Christmas presents for a 3yo to make

[Lyonesse]

I'm ahead of the game on Christmas at the moment, but it won't last!

I want my son to grow up recognising the importance of giving, rather then getting, presents at Christmas, so I'm planning to get him to make presents for relatives and godparents. Unfortunately, I am very limited on ideas of what he can do!

Last year we made salt dough Christmas tree decorations, and he enjoyed painting/glittering/sticking jewels on them. We could do that again, but I don't really want to overload other people's trees with (not very good) decorations made by a nephew/godson/random child of friend.

I am wondering about making something edible, but the gifts will either have to be posted or in some cases given to the recipients in mid-December, as we live about half the country away from all our families and godparents, so if I go for food, I'd be looking for something robust and long-lasting.

Any idea gratefully accepted!

[sabrina fair]

We're meaning to try apple leather with our apple glut. If you google 'red Ted fruit leather' they have a recipe. It's basically dried apple puree so should last for ages. Cut into strips and tied with pretty Christmas ribbon.

[yorkshirepudding]

Panforte should fulfill those criteria - I've never made it but have received it and I reckon it would last a few weeks (mine didn't because it was too yummy and felt vaguely healthy = zero calories!). I even bought some rice paper to make it but then a small child got in the way and now it's nearly Christmas again (sort of) so you've inspired me to do some!

Tip: you have to make sure ALL the tin is covered with rice paper or else it sticks like glue apparently. I only have a paper copy of the recipe so can't link it for you sorry.

[Mummyto1]

Biscotti last a long time and look lovely in jars etc. Or could he help mixing up bath salt preparations? Though they can be heavy to post.

I saw some lovely felt/material bunting being made by a two/three year old on Instagram recently - I don't know exactly but it looked like small squares were being strung on pretty twine and the end result was lovely.

[Lily]

Speculoos biscuits last very well, and the dough is also a good texture for cutting into shapes. You could ice patterns onto them too. Last year I did snowflakes, with 3 or 4 different cutters and a white icing pen - your LO could do trees or baubles with lots of different coloured icing, sparkly decorations etc.

[Kanga]

My dd did bath bombs with me one year. Or salt/sugar scrub. You could maybe do hand prints in salt dough & pop them in a frame?

[pirate_han]

B and I are making hampers for her grandparents and so far we've made Christmas chutney, mincemeat, blackberry and apple jam, and onion marmalade. Nearer the time we will make biscuits and chocolates. I've taken pictures of her making them (and picking the blackberries!) to stick on the front which the g-rents will love. Too heavy to post perhaps but good for visiting? If you'd like recipes let me know.

[nearlymumtobabyfk]

Ooh, I would like recipes p_h! And how the devil have you managed all that whilst feeling so pants?? I had suspected you were some manner of super woman...

[pirate_han]

The only thing that made me puke was the brandy in the mincemeat, weirdly. The smell I mean, I didn't neck it! I sat on the floor while she picked blackberries with her Daddy, and at home I guess I cooked with her in between pukes! Ha. Recipes to follow...

[pirate_han]

Onion marmalade - http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1404 ... -marmalade

[pirate_han]

Christmas chutney - http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1158 ... as-chutney

[pirate_han]

Blackberry and apple jam - http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/reci ... -apple-jam

[nearlymumtobabyfk]

Ooh thank you and still, pom poms for you my love!

[Lyonesse]

This is the third time I've tried to post a reply - hopefully it will work this time!

In the end, we went for Jamie Oliver's hot chocolate, peppermint creams and biscotti. LO was able to do almost all of the work himself (apart from grating the chocolate), and he LOVED cooking.

Thanks for all the ideas - I will certainly revisit them for future years when he's older.