The holiday season is nearly here and that signals a time for gifts, lights and family bonding. The following are some easy and inexpensive craft ideas for the kids that can be used for either gifts, decorations, ornaments or in a variety of other fun ways around the house.

Christmas Cookies

This is usually the go-to Christmas gift for those on a budget, but with a little imagination and creativity, it can be turned into a fun craft with the kids that also can be your family's holiday gift. Sugar cookies seem to be the standard, but let your expression run wild. Cookie-cutters, sprinkles, icing and candy can turn an average cookie into a holiday snowman or Santa. Kids will love assembling their tasty treats, and of course will enjoy digging into the extras. A package of holiday plates can be found at a fair price, as can colored wrap to keep the fresh while adding some more color. Before you know it, you will have some lovely gifts that anyone would be happy to receive, and the kids will feel proud as they created it themselves - with a little help from you of course. Add some extra decorating to the cookies and turn an average cookie into an extraordinary cookie.

Ornaments

What kid wouldn't want to see an ornament they made hanging from the tree on Christmas morning? Christmas ornaments can range from the standard glass, round orb you might buy in a store from something entirely made up from things around the house. The clear orbs you might find for a low price at a retail store can be decorated with a variety of paints, glitters, and fabric to create a unique and memorable Christmas experience. Other ornament ideas include Popsicle stick reindeer, Styrofoam ball snowman, cotton ball snow/snowman and many others. What works best is to pick the materials and supplies and let the youngsters imaginations take off, roam free, and produce something that they (and you) will be proud of.

Puzzle Piece Wreath / Picture Frame

This is one of my favorite inexpensive and fun crafts that can be used as a memorable gift for a loved one. All it requires is come cardboard, an old puzzle (you can even used the cardboard from the box the puzzle is in if you'd like), some paint, and other decorative materials of your choosing.

First, decide if you want to make a frame or a wreath - there really isn't that much difference! The frame will require some measuring as it will need to fit your photo. Cut out your cardboard into the desired shape. Paint the puzzle pieces in a variety of fun colors and decorate them as you see fit. When they are dry, assemble the puzzle pieces around the frame/wreath with some overlapping and intertwining to create an artistic craft. The end product from this craft can yield a variety of results, from multi-colored painted designs to neon colors if you choose to pick up some bright paint. The choice is yours, and the kids will love to see something they have made displayed in your home.

You can also use an assortment of old puzzles and leave the pieces as is to make a decorative frame. The combination of various colors and pieces from random puzzles make for an artistic frame that is fun for the young ones to make. A leg from a horse here, flames from a rocket ship there, and before you know it, your frame is covered in images and color.

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See also Cheap Homemade Christmas Ornaments.