From handprint cards to salt dough ornaments, these easy crafts make perfect holiday gifts

USA TODAY
Making crafts that capture your child's age will bring magic for years to come.
Making crafts that capture your child's age will bring magic for years to come.

Last year, I gifted my parents and in-laws with a framed craft of an angel whose wings were made with my 2-year-old daughter's handprints for wings.

Ohhs and ahhs gave way to a few teary eyes as my family gushed about how she's grown so fast and wished time would slow down.

The gifts were sentimental and among the favorites of the year. They cost me little more than some effort and a few dollars for the frames since I used my daughter's finger paint, glitter and paper for the craft.

Crafts that capture kids as they are now make perfect holiday gifts. They keep giving, too, as they resurface year after year to remind us of precious memories.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for easy craft gifts this holiday season:

Christmas tree handprint card

Tomorrow is our Mini Magpies Christmas craft morning for under 5s πŸ˜πŸŽ„Join us to make cute Christmas cards and decorations with your little ones. Only Β£5 pre booking available or pay in arrival. Farnborough Village Hall, 9am till 10.30am. #bromleymums #orpington #magpielearning #christmascraftsforkids #toddlerfun #farnboroughvillage

A post shared by MagpieLearning (@magpielearning) on Dec 11, 2018 at 5:44am PST

An ornament with your kid's photo and the year

Our 2018 hanging frame is a great craft idea to celebrate the year πŸŽ‰ They too will make a great Christmas gift! πŸŽ…πŸŒ² Link in our Bio ☝️

A post shared by CleverPatch (@cleverpatch) on Dec 9, 2018 at 8:16pm PST

Or, just a clear ornament with your kid's photo

Personalized photo ornaments make great gifts. Today on the blog I am sharing this super simple photo ornament tutorial. Wouldn’t they make great gift toppers? I’m thinking that it would be fun to make one every year to watch your families grow up! Or your cat! The possibilities are endless! You can find the full tutorial at the link in my profile! #christmasornaments #diychristmasornaments #photoornament #myfirstornament #myfirstchristmas #christmascrafts #christmascraftsforkids #newbornbaby

A post shared by DIY Blogger Morgan McBride (@charlestoncrafted) on Dec 12, 2018 at 9:04am PST

Snow globe photo cards

SNOW GLOBE CARD β„οΈβ˜ƒοΈβ„οΈ- this is seriously one of our favorite crafts! Who would not love to receive this card this Christmas? We are planning on making a whole bunch for family. ❄️❄️❀️ We love how these turned out and they are so easy for kids to decorate too! πŸŽ„πŸ˜ See the full details here ➑️ https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/snow-globe-template/ 🌟 Follow us at @bestideasforkids for more fun kid craft ideas. πŸ–βœ‚οΈ . . To get the full details, just search β€œSnow Globe” on thebestideasforkids.com . . To regram, please DM us for approval first. . . . . . #preschool #learningthroughplay #earlylearning #invitationtoplay #toddleractivities #kidsactivities #playmatters #totschool #kidscrafts #preschooler #prek #ece #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation #kindergarten #montessori #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #teacherspayteachers #tpt #iteachfirst #firstgrade #kindergartenteacher #teaching #kidsplay #kidsart #christmascrafts

A post shared by The Best Ideas for Kids (@bestideasforkids) on Nov 26, 2018 at 7:02am PST

Salt dough handprint hearts

SALT DOUGH HANDPRINTS - One of our favorite keepsake crafts for Christmas πŸŽ„πŸ˜ To make it you only need flour, salt and water which I’m sure you already have in your cupboards πŸ‘Œ Get the full recipe and sealing instructions here ➑️ https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/salt-dough-handprint-ornament/ 🌟 Follow us at @bestideasforkids for more fun kid craft ideas. πŸ–βœ‚οΈ . . To get the full details, just search β€œSalt Dough Handprint” on thebestideasforkids.com . . To regram, please DM us for approval first. . . . . . #preschool #learningthroughplay #earlylearning #toddleractivities #kidsactivities #playmatters #totschool #kidscrafts #preschooler #prek #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation #kindergarten #montessori #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #teacherspayteachers #tpt #iteachfirst #firstgrade #kindergartenteacher #teaching #kidsplay #kidsart #christmascrafts #diychristmas #christmasornaments

A post shared by The Best Ideas for Kids (@bestideasforkids) on Nov 29, 2018 at 6:20pm PST

Reindeer footprints

Oh it’s been done a million times before but who doesn’t love reindeer feet Christmas cards for the grandparents?! #preschool #preschoolactivities #christmascrafts πŸ¦ŒπŸŽ„πŸŽ…πŸ½

A post shared by E M M A πŸ¦‹ Preschool Teacher (@emma_caymanpreschoolteacher) on Dec 4, 2018 at 6:25am PST

Handprint nativity

Christmas crafts are this moms favorite. Messy yes. Too messy to get in the action pictures but it sure is fun. I will forever cherish these beautiful moments filled with laughter and paint. #merrychristmas . . . . . . . #homeschool #craft #homeschoolcollective #joyfulmommas #momof3 #artistsoninstagram #homeschooling #fingerpainting #christmasdecorations #homeschoolmom #jesusisthereason #isaiah9:6 #ahomeoflearning #homeschoolcommunity #christmascraftsforkids

A post shared by Ashley (@ashdanielle02) on Dec 11, 2018 at 9:59am PST

Snowman salt dough keepsake

We loved making this Saltdough Keepsake!!!! So much fun!! Want to make one too?? Check it out in the link on our profile!!! #kidscrafts101 #saltdough #snowmancrafts #craftsforkids #learningthroughplay

A post shared by Learning&ExploringThroughPlay (@learningthroughplay8) on Jan 1, 2017 at 2:42am PST

A little elf

E is for Elf! 🎁 #abcchristmascountdown I can’t resist a good handprint craft! I want to remember his little hands forever and now I’ll have this silly little Elf as a fun keepsake! 😍 I’ll have a full and super simple tutorial in my stories (and highlights)! πŸ‘πŸΌ *Plus my trick to make your Elf sit up on a shelf!* πŸ™ŒπŸΌ β€’ What are you favorite types of crafts for kids? πŸ–ŒβœοΈπŸ–

A post shared by Nicole πŸŽ€ (@missnicoleathome) on Dec 4, 2018 at 7:38am PST

Baby shoe ornament

I did it! Not only did I finish my baby shoe ornament project, I even managed to write about it. Truly, it’s a Christmas miracle. πŸ˜‚ check out the instructions and pictures of my son’s boot ornament on the blog. https://frenziedhostess.com/babys-first-shoe-christmas-ornament/ #christmasornaments #ornaments #christmascrafts #blogpost #diy #christmasdecorations #babysfirstchristmas #firstchristmasornament

A post shared by Beth Davidson (@frenziedhostess) on Dec 4, 2018 at 11:05am PST

Like All the Moms?

Connect with us on Facebook.

READ MORE:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: From handprint cards to salt dough ornaments, these easy crafts make perfect holiday gifts