
It may not be in the cards to send them on an exotic spa retreat for the weekend, but you and the kids can very easily create some DIY spa necessities that will make them feel refreshed and relaxed.
For example, did you know how easy it is to make your own exfoliating coffee scrub? It’s actually pretty flippin’ easy. This is when you have the kids grab a few more Mason jars from the pantry as well as some coffee beans. They can have some fun when you let them put about half a cup into the coffee grinder. Once it’s all ground up, add about the same amount of brown sugar for added texture. From that point, all you do is add about a ½ cup of coconut oil, and it will look like a small batch of coffee scrub heaven.
You could even create your own little container of holiday potpourri to add to the homemade spa package. All you need are some dried orange slices for that signature zingy scent. Add in some dried cranberries and maybe some cloves and pine needles. A cinnamon stick or two will add the perfect amount of warm relaxing notes.
Head to your local discount store and pick up a loofah sponge and maybe an eye mask, and put this basket together for your sister-in-law, mother, or favorite cousin.
3. We can pretty much guarantee that grandparents everywhere would love this DIY family photo collage.
Hot tip: You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on professional family photos every year. If you have a mobile phone with a decent camera and a dear friend who is willing to donate 30 minutes of their time, you have everything you need to create a really cool holiday family photo collage.
Be sure to keep track of the weather and some cool local spots that give a nice woodsy winter feel. Once you pick where you want to take your photos and make friends with the self-timer on your camera if a friend isn’t available, choose some cute red and green ensembles for the family and take the photos. Don’t be afraid to get silly with it and include the family pet and do some candid shots as well because those ones are often the best.
If you have a printer at home, just get some photo paper and print off your favorites. If not, simply go online to one of the many photo printing websites that are affordable, and they’ll soon arrive in the mail.
To create the collage, this is when you grab the kids and head to your local thrift shop. There are oodles of photo frames there that have character and a sense of whimsy. Or if you want to go a little more industrial and casual with it, just get a few corkboards. Then you can arrange all of the photos in a way that feels aesthetically pleasing and interesting.
Wrap up your collage in a big bow and give them to your in-laws, aunties, uncles, and longtime family friends.
4. A charcuterie kit can be both cheesy and personal.
Seriously, who on earth doesn’t love spending their evening picking away at a good charcuterie board? With that in mind, it can make a great gift for neighbors, family members, or close friends whom you don’t really know what to get, but you do know that they love to nibble on meat and exotic cheeses.
First up, you can head out to the store yourself or send your partner and the kids, because shopping for this one is so simple. All you need is a cute wooden board, which you can find at affordable prices at any local home store. If they have a mini knife set on sale, you might as well grab those as well.
Then you can start to pick a few food items that won’t quickly perish. Some mini homemade preserves or jellies from your pantry make a great addition to any charcuterie board. A bag or two of different nuts. Maybe some breadsticks or a box of good crackers.
You can wrap all this in some cellophane or stick it all in a cozy basket, and all they have to do is add their favorite cheeses and meats!
5. The avid travelers in your life would love your go-to travel essentials in one cute package.
How stressful can traveling be this time of year? Whether you’re traveling home for the holidays by car, plane, or train, there’s almost always something that you forget that would have come in handy for yourself or the kids.
This is exactly why, if you have family or friends who are traveling to you by car or plane, you could create a great family travel package chock full of goodies that will only help them out along their journey.
Things like antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, and quality face masks can help to keep them feeling healthy while traveling long distances on public transportation. Add some fun and healthy homemade snacks, like granola bars or your favorite nut mix that’s super addictive.
A new set of earbuds will come in handy because they either always go missing or someone forgets to bring them. A reusable bottle of water is crucial as well, because you have to stay hydrated.
And don’t forget some mini-games, puzzles, and activity books and crayons to help keep the little ones busy for even an extra five minutes.
