Making handmade gifts is not only a fun and special tradition that your kids will remember and look forward to every year but it is also a heartfelt, creative way to show your family and friends how much you care! Try out some of these ideas for a unique gift for that special person in your life.
1. Cinnamon dough ornaments are easy, cheap and tons of fun to make with kids of all ages! Not to mention the smell is amazing! Before baking press a finger, hand or footprint into the dough for personalized ornaments that you can revisit every year and marvel at how small they were! Once dry you can decorate however you choose; use paints to create fingerprint animals, dried flowers for a homespun look or let your child express their creativity and paint them however they choose. These make the perfect small gift for mom and dad or grandparents!
Cinnamon Dough: Preheat oven to 200 degrees F, In a bowl mix ¾ cup applesauce2 tablespoons of white glue and 1 c. of ground cinnamon. Work mixture with hands for 2-3 minutes or until all ingredients are mixed and dough becomes smooth. Sprinkle cinnamon on your work surface and roll dough to ¼ inch thick. Cut dough with cookie cutters and press in finger, toe, hand or footprints if desired. Use a drinking straw or toothpick to make a small hole for ribbon or string once dry. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 1 ½-2 hours, flipping halfway through. Decorate once completely cooled. Find this recipe at www.fountainavenuekitchen.com.
2. Mason Jar Hot Cocoa or Cookie Mixes are easy, convenient and fun for little hands to help make! Layer in your dry ingredients and add a decorative tag with a festive ribbon and note to finish it off. Don’t forget to include instructions for baking if needed.
Christmas Cappuccino Jar: Mix together 1 cup powdered nondairy creamer, ½ cup instant coffee granules, ½ cup sugar, ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg in a bowl. Add to your jar. To use place 3 tbls. Into a mug, add 1 cup hot water and stir. Can be stored for up to 6 months in cool, dry place. Find this and other mason jar recipes at www.thepioneerwoman.com.
3. For kid to kid gift giving Christmas themed slimes are fun to make and to receive! Once the slimes are ready, finish off by packaging in a Christmas decorated mason jar for storage.
Fluffy Santa Slime: Mix a 5 oz. bottle of red glitter glue with ¼ cup water. Add ½ tsp. baking soda and mix. Gradually mix in 4 cups of unscented shaving cream. Add a few drops of red food coloring if desired. Next slowly add 2 tbsp. contact solution (make sure to buy one that lists boric acid and sodium borate on the ingredient list) to the bowl a little at a time, kneading in between. If your slime is too sticky add a little more contact solution. For extra fluffiness, add more shaving cream. For storage, use felt and buttons to create “Santa’s” belt around the middle of the jar. For more slime recipes and ideas visit thebestideasforkids.com.
If you need more ideas of fun things to do with your kids during the holiday season, please contact the PLC Health Clinic at 419-238-9177 or www.plchealthclinic.org.
Merry Christmas from all of us at the PLC!
