It’s the most wonderful time of the year and time to get creative with your students. Students feel proud to create a treasure for the holidays and families love receiving homemade keepsakes. Get ready to deck the halls with these holiday gift ideas for families.

Check out these related posts:

• Student Stocking Exchange
• Holidays Around the World Activities in Kindergarten
• Plastic Cup Ornaments with a Free Printable

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Gifts for Families

Time spent creating holiday gifts for families is time well spent. Students are eager to create a surprise for their families and what better time to get creative than the holiday season. Choose an idea from the list below that will work best for your class.

Wooden Snowmen

For this gift, students create a snowman using a piece of wood that has been cut to their exact height. Measure each student and get pieces of lumber cut to match their height. A 2×4 or other thin piece of wood works best. Paint the cut pieces using white paint. Students will use their fingerprint to create the smile and eyes. Add cheap holiday socks from the Dollar Store as hats and wired ribbon as scarves. Use orange foam pieces for the nose. Families will love putting this gift out each year and seeing how much their little learner has grown.

Tip: Check your local lumber yard for scrap pieces of wood to save money.

Directed Drawing Calendar

This gift keeps on giving all year long. Choose from differentiated options in Simply Kinder’s Editable Directed Drawing Calendar set for students to create an original calendar of their artwork. Drawings are easy to follow and quick to complete. Use a book binding system or binder rings to put the calendar together. Grab the Directed Drawing Calendar from Simply Kinder HERE.

Plastic Cup Ornaments

Plastic cup ornaments are a cheap and easy to make gift option. Students use a template to design their plastic cup ornament and then recreate their design on a clear plastic cup using permanent markers. Punch a hole in the side of the cup and place them in the oven on a foil lined pan. The cups melt quickly (about 1.5 minutes) so keep a close eye on them. Flatten the cups with something large and heavy as soon as they come out of the oven. Attach a ribbon and the ornaments are ready! Learn more here! Grab your FREE plastic cup ornament printables from Simply Kinder+ Printable Membership HERE.

Salt Dough Thumbprint Wreath

Salt dough is inexpensive to make and can be used to create many keepsakes. Students will love mixing up the dough for this gift idea. Follow the steps below to create a salt dough thumbprint wreath.

• Give each student a section of dough that has been rolled flat.
• Place the bottom of a plastic cup in the middle of the dough.
• Students use their thumb and push down all the way around the cup.
• Twist the cup and cut out the center of the wreath.
• Use a knife to cut off any excess dough from around the wreath.
• Poke a hole in the wreath using a straw.
• Bake the wreaths at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 hours.
• Attach a ribbon once the wreaths have cooled.
• Add a picture of students to the middle of their wreath for a more personalized touch.

Salt Dough Recipe:

• 1 Cup flour
• 1 Cup salt
• 1/2 Cup of water
• Drops of green food coloring
• Green glitter

Santa Wish List Ornament

Grab a set of clear, shatterproof ornaments for this memorable gift. Students write their holiday wish list on a piece of paper and simply roll up their list and place it inside the ornament. Students can dictate their list if needed. Add some red & green crinkle paper or pom poms inside the ornament. Students can write their name and the year on the outside of the ornament. Families will enjoy reminiscing on past holidays lists each year.

Tree Handprint Towel

You can never go wrong with a handprint gift. Use green paint to create a Christmas handprint tree on a plain white dish towel. Students can paint decorations and a star on the tree once it dries. Write each child’s name and the year to complete this gift option.

Tip: Grab dish towels in bulk from Amazon.

“Stained Glass” Snowman Picture

Use picture frames from the Dollar Store and tin foil to create a “stained” glass snowman picture. Follow the steps below to create this gift.

• Remove the glass from the picture frame and lay it over a pre-drawn snowman outline. Students will trace the template onto the glass using a black Sharpie.
• Students paint their snowman or color with permanent markers.
• Cut a piece of tinfoil to fit the glass and place the foil inside the picture frame.
• Flip the glass over so the painting is on the backside of the glass and place it back in the frame on top of the foil.

Tip: Use a dry erase marker if students make a mistake when tracing the snowman outline withe Sharpie. Simply color over the mistake with the dry erase marker and wipe clean.

What are your favorite holiday gift ideas for families? Please make sure to tag us on Instagram here or share inside the Simply Kinder Teacher Facebook Group here.