handmade gifts for the whole family

Friends.

You know I’ve been doing some work with Klutz lately, and it’s been a blast.

A few weeks ago, we held a twitter event filled where the main focus was to share ideas for handmade gifts for the whole family. What was shared was amazing. Honestly. I’m ready to clear off the table and get my craft ON.

So I thought I’d share a bit from that event so that if you weren’t able to make it, you’d still get the info. And? You can even win all FIVE of the books I share here. For real. So that your family can make handmade gifts this year, too! Woot!

Because we all know how handmade gifts are loved by the whole family, right? Right!

Here’s the skinny. . .

Handmade Gifts for the Whole Family:

These are gifts that kids can make–because we of course want them to have a hand in gift-giving and also know how important it is to give gifts that come from the heart.

From our twitter chat, folks came up with fabulous handmade gift ideas:

• photo books filled with memories;
• personalized holiday cards with Stencil Art;
• time–helping someone in need fold laundry, clean, or do household chores;
• practical items for teachers like small shelves (have your child decorate them!);
• themed gift baskets;
• homemade soap;
• homemade taco seasoning (or other spice or extract);
• gift card with handwritten note;
• Design & Dye totes for teachers;
• reusable photo tote bag;
• photo ornaments;
• mugs with hot cocoa or tea to de-stress;
• homemade cookies or candies;
• whistle with a handmade laminated name tag for a coach;
• handmade coupon book for babysitters;
• decorated notepads with pen holders;
• handpainted frame with inspirational quote;
• anything food related with ingredients to make it all in one bowl;
• simple, heartfelt thank you notes (especially for teachers!);
• reusable fabric giftbags;
• salt dough with a child’s handprint;
• personalized kitchen towels;
• the ideas go on and on!

We also talked about the best ways to master gift-wrapping, how to get kids involved in gift-giving. Check out some of the super cool ideas by following #KlutzHandmade on twitter!

And now check out our fave picks for handmade gifts for each member of the family:

Mom & Grandma:

Charm Bracelet Studio makes it super accessible for anyone to make gorgeous pieces of jewelry.

Each design is outlined in simple, step-by-step instructions, making the designs manageable to create.

These bracelets are seriously beautiful and so easy to make, and they’ll stand out among Mom or Grandma’s current arm candy. They’ll be the talk of every book club, PTA meeting, office event, or lunch date.  Right?

No matter where they’re worn, they’ll put a smile on Mom or Grandma’s face.

Not only will kids love taking the time to create these charms, but anyone who receives a charm bracelet will wear it with pride.

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Best Handmade Gifts for Dad & Grandpa:

String Art is the perfect handmade gift for Dad and Grandpa!

Whether you create a piece of String Art for home or the office, it will definitely bring a smile to Dad or Grandpa’s face.

The coolest thing is the possibilities with String Art!

Consider creating a String Art:

• Framed photo of you or the family;
• Favorite team mascot;
• Pet-inspired item;
• Set of three similar designs for a wall;
• Sports themed masterpiece;
• Design made with Dad or Grandpa’s favorite colors!

Want to take a little look at our experience with String Art? Definitely check it out: Best Tween Birthday Gifts.

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Best Handmade Gifts for Sisters and Friends:

Shrink & Link Jewelry may be one of the coolest things we have seen in a while.

Shrink & Link Jewelry is just that: shrinky pieces linked together! Sounds crazy, but it’s not. The finished pieces are beautiful, bright, and stylish.

The Shrink & Link book gives jewelry creators so many options that there is definitely something for every, single sister or friend.

Consider making a:

• Keychain;
• Backpack bling;
• Necklace;
• Barrette;
• Best friend or sisters forever bracelet;
• Zipper charm;
• Matching sets;
• School mascot or team-colored pieces.

So many options! And really, they are a blast to create!

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Best Handmade Gifts for Brother:

Star Wars Folded Flyers  shows you step by step how to create replicas of the Star Wars flyers. Really.

And the coolest thing is that you can do a number of things with these little planes:

• Put them all together for a Star Wars mobile;
• Stick them onto a black canvas for a Star Wars work of art;
• Gift them solo or in bunches;
• Add a folded flyer to the top of a Star Wars themed gift!

The possibilities are endless. All I know is that Star Wars fans–whether it’s a brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, parent, or friend–will love these folded flyers!

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Handmade Gifts for Teachers: 

Window Art is so much fun to make, it’s crazy. 

It’s addicting. Kids love it.

And teachers, who spend hours in their classrooms every day, will absolutely love to have some handmade Window Art from their students!

If a teacher isn’t in a classroom with windows (believe me, it sounds awful, but for so many this is the case!), then Window Art still works on the glass panes of a door or closet.

Really get creative with Window Art! Consider:

• Making a holiday-themed collection;
• Giving your teacher a new window art creation each month (like a subscription service!);
• Creating his or her name in Window Art;
• Making the school mascott;
• Creating a themed series: animals, flowers, sports, etc.

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Do you want to sneak a peek at our Klutz blogger event? It was so fun, and you’ll I’m sure see some familiar faces! (And you’ll see the Klutz studio in NYC!)

Check it out:

Check out our other posts filled with Klutz books love:

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fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Klutz, but as always, my opinions are all my own, influenced only by my personal experience as a parent and educator–and, of course, my three little crafty-crafters.

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.