Grandparents. The original experts in spoiling grandkids and turning a blind eye to all sorts of mischief. When it comes to showing them some love, nothing says “You’re my favorite!” quite like a homemade gift. Why? Because you can’t exactly wrap a hug, can you? So, gather the kids, glue, glitter, paint and other craft items and choose one or more of these great ideas.
Craft a Memory Journal
Sure, you could let Shutterfly create a photo book for you, but it will be much more meaningful if your kids make one. Rummage in closets and garages for pictures taken before everything became fair game on social media. Then, go through your digital files with your kids and let them choose their favorites. Concentrate on pictures of your kids with their grandparents. Print them out, buy a scrapbook and let the decorating begin. Think stickers, doodles and random bits of memorabilia. Have ticket stubs from when Grandma took the kids to Moody Gardens? Glue those next to pictures of the day. Have your kids write or dictate a memory associated with the photo.
Whip Up Sweet Delights
Grandma’s compliments are sweet, but cookies are sweeter. Time to bake up a storm with cookies in all their delicious forms—think classic chocolate chip or something more “sophisticated” like oatmeal cranberry (because adding fruit makes it healthy, right?). Let older kids and teens loose in the kitchen with a little supervision. Younger children can stir batter, use cookie cutters and serve as taste testers. Wrap the cookies in a colorful box and you have a delicious gift grandparents can proudly serve to their book club friends.
Create Art Pieces
Let kids create fridge-worthy masterpieces! Armed with markers, paper, and a touch of imagination, kids can create renditions of the family that are both hilarious and heartwarming. For more avant-garde grandparents, encourage the kiddos to try their hand at abstract art. Give them free rein with colors, shapes and textures. Finally, why not make a collage? Snip away at old magazines and let the kids create a colorful montage. Just make sure the scissors don’t find their way into the curtains.
Get Even More Crafty
Popsicle sticks aren’t just for frozen treats anymore. DIY photo frames are a fun and easy way to display family memories. Let the kids paint, glue and add all the sparkly stuff they can find. Air-dry clay is a kid’s best friend when it comes to crafting. Give them a lump of clay and watch their imagination run wild. If you’re looking to take things up a notch, how about a friendship bracelet kit? Kids can spend hours making colorful bracelets, and Grandma will end up with an armful of love.
Simple Sewing Projects
Get out needles and thread and let kids try their hand at some simple sewing projects. First up, hand-sewn felt bookmarks. How about some one-of-a-kind pillowcases? Let the kids pick out the wackiest fabric they can find—think dinosaurs, stars or even those squiggly lines they insist are giraffes. With a bit of help, they can stitch up a unique cover that’ll add a splash of personality to Grandma’s decor. And let’s not forget fabric coasters. A few scraps of fabric, some basic stitching, and voila! You’ve got a set of coasters that’ll protect Grandma’s coffee table from those endless cups of tea.
Where to Make Them?
Where is the best place to make these amazing gifts? How about a new home in Balmoral. Our builders have crafted kitchens you will love to bake in and game rooms ready for serious crafters. Stop by and check out our model homes today.
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