Years ago most of the children’s presents were hand-made but now in modern times we don’t seem to find the time to sit down and make things with our children. We’re much busier now, with plenty of working mums and dads working long hours. 

The thought of an afternoon spent armed with glitter, glue, scissors, coloured paper and an excited 4 year old might fill you with dread but what better way to enjoy some Christmas fun with your little one. It’s cheap and just how much mess can they make?! 

Grand-parents and relatives everywhere love something home-made and it’ll make a nice change and less expense than the obligatory socks, hankies and smellies! 

Handmade Christmas cards are great, especially if you can make the extra effort to get a photo of your little one dressed up in something festive. Once you have the photos, they can glue them onto some card, add the glitter and Christmas sprinkles and everyone receives a personal card which they can keep forever. 

Decorations for the Christmas tree are fun and something which you can keep year after year. Handmade bows, an Angel or Star for the top or even simple paper chains which they can colour, glue glitter onto or add Christmas pictures. Remember to keep all your old Christmas cards, they can cut out the pictures and use them next year for sticking and gluing.  

Name placements for the Christmas dinner can be fun. If you have the time you could find a funny picture of each relative to pop on them, if not let your children go to town with plenty of glitter and sparkles. The bonus of these is you get to decide where everyone will sit around the table! 

If you’re out and about get your children to look out for cones, leaves and twigs. This will keep them busy on their walk and back at home you can decorate them, paint them and use them as a Christmas collage or as a table centre piece!  

Good luck and Merry Christmas!