Do you want to teach your child the value in gift-giving?

If so, put away your wallet and encourage them to create something special to give. It’s that’s simple.

If you are handing over your money so the child can choose a gift to buy or, worse still, buying gifts on their behalf, you are teaching them nothing.

You are giving them a false idea about not only the value of money and what it takes to have money, but also the value of gift-giving.

BENEFITS OF GIFT GIVING

Studies in human development have shown that the biggest benefits are reaped from gift-giving, not gift receiving.

This is because gift-giving builds empathy and expresses kindness and care and these values increase the giver’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

However, if you skip some important steps – like the development of the gift – you are denying your child these feel good feelings.

This is especially important for younger children who don’t have their own money source. Older children may have saved their own money, money they have perhaps earned, and will therefore experience the beautiful high that comes with gift-giving.

However, from my point of view, nothing beats the satisfaction of creating something special for someone or indeed receiving something that a loved one has spent time and effort on.

Creating handmade gifts ticks so many boxes.

It shows the receiver you care enough to spend your valuable time making something especially for them.

It gives you the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of creativity, especially pride in your efforts.

Creating handmade gifts can save money and also offer parents a perfect opportunity to teach their kids other important lessons and values.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, take a moment to think about what your child will be giving their grandmothers or other important mothers in their lives.

Chances are the schools and preschools will offer gift-making projects for the children to give their own mothers. And you probably don’t want to have to help them make your own gift.

But Mother’s Day is the perfect time to introduce children to the benefits that are gained when they make Mother’s Day gifts.

If you’re stuck on ideas, I have a few simple ones for you.

MAKE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS – The Thoughtful Tile

All you need is a tile and some permanent markers.

If you don’t have a tile handy,  bathroom and kitchen stores are often happy to hand over one of their old stock. White is best for this project, but it’s fine to work with whatever you can get your hands on.

Regular markers wipe off easily, so permanent markers are a must and it’s super important to supervise the project, particularly with young children, if you want to spare your walls and furniture.

Have the child think about what they like most about the person they are giving this gift to and then depict that in a beautiful tile picture.

The tiles are not only lovely decorations but work perfectly as trivets in the kitchen.

 Little Hand Trinket Dish

You’ll need some air-dry clay for this one (easy to find in cheap stores).

Roll out the clay and use a skewer to trace around your child’s hand.

Use the skewer to cut out the hand shape.

Carve the child’s name and date on the back of the hand and turn it over and gently place it in a small bowl to dry. The bowl ensures the hand is curved, creating a little bowl. It will take several days to dry completely.

Have your child decorate the little hand. These make wonderful little storage bowls for rings and other jewellery you may take off during handwashing or cooking in the kitchen.

MAKE MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS – The Surprisingly Simple Heart Necklace

The real surprise in this one is not so much its simplicity to make, but what it is made from – plastic milk bottles.

Cut out one side of the clean and dry milk bottle and draw a few simple heart shapes. Cut them out, poke a hole in the centre and add little jewellery links to each hole.

Thread a chain or leather strap through the links and it’s done. I told you it was simple. The children could then use permeant markers to decorate if they desire. I quite like them plain.

This is a great opportunity to teach kids the value in recycling too.

If you’d like to know another surprising material you can use to make jewellery, read my post, 1 Astonishing Ingredient Makes Beautiful Turquoise Jewellery.

The Easy Pop-up Mother’s Day Card

I’m a big fan of pop up cards and this one is so easy.

Place six coloured paper pieces together and fold them in half. I used three different colours.

Draw half a heart shape at the fold and cut out to create six hearts.

Fold each heart in half and glue the halves on top of each other.

Open the heart stack and glue the bottom to the middle of a folded card.

Cut around your original cut-outs to create three heart frames and glue them to the front of the card. As well as creative fun, the children are learning how to use more of the materials and throw less away.

Creating with your child is a wonderful opportunity to bond, teach them important values and keep them away from screens for a bit. If you make Mother’s Day gifts, it has the added benefits of emotional wellbeing that comes from not only creating but also giving.

Follow my Mother’s Day Pinterest board for more fun project ideas.

Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria