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We have found that crafting is an amazing way to spend time together and create some fun memories along the way. It has also been one of the easiest things to do virtually since we are hours apart. I just pack up some supplies and drop them in the mail. Then we schedule a time to connect.
Today we are sharing some super inexpensive and creative crafting ideas for Christmas!
1. Repurposed Christmas Cards
You can use old Christmas cards to make:
- Gift tags
- Create personal messages to tuck into someone’s pocket
- Cut and mail as postcards – postcard postage rates require rectangles at least 3 1/2” high and 5 inches wide
- Cut into pieces for a fun little puzzle
- For cards with cute characters – cut out those little cuties and glue on a popcisle stick. It’s time for a puppet show!
- Cut into strips and create a paper chain to hang on the tree or wherever you need an extra touch of Christmas
- When my kids were in elementary school, they had a great time turning cards into gift boxes – they are often a great size for gift cards. It’s a little more involved, so we’ll share this link with all the details.
- If you have small paper bags and an assortment of craft supplies, just google ‘paper bag Christmas puppet’, and you’ll find ideas for Santa, reindeer, snowmen, elves, and Christmas trees too. I think we could spend an entire afternoon creating a super cute cast of characters!
2. Sparkly Snowflake Ornaments
- Purchase some colored popsicle sticks, and some shiny/glittery accessories (bells, silver pom-poms, sticker ‘gems’).
- Using glue dots, tacky glue or a hot glue gun, glue the sticks criss-cross to form a snowflake.
- Then decorate away and hang on the tree!
3. Chritmas Tree Collage
Make an outline of a Christmas tree on heavy paper. Provide a variety of craft supplies, markers, crayons, old greeting cards, fabric etc…and have fun filling in your tree. We guarantee the result will be as unique as your grandkid!
4. Fill in Advent Calendar
Use one of the templates provided in the Ultimate Holiday Guide (free to email subscribers – sign up here!) or create one of your own for a fun countdown to Christmas, or perhaps countdown to an in-person gathering you have planned.
- Snowman or Santa’s beard – fill in with marshmallows or small cotton balls
- Ornament or elf hat – fill in with colored pom poms
- Candy cane – fill in with red and white stickers
5. Mini Canvas Ornament
My granddaughters are both really into painting right now. At their last visit Morgan created several works of art that have been placed in our playroom gallery. So when I saw this idea to use mini canvases to create ornaments I knew we had to try it! Their mini masterpieces will make a great addition to the Christmas tree! Simply use acrylic craft paint and paint pens to decorate mini canvases. Once dry, attach a ribbon hanger to the back with glue and then add to your tree. They would also make great gifts!
6. Santa Slime
The girls and I have had fun with some science recipes lately. We will give one of these slime recipes a try. There’s even an idea for a Santa Suit storage jar to store it in! I know Morgan (age 8) will be ‘up to her elbows’ making this. Kami? (Age 4) Not sure much, but she will definitely want to read the recipe to us as we make it. Make sure you consider your grandkids comfort level with the activities you plan, and adopt accordingly! Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
7. Paper Plate Christmas Masks
Ordinary white paper plates and a few simple craft supplies are all your grandkids need to whip up this adorable holiday project from Design Improvised. Join them and make one for yourself! And don’t forget to take tons of pictures of yourselves!
8. DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater Collage
Fill a sectioned tray with different sweater ‘decor’ – sequins, scraps of fabric, buttons, pipe cleaners – anything goes. Then give kids a cutout of a sweater and let their creative Christmas Spirits soar! They could use their final creations as Christmas ornaments, a Christmas garland, or attach to a greeting card!
Fun Learning With Kids has shared this DIY ugly Christmas sweaters idea to make a DIY collage kit.
Just writing this makes me want to go gather supplies and set some dates. We hope you find encouragement and inspiration for connecting in a crafty way this Christmas!
