Handcrafted Gifts for Kids

Any fellow moms out there will know the mixed feelings of watching your child open yet another Christmas present that consists of a million little parts and pieces…happy that they’ll be occupied for about 4.5 minutes of the day and already realizing that you’ll be the one cleaning (or vacuuming) up stray pieces the rest of the time! By the third child, I’d like to think I’ve figured out what types of toys my kids will actually play with…and keep playing with…but I’ve been guilty many times of falling into the bargain bin trap. You know, that brand name toy at the big box store on sale for a price that’s just too good to refuse. And yet, those are the toys that usually end up in the Sally Ann pile only a few months later, rarely played with.

If I could go back in time, I would have invested in more handcrafted toys like these amazing Etsy finds. They’re simple, bright, well made and perfect to display when they’re not being played with. Nicah up-cycles and re-purposes items as well as making customized pieces and I really  love their vibrant modern colours and clean lines…ideal for children’s rooms or for a pop of colour in any space! These could easily transition from the nursery to a teen’s room to my living room!

1. Stop, Drop & Roll Owls 2. Lovey Bird 3. Robot Bank 4. Modern Nesting Dolls

Karen Sagez runs another adorable shop, Bellamina, and sews the cutest birds, owls and other creatures into pillows, bookends and more. I love the thought that unique toys like these that could be passed down to my children’s children…one day…a loooong way away!

1. Raccoon Bookend 2. Owl Pillow 3. Owl Pillow 4. Bird Doorstops

Wee Waldorf is sweet shop devoted to nature inspired gifts and toys. The skittles set is so gorgeous and I love the colours chosen for each piece…bright without being too Crayola-like.

1. Wooden Skittles 2. Felt Alphabet 3. Matryoshka Game 4. Acorns & Toadstools

Granted, there are no homemade gift requests on our kids’ lists for Santa but there is nothing more loving than spending sleepless nights finishing that perfect something that you know your child will freak out about! We’ve got a couple DIY projects in the works…my man’s going to build some portable skateboard ramps for our son and I’m going to tackle an indoor hopscotch mat for our daughters (similar to the one here). Here are some other amazing projects that are sure to make your little ones beam…how cute is that old tv stand turned into a mini kitchen? And even small thrift store finds like lego look new again when housed in matching jars…

1. Martha Stewart 2. Design*Sponge 3. Design Sponge 4. Design*Sponge

Although there is absolutely no space left on the walls in my home, I am always on the lookout for more affordable art prints to frame. I have no problem swapping pictures seasonally…it’s such an easy way to freshen up a room. Amy Perrotti creates the most adorable Matryoshka-inspired illustrations of little girls around the world and she’s offering free shipping worldwide for the holidays!  I think her charming prints would make such adorable gifts for a few little girls’ rooms that I know and how cute to find one who resembles your special little lady! Now, if only she had a few more redheads to choose from…

I made a good dent in my holiday shopping over the past week and hope to get it finished up in the next week or so…more time to focus on fun traditions like baking and Christmas crafts with the kids! I was thrilled to find a goldmine of tiny vintage ornaments and bottle brush trees at the MCC last week…perfect to finish up those terrariums I’ve been plotting! Stay tuned to see what I come up with…