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Homemade Gifts

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Homegrown Education
HOMEMADE GIFTS

By: Rachel Rubinstein  |  December 19, 2024


Traditions are such an important part of the holiday season. Some are formed and some simply unfold over time. When I was younger, I wanted to give gifts to everyone in my life, but my babysitting money only went so far, so I began making gifts for those in my life. What unfolded was a tradition of making gifts with my children for loved ones in our lives. It doesn’t always look exactly the same, and some years I’m more prepared than others, but it’s always something we do together and use as a way to share our family value of generosity and community.

Sweet Treats

Sweet treats are a classic DIY gift. 
Homemade toffee (once you burn your first batch and figure out the right timing) is easy and delicious! A few pieces in a wax paper bag with a sticker – DONE!



 

Candles

I love bringing a little extra light into the darkness of winter with a handmade candle. Even little hands can be successful with 
rolled beeswax candles. I also love doing dipped candles or using old funky jars to make beeswax or scented candles.




Holiday Potpourri

Holiday potpourri
 is another easy, fun and festive gift to make with your littles ones and is a great gift for anyone in your life.




Bookmarks

I love to read and take every advantage to instill a joy of books with my children, so 
making bookmarks is also a fun craft we’ve done both with nature items, like pressed flowers, and also with pictures of family or things we know others will love.




DIY Ornaments

DIY Ornaments
 is an easy way to get creative with found nature items or random craft items in your cupboards.


Most people in your life will appreciate the time you took to make a simple homemade gift. Through the years, I’ve also found that children have so much more ownership for the gifts they helped to make over something they helped pick out online or in a store. Holiday traditions are a way to bring love and connection to your family and community -- so try a new homemade gift project this year and it just may become your new family tradition.


 



Rachel Rubinstein is an educator and child-development expert. With experience teaching toddlers to teens, training teachers and developing curriculum, her priority now is her own two boys, Mason (4) and Walker (2). Learn more about Rachel and her Parent-Child Classes at morninglessons.org

More from this issue:

Homegrown Education: Homemade Gifts Read >> 

Movement & Motherhood: How Pilates can Support our Physical and Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum Read >> 

Advertorial: It’s OK to Fail, Even Epically Read >> 

The Nurtured Mommy: The Magic of Traditions Read >> 

Nurture Revolution: The Power of Nurture: Building Emotional Resilience from Infancy Read >>