FOR KIDS
Sometimes the best gifts are ones from the heart
Children’s Creations Are Holiday Hits
The nicest holiday gifts aren’t necessarily the ones in the biggest, fanciest boxes. Nor are they necessarily the most expensive. Sometimes the best gifts of all are the homemade ones that are made by young ones—our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and, perhaps, students. Holiday gift ideas that children can easily create include festive tins of baked and decorated cookies or colorful painted rocks to be used as “perfect” paperweights. Other ideas include ornaments decorated with glitter and construction paper cutsouts of trees or snowmen, or painted pinecones glued on decorated cardboard bases.
Remember to let children know that they can personalize their creations with “Grandma” or “Teacher,” for example. Many of the inexpensive materials needed for these projects can be found in dollar stores and in arts and crafts shops. “My kids love working on art projects—during the holiday season, especially,” says Amy Towne, a Cape Coral resident who has two young ones. “Grandma looks forward to her holiday tradition of getting a homemade gift that she brings to her office.”
While parents may assist with scissors, construction paper, glitter, paint and glue when children are making great masterpiec-
es at home, there are also local places that offer classes and workshops on creating holiday gift items. “We will be offering a variety of holiday-themed classes and workshops for children,” notes Denise Ahlstrom, owner of Karma & Coconuts in Cape Coral.
The Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs is also a great place for classes and camps that feature holiday and winter themes. “Our fun, winter-themed camps in visual arts, performing arts, science and cooking—for ages 4 to 18—make the arts accessible to all school-aged youth,” says youth education director Heather Roper. Scholarships and discounts are available.
Workshops and classes are also offered at arts and crafts stores such as Michaels, located in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Estero. In addition, Cape Coral Parks & Recreation schedules some holiday craft activities for youngsters.
Whether you and your children work on do-it-yourself activities, or you enroll them in classes, camps or workshops, the end results will be sure to light up loved ones’ holidays because of their special gifts. Ann Marie O’Phelan is a Southwest Florida resident and regular contributor to TOTI Media.