25+ Christmas Gifts That Kids Can Make for Parents
This the season for holiday cheer, and what better way to celebrate than with handmade gifts from your students. There’s something truly special about presents made with love because they’re heartfelt, personal, and often become treasured keepsakes for years to come. With your guidance, students can create thoughtful Christmas gifts that parents will adore.
These ideas are simple, creative, and fun for all grade levels. Even better, most can be made with classroom supplies or materials you already have on hand.
If you’re wondering where to start, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Teachers everywhere shared their favorite student-made Christmas gift ideas, and this list brings them all together. Each one is tried, loved, and guaranteed to bring a smile to every parent’s face.
Personalized Recipe Apron
A personalized apron is both thoughtful and useful, especially for parents who love spending time in the kitchen. Students can decorate plain aprons with fabric markers or paints, adding handprints, names, or small Christmas designs like snowflakes, candy canes, or holly leaves.
You can even help them add a fun message such as “World’s Best Cookie Maker” or “Santa’s Little Helper.” Once finished, the aprons can be wrapped up with a small cookie cutter or a printed family recipe for an extra touch. Parents will love using something their child made with care every time they cook or bake.
Natural Wood Slice Ornaments
Wood slice ornaments are a perfect mix of rustic and creative. Each student can start with a slice of natural wood and decorate it using paint, markers, or felt. Add glue, glitter, and a string for hanging, and you’ll have a set of beautiful ornaments that parents will love displaying year after year.
Encourage students to personalize their ornaments with their names or the year for an extra-special touch. It’s a keepsake parents will treasure every holiday season.
Chalkboard Ornaments
These adorable ornaments let students get artistic with chalkboard paint and paint pens. Each ornament can feature a name, short message, or drawing. The matte black background gives it a fun school-inspired look, and kids will love seeing their designs come to life.
Chalkboard ornaments are easy to make, unique, and look beautiful on any Christmas tree. Plus, the black-and-white design pairs perfectly with both classic and modern holiday décor.
Gingerbread Man Ornament
A gingerbread man ornament is a classic Christmas craft that never goes out of style. Students can use brown foam, felt, or even cardboard to cut out their gingerbread shapes.
Then, they can decorate with googly eyes, pom-poms, buttons, and colorful glitter glue to make each one unique. Add a ribbon at the top so they can hang it on their family Christmas tree. These little gingerbread people always turn out adorable, and parents love seeing their child’s creativity shine through each one.
Simple Felted Reindeer
This project is a wonderful choice for older students who have a little patience and steady hands. Kids can learn basic sewing as they make their own small felt reindeer.
Start by cutting out reindeer shapes from felt using a pattern. Then, students can stitch the pieces together, stuff them lightly, and decorate them with tiny eyes and noses. This craft not only makes an adorable ornament but also helps build fine motor skills and confidence in following directions.
Gnome Toilet Paper Ornaments
These cheerful little gnomes bring a whimsical touch to the holiday season. Each one starts with an empty toilet paper roll and some yarn. Students can wrap the roll with yarn in soft holiday colors, then add a cotton ball or felt piece for the beard and a cone-shaped paper hat.
Each gnome ends up with its own personality, and they make fun gifts or decorations for home. Parents will love displaying these cute gnomes on shelves or trees each year.
Make Recipe Cards or Create a Class Recipe Book
Parents always appreciate a new recipe, especially one that their child helped create. Gather your students’ favorite holiday dishes and let them write or decorate recipe cards to give as gifts. Encourage them to include both ingredients and step-by-step instructions so the whole family can recreate it at home.
You can also turn this into a collaborative class project. Have each family submit one or two recipes, then combine them into a classroom recipe book. Print copies on festive paper, decorate covers, and bind them together with ribbon or staples.
For a fun twist, host a “favorite recipe party” before winter break. Families can bring in one of the recipes to share, and when students gift their recipe books, they’ll remember the fun and delicious day spent together.
Personalized Candle
A personalized candle makes a beautiful and meaningful holiday gift. Students can decorate plain candles by drawing directly on them with markers or transferring small hand-drawn pictures onto the surface.
Encourage kids to add notes, names, or sweet messages for their families. For an extra touch, wrap each candle in cellophane and tie it with a festive ribbon. The result is a thoughtful keepsake that brings warmth and light to any home.
Santa Salt Dough Handprint Ornament
Salt dough ornaments are a Christmas classic, and this version turns handprints into adorable Santas. Mix a batch of salt dough, roll it out, and have each student press their hand to make a print.
Once baked and cooled, paint the hand upside down so the fingers become Santa’s beard and the thumb becomes his hat. Add some glitter or metallic paint to make it sparkle. This sweet and simple keepsake is one that parents will treasure every December.
Simple Christmas Ornament with Photo
Creating a personalized ornament with a photo is one of the sweetest gifts a student can make. Parents love seeing their child’s picture on the tree every year, and this project is easy and inexpensive.
Students can cut a favorite photo into a circle to fit the ornament base or a sturdy piece of cardboard. They can then decorate the edges with glitter, sequins, or festive paint.
Once it’s ready, attach a piece of ribbon or string at the top so it can be hung easily. These photo ornaments make the Christmas tree extra special and are sure to become keepsakes that parents treasure for years.
Salt Dough Ornament Recipe
For another take on salt dough ornaments, try making simple shapes like stars, hearts, or trees using cookie cutters. Once baked, students can paint, glitter, or even add thumbprints to personalize each one.
Remember to make a small hole before baking so they can be hung on the tree. Write the student’s name and the year on the back for a special touch. These classic crafts are easy, inexpensive, and filled with holiday charm.
Decorated Photo Frame
A decorated photo frame is a classic gift that parents will always treasure. Students can start with a plain wooden or cardboard frame and turn it into something special using paint, glitter, buttons, beads, or stickers.
Encourage them to add their own creativity by writing a short message like “Merry Christmas” or “Best Family Ever” along the edge of the frame. Once decorated, they can add a favorite school photo or family picture inside.
This project is easy, affordable, and always brings smiles. It’s one of those heartfelt gifts that looks great on any shelf or mantel.
Thumbprint Ornaments
Give salt dough ornaments a personal twist by turning them into photo wreaths. Students can create a ring of thumbprints around a circle, paint them green, and add tiny red dots to look like holly berries.
Place a small school photo in the center, then bake or dry the dough. Add a ribbon for hanging and you have a beautiful keepsake that parents will love displaying year after year.
Block Snowman Craft
This snowman craft turns a simple wooden block into a festive holiday decoration. You’ll need a 2×4 block of wood about six inches long, white acrylic paint, orange felt for noses, black paint for eyes and mouths, scrap fabric, and glue.
First, have students sand their wooden blocks smooth and paint them white. Once the paint dries, they can glue on felt carrot noses, paint eyes and smiles, and use scraps of fabric to make scarves or hats. Each snowman has its own personality, and they make adorable gifts that parents can proudly display during the holidays.
Pipe Cleaner Snowflakes
Pipe cleaner snowflakes are another easy and classic Christmas craft that students can make. Give each child a few pipe cleaners to twist and shape into snowflake patterns.
They can decorate their creations with beads or a touch of glitter for a little sparkle. These snowflakes make perfect ornaments or gift toppers and can also double as pretty window decorations. The best part is that every snowflake turns out unique, just like the kids who make them.
DIY Snow Globe
A DIY snow globe is a magical project that always captures the wonder of the holiday season. Students can use a small mason jar, glitter, water, glycerin, and a festive figurine like a snowman or a Christmas tree.
To make it, glue the figurine to the inside of the jar lid, fill the jar with water and a few drops of glycerin, and sprinkle in glitter. Once the lid is tightly sealed, students can decorate the outside with ribbon or small stickers.
When shaken, it creates a sparkling winter scene that parents will love to display. These handmade snow globes are fun to make and bring instant joy to anyone who receives them.
Painted Rocks
Painted rocks are a fun and creative way for students to make one-of-a-kind gifts for their parents. Collect smooth rocks and give students paints and brushes.
They can paint festive designs, Christmas messages, or cheerful patterns. Once dry, add a coat of sealant to protect the paint. Parents can use these painted rocks as paperweights, garden decorations, or small keepsakes that brighten up any space. It’s a simple yet meaningful gift that kids love making.
Santa Wishlist Ornament
This Santa-themed ornament is a fun and memorable keepsake. Give each student a clear ornament and small pieces of paper. Have them write their Christmas wish list or a message to Santa, then roll up the paper and place it inside the ornament.
Add a few small decorations like glitter, fake snow, or confetti before closing it. These ornaments become special time capsules that parents can hang on the tree and look back on in future years to see how their child’s wishes have changed.
Painted Rocks with Inspirational Messages
Painted rocks are a creative and heartwarming gift that lets students share positivity and love in a simple way. Each rock becomes a tiny piece of art filled with color and encouragement.
To start, students can collect smooth, flat rocks and clean them thoroughly. Once dry, they can use bright acrylic paints to decorate the rocks with cheerful patterns, holiday themes, or short uplifting messages like “You’re the Best,” “Merry and Bright,” or “Love You Always.”
When the paint has dried, sealing each rock with a coat of clear varnish helps preserve the artwork and makes it shine. These little gifts can be displayed indoors as paperweights, placed in a garden, or even used as pocket reminders of kindness and love.
Parents will smile every time they see one of these meaningful creations, knowing it came straight from the heart.
Beeswax Taper Candles
Making beeswax taper candles is a wonderful sensory experience that also results in a beautiful handmade gift. Students can roll sheets of natural beeswax around a wick to form their candles, pressing gently to seal them.
The warm scent of beeswax fills the room as they work, creating a calm and cozy atmosphere. Once finished, tie the candles together with ribbon or twine for a rustic presentation. These elegant gifts bring warmth to any home and are perfect for holiday giving.
Christmas Votive Candle
Christmas votive candles are simple to make and always appreciated. Using small glass jars or votive holders, students can paint festive designs like snowflakes, stars, or Christmas trees on the outside. Once dry, place a battery-operated tealight or small candle inside.
The flickering light glows through the designs, creating a cozy and magical effect. These make beautiful centerpieces or mantel decorations that parents will enjoy lighting up year after year.
DIY Framed Handprint Art
Handprint art never goes out of style, and it’s one of the most special keepsakes parents can receive. It captures a moment in time and reminds families of how quickly kids grow.
Students can paint their hands with washable paint and press them onto thick paper or cardstock. Underneath, they can write a short message like “Hands Down, You’re the Best Parents!” Once dry, the artwork can be placed inside a frame or laminated for protection.
For an extra touch, students can decorate the border with holiday stickers or glitter. It’s a timeless gift that parents will cherish forever.
Handmade Coupon Book for Parents
A homemade coupon book is a thoughtful and heartfelt way for students to show their parents how much they care. Each coupon can offer something special like “Breakfast in Bed,” “One Day Without Complaining,” or “Family Game Night.”
It’s a sweet reminder that sometimes the best gifts don’t cost a thing. To make this, students can use colorful paper or cardstock to create small coupon cards. Punch holes in the corner and tie them together with ribbon or string.
Each page can be decorated with markers, drawings, or stickers, and include what the coupon is good for. Add fun touches like expiration dates or small doodles to make it feel extra personal. Parents will love flipping through and redeeming each coupon throughout the year.
Easy Beaded Candy Canes
Beaded candy canes are one of the simplest and most charming crafts your students can make. All you need are pipe cleaners and colorful beads. Students can thread beads in classic red and white patterns or experiment with new colors for a fun, creative twist.
Once finished, the candy canes can be hung on the tree, used as gift toppers, or given as ornaments. These sweet creations take just minutes to make and last for years as part of the family’s holiday decorations.
Custom Jar of Kindness Notes
A kindness jar is one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Each note tucked inside can share something sweet, like a compliment, a thank-you, or a favorite memory.
It’s a small gesture that helps parents feel appreciated long after the holidays. Students can start with a clean mason jar or any small container. They can decorate the outside with paint, ribbons, or stickers, then write little notes on colorful slips of paper.
Fold them neatly or roll them up like tiny scrolls before dropping them in. Add a label that says “Open When You Need a Smile.” This thoughtful project is inexpensive but incredibly meaningful.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Kit
A homemade hot chocolate kit is a cozy and simple gift idea that’s sure to be a hit. Have students fill small jars or bags with layers of cocoa powder, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes.
They can attach a tag with instructions that says, “Add to a cup of warm milk and enjoy.” For a festive look, tie the jar with ribbon or twine and add a small candy cane on the side.
It’s a fun way for kids to share the warmth of the holiday season while giving their parents something sweet to enjoy together.
Customized Bookmark Set
A set of customized bookmarks is a thoughtful and personal gift, especially for parents who love to read. Each bookmark can be designed differently to show creativity and love. Students can use colorful cardstock or thick paper, cutting it into long strips to create the perfect shape.
Then, they can decorate the bookmarks with stickers, small photos, or inspiring quotes. A hole punched at the top with a ribbon or tassel tied through adds a nice finishing touch.
For extra durability, laminating the bookmarks makes them last longer. This small but meaningful gift is inexpensive and perfect for families who enjoy reading together.
