Monica_in_Switzerland Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 I've got a full pinterest board but still not really inspired by what to have the kids make for the grandparents. Anyone come up with anything cool but not too complicated/too many new supplies to buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 My son is writing and illustrating his first book. We're going to use Shutterfly to publish it and send both grandparents a copy. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 We made some bath bombs on Friday following a recipe/instructions from You Tube. We had a little trouble getting them to dry in a plastic Christmas tree ornament as shown, but the ones we made in muffin tins or molds (just to shape them--remove to dry) worked out well. We had to buy citric acid and essential oil for scent but had the other things around. For kids who sew (or parents who help), one we've done in the past is a microwaveable heated roll for neck pain, back pain, or just snuggling with in a cold bed. Cut about a 10"x20" rectangle from sturdy fabric, fold in half on short end to make long tube, fill with millet (bird seed) or rice, sew closed. Can make a little washable pillow case too. To use, heat in microwave for ~2 minutes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cecropia Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 My boys are learning a few hand sewing stitches for school. We are making gingerbread man coffee cozies that look like this one (not crochet...). I felted an old wool overcoat from the thrift store as the base fabric. They have learned how to sew the buttons, straight stitch for the mouth and blanket stitch along the edges. Some of the faces are really funny. My 9 yo sewed one of his faces and laughed, "This is what the Gingerbread Man looks like right before he gets eaten by the fox." Maybe I will put up a picture once we have one completely finished. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 (edited) Here's my pinterest board of ideas. We made the tp snowmen last year and they were great. https://www.pinterest.com/insidethepuppet/2015-xmas-gift-ideas/ Just so you think you're not on the wrong board, yeah, I have spice mixes on there. Guess we like food in our family, because at the time spice mixes seemed like a fun idea. Kids like measuring and pouring. :) I think we tried the melting pony beads. It worked, but the thing we left in for the hole to hang the ornament got stuck. Then my super rigid ASD ds was having a meltdown. So I guess do better than I did on that, lol. But yeah, some of the projects are cool. The pony bead barrettes and paper clips would be cool as presents for your kids to give to each other. :) Edited November 13, 2016 by OhElizabeth 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanalouwho Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Every year we do a handprint something for the grandparents. We've done simple ornaments, elves, Santa, a wreath, the grinch. I'm running out of ideas. Maybe snowmen this year? I don't know. Sent from my HTCD200LVW using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonhawk Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 I think we tried the melting pony beads. It worked, but the thing we left in for the hole to hang the ornament got stuck. Then my super rigid ASD ds was having a meltdown. So I guess do better than I did on that, lol. But yeah, some of the projects are cool. I've done pony bead crafts in the past, and they look great (we did sun-catchers). My question, though: I always get really sharp edges. For the barrettes, I'd think this be a problem. Same with the bowls. For the ornaments, did you end up sanding or filing down and edges, or were my results different from yours? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonhawk Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 I haven't settled on crafts for grandparents yet. I'm thinking decorated mugs, enough for a matching 4 or 6 piece set (each kid decorates one or two, maybe either by theme or just let them go at it). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 We did mugs last year. Those were fun. This year we are going to decorate candles, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antsam Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 My son wants to make "hurricane balls" for his cousins this year. Google it if you've never heard of them. Very cool!! Jodie 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 I haven't settled on crafts for grandparents yet. I'm thinking decorated mugs, enough for a matching 4 or 6 piece set (each kid decorates one or two, maybe either by theme or just let them go at it). I've wondered if maybe we let them go too far. We threw away the thing we made, sigh. But yeah, that's what happened. But if we tried it again (outside, it smells!), I wondered if we could maybe not take it as far. That's what I thought when I was looking at the barrettes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 My son wants to make "hurricane balls" for his cousins this year. Google it if you've never heard of them. Very cool!! Jodie Does this have as much potential for damage as it *seems* like it would? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 (edited) Two years ago we made a gift I loved. We took 2" wooden cubes/blocks and modge-podged photos on 2 sides, painted fingerprint snowmen/winter scene on 2 sides, wrote the year on one side, and a hook with a ribbon on the final side. (The hook twisted right in.) Cutest ornaments ever. Like these: http://thecraftingchicks.com/homemade-block-ornaments/ Edited November 14, 2016 by alisoncooks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrixieB Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Two years ago we made a gift I loved. We took 2" wooden cubes/blocks and modge-podged photos on 2 sides, painted fingerprint snowmen/winter scene on 2 sides, wrote the year on one side, and a hook with a ribbon on the final side. (The hook twisted right in.) Cutest ornaments ever. Like these: http://thecraftingchicks.com/homemade-block-ornaments/ Those are super cute! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 My son wants to make "hurricane balls" for his cousins this year. Google it if you've never heard of them. Very cool!! Jodie That is SO cool! I sent a link to my dad and he's already put a few together (he works in a machine shop). They're the hit of the shop and he'll have a bunch for when we visit in January. :-) Two years ago we made a gift I loved. We took 2" wooden cubes/blocks and modge-podged photos on 2 sides, painted fingerprint snowmen/winter scene on 2 sides, wrote the year on one side, and a hook with a ribbon on the final side. (The hook twisted right in.) Cutest ornaments ever. Like these: http://thecraftingchicks.com/homemade-block-ornaments/ Ding ding ding! You win! We're going with the ornament cubes! I also found some cool printables to make wooden block dolls, so we'll do those as well for the cousins. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 Ding ding ding! You win! We're going with the ornament cubes! I also found some cool printables to make wooden block dolls, so we'll do those as well for the cousins. Haha, awesome! They are super cute. This year, we're doing Surprise Balls for all the little cousins. Their parents will probably hate me for it but oh well... :p http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-surprise-balls/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 20, 2016 Share Posted November 20, 2016 This year, we're doing Surprise Balls for all the little cousins. Their parents will probably hate me for it but oh well... :p http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-surprise-balls/ Update: FORGET I SAID THIS! Three hours later, and I've got 4 of 10 finished. Such a pain in the rear. Run, run from this idea! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Update: FORGET I SAID THIS! Three hours later, and I've got 4 of 10 finished. Such a pain in the rear. Run, run from this idea! LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineMom Posted November 21, 2016 Share Posted November 21, 2016 (edited) Gift idea for an older child. http://www.erinerickson.com/2011/11/circle-zip-earbud-pouch-tutorial/ Edited November 21, 2016 by Jewels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cecropia Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 My boys are learning a few hand sewing stitches for school. We are making gingerbread man coffee cozies that look like this one (not crochet...). I felted an old wool overcoat from the thrift store as the base fabric. They have learned how to sew the buttons, straight stitch for the mouth and blanket stitch along the edges. Some of the faces are really funny. My 9 yo sewed one of his faces and laughed, "This is what the Gingerbread Man looks like right before he gets eaten by the fox." Maybe I will put up a picture once we have one completely finished. The cozies are finished and ready for mailing :001_smile: The boys made a dozen altogether. Second picture of the ones getting eaten by the fox... Anyone else have their craft done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 My all-time favourite is just to go out to Michael's and buy some plain glass Christmas ball ornaments. Then I let the kids decorate them as they will. They open them up and spread glue around and dump glitter in. Or fill it with cotton and add glitter. Or paint the outsides. Or wrap a ribbon around the outside and paint one half one colour and the other another colour. We tie a ribbon around the top for hanging on the tree and get some small gift bags from the dollar store to wrap them in. They're personal and beautiful and can be kept forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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