Holiday Crafts For The Whole Family

I may own the Craft Studio and consider myself pretty crafty but I am all about “realistic” family crafts. I love crafting homemade gifts for friends and family and love making them even more now with my two year old joining in the fun. But when it comes to DIY and crafting at home, my mantra is “crafting for the people.” Easy directions, supplies that are inexpensive and easy to get, and most importantly won’t end up looking like something you would find on a DIY fail blog!

I think adding a personal touch to a gift is what makes the holidays so special! Plus they are useful which everyone loves and are such fun for all ages (I’m 32 and had as much fun as a 2-year-old)! These crafts are doable, won’t break the bank, and will make your friends and family feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Lindsey Peers is a local mom and the owner of the Craft Studio on the Upper East Side. Learn more about her at craftstudionyc.com!

Make your own wrapping paper!
This is one idea that has been out there a lot…but I wanted to show how easy it really is! I already had an easel roll of paper at home, and I bought some inexpensive holiday stamps from my local craft store (like the Craft Studio if you are in NYC). Even non-holiday stamps, or stamping markers work!
Make your own wrapping paper!
Use the stamps to make a festive pattern!
Make your own wrapping paper!
I taped one sheet down for my 2-year-old and one down for myself. I created a simple pattern for myself, and then wrote in script a holiday message on top of the patter in washable marker. My daughter stamped without abandon and did her most favorite new skill, circle drawings. The whole time we engaged about how Gamma would love her present to be wrapped in paper made with love. I think she got the concept? Maybe not, but I know when it is covering a gift under the tree she will squeal with excitement!
Decorate your own recycled gift boxes!
Same as with the wrapping paper, this idea is out there. But I love teaching kids how we can recycle old gift boxes and re-use them. Then the following year the person who receives them can re-use their special box for another gift or they can put it out with their holiday decorations! Who wouldn’t want a child decorated box forever on display at their holiday table?
Decorate your own recycled gift boxes!
Assorted gift boxes from large to jewelry size will work! Pull out some fun holiday stickers, markers, dot stampers, or whatever fun stuff you have laying around! Stamps and stickers are easiest as you don’t need glue! Then go to town! Create patterns or a theme or throw caution to the wind and just go for it!
Clear holiday ornament deco!
This is our most advanced option! But don’t worry my little 2-year-old helped me do this and she did 75 percent of the crafting! The beauty of using the clear ornaments are that there are so many options and ways to decorate them! Decoupage, paint, fill with some treasured objects, and more! Elle and I decided to go with her favorite substance ( esides chocolate) clay! We used play foam to act as snow, and model magic for molding. Both types are not super messy and easy to get a hold of at your local craft store (shop small!) or online.
Clear holiday ornament deco!
We decided to make our ornament for daddy! We first molded red model magic into a ball and then pinched it into a heart. We then rolled white model magic into long snakes and spelled out the word dad and stuck it on there. After that we made tiny blue polka dots by flattening small balls. Lastly we stretched the play foam to look like snow. We placed everything in either side of the clear ornament (Note: They sell these at craft stores and are also online for super cheap). You can use tacky or school glue to re-enforce that the clay will stay in place but both types are super tacky and if you don’t have any glue, don’t fret! They turn out so adorable and look like a blizzard of love!

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