Do you have a few last minute gifts to take care of?? Below, you will find directions for five different gifts that children can make (with a little help) that are sure to be a hit with the recipients! (In some cases, I’ve linked to other blogs where complete or alternative directions can be found.) By the way, last week, we tried out the painted mugs and wooden spoons and they turned out so great!!!

Beaded Key chain

• Key chain ring

• Beads

• Wire or chenille stem (pipe cleaner)

1. Attach one end of the wire to the keychain ring, twisting securely so that it will not come unfastened.

2. Let your child add beads to the wire, using alphabet beads to spell a name, if desired.

3. Twist the end of the wire OVER the last bead, twist and insert back into the hole of the bead to secure it.

Windchime:

• Sturdy Stick (10-12” long)

• String or fishing line

• Assorted metal odds and ends (keys, washers, old spoons, etc.

1. Cut a piece of string or fishing line 18" long. Tie each end to each end of the stick.

2. Cut pieces of string 6-10” in length, one for each thing you will hang. They do NOT have to be the exact same length, but should be close so that they will clang together.

3. For each object, tie one end of the string to the object and the other to the stick.

Decorated golf balls:

You will need:

• Golf balls

• Permanent markers, such as Sharpies

Let your child use the markers to decorate each golf ball with pictures or encouraging words.

Marbled Mug:

You will need:

• Dishwasher-safe white mug

• 1-3 colors of fingernail polish

• Disposable bowl or container

• Straw or toothpick

• Water

• Paper towel or piece of wax paper

1. Be sure to do this craft in a well-ventilated area!!!!

2. Fill a small container with enough water to dip your cup without it getting into the cup.

3. Set your mug in the water to let the fingernail polish adhere to the mug, taking care not to let the water get INTO the cup.

4. Raise the mug up and let it drip the extra water or polish off before turning it upside down on a paper towel or wax paper. Let dry completely.

Painted wooden spoons:

(These can be done in the same manner as the cups above, using fingernail polish, or use this alternative method of painting the handles a solid color.)

You will need:

• Wooden spoons

• Acrylic paint (Martha Stewart paints are non-toxic)

• Foam paintbrush

• Area to dry your spoons (I used a large plastic take-out cup)

• Mod-Podge (small container)

• Painter’s tape

1. Apply tape around the handle to mark where you want the paint to stop. (Be sure that you do not paint into the spoon area.)

2. Use the paintbrush to apply paint to the handle of the brush, all the way to the tape.

3. Stand the brush upside down in a small container to let it dry for at least an hour

4. Apply a coat of Mod-Podge to the painted area only. (If you decide to use the fingernail polish as we did, no Mod-Podge coating is needed.)

5. Carefully remove the tape!