Looking for some crafty, budget-wise, and heartfelt gifts? Try some of these suggestions, and you will be sure to get a smile and a hug in return:
1. Hand picture magnet: This is a wonderful way to record the child's growth. Nice to do one each year and compare them to last year's. They also make nice, memorable gift tags. All you need is craft foam or cardboard, glue, magnet, some writing utensil (pen, marker, glitter etc), child's picture and hand.
(1) Trace the child's hand on craft foam and cut it out (2) Cut a hole for the picture (for small children the mini pictures from a professional or a small home taken picture works best the size of picture depends on the size of child's hand, size of hole depends on size of picture.
(3) Glue the picture behind the hand so it can be seen through the hole.
(4) Write child's name and age and or year on the front. For gift tags write (example) “To the Greatest Grandma -- Love, John 2003” on the front
(5) Glue a magnet or piece of magnet tape on the back.
2. Mail Holder or Picture Frame. Using Popsicle sticks, you and your child can create either a personalized picture frame or a mail holder. Simply glue the sticks together and decorate with markers, stickers, paint, or glitter. For the picture frame, lay five or six sticks down horizontally; glue the sides. When dry, glue on a photo (cut to the correct size). When that is dry, glue one to two sticks around each side to create the frame; then decorate. For the mail holder, glue five sticks horizontally to form the base. When dry, add the sides by gluing three sticks together and gluing to the dry base. Use six sticks for the back and four for the front. When dry, decorate.
3. Handprint Fun Picture: For a quick card, get some construction paper and finger paint. Paint your child's hand and print it on the paper. Add your child’s name and age underneath the print.
4. Cloth Bag: To decorate a cloth bag (available at supermarkets and craft stores) or a plain white T-shirt, you will need to purchase fabric paints or fabric markers (found in art stores), so the colors will not wash off in the washing machine. You can use the paints to make your child's handprints, or use markers and stencils to draw pictures. Don't forget to add words such as "To the Greatest Grandma" (or Grandpa).
