Stacy Shares: Simple Gift Ideas

These simple gift ideas are brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Stacy Teet.

“For me, the best part of the holidays is spending time with family, focusing on others, and teaching my children the joy of giving.”   –Stacy

Every December, the children and I transform into elves. We dream up elaborate schemes about how to fuse the most holiday cheer into each and every day, we cover ourselves in glitter and glue and we do our very best to make as many gifts as we can by hand. We craft our own wrapping paper, make new ornaments and really have fun getting into the Christmas spirit.

Whenever possible, I prefer the children to make their own gifts for friends and family. We file away gift ideas all year long and really try to make things the people on our lists will love and cherish for years. Here are three of our favorite simple gift ideas that kids can make.

1) Artwork & Window Displays

Anything goes here! Finger paintings, drawings, collages … this year I choose these gorgeous Rainbow Garden “Stained Glass” Peel & Press Sticker By Numbers kits from Melissa & Doug as our art project. I knew my mother-in-law would love them, and double bonus — the kids would have fun creating them. Turns out, we all did!

2) Embellished Picture Frames

These are always a big hit and a no-fail gift idea. All you need is a blank wooden frame, some craft paint or even markers like we used on this one, some fun stickers or embellishments and a favorite photo. Let their imaginations run wild, there really is no right or wrong way to make these.

3) Personalized Keepsake Boxes

I love giving keepsake boxes as gifts because the kids can really put their heart into making them, and then I can slip a simple keepsake I made for the recipient or often times a nice letter and a gift card. It’s just so much more personal than giving someone a plastic gift card for Christmas. We have found boxes just about everywhere, but I have my eye on this butterfly treasure box for our girl cousins this year! Add a few hair clips, bows and costume jewelry and voila, the perfect gift!

Do you make gifts like this with your kids? What are some of your favorite simple gifts to give?