Wee Handmade Gifts: Calendars, a Puzzle, and Yoda

I have been wanting to get the children involved in more handmade gift giving, but it  has not been easy to find a gift that is easy for them to accomplish and still, um, how to put this tactfully. . . something that the recipient would enjoy.  But this year, these puzzles and calendars worked out beautifully.

I had read about Bare Books on Soule Mama's blog, and I went there looking for blank journals for the children with the thought that they might like to make books for each other.  But I also found blank calendars and puzzles, and thought they would be the perfect gift for the children to make.  They were surprisingly affordable, too.

I expected a bit of resistance from the children when I suggested that they each make multiple drawings so that they could make calendars for all of the grandparents and for Gabe.  I prepared myself to try my best powers of persuasion and reconciled myself to the thought that I might  have them color just one calendar, and I could photocopy it.  Instead, they surprised me with their exuberance.

They had a great time huddling over the calendars, making sure that each child drew 4 pictures for each calendar.  And they had a great time planning what to draw for each month that would be seasonally appropriate.  My favorite sequence was "April showers", "Mayflower."

Oscar also made a puzzle for Chloe.  The puzzle comes blank, and he drew an aquatic theme for her.  I was a bit taken aback when I saw his blue on blue color scheme, because I thought Chloe would never be able to assemble it.  But with a little help, she managed quite well.

Olivia also came up with the least expensive but most precious gifts for us,  these little coupons that entitle us to back scratches, a day of company, or a game-making session.  And for Oscar, her Star Wars loving buddy, she made a little Yoda doll.  She loosely followed this pattern and had just a bit of help from her mama.

 
It was so gratifying to see these kids off and inventing and creating for others.  I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Comments

[Catherine]

That's an awesome Yoda doll! And I love the April showers bringing the Mayflower... very clever kids.

[Leticia]

Thanks so much for sharing this site! I had been thinking about the kids making their own calendars but didn't like any of the printables online plus I wanted them to be spiral bound just like these! I love how affordable they are and how into them your kids were! And the Yoda doll is just plain awesome! :)

[Andrea]

We also got the gift of time to spend with our oldest daughter...her optimism and self-confidence is so cute!