Presents which my 10 and 8 year old dc's can make with virtually no help from me?

[fatsatsuma]

They are bored. I am running round in ever-smaller circles with a toddler at my heels, trying to juggle work and other commitments. But they want to make presents for granny etc.

AIBU to hope that there is something that they can make, edible or not, using things I already have in the house/storecupboard, with little input from me, and without killing me with stress ?

Am off to work now so won't be able to acknowledge any kind replies til later - but thanks in advance for saving my sanity.

Do you have any marzipan and chocolate.
Roll marzipan into balls, melt chocolate and then roll marzipan balls in the chocolate. Made these last year and were delicious.

dd 5 made some hama bead xmas decorations, snowflakes on the hexagon template and santa, tree etc. leave a hole at the top to put a bit of cord thru. they look quite effective

Thanks for these. Marzipan/choc balls sounds good and I do have both in the cupboard. Just not sure how many people really like eating marzipan - altho' I do

Just suggested hama beads to them and they are both quite keen on that one too.

Peppermint creams? Icing sugar, egg white and peppermint essence? Either dip in chocolate or not. Salt dough decorations, then paint them? We made letters NOEL, pushed a straw through the top to make a hole, then baked them and painted them silver. Hang up with ribbon from the tree or mantelpiece.

Thanks MissGreatBritain. Can you tell me approx quantities for the peppermint creams?

Peppermint Creams
1 Egg White
450g (1lb) Icing Sugar
Peppermint Essence or Oil of Peppermint

Beat the egg white until frothy but not stiff.
Sieve the icing, adding enough to produce a fairly stiff mixture.
Add a few drops of the essence or oil.
Knead the mixture in to a firm paste and roll on surface dusted with sieved icing sugar.
Cut into rounds or form small balls and flatten.
Place the peppermint creams onto parchment or silicon paper, place in a warm place to dry for 24 hours.
Store in an airtight container.

I "iced" mine with zig-zags of dark chocolate tonight. Have eaten loads more than one.

Thanks MissGB. I'm just not sure if I can leave the dc's to get on with this one. Think it might just raise my blood pressure beyond healthy levels...

BTW I should add that I have done my fair share of hands-on crafty things over the years with them, but just need something simple this year

go to yellow moon website/hobbycraft shop buy some little plain, shaped boxes and leave with paint, sparkly glue/stick on gems etc to decorate, put a coloured tissue inside to line, then let them fill with some old fashionned sweets from wilko pick and mix?