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home / Blog / Activities / holidays / christmas / handmade gifts for the whole family

handmade gifts for the whole family

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November 23, 2015 by Teach Mama 17 Comments

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handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

Friends.

You know I’ve been doing some work with Klutz lately, and it’s been a blast.

A few weeks ago, we held a twitter event filled where the main focus was to share ideas for handmade gifts for the whole family. What was shared was amazing. Honestly. I’m ready to clear off the table and get my craft ON.

So I thought I’d share a bit from that event so that if you weren’t able to make it, you’d still get the info. And? You can even win all FIVE of the books I share here. For real. So that your family can make handmade gifts this year, too! Woot!

Because we all know how handmade gifts are lovedĀ by the whole family, right? Right!

Here’s the skinny. . .

Handmade Gifts for the Whole Family:

These are gifts that kids can make–because we of course want them to have a hand in gift-giving and also know how important it is to give gifts that come from the heart.

From our twitter chat, folks came up with fabulous handmade gift ideas:

  • photo books filled with memories;
  • personalized holiday cards with Stencil Art;
  • time–helping someone in need fold laundry, clean, or do household chores;
  • practical items for teachers like small shelves (have your child decorate them!);
  • themed gift baskets;
  • homemade soap;
  • homemade taco seasoning (or other spice or extract);
  • gift card with handwritten note;
  • Design & Dye totes for teachers;
  • reusable photo tote bag;
  • photo ornaments;
  • mugs with hot cocoa or tea to de-stress;
  • homemade cookies or candies;
  • whistle with a handmade laminated name tag for a coach;
  • handmade coupon book for babysitters;
  • decorated notepads with pen holders;
  • handpainted frame with inspirational quote;
  • anything food related with ingredients to make it all in one bowl;
  • simple, heartfelt thank you notes (especially for teachers!);
  • reusable fabric giftbags;
  • salt dough with a child’s handprint;
  • personalized kitchen towels;
  • the ideas go on and on!

We also talked about the best ways to master gift-wrapping, how to get kids involved in gift-giving. Check out some of the super cool ideas by following #KlutzHandmade on twitter!

And now check out our fave picks for handmade gifts for each member of the family:

Mom & Grandma:

best handmade gifts for mom grandma teachmama.com

Charm Bracelet Studio makes it super accessibleĀ for anyone to make gorgeous pieces of jewelry.

Each design is outlined in simple, step-by-step instructions, making the designs manageable to create.

craft and wear charm bracelet studio teachmama.com

These bracelets are seriously beautiful and so easy to make, and they’ll stand out among Mom or Grandma’s current arm candy. They’ll be the talk of every book club, PTA meeting, office event, or lunch date. Ā Right?

No matter where they’re worn, they’ll put a smile on Mom or Grandma’s face.

Not only will kids love taking the time to create these charms, but anyone who receives a charm bracelet will wear it with pride.

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Dad & Grandpa:

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

String Art is the perfect handmade gift for Dad and Grandpa!

Whether you create a piece of String Art for home or the office, it will definitely bring a smile to Dad or Grandpa’s face.

The coolest thing is the possibilities with String Art!

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for dad grandpa teachmama.com

Consider creating a String Art:

  • Framed photo of you or the family;
  • Favorite team mascot;
  • Pet-inspired item;
  • Set of three similar designs for a wall;
  • Sports themed masterpiece;
  • Design made with Dad or Grandpa’s favorite colors!

Want to take a little look at our experience with String Art? Definitely check it out: Best Tween Birthday Gifts.

 

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Sisters and Friends:

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

Shrink & Link Jewelry may be one of the coolest things we have seen in a while.

Shrink & Link Jewelry is just that: shrinky pieces linked together! Sounds crazy, but it’s not. The finished pieces are beautiful, bright, and stylish.

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

best handmade gifts for sisters friends teachmama.com

The Shrink & Link book gives jewelry creators so many options that there is definitely something for every, single sister or friend.

Consider making a:

  • Keychain;
  • Backpack bling;
  • Necklace;
  • Barrette;
  • Best friend or sisters forever bracelet;
  • Zipper charm;
  • Matching sets;
  • School mascot or team-colored pieces.

So many options! And really, they are a blast to create!

****

Best Handmade Gifts for Brother:

best handmade gifts for brothers teachmama.com

Star WarsĀ Folded Flyers Ā shows you step by step how to create replicas of the Star Wars flyers. Really.

And the coolest thing is that you can do a number of things with these little planes:

  • Put them all together for a Star Wars mobile;
  • Stick them onto a black canvas for a Star Wars work of art;
  • Gift them solo or in bunches;
  • Add a folded flyer to the top of a Star Wars themed gift!

best handmade gifts for brothers teachmama.com

The possibilities are endless. All I know is that Star Wars fans–whether it’s a brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, parent, or friend–will love these folded flyers!

****

Handmade Gifts for Teachers:Ā 

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

Window Art is so much fun to make, it’s crazy.Ā 

It’s addicting. Kids love it.

And teachers, who spend hours in their classrooms every day, will absolutely love to have some handmade Window Art from their students!

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

If a teacher isn’t in a classroom with windows (believe me, it sounds awful, but for so many this is the case!), then Window Art still works on the glass panes of a door or closet.

Really get creative with Window Art! Consider:

  • Making a holiday-themed collection;
  • Giving your teacher a new window art creation each month (like a subscription service!);
  • Creating his or her name in Window Art;
  • Making the school mascott;
  • Creating a themed series: animals, flowers, sports, etc.

 

 

——————————-

Do you want to sneak a peek at our Klutz blogger event? It was so fun, and you’ll I’m sure see some familiar faces! (And you’ll see the Klutz studio in NYC!)

Check it out:

 

Check out our other posts filled with Klutz books love:

5 cool handmade gifts tweens love to make | teachmama.com

best gifts for tween girls cover | teachmamacom

craft and wear cover teachmama.com

______________

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Klutz, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my personal experience as a parent and educator–and, of course, my three littleĀ crafty-crafters.

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are ā€œaffiliate links.ā€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s16 CFR, Part 255: ā€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.ā€ For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom. I also have a master's in psychology, specializing in children's issues. Read More…

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia R says

    November 30, 2015 at 11:44 am

    I’m going to give two or three kits to the little girl I babysit and the rest to my niece.

    Reply
  2. Nicole Feliciano says

    November 30, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Such a great idea. I love giving creative gifts.

    Reply
    • Teach Mama says

      November 30, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      thanks, Nicole!! We do, too!

      Reply
  3. Audra says

    December 1, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    My daughter would totally love this

    Reply
  4. Leah Shumack says

    December 1, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    My daughter loves to do new crafts! I would love to give these to her!

    Reply
  5. beth says

    December 2, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I would use these with my nieces, so sort of keep, sort of give away.

    Reply
  6. lissa crane says

    December 2, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I would keep it to use with my daughters who love to create! This is perfect for their ages since they are too old for simple crafts, and are now at the age where they can do more complex crafts, like these! they would flip over these!

    Reply
  7. marissa s. says

    December 2, 2015 at 10:28 am

    My niece would love this but so would I! I would probably do it with her!

    Reply
  8. Wehaf says

    December 2, 2015 at 10:28 am

    I would share these with my nieces and nephews!

    Reply
  9. Michelle Koerner says

    December 2, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    These would be great for my 3 daughters! If they come before xmas I would use them for presents, otherwise one of my girls birthdays is in January so I would gibve them to her then!

    Reply
  10. DJ says

    December 2, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    I would love to gift these to my niece.

    Reply
  11. karen says

    December 2, 2015 at 8:29 pm

    I will keep them to do with my nieces this winter.

    Reply
  12. Pat says

    December 2, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    My granddaughter would love these Klutz books!

    Reply
  13. wanda greenwood says

    December 2, 2015 at 10:41 pm

    I will give the books to my four granddaughters – they would love them!

    Reply
  14. Donna Teller says

    December 2, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    My niece and I love crafts so we would have so much fun together with these books.

    Reply
  15. Lauren says

    December 2, 2015 at 11:06 pm

    I would give these to my daughter and her friends.

    Reply
  16. Elena says

    December 7, 2015 at 11:20 am

    The Handmade gifts kit is perfect for Christmas season!

    Reply

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Welcome to Teach Mama!

Patricia Moore profile image

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom.

After our three kids graduated high school, I went back to school to become a marriage and family therapist who has specialized in children’s issues.

I love helping families find all the fun and deep learning possible for their children.

I’m so glad you’re here on Teach Mama and I look forward to helping you on your journey!

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