Although you may give care to wrapping presents, do you rely on boring To/From stickers to label a gift? Turn those tags into a kids’ craft that adds an extra personalized touch to presents. No matter whether they are toddlers or teens, kids get to feel a part of birthday or holiday preparations by creating small works of art on handmade gift tags. These projects take just minutes and pennies to produce.
How to Make Gift Tags
You can purchase plain, precut gift tags or you can use a paper punch that creates a tag shape. You can also make your own tags by using a sturdy paper, such as watercolor paper or cardstock. Use thick paper so it will both stand up to artwork as well as hanging from a present.
Before you buy your paper, consider if you want a white background (which gives you more options) or colored paper (which can make some images stand out). You can make your tags 2” x 3” or any size that you desire. Incorporate the “To” and “From” as part of the artwork or include that information on the back of the tag.
Toddler and Preschooler Art
A young child won’t understand why you want them to decorate a hundred small pieces of paper. However, you can showcase their artwork by having the child finger paint or brush paint large sheets of paper using holiday color paints. While the paint is wet, you can sprinkle glitter over the paper.
When the artwork is dried, cut the page into smaller 2” x 3” tags. Punch a hole at one end and loop through some pretty string, yarn, or ribbon.
Collage and Decoupage Crafts for Kids
Cut and paste artwork can be really distinctive, but time consuming. Kids can easily become bored or overwhelmed with intricate cutting. Make these tags for the most important people on your gift list.
Option 1: Find a photo of the child and the gift recipient. If necessary, adjust the size of the image so it fits on a gift tag. Remember, you don’t need to use the entire photograph, just the part with the two individuals. Trim the photo so it has straight edges or use decorative scissors for a fancy border. Glue the photo to the gift tag.
Option 2: Cut a picture from a magazine, trimming along the outline of the object. Glue the image to the tag. Be sneaky and look for a picture that gives a hint, without giving away the surprise, of what’s inside.
Option 3: Take those boring “To and From” stickers or any holiday stickers that you have around the house and use them to cover a gift tag. Overlap the stickers and have some hang off the edge of the tag; then, trim the excess.
Arts and Crafts for Homemade Holiday Gift Tags
Option 4: Do you know origami? Many shapes can your gift tag. Another option is to glue the folded paper shape to a gift tag. If you want the person to keep the origami ornament, then use a needle and thread to create a loop from which to hang the ornament. Hang the origami ornament along with a dangling gift tag.
Option 5: Use rubber stamps from the store or make your own. This is a great way to create repeating patterns like reindeers or snowflakes.
Option 6: Use paper punches with holiday or birthday images and glue the shapes onto the gift tag. Be creative and glue together basic shapes, like circle, to make a penguin, or hearts, to make an evergreen tree.
Option 7: Paint or draw whatever you want using the materials and techniques of your choice. This option really offers you endless choices.
Option 8: Glue on tiny pine cones, a small spray of evergreen needles, or a bit of bark onto the tag.
Before you start a gift tag making project with your kids, consider how many tags you really need. The tag on a grandparent’s gift can be more elaborate than the tag for a child’s friend. Do the more involved tags first and try simpler options later on. Have an arts and crafts party with your kids. End an afternoon of craft projects with hot cocoa, popcorn, and a fun movie.
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