The holiday season is a perfect opportunity to get creative, make memories, and enjoy quality family time. One of the best ways to embrace the festive spirit is by making DIY holiday gifts and decorations. Not only are these projects budget-friendly, but they’re also a meaningful way to show loved ones you care. And when you involve your kids, the experience becomes even more magical and memorable. Kids love hands-on projects, and crafting with them is a great way to keep little hands busy while creating cherished traditions.
From personalized ornaments to homemade holiday cards, these simple DIY projects will fill your home with warmth, joy, and a dash of holiday magic. Read on for six easy holiday craft ideas that are kid-friendly, fun, and perfect for gift-giving and decorating.
1. Handprint Holiday Cards
Materials Needed: Blank cards or cardstock, paint, brushes, and markers.
Crafting personalized holiday cards is a tradition that never goes out of style. Kids love the sensory experience of painting their hands and seeing their unique handprints come to life as art. Use kid-safe, washable paint to coat your child’s hands and press them onto the cardstock. Once the paint dries, your little one can transform their handprints into festive holiday scenes: think Christmas trees with colorful ornaments, reindeer with googly eyes, or a menorah with yellow flames. Add a special message inside, and you have a heartwarming, one-of-a-kind holiday card that friends and family will adore.
Tip: Use metallic paint like gold or silver for an extra festive and elegant touch.
2. Pinecone Ornaments
Materials Needed: Pinecones, glue, glitter, ribbon, and paint.
For a simple and eco-friendly holiday decoration, try making pinecone ornaments. This craft is an easy way to bring the beauty of nature indoors, and it’s a great excuse for a family nature walk to gather pinecones. Once you have your supplies, kids can get creative by painting the pinecones in festive colors or adding a touch of glue and sprinkling them with glitter for a frosty winter effect. Attach a ribbon to the top to turn each pinecone into a beautiful tree ornament or use them in a decorative bowl as a holiday centerpiece.
Tip: Add a drop or two of holiday-scented essential oil (like cinnamon or pine) to your pinecones for a natural holiday aroma.
3. Cookie Jar Gift Mixes
Materials Needed: Mason jars, ingredients for cookies (like flour, sugar, chocolate chips), holiday-themed fabric, and ribbon.
Cookie jar gift mixes are a thoughtful, homemade gift idea that kids can help prepare. Choose your favorite cookie recipe and layer the dry ingredients in a mason jar, creating a beautiful, colorful display. Kids will love measuring and pouring each layer, and they can personalize each jar with a holiday-themed fabric topper and a festive ribbon. Don’t forget to attach a handwritten or printed recipe card with baking instructions and a note wishing the recipient a joyful holiday season. These are perfect gifts for teachers, neighbors, and relatives!
Tip: To make the presentation extra special, let kids draw holiday designs or write “From our kitchen to yours” on the gift tags.
4. Homemade Cinnamon Ornaments
Materials Needed: Cinnamon, applesauce, cookie cutters, a rolling pin, and twine.
Create a warm and inviting holiday aroma in your home with these simple homemade cinnamon ornaments. Mix equal parts cinnamon and applesauce until a dough forms. Kids will have fun rolling out the dough and using cookie cutters to make festive shapes like stars, trees, or gingerbread men. Don’t forget to poke a hole at the top with a straw for hanging. Let the ornaments air dry for a day or speed up the process by baking them on low heat. Once dry, string twine through the holes and hang them on your tree or throughout the house.
Tip: Decorate the dry ornaments with puffy paint or glitter glue for an extra festive touch.
5. Festive Paper Garlands
Materials Needed: Colorful construction paper, glue, scissors, and string.
Paper garlands are a classic, kid-friendly holiday decoration that can be customized to match any theme. Start by cutting out festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, or snowflakes. Kids can also create simple paper chains in traditional holiday colors like red and green or blue and silver. Once all the pieces are cut, glue or staple them to a long piece of string. Hang your garland over the fireplace, around the windows, or even on the Christmas tree to add a playful, handmade touch to your holiday decor.
Tip: Turn this into a “Gratitude Garland” by having each family member write something they’re thankful for on each shape before stringing them up.
6. Personalized Photo Ornaments
Materials Needed: Clear plastic or glass ball ornaments, family photos, holiday embellishments, and ribbon.
Create meaningful keepsakes by making personalized photo ornaments. Print out small family photos and cut them to fit inside clear plastic or glass ball ornaments. Kids can help roll the photos and insert them into the ornaments, then add fake snow, glitter, or mini pinecones for decoration. Seal the ornaments and tie a holiday ribbon at the top. These beautiful photo ornaments make wonderful gifts for grandparents and are a special way to reflect on the memories of the past year.
Tip: Use a paint marker to write the year on each ornament, turning it into a lasting family tradition.
Making Holiday Memories That Last
The joy of crafting holiday gifts and decorations with your kids isn’t just about the end result—it’s about the laughter, love, and memories you create together. Plus, by making your own gifts and decor, you can add a personal touch to your holiday celebrations and teach your kids the value of thoughtful, handmade items. Whether you’re decorating the tree, creating gifts for loved ones, or simply spending quality time together, these simple DIY projects are sure to make this holiday season extra special.
Happy crafting, and happy holidays!