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Let me first say that I don't have any kiddos of my own yet, so I have no idea what appeals to them! I have a 3 (or is it 4?) year old and a 6 year old on my list and I don't know what to make them? They are both boys. I realize it would probably be easier to just buy a toy at this point, but I am striving to make all my gifts this year to save on money and to force myself to be extra thoughtful. I've got everyone on my list covered but them! So far, I have thought of one of my nugget mason jars, but I'm thinking their parents might not be happy with me giving them 27 chocolate nuggets! ;) (Okay, I might not have kids, but I do know that much! hahaha) I thought of filling them with dried fruit instead or something, but that just seems kinda boring! Other than that, I thought of Color-Me cards. But, I don't think that would be very exciting for them, and I would like them to be some what happy about the gift, ya know? Any ideas out there? I would greatly appreciate any help that you can provide! TIA!
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
Somewhere on here there is an idea that uses small drink bottles for saving money--dimes, nickles, quarters, etc. If you do a search you may find it or something like it. Like the ideas already suggested--name frames, matching game, etc.
HTH!
Somewhere on here there is an idea that uses small drink bottles for saving money--dimes, nickles, quarters, etc. If you do a search you may find it or something like it. Like the ideas already suggested--name frames, matching game, etc.
HTH!
Ooo - savings banks. That's a great idea! That will help them learn about money, too. hhhhhmmmmm ... too many good ideas now!
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
My husband made wooden building blocks for our kids one year, and they play with them a lot. He just took scrap lumber and cut it into different sizes of blocks, and then we sanded them down. You could even stamp on some of them.
Target has some great small things in the dollar section. I got some Cars pencils, writing pad, dry erase board all in the dollar section. I know they had curios george too.
Using Family Members is a GREAT idea and a good way to use up those 'bad' photos! Especially if it is two slightly different pictures of the same person...makes it a little more challenging.
I just made a Jacob's Ladder for my grandson's birthday and gave to him when they were here for Thanksgiving....the whole family loved it! I used the cardboard square with rounded corner coasters and glued them together, and used the S.U. Roundup DS paper in each and chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon. He is 8.
You can cover a lunch box tin with camo paper and fill it with army guys for the younger one. A tin for the older one could be for Pokemon cards. I have a 4 year old and an 8 year old, and they love, love, love having special boxes for things and they keep them all together when they have a box for it all. We also have a crayon box lunch tin that I gave one of them last year decorated with cool paper on the outside and filled with crayons, stickers, notepads, and glitter glue. Kids love glitter glue.
I've also used a small photo album ($1 at walgreens) and put a ton of games in it. You can check out books from the library or even online and cut and paste away. Different ways to play tag, dice games, license plate games and different easy card games. It just takes time searching the web and a printer.
I made my little neighbors rice packs to keep em warm at night. They also make any kind of injury imaginable better, skinned knee, tummy ache, you name it.
Anytime I'm in need of frugal inspiration for anything I go to this website. http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm
They've got ideas for everything on there. HTH.
__________________ Amy - Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you decide to see beyond the imperfections.
They might like Elf Slippers. They look simple enough to make.
Pattern on this page. It says they are very small -- not sized for human feet, but adjustable if you care to try.
If you make them in "elf size" you could fill them with fruit candies. I know, I know.... it's still candy. But they have at least some portion of real fruit juice.
My 6 yr old boy loves anything with frogs and he loves special boxes to put stuff in. I think altering a $1 mailbox from target and putting some of those cheap plastic animals (or frogs from the dollar store or walmart) in it is a good idea. I found this card in the gallery. My son saw it and loved it.
I've also used a small photo album ($1 at walgreens) and put a ton of games in it. You can check out books from the library or even online and cut and paste away. Different ways to play tag, dice games, license plate games and different easy card games. It just takes time searching the web and a printer.
I made my little neighbors rice packs to keep em warm at night. They also make any kind of injury imaginable better, skinned knee, tummy ache, you name it.
Anytime I'm in need of frugal inspiration for anything I go to this website. http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm
They've got ideas for everything on there. HTH.
I saw your dice games the other day - that sounds like a fabulous idea! Do you still have the template to share with us? :mrgreen:
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
I have some unexpected little ones joining us for Christmas this year, and had to think quick. They are the same ages as yours. I bought some fleece and doing real quick blankets for them - you could sew them or tie the edges. I'm going to put a book in with it.
__________________ Stamp to Spend Challenge--15 cards / 5 LO's=$20
Exercise to Spend Challenge--15 min.=$1 Earned--$300
Hi there,
I know you don't want to buy anything but I saw adorable "Curious George" rubber stamp sets with an ink pad at Target in the $1 isle. I got some for my 3 and 5 year olds for their stocking. I've also found disney winnie the pooh and princess stamp set at the "dollar tree" store. Maybe you could give them some puzzles, die cut ornaments, or note pads to stamp on. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
How about decorating a nice jar or clear type of container for storing old movie tickets. Kids and teens go to alot of movies with family and friends. What a great way to look back in time with the date on them and name of movie. Maybe you can give them the jar not empty. Give them the first movie pass to see a movie with you. May be a great gift to give a teen family member you would like to spend time with. I have not made one but, would love to see some samples here. Call it Memory Movie Bottle
__________________ Ruby Golinveaux [email protected]
Stampin' UP! Demonstrator
Secret to living EXTRA happy: STAMP!
I have had a ball looking through your gallery. You must be a SU person. Say, can you tell me the best glue for cans? You have really inspired me.
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
I'm not sure if you were talking to me or someone else, but if it was me, thank you so much! I love compliments from fellow stampers. It means more when I know the other person "gets" what went into a project. Anyway, as for tins, I usually use Mod Podge Matte. I use it to adhere the paper to the tin, then when it's dry, I apply another coat on top of the paper to protect both the paper and the ribbon. Plus, if I apply it with a regular paint brush, I like the streaks the paintbrush leaves behind. It leaves nice texture.
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
Oh, and thank you all for your suggestions. They really helped a lot. I ended up making a "game box" where I made a Tic-Tac-Toe board copied from one of the above links and a memory matching/concentration game, also copied from above, and also put 2 slinkys and 2 matchbox cars so the boys could play together from the box. I took pictures (though they didn't come out super well). I will post them to my gallery soon so you can see.
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
Clara - MP is just too wet for me, and fummey (spelling?) As much as I love the little paint streaks in it, the Gel just works better for me. Learned about the Gel from Tim Holtz, and boy does that guy know what he's talking about!
__________________ Stamp to Spend Challenge--15 cards / 5 LO's=$20
Exercise to Spend Challenge--15 min.=$1 Earned--$300
Help! What to MAKE for kids gifts?
