Ask Design Mom — Homemade Gifts Kids can Make

Ask-Design-Mom-Question: I was inspired by your site to have my children make gifts for one another this year. I was trying to find your previous posts about the gifts you have made in the past, but I was only able to find one. I would love it if you could gather all of these ideas in one place. Thanks in advance. — Kristin

Design Mom Answer: Thanks for the question, Kristin. I've actually been getting lots of similar requests — readers wanting to know what we've made in the past, and what we're making this year. I'll start with a short explanation — four years ago, based on the artsy-craftsy tendencies of my kids, we decided that the siblings would make each other gifts for Christmas. It's become a fun tradition. One the whole family looks forward to. You can read my original post about it here.



What our plans are for this year:
Note: these plans are subject to change depending on my whims. Or if a better idea falls in my lap.

Ralph is making —
-Jump Ropes for Maude and Olive
The girls want to learn double-dutch, so we'll be happy to have two long jump-ropes to add to the family sports equipment.
-Blurb Photo Books for Oscar and Betty

Maude is making —
-A Night Light Cover for Oscar and Betty's room
-A Sketch Book with a Decoupaged Cover for Ralph
-Legwarmers for Olive (inspired by the comments on this post)



Olive is making —
Olive will be using potato stamps (a la Martha Stewart) and fabric ink to customize...
-Boxers for Ralph
-A hoodie for Maude
-A t-shirt for Oscar
-A t-shirt dress for Betty



Oscar and Betty are making —
Not sure yet, but I'm thinking about these darling cakes in a jar — both Oscar and Betty love helping in the kitchen, so this might be a perfect fit. They could give an individual jar to each sibling.

Links to what we've made in past years:
- Tutu, decoupaged bucket for matchbox cars, after-school bags, tiedye tees
- Flower headbands
- Wool mittens from recycled sweaters, embellished dragon mittens, sculpey bracelets, bibs, snowglobes and romper stompers made from cans 

- Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
- Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
- Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover

I hope you find these links and ideas helpful. What about you Dear Readers? Do your kids make gifts for their siblings? What are they making this year?