Easy stocking stuffers you can make with the kids

Black Friday usually kicks off a busy month of mall and cyber shopping — and the stress of watching your money fly out the door usually snowballs from there.

But you can easily stay within a budget by creating special homemade gifts on your own. Gifts made from the heart mean so much more than store-bought — and as an added bonus, they often don’t cost much money at all.

More: 9 people you should add to your Christmas list this year

I’m Kelly Dixon from Smart School House and today I’m excited to share three easy and beautiful DIY stocking stuffer ideas with you. Handmade gifts are perfect for family, friends, teachers, co-workers and even neighbors. If you have little ones, get them involved too. These DIY stocking stuffer ideas are perfect for kids to make.

Homemade hot cocoa recipe for two

Hot cocoa for one is great. Hot cocoa for two is even better. Homemade hot cocoa is the best.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons plain white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 handful mini marshmallows

Directions:

1. Find a small glass jar.
2. Layer the white sugar and the cocoa powder ingredients.
3. Top the jar with mini marshmallows (It’s OK to use more than 1 handful if needed).

For serving: mix the sugar and cocoa powder together. Pour 2 cups of warm milk. Add half of the handmade cocoa mixture to each glass of warm milk and top with the mini marshmallows.

Old-fashioned cinnamon scented ornaments

This old-fashioned recipe for making ornaments will leave your entire house smelling like cinnamon. Wrap the ornaments up in clear cellophane and stick them in stockings.

Materials Needed:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1/2 cup very warm water
• 10 drops cinnamon fragrance oil (more or less depending on personal preference)
• Dough roll
• Cookie cutters
• 1 straw
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Glitter
• Mod Podge glue
• Bakers twine

Directions:

1. Using a stand mixer (with flat beater attachment) combine the flour, salt and warm water. Mix until fully combined.
2. Add in the fragrance oil.
3. Once fully combined, roll the dough out so it is about 1/4 inch thick (put a little flour on the dough roller and the surface to make it easier).
4. Cut out various shapes using holiday cookie cutters.
5. Using a straw, poke a hole at the top of each ornament for hanging.
6. Place the shapes on a cookie baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees F for 2.5 hours (or until they begin to turn golden).
7. Decorate with acrylic paint.
8. When the Mod Podge is dry, tie a piece of bakers twine to the ornament (for hanging).
9. When the paint is dry, brush on a layer of Mod Podge glue and sprinkle on the glitter.

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Originally published November 2014. Updated December 2016.