Make Your Own!
Making our Christmas gifts extra-special
by Hannah Taylor
Suitable for Key Stage 2
Aims
To consider the benefits of making our own gifts at Christmas.
Preparation and materials
- Optional: you may wish to have available some Christmas craft resources and ideas, and the means to display them during the assembly. Some examples are available at: https://tinyurl.com/bdf5nfzy and https://tinyurl.com/yase8ahn
You may also wish to have available the YouTube video, ‘Make your Christmas with Hobbycraft’ and the means to show it during the assembly. It is 1.21 minutes long and is available at: https://tinyurl.com/5cvw4fjb
Assembly
- Ask the children to raise their hand if they are planning to make their own gifts for people this year.
Sometimes, we can get so distracted by all the wonderful gifts that are out there that we can forget about using our own special skills. Each of us will have something that we’re good at or enjoy. It could be drawing, painting, photography, sewing, craft-making or even writing. - There are some benefits to making our own gifts too.
- Never underestimate the importance of having fun. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to set ourselves a Christmas-themed project? It can be as simple or as complicated as we like.
- Gifts that come from the heart are the best gifts of all. The person who receives the gift will know that precious time and effort went into creating it, which will make it extra-special.
- Having the chance to be creative is fun! Creativity is a useful skill; there are many opportunities in life that require us to use our creative side. Creative activities can help us to solve problems and be more innovative.
- Teamwork makes the dream work. Creating a homemade gift could lead to us making friends. If we include friends or family in our project, it can be an excellent way to make special memories with them.
- Homemade gifts can be cheaper. Sometimes, homemade gifts cost nothing at all if we have the right items lying around our house. Otherwise, we may only need to spend a small amount on basic materials. - There are so many different types of gifts to choose from that it can be tricky knowing where to start.
We could start by thinking about what the recipient loves: would they enjoy something to eat, a special keepsake or a creative gift that they can put to good use? - Let’s think about some ideas.
- Edible gifts could include homemade fudge, cookies, cupcakes or cake pops.
- Keepsakes could include a handprint canvas, a homemade photo frame, a tree bauble or a salt-dough ornament.
- Creative gifts could include a painting, a piece of cross-stitch, a wreath, a Lego masterpiece, a poem, a story or a song. You could also make your own Christmas game of Family Guess Who? by using photos of your family.
There are many places where you can find excellent Christmas craft ideas.
- Large craft stores have plenty of ideas, and offer step-by-step instructions.
- There are many ideas online for Christmas crafts.
- YouTube videos show details about how to make different crafts.
Optional: show the images of Christmas craft ideas or the YouTube video, ‘Make your Christmas with Hobbycraft’ (1.21 minutes long). - If you make a gift, why not bring it in to show the class or a teacher? You might inspire others to get creative!
Time for reflection
As we sit here together, let’s think about the act of giving.
How does it make us feel when we give a gift and see the joy on someone’s face?
Listen to a range of responses.
Let’s pause and think about what we could give as gifts this Christmas. Let’s remember that many gifts don’t cost money. We can give our time, we can help around the house . . .
Ask the children for more suggestions of gifts that cost nothing.
Listen to a range of responses.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for teaching us love and appreciation.
This Christmas, please help us to feel the joy of giving.
Thank you that, at Christmas, we remember your gift of Jesus to the world.
Amen.
Song/music
‘The twelve days of Christmas’, available at: https://youtu.be/oyEyMjdD2uk (4.26 minutes long)
