Whole Story

Most teachers have already amassed a sizeable collection of holiday coffee mugs. This year, express your gratitude with something better — a gift that’s homemade, heartfelt and healthier than candy.

Check out these DIY gift ideas from Whole Kids Foundation that are fun for kids to make (with the appropriate level of adult supervision, of course), easy on the budget and gentle on the planet.

Read on to find out how you could win a craft-project kit from Kiwi Crate.

Personalized Painted Pot

Supplies:

• ceramic flower pot or planter

• acrylic paints or paint pens

• Gorilla Glue (it works well on ceramics)

• decorations (stamps, stencils, mosaic tiles, stick-on gems, etc.)

• plant, seed packets or bulbs

Instructions:

Decorate the outside of the pot or planter using acrylic paints or paint pens, paint stamps, stencils or sponges to add texture, stick-on gems, mosaic tiles or whatever other creative bits and pieces you’ve got. Paint patterns, pictures, stripes or rainbows, write a name or inspiring word or quote. Just make sure whatever you use is water resistant so it won’t get ruined when the growing plant gets thirsty. Place a plant, seed packets or bulbs inside the pot. (Choose varieties that grow well in containers.)

Here's how the crafty blogger at Giggles Galore created her cute "Thanks for Helping Me Grow" pot (pictured above).

Recycled Sock or Sweater Coffee Cozy

Supplies:

• sock or sweater (skinny sleeves work best)

• scissors

• thread

• needle

• buttons, felt or appliqués (optional)

Instructions:

Select a colorful sock or sweater. Measure about 4-5” from the cuff end of the sweater sleeve or the sock, then cut that end off. You should have a cylindrical piece of material that can be stretched around a standard-sized paper coffee cup. If the cut edge of the material is beginning to unravel or looks messy, fold it down (about ½”) toward the inside of the cozy. Use a needle and thread to stitch the fold down. If you wish, decorate the outside of the cozy by hot gluing or sewing on buttons, felt shapes or letters, store-bought appliqués or scraps of other decorative fabric.

Spiced Nuts “Topped” with Fabric Scraps

Supplies:

• spiced nuts

• clean jars (old or new) with tight-fitting lids

• scissors or pinking shears

• fabric scraps

• string or ribbon

Instructions:

Whip up an easy batch of spiced nuts, let them cool, then funnel nuts into clean, dry, label-free jars. Find some leftover fabric and ribbon scraps or get an inexpensive piece of remnant material at the fabric store. Lay each jar lid flat on top of the fabric, and cut out a circle of fabric that extends 2-3” past the edge of the lid all the way around. Put the lids on the jars and tighten securely. Center the circle of fabric on top of the lid; let it hang down and use string or ribbon to tie the excess fabric around the neck of the jar.

Looking for more inspiration?

Whole Kids Foundation is sharing lots more fun DIY gift ideas on Pinterest! You can also keep up with Whole Kids Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

If all this has got you feeling especially crafty, we want to encourage that by giving away a Kiwi Crate craft project to 5 lucky winners. Delivering creativity to your doorstep, Kiwi Crate sends your little one all the materials needed for multiple fun and engaging arts, crafts and science activities. Chock full of projects perfect for kids ages 3-7, these crates are designed to encourage creativity, exploration and discovery. They're really cool!

Just tell us about the best homemade gift you've ever received. Share your comment below by Sunday, December 16 and you'll be entered to win a "Gifts Made By Me" Kiwi Crate.

So, what's the best homemade gift you've ever received?

The fine print: No purchase necessary. Promotion ends December 16, 2012, 11:59 PM CDT. Must be a legal resident of the US or Canada (except in Quebec, where it is void) age 18 or older to participate. Taxes on prize, if applicable, are the responsibility of the winner. Employees of Whole Foods Market, Inc., are not eligible. Void where prohibited.