Brainstorming gifts for my kids to give their friends is a struggle every year for me. I want them to gift something meaningful. We have given some beautiful ornaments, but there are only so many we can add to our friends’ trees.
I also like to encourage them to make their gifts. Taking the time to make something for their friends and family forces them to slow down and think a little more about the gift giving. However, I want them to look nice enough that they won’t get tossed or shoved in a box.
Last year we gifted a personalized picture frame to each of my son and daughter’s besties. This was a relatively inexpensive and easy gift to craft.
affiliate links are included below.
Materials
- Frames (We used these IKEA Ribba Frames but these on Amazon look similar)
- Art Mats (we just use placemats like these or for really messy projects and old curtain I drape over the whole table.)
- Crayola Oil Pastels
- Watercolors
- Cups with Water
- Photos of Each Friend or Family Member
STEP ONE.
Pull the mats separate from the frames. Have your kids decorate each one with oil pastels drawings. I encouraged my kids to think about each friend and draw something they knew their friend would like. Baseballs, favorite animals, etc.
STEP TWO.
When you’re done drawing, then it’s time to use watercolors. Give your kids their watercolor palate, a brush, and a cup of water.
Encourage them to paint over the entire frame.
STEP THREE.
When they’re dry, put the frames back together with a picture for each friend and voila! Wrap them and you have a simple, cute, and personalized gift.
Other Kid Made Gift Ideas
- Easy Kid-Made Magnets
- Simple and Beautiful Kid-Made Wooden Ornaments
- Kid Made Carpenter Christmas Tree Ornaments
