DIY gifts: welcome to the Christmas workshop!
What’s the best way to shorten the wait for Christmas? An afternoon of crafting! By making beautiful DIY gifts together, you'll increase the anticipation for the festive season even more. Here are a few tips for crafting fun during Advent.
Creative and active: The benefits of crafting!
When a work of art is created from simple scissors, paper and craft materials, children feel a huge sense of accomplishment. They actively develop their motor skills, practice language and social skills, and have immense fun. A finished project is an achievement to be proud of - especially when the recipient loves their thoughtful gift!
Off into the winter forest!
Even when nature appears to be sleeping, a walk in nature yields plenty of beautiful craft materials. Branches, twigs, nuts, chestnuts, moss and dried leaves can be transformed into stunning Christmas creations - such as unique garlands or a pretty door wreath. To get started with crafting, make sure you have essential supplies - craft scissors, colours, paper, decorations and age-appropriate craft sets.
Personalised Christmas Tree Ornaments
Everyone loves Christmas decorations - especially when they are personalised! Unbreakable plastic baubles are easy to paint – use finger paints for younger kids and water-based acrylics for older ones.
Pro Tip: To ensure the artwork lasts, prime the baubles with plastic primer before painting and seal them afterward with clear varnish. Feeling extra creative? Try airbrush sets for easy colour application.
Cozy Wool pendants
Wool is an ideal crafting material. Together with thick cardboard, craft glue and beads, you can conjure up decorative pendants.
How-To: Cut out Christmas shapes (trees, stars) from cardboard, glue the beginning of a ball of wool onto the cardboard, and let the children wrap the wool tightly around the shape, criss-crossing as they please. Glue the end of the thread, decorate the unique piece with beads or other little things, and thread a thin hanging loop through the top.
(Not) a hard nut to crack
While a real wooden nutcracker is complex, decorative versions made from toilet paper rolls are no problem at all! You'll need empty rolls, craft paints, paper and glue. Find numerous templates online for the traditional nutcracker look - or let your creativity run wild! Santa, reindeer, angels and many other Christmas friends can be made in a flash.
