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Student-Made Christmas Gift Ideas

December 3, 2015

I have always wanted my students to make gifts for their families for Christmas, but those gifts have varied from year-to-year based on the budget I have.  If you’re still looking for what to make for student gifts this year, here are some ideas I have used in the past.
This has been one of the easiest projects to make and each snowman’s face is packed with personality.  These are clear glass ornaments with white batting inside.  The faces are drawn with sharpie markers and festive ribbon has been attached at the top.
I’ve also done fingerprint ornaments that look like this:
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The biggest difference between the ones I have done and the ones in the tutorial are the materials used.  I have always purchased blue ornaments (saves a step) and used sharpies to add details to the snowmen.

Another great idea is a photo gift inspired by the book, The Best Part of Me.

This one probably takes the most prep time, but families love receiving photographs as gifts.  One year I even bought frames from the dollar store, but when I’m on a tighter budget, I’ve been more creative with mounting the photos on cardstock paper.

If you are on a super tight budget (aka if the school doesn’t supply it, I can’t afford it budget), these next two ideas are for you.

My class usually makes 3-D trees and wreaths out of construction paper then students can decorate with crayons and yarn.  Here are some great tutorials for these crafts:
3-D Trees
3-D Wreaths

Finally, with directed drawings all over the Internet and TpT world, students (and teachers) are feeling more successful as artists.  If you’ve already picked your gifts, these would be terrific on the front of a Christmas card, too!

Some of my go-to sources for directed drawings:
Jennifer @ First Grade Blue Skies
Mel @ From the Pond
Art Projects for Kids

The last thing I want to share with you is a helpful tip.  If you don’t want parents making their own Christmas gifts, find another teacher and see if you can swap parent volunteers for a day (or even a week).  You will both still get the help you need while keeping gifts a secret!

What gifts do your students make for their families each year?

 

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Related posts:

How Santa Lost His Job (Opinion Writing and Craft) December2BCrafts2BCollage.jpgChristmas Crafts for Kids Pinterest2BTemplate.jpgA New Improved Santa Activities & Crafts Night Tree Activities How Santa Got His Job (Anchor Chart Freebie)
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This book is SLOTHSOME! 🦥 In fact, I’ve sha This book is SLOTHSOME! 🦥 

In fact, I’ve shared it before!

The Sloth Who Slowed Us Down follows Amy, who has the speediest family in town. They speed through work, chores, meals, and more. One day Amy brings a sloth home. That’s when things start to change slowly….
v e r y  s l o w l y!

Suddenly Amy has time to share what happened during the day and the family has time to talk to their neighbors. More importantly, they have time to just be together.❤️

Have you read this book yet? Swipe to take a peek inside.

Grab these free bookmarks from my blog (🔗 in my bio).

#theslothwhoslowedusdown
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Summer has come to an end.
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Try The Waker-Upper Rocket Machine!
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And when the dog gets stuck on the roof, the whole family joins in on the invention action!

This book would be a great addition to your STEM/STEAM book collection. It is sure to inspire future engineers and problem solvers to find out-of-the box solutions to their everyday lives. The dynamic illustrations also include a fun, fold-out spread along with a quick guide to Mazie’s six simple machines. Swipe to take a peek inside!

Mazie’s Amazing Machines
✏️ @sherylhaft 
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📚 @simonkids 

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When kids connect with books - whether it’s the characters, the genre, the plot twists, or something else entirely - it feels like a whole new magical world has opened. And all of that magic is on display in this beautifully written and illustrated book that follows one book’s journey through the hands of many different readers.

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