As the holiday season draws near, there’s nothing quite like the pride students feel when they can make handmade gifts for family and friends. Even upper elementary students will enjoy making these personalized presents that families will cherish for years to come. From whimsical snowman tealight ornaments and winter snowglobes to charming mini paintings and more, each of these inexpensive Christmas gifts for students carries a personal touch.

All of the supplies you need are in this Amazon list (affiliate link) for easy shopping.

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Students: Arts and Crafts

Snowman Tealight Ornaments

These snowman tealight ornaments are such a simple little gift! Simply decorate battery-powered tealights to turn them into little snowman faces, add a ribbon, and hang on the tree.

• hot glue
• battery tea light
• ribbon
• marker
• pipe cleaner
• craft poms
• craft foam

Snowglobes

Your students can use inexpensive plastic snowglobes to make winter scenes. Add student photos inside for a personal touch!

• plastic globes
• mini trees
• mini snowmen
• other filler
• glitter or snow
• student photos

Mini Tobaggon Ornaments

These adorable little yarn hats are so simple to make and look so cute on the tree.

• empty toilet paper or paper towel roll
• yarn
• tissue paper

Mini Paintings

Let your students’ creativity shine on mini canvases. Students can follow a directed drawing video or design something of their own.

• mini canvasses
• acrylic paint
• paintbrushes

Mini Note Keychains

What family member wouldn’t love a sweet little note from their student? Students can write short messages on lined Shrinky Dinks to attach to keychains. 

• Shrinky Dinks 
• Sharpies

Wood Ornaments

These are another way to let your students’ artistic talent shine. Buy pre-made wood blocks to serve as their canvas.

• blank wood slices 
• acrylic paint
• ribbon

Paper Star Ornaments 

Tie in a little geometry with fine motor skills as students make these paper straw stars!

• decorative paper straws
• embroidery thread
• poms
• hot glue

Watch the tutorial video here!

Paperbag Snowflakes

My students LOVE testing their scissor skills with unique snowflake designs. Use brown paper bags and a little glitter (if you’re brave enough!) to make it stand out.

• brown paper bags
• glitter

Coaster Ornaments

You can easily turn inexpensive tiles into personalized coasters. Your students can simply draw on the tile with Sharpies or you can add their photos with Modge Podge.

• tile coasters
• Sharpies or paint
• Modge Podge
• foam brushes
• student photos (optional)
• ribbon
• hot glue

Snowflake Ornaments

With a little bit of glue, simple clothespins make adorable snowflakes.

• wooden clothespins
• glue
• ribbon

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Students: Literacy

When my kids were younger, a teacher used their artwork to make a 12-month calendar. For an upper elementary spin, your students could illustrate a poem for each month, write jokes, continue a story throughout the months, etc.

Your students can contribute to a simple dessert recipe book. Each student researches a simple recipe (or brings a favorite from home) that are then copied into a class book. Students can illustrate a picture of their recipe for an even more personal touch.

Members of our Free Inspired in Upper Elementary Facebook group also had these great suggestions!

Jessica L., “I have students choose a favorite holiday picture book that over the month of December they practice reading it fluently. Then we record them on Flipgrid, which lets you create QR codes. We attach the QR code to a picture of the student, laminate it and attach a string making it an ornament. Parents can scan the code for years to come and see/hear their child read.”

Alexis A., “My students are making a poetry book for their families. Incorporating lots of figurative language – a simile poem about a family member, personification, hyperbole, etc. Then I’ll wrap them and put a handmade ornament on top.”

Sue G, “We have made up ‘Farkle’ games. Bags with 6 dice, small score cards and laminated rule card. We also throw in Yahtzee rules. Our focus is family time. We spend a few days in December teaching them that game so they’re excited.”

More Christmas Ideas

Visit these blog posts for even more Christmas ideas. You’ll find a variety of math and literacy ideas, Holidays Around the World resources, read-aloud suggestions, and more!