Eco Kids: Make Your Own Christmas Gifts

Make Christmas extra special by encouraging children to create thoughtful gifts from recycled, reusable and natural materials, proving that the best presents needn’t cost the Earth...

Christmas is a wonderful time for giving, but it can also be a time when we buy far more than we need. From plastic toys to mountains of wrapping paper, the festive season can create a surprising amount of waste.

This year, why not encourage your children to make some of their own Christmas presents? Homemade gifts can be more personal, more affordable and much kinder to the planet – and there is something lovely about giving a present that has been made especially for someone.

Best of all, you don't need lots of expensive craft supplies. Look around the house and you may already have everything you need.

Decorate a reusable jar

An empty jam, honey or sauce jar can have a brilliant second life as a Christmas gift. Wash it thoroughly, remove the label and let children decorate it with ribbons, paper scraps and drawings. Fill the jar with homemade biscuits or sweets and add a handwritten label. Once the contents have been enjoyed, the jar can be used again.

Make a festive bird feeder

A homemade bird feeder makes a lovely gift for someone who enjoys watching wildlife. Children can make a simple feeder from materials such as a cardboard tube, string and birdseed.

Spread the tube with a little peanut butter, roll it in birdseed and thread string through it so it can be hung from a branch. Always check that the ingredients are suitable for garden birds and avoid anything salty or containing artificial sweeteners.

Create a nature-inspired decoration

Make a Christmas decoration from things that nature provides. Collect fallen leaves, twigs, pinecones and conkers during an autumn walk and use them to create decorations, wreaths or festive table ornaments.

A few twigs tied together can become a rustic star, while pinecones can be painted or decorated with scraps of wool or fabric. Remember to collect responsibly and never take living plants or anything from protected areas.

Give the gift of growing

A small pot, recycled container or even a decorated tin can become a miniature growing kit. Children could plant herbs, bulbs or easy-to-grow seeds and decorate the container with a personalised message.

For a winter gift, bulbs such as snowdrops or crocuses can make a lovely present, while herbs grown on a kitchen windowsill can be enjoyed long after Christmas has passed.

Wrap it up – sustainably!

Don't forget the wrapping – instead of buying new wrapping paper, challenge your Eco Kids to find creative alternatives. Old newspaper, magazines, fabric scraps and paper bags can all be transformed into colourful wrapping. A sprig of rosemary, holly or ivy can make a beautiful finishing touch, while reused ribbon or string can replace plastic bows.

Most importantly, remember that homemade doesn't have to mean perfect. A slightly wonky decoration, a hand-drawn label or a carefully decorated jar is part of the charm. This Christmas, encourage children to discover that the most memorable gifts are the ones made with their own hands.