Ideas for handmade presents from kids to GPs

[strongblackcoffee]

Help me, my brain is seizing up under the pressure of xmas planning... And my money is running out fast. My parents would be delighted with something sweet and handmade from my DSs (3 & 5) - but what?! I think they'd probably prefer something lasting, as opposed to edibles. Handprints? Drawings? Any other ideas? Please...?!!

Oooh yes, mugs, that's a good idea. Also, I just thought about making photo frames - thought they could decorate one with a photo of them in it. Has anyone come across a blank frame for decorating - or should I start cutting up cardboard?!! Or maybe just stick with the mugs idea...!

That's a really good idea, we've got one like that here. In fact, that also creates a good activity to fill up the week before xmas! Hooray, the plan is coming together

Photo frames or vases are good fun. We've got some plain frames and jam jars. Mix up plaster of paris and add food colouring, paint on. Decorate with shells/beads. Leave to dry.

We're going to fill the vases with homemade fudge.

think i need to get to bed, read the title & wondered why your kids were giving the doctor a pressie!

Or you could buy some cheap white porcelein mugs and some porecelein mug decorating pens from somewhere like hobbycraft, and make mugs that way?!

salt dough beads make excellent earings/bracelets/necklaces. whack a bit of varnish over once painted and they are pretty long lasting too. perfect for GM

you could do a key/change bowl for GF.

spacecadet1 so did I!

get to bed too mumnerves!

we have done:

oranges stuck with cloves and ribbon tied round

painted pots then paint fixed in oven

painted little pots with a cyclamen in

painted and decorated picture frames with cute pix of DC

drawings stuck inside keyrings

try baker ross for paint pens, blank things to decorate

spacecadet1 the worst thing is we were both nosy enough to come on the thread! lol! :o

my friend has sewn little stuffed stars, moons and christmas trees out of felt, and let her 3 year old son go mad on them with glitter glue. she sewed little loops into the top so they can be hung on a tree, each family member is getting a set of the three.

shortbread biscuits. Really easy

bath bombes?
(chemistry lesson...)
loke this

like

ooooh some GREAT ideas!! Excellent, think we might even have the next 5 years sorted out

oooh, I've made bath bombs with my class in the past - and they loved it. That would be a brilliant present to make.

We have made saltdough Christmas decorations, painted them and varnished them (with clear nail varnish).
It is really hard not to interfere with them though. You have to sit on your hands and just offer gentle suggestions.

painting in a cheap clip frame....DS (8) has done a lovely gliitery snow scene with the stars at night which grandma will love.
She's a pretty hot astronomer too so he's spent ages with reference books so that he has the constellations in the right places - Orion's belt, anyone?

hama bead stars! get a small kit from the toy shop or supermarket with a star shaped board & then tie with cotton thread onto the tree. They have definately been the best thing DD has done so far & come out again every year. We also make star coasters!

Ive just done these

Its DD2's first xmas so have popped in a photo of her wearing a cute little Santa hat. We did the same for DD1 and the GP's loved them.

They are double sided so maybe a nice photo of them on one side and a little drawing on the other?

Painted teracotta pots with herbs in them for whizzy grandads who cook!!