Inexpensive projects to do with kids can also make great gifts! Here are some ideas:

• An unfinished wood item (initial, birdhouse, stepstool, etc.) with set of acrylic paints and brushes
• Knitting needles or crochet hook with yarn and a free scarf pattern or knitting instructions
• Bracelet Beading supplies
• Stamping set
• Scrapbooking materials or creativity book
• Crafting kits of all kinds from JoAnn’s or Borders (lots of these are very inexpensive!)
• Sewing notions, fabric, easy pattern

Even better than all of the stuff, would be a bonus of a lesson or crafting time with the child. All kids love attention and one-on-one time with their favorite adults. If you paint, sew, knit, crochet, scrapbook, bead, or any other crafty thing, make up an invitation to spend some crafting time with you! They will love it!

A more technical version of this gift would be a radio building kit or other electronics project! Geeky fun!

Beautiful photo courtesy of James Jordan.

These little boxes are incredible for gift cards and other small-sized gifts. If you are a scrapbooker, you’ve probably already got all the supplies you need on hand. You only need 4 double-sided sheets of 12″x12″ cardstock or heavy scrapbooking paper, various adhesives, embellishments, etc.  You will need ribbon for the finishing touch and some great photos.

I love the idea of this box being a mini-scrapbook, too! On each of those flaps, there is enough room to put a cropped photo, die-cut, favorite quote, or ticket stub. You could really go crazy and make this as elaborate as you like, or keep it simple and let the paper speak for itself. Some beautiful coordinating designer paper would make a great box to put a couple of tickets or a restaurant gift card in. What else could you put it one of these boxes? A handful of candy, a beaded bracelet, a tube of lip gloss, a pair of earrings, an iPod, a new car key, theater tickets, air popped popcorn with a movie gift card inside, the list goes on…

A more masculine looking box would be great for Dad’s desk at work, filled with photos of his family. Kids love these, too, filled with Pokemon cards, small action figures, candy, gift cards, and more!

Get out your imagination and use it! The following links should inspire and instruct you on how to make one of these great boxes! At the very least, make a simple one and use it as a card! It’s fun and addictive!

• Video on how to make an exploding box card
• Anso’s Exploding Box Class
  
• Chrissygirl’s Exploding Boxes photo set

Photo courtesy (Creative Commons) of the Polished to Perfection blog