DIY, homemade projects are precious keepsakes and create holiday memories. For years I have created a few precious holiday gifts for my family. With a combination of time and resources, it has been a joyful way to bring meaningful gifting to our family.  Here are the gifts that our family has cherished throughout the year. Now is the time for you to start creating your treasures.

 

Annual family photo album

A highlight of the holiday gifts is our annual family photo album. I ask my kiddos to contribute photos throughout the year to Shutterfly.  Photos are uploaded by everyone to create a compilation of photos of travel, birthdays and events from the year. I share a deadline so that everyone is finished by the time I start creating the photo album. I design in Shutterfly and then wait for a coupon. The photo book arrives in early December to be wrapped.

 

Family ornaments

Each year I order one ornament for each of my grandkids. The ornament celebrates a milestone of that year. Over the years, these are cherished as a remarkable way to commemorate events.  One of our family friends also has given ornaments. One of my grand’s favorites is a taco shaped ornament. These are keepsakes that will go on to our grand kids’ families as they celebrate in years to come.

 

Family Calendar

My husband’s favorite gift of the year is from our kiddos. They create a family calendar filled with family photos. We use the calendar all year long and love seeing the precious photos each month. They also populate the calendar with all the birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions so we have this as a reference as well.

 

Holiday traditions + gifts

I reached out on my social media to learn more about what other families do for their family presents.  Here are several ideas that were shared.

• We are very creative in our family, so we have been doing a holiday craft each year for over 24 years. Each year, we do a different type of craft project. Making gingerbread houses was done for many years when the kids were little. As they got older, I changed it a bit. One year, we made unique paper snowflakes. Another year, we did rock painting, and I have them displayed in my herb garden.
• I used to get a “safety gift” for the adults in my family. Fire extinguisher, car safety kit, weather radio, tool to cut through seat belt and break window. I did it for about 8 years but then I ran out of safety gift ideas. I think I will restart it now that my kids are adults.
• Each year I purchase matching Christmas pajamas that our family wears on Christmas Eve. We take photos and share them on our holiday cards.
• I make a holiday ornament online with a family photo taken during the year. I gift it to each of my kids.
• My family makes holiday cookie jars. We layer ingredients for cookies, brownies, or hot chocolate mix in mason jars, and decorate with ribbons. The kids decorate tags with the recipe and bring these to friends and teachers.

 

Now is the time to start your projects to be ready for this holiday season.