10 best last minute crafty Christmas gifts
There's still time to snap up a crafty gift for Christmas that will look great and keep little ones busy in the holidays
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Your support makes all the difference.1. Letterfest paint your own Christmas tree
This should keep them busy. Made from cardboard, the Christmas tree comes flat-packed, so it’s easy to paint or draw on before folding it into a 3-D extravaganza. Comes with decorations to glue on, and stands at 67cm (also available at 140cm; £45).
£20, letterfest.com
For a last-minute DIY present, this is a winner. Straight from the beautifully creative Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh (don’t worry, they post orders they get before noon on the same day). This arrives flat packed, and only needs PVA glue.
£9.50, edinburghart.com
3. Oliver Bonas Jingle All The Way cupcake kit
Oliver Bonas do a great line in cake decorations. If you fancy baking up a storm, try these for the best of festive finishing touches. There are 24 cases and the toppers are: stars, leaping reindeers, Santas and 3-D Christmas trees. They’re so cute, there’s no guarantee you’ll get them back.
£12, oliverbonas.com
4. Claire Close colour-in cracker kit
The designer Claire Close has a series of these lovely illustrated colour-in kits, and the cracker kit is a great way to let children get involved in the Christmas preparations. You can personalise the names when ordering online, too. And there’s plenty of intricate detail to keep small hands busy, at least temporarily…
£14.95, notonthehighstreet.com
5. Bread & Jam make your own Christmas decorations
All through the year, Bread & Jam create some beautiful hand-printed designs (look out for their miniature cards, particularly good). Now, for Christmas, they’ve made these, perfect for child-centred activities. Four different patterns on brightly coloured paper. They slot together, just add twine (included), and there you have it: 8 hand-made decorations.
£6.95, wearebreadandjam.co.uk
6. Mibo make your own forest folk decorations set
Mibo is an independent company that aims for good design. Their children’s range is especially creative, and this cute collection of paper animals would be fun to make for the tree. Equally nice for stocking fillers and place settings – all you need are scissors and glue.
£8.50, mibo.co.uk
7. Totem build your own reindeer
If you’re aged 6 or over, here’s something to keep you occupied between turkey and more turkey. The reindeer comes in 42 parts. When you figure out how to piece it all together, it’ll stand at 33cm, and will be on your shelf long after Christmas!
£10.50, shop.tate.org.uk
8. Skull and Cross Buns Christmas stamps
Stamping your own cards, gift tags, or name places for Christmas dinner is a crafty way to personalise the festivities. These stamps are hand carved by Skull and Cross Buns, a cool indy company. Choose between a robin, snowflake heart, tree or star – £4.25 each or £16 if you buy them all. (Inkpads come separately at £2.)
£4.25, notonthehighstreet.com
9. A Day With Kate wrapping tape
With this tape, you could wrap your presents in old newspaper and they’d look the height of creativity. It can be torn by hand, but is strong, and just one of a series of clever designs you’ll be tempted to buy. (Don’t forget to click ‘in English’ – the shop is based in the Netherlands but ships within 24 hours).
£6.70, adaywithkate.com
10. Roo Abrook Christmas stag collage
A creative pack of vintage collage materials, so that you can make your own stag collage. The kit includes Nordic stags, flowers, snowflakes, vintage franked stamps, feathers and threads, as well as tips on how to put them all together on a cosy day. (Free postage for December)
£18, rooabrook.com