Children's Artwork as Christmas Gifts

As everyone’s shopping budgets are tightening this year, having your child create their own gifts not only helps you save money, but gets your child excited about giving. And what is more precious than a picture painted by a child? The following are some ideas for your child to create.
 
* Stretched Canvas - You can pick up stretched canvas frames at Michael’s or Big Lots for around $5 - $7. Bright colored tempera paint works great on the canvas. After your child’s masterpiece dries, you can spray a clear acrylic or varnish over it to preserve it. These paintings also make great artwork for a child’s bedroom.
 
* Sweatshirt - Grandparents would love to show off a sweatshirt that their grandchild painted especially for them. You can find plain sweatshirts relatively low priced at Wal-Mart and you can also pick up some fabric paint there. Your child’s handprints look great on the sweatshirts as well as on T-shirts, aprons, or canvas bags. Remember to use the fabric paint to write your child’s name and the year on their gift.
 
* Christmas Wrapping Paper - You can purchase plain brown postal wrapping paper or butcher paper for this project. Your child can choose to finger paint, use holiday-shaped sponges, or simply paint their own Christmas scene on the paper.
 
* Placemats - On a large piece of paper (construction paper works great), have your child paint a holiday picture. When the picture dries, you can have it laminated or simply put on some clear Contac paper to preserve it. They make great gifts for everyone at the Christmas dinner table.
 
Children love to share their artwork and by having them create their own special gifts, you will instill in them the importance of giving and the pride in creating their own beautiful gifts.
 
Thanks for reading. Happy Holidays

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Cornerstone Preschool, 1098 S. 5th Ave., offers structured academic programs and care for children aged 2 to prekindergarten. For more information, please call 782-1995.