Turn kids’ artwork into crafty holiday gifts
The refrigerator is a respectable place to display your kids’ bursts of creativity, but why should you be the only one to enjoy them? Use children’s artwork to embellish calendars, pencil cups, journals and more - these simple projects make great holiday gifts for loved ones.
To get started, have kids pick out their favorite drawings or paintings from ones you’ve saved, or set aside an afternoon for them to create new ones. Then take a quick trip to the crafts or stationery store for the rest of the supplies. In no time, kids will have a sleigh full of gifts to give that are both practical and priceless. Journals
Handcrafted end papers transform basic journals into keepsakes. Measure the book’s original end paper, then cut the picture so that it’s slightly wider to accommodate the fold. Next, use a paintbrush to apply white glue evenly over the end paper. Lay artwork over glued area and press, starting at center and working out. Wipe off any excess glue; a parent can trim the edges with a utility knife if needed. Close the journal, and stack heavy books on top. Let dry overnight.
Magnets
Cheerful snowball-shaped magnets keep track of photographs, to-do lists and more. Cut out a section of the artwork. For perfect circles, use a craft punch or trace the lid of a jar or bottle. (If you’ll be making lots of magnets, trace the lid onto cardboard and cut out a template).
Apply peel-and-stick laminate to front and back of the circle (follow package directions) and trim, leaving a clear border of about one-eighth of an inch. Affix the back of the circle to a spring clothespin with a strip of double-sided tape. Then attach a peel-and-stick magnet strip to the other side of the clothespin.
Checkbook and passport covers
These practical yet playful covers make even the most mundane tasks more pleasant. You’ll need clear passport or checkbook sleeves, available from stationery stores or online. Using the covers as a template, trace over a section of the child’s artwork. Cut out, following just inside the traced line, then slip the picture into the cover.