Each year my family draws each other’s names for Christmas. While we do have store bought gifts, these particular gifts are supposed to be handmade.
I wanted my kids to know the real spirit of giving and found it was easier to encourage them to give their time in making a present than it was earn money to buy a present.
As the years have gone by our kids (and ourselves) have really gotten into it.
Calendar or photobook
My favorites have been when my husband has made me a personalized calendar from shutterfly.com. They have deals constantly and are worth looking into. If they by chance aren’t having deals, Walgreens and Walmart let you make them for around $12.
Made from Felt
My next go-to for homemade presents is felt. It comes in a variety of colors and doesn’t unravel on the edges, making it easy to work with. You can either go with inexpensive 50¢ felt or get a more luxurious look with wool felt.
My Little Pony Castle
This is my newest homemade gift, the My Little Pony Castle playset. The pony buttons can be found at Walmart, Joanne’s or Amazon. I then attached each pony with rainbow ribbon. It folds up to make a convenient quiet book. Let me know if you’re interested and I can share my pattern.
Trolls Poppy and Branch
Last year I made Poppy and Branch out of felt. Felt is so easy to use and makes cute gifts.
Christmas Pajamas
Another great go-to is creating fun shirt and pj’s gifts (really anything made from cotton will work).
I stumbled across this idea years ago while teaching art at a family camp. A little boy had been using toll paint and unbeknownst to me or his mother, ended up getting some on his shirt. By the time she found it, the paint had dried. She came back to the art room begging for help and we had to tell her once it was dry it was permanent, which up to this point had been a bad thing. But I told her to leave the shirt and I’d see if I could match the colors and paint over it. I was able to fix the shirt and while I painted it I realized I should have been doing this all along.
Masking tape stencil
Here are some of the best examples we’ve done for our homemade Christmas presents. This is the masking tape technique. Use masking tape to create a “stencil”then paint over it
TV show Pysch
This particular gift is a throw back to the TV show Psych. My daughter has been working on this and is going to add the words,” I’ve heard it both ways. ”
Freestyle paint
Despicable Me, Gru and Minions
You can also freestyle paint it, which I used in our Despicable Me theme for the purple minion and masking tape for Gru’s scarf.
Freezer Paper Stencil
Another toll paint method is to cut your design out of freezer paper and iron (wax side down) onto your shirt. This also creates a stencil to paint on.
You can cut it with a Cricut, Shillouett machine or a razer.
At the time our son had been calling himself “the happy kid ” so I made him a smiley face shirt. So far I’ve noticed dark colored cotton shirts don’t absorb the toll paint as well. I’m guessing this is because the fibers already hold alot of pigment. Prewashing new shirts can help a little. Deep red shirts have been the least effective with holding onto paint.
Setting the paint in the shirt
Whichever technique you choose, cover the shirt with an old towel and iron the paint into the shirt. This helps set the paint (after it has dried) and makes it a permanent image. For all of my projects (except red shirts) the painting has become permanent and only fades with natural wear.
Weaving
Our older son learned how to make a bead bracelet. This picture gives an idea of the set up. There was not any DIY for this style on YouTube – which as you can tell is very simple and easy to do. I guess my son needs to make a video.
In the mean time you can check out a different DIY beadloom style here.
PVC Pipe toys
And of course there is PVC pipe. Whether you are making marshmallows shooters or lounging chairs, PVC pipe has endless possibilities. These were made by my boys for each other last year.
Copper wire doll furniture
We also had some creative gifts come from copper wire. My son, twisted it into the shape of lawn furniture for his sister’s house, making a chair and a swing.
Doll house renovation
The house came a few years before. It was a rickety, old doll house from a yard sale. I revived it with support beams along the roof and foundation, cardboard roof shingles and painted siding shingles.
Tic Tac Toe
This Tic Tac Toe game was given by my then two year old. I sewed the bag from plaid and burlap. My daughter painted on paper, which I cut into circles and modge podged to the bottom of glass beads. I liked how it preserved her artwork and let her participate in the giving process.
SeasonedSalts
The last present I will share today is gifting seasoned salts. Bacon salt is easy and a tasty gift for the men in your life (or anyone who really loves bacon). The bacon flavor came out well in the food. We used it on salads, sandwiches, soups etc. This gift needs to be stored in the fridge.
To make, cook a pound of bacon to very crispy. Let cool and crumble into tiny bacon pieces. Add two cups of course salt and two tsp of ground pepper. Mix together and fill up your bottles.
The packaging was made with burlap, doubled over and glued around the neck of the bottle from the dollar store.
Tied with Raffia and a homemade, laminated tag.
The possibilities are endless. I hope this sparks some creative ideas and as always feel free to send questions or comments.
Traditions can be the perfect glue that brings families together during the holidays. Providing anticipation in a mutually enjoyed event and peace in a well refined routine.
The best way to make traditions that fit the role of bringing loved ones together, is first to pick events that everyone enjoys (for the most part) and second the understanding that traditions can outlive their usefulness. There may come a time that you need to lay a well loved tradition to rest, but it’s ok, you can pick others that fit your new situation in life and move forward.
Today I want to share our well loved Christmas traditions in case you are looking for something else to add or try. Please don’t feel like you should do all or any of them. But I hope you will find something that inspires a family gathering.
Ours basically revolves around the advent calendar and started with the desire to not have everything be candy or a toy. I began to look for events or activities that the kids could open and be excited for.
The Christmas pajamas
We switched up the well loved tradition of pj’s on Christmas Eve and started giving them the first day of December instead. I mean kids grow fast and they need pj’s, I want them to wear Christmas themed for at least a month before it’s out of season (who am I kidding, they wear them all year anyway 😁).
Seeing Santa
This has required alot of flexibility through moving and kids getting older. While we have spent our time in long, insane lines, we have found it really adds to holiday angst and definitely does not increase family bonding. If we see a long Santa line we run the other way.
Thankfully we have found a beautiful old frontier Christmas near by with a quick visit to Santa, handbell choir or orchestra and serving of hot chocolate, every member of our family is happy.
I absolutely love it!
This year the park also told Christmas stories by the fire in an old frontier cabin. It was a perfect way to start off the season.
Gingerbread cookies
I spent a number of years being frustrated with my kids for playing with the cookie dough and making it tough. By reminding myself why we have traditions, I decided to give each child their own portion of dough and let them create to their hearts content. I reserved a portion for myself to make nice soft cookies. All frustration is gone and cookie making is fun for everyone.
There are a few community events we let come and go depending on our desire to leave the house. These range anywhere from art projects at the museum to hearing Handel’ s Messiah. My advice here, make sure traditions aren’t causing more stress by purposefully leave room to let some things slide.
Candy Land with real candy
While this was my brain child, can I really take credit for something that is practically begging to be done? It’s called Candyland for a reason and has been one of our absolute favorites. I track down all the candy one might pass on their way to King Candy and place it on the board, we all take turns collecting gingerbread men, PB cookies, candy canes, chocolate, gum drops, twizzlers, mints, lolly pops and M&M’s.
You can find the Candyland – with real candy – Ground Rules here.
Ride the Polar Express
This is the easiest, and newest tradition. I don’t know how long it will stay, but for now it’s a winner. When the kids open the advent calendar they each get a ticket to ride the Polar Express. Our son has seriously taken his ticket to school in his pocket and kept it with him all day, to make sure it doesn’t get lost. Add a hot chocolate bar and you are the most awesome parents around.
My husband makes the tickets and punches them once the movie begins.
Visit a Live Nativity
Many year ago, we were invited to attend a live nativity. It turned out we were the last car before a shift change and everyone slowly walked behind our car as we passed. We figured they were just changing shifts, but it felt like we were being surrounded by zombies. It was so funny we’ve kept going. 😂😂
Of course with the move we couldn’t find a live one near by, but we did find a Creche exhibit that is nice and I enjoy seeing all the different art forms.
Gingerbread houses
If you’ve read my other posts, you may know we save the over abundance of our kids’ Halloween candy to make gingerbread houses. I love this for two reasons, the kids still get candy, just not at much and it saves money.
Win win. 😊
See the lights
While driving around to see the lights we found it was easier to keep our kids focused and enjoying the lights if they had a goal. So before we start we let everyone pick which lit up item they are going to count, with the goal being to pick the item that has the most that year. It might be snow flakes, Santa Clause or candy canes. It makes it very exciting as all the kids are searching for their item.
Family nativity re-enactment
This has been one of my favorites, especially when the kids were younger. I’m a little sad that this may be one we outgrow soon, it doesn’t seem to be as tender when the older kids are acting it out. They are more silly and it’s best to just read the story by that point.
Homemade presents
Also one of my favorites because we love to make things. We each draw a family member’s name and make a gift for them. The gifts are usually very creative and the first to be opened Christmas morning. Go here for more homemade present ideas.
Illustrated Nativity Book
This one doesn’t happen every year, just when we feel like it, but the kids love to see how their art work has progressed. We write a simple story of Christ being born and let the kids illustrate each page. We then laminate pages, give it an official cover etc. and gift copies to grandparents.
I’m sure as the years pass we’ll add a few more traditions to replace the ones that need to go. But for the time being, I’m loving where we’re at.
Please share some of your well loved traditions. Or what is a tradition you’ve always wanted to try?
A few years ago I created a Bouquet Dinner for my family on Valentine’s. It was an immediate hit. Our kids now look forward to it as soon as they see the Valentine’s decorations go up in the stores (which is like right after Christmas 😅).
The thing I love about Valentine’s Day is we don’t have to spend huge amounts of money to show others how important they are to us.
Of course businesses are often trying to convince us that a diamond bracelet or luxury cruise is the only way to show your love. We all know better. 😊 While those things are nice, real love is expressed in less complex ways.
When I feel truly loved it is because someone remembered me. My husband gives me a music mix of the very best songs from the previous year. I love it because whenever I listen to it I think of him. The CD also introduces me to the latest hits which I have to admit is needed. I quickly get behind on what’s up and coming.
Children are natural Valentine masters. They are so incredibly loving and forgiving and their cards and presents are truly from the heart.
A few of the homemade Valentine’s I’ve gotten over the years. ❤️
Last year my son was struggling with keeping his cool. His teacher used a little post it note to track expected and unexpected behavior and send it to me at the end of the day. This is probably the most beautiful way he could show his love for me at the time. All smiles and no frowns ❤️❤️.
It seemed only natural for me to make a fun, creative dinner to show my affection for my family. I make notes and everything, but this way I can feed their bellies and souls. They also never forget this tradition, their eyes light up when they see Valentine’s Dinner.
It’s exciting to “pick” what you want to eat. With such a unique way of serving dinner the whole room is jumping with excitement.
A few needed items
Flower vases to hold your bouquets
Cooking skewers
Your choice of meat, fruit /Vegitables and bread
Our Bouquet Versions
Each year we try something a little different. One year we had meatballs, smokies and bacon alternating on a skewer. Another year I tried my hand at bacon roses which I thought would be an especially tasty way to my husband’s heart.
Chocolate Covered Bacon
You could also try chocolate covered bacon – which is actually amazing. Here is the recipe and how-to here. Or make bacon roses and then dip in chocolate! I will likely be trying that this year.
Inside-out Chocolate Strawberries
If you look closely, you’ll see these chocolate strawberries have the chocolate on the inside. I found that chocolate covered strawberries were a little messy to eat. The chocolate shell would break and fall off before you could eat it with the strawberry. You’re using two hands, one to eat and one to catch the chocolate falling off.
This version you simply pour the chocolate inside the strawberry. There is often a hole inside so it makes it easy. It’s perfect to eat for little ones and I actually like it better with a chocolate core.
Pigs-in-a-Blanket
Pigs-in-a-blanket are easy to do on a stick as well. To mix it up a little, try one of these versions Cheesy Ranch or a puff pastry crust.
I also just discovered this completely easy to make Soft Pretzel recipe, which I’ll probably do this year for the Bouquet as well.
I was surprised that the Oreo’s on a stick were not a hit. I think the kids had already had so much sugar from school Valentine’s that they were ready for real food by dinner.
My amazing Valentine. He makes it easy to want to make Valentine’s Day special.
There are endless ideas to create a Bouquet meal. What would you put in an edible bouquet?
P. S.
You may be wondering if we get alone time – for an actual romantic dinner? The answer is yes, we will be going out just the two of us on the weekend.😊
Happy baking, until next time – which will likely be a home DIY!
Hi, I’m Natalie. I’m a mother of four, an artist, and a DIYer that loves to reuse, recycle, and refurbish. I like power tools and teaching others how to save money while improving their home.
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