The Gift Of Handmade

Make it meaningful: creative ways to say thanks.

Show your skills and sentiments with a handmade gift.

If you asked your Beavers, Cubs or Scouts to think of someone who has helped them that day, however seemingly trivial or grand the gesture, every single one of them could find a person deserving of gratitude. It might even be a friend who gave them encouragement to face their fears, or made them laugh during a tricky time.

We shouldn’t need an excuse to say thank you to those who help and support us, but special occasions, from Mothers’ Day to the last day of term, brings the spotlight back onto the parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers and Scout Leaders who put their heart and soul into educating and entertaining young people.

Whatever the reason and whoever it is your child wishes to thank, homemade gifts present the perfect opportunity for you to spend some quality time together, getting creative and showing that sentiment is more important than money. That said, this does mean going a bit beyond 'it’s the thought that counts' and we encourage anything from cake-baking to candlestick making! Society is increasingly focused on sustainability and Scouting has always supported eco-friendly activities. So, we’ve found a few crafty ideas for reusing and recycling 'rubbish' to show you care for both the planet and its people.

No tin is beneath us
From baked beans to chopped tomatoes, peach slices to rice pudding, we eat a lot from cans. Metal can be recycled, but we could turn these shiny vessels into something useful. First, ensure sharp lids have been safely disposed of and that the rim of each tin is smooth, then soak away any labels and wash the tins in hot soapy water.
With a bit of paint, paper and glue, you can make multipurpose pots for storing anything from pens to coins or kitchen utensils. Here’s how…
You’ll need:

A tin can

Old magazines (preferably on a theme that the recipient likes, ideas such as gardening, fashion, vintage photography, food, travel, or animals)

Acrylic paint in colours of your choice

PVA glue, thinned down with water (this will glue and seal the torn paper)

Paintbrush.

Then:

Paint the outside of the can and allow to dry

Tear up chosen magazine pictures into different size chunks

Use the thinned down PVA to glue the pieces around the tin and allow to dry

Paint over another layer of PVA and allow to dry overnight. Repeat this once.

Alternatively, if your child is feeling green-fingered, try turning a selection of tins (plain or decorated!) into an indoor herb garden. You can either replant shop bought herb pots, such as basil, chives, coriander and parsley, or fill the tins with fresh soil and seeds following the packet instructions. Decorated plastic spoons make great plant markers.

Leave mouths ajar
Jam and condiment jars are two-a-penny in most households, but can be salvaged into something sensational. Besides the simple and satisfying task of painting and decorating them with stickers, sequins and ribbons to make storage pots and vases, you can also create a sensational glitter-free snow globe. Here’s how:
You’ll need:

Glass jar with lid (label soaked off and washed in hot soapy water)

Figurine (find something meaningful to the recipient, such as their favourite animal)

Waterproof craft glue

Bottled water (not tap, as this will go cloudy)

Glycerine or a drop of baby oil (to thicken the water and slow down the falling 'snow')

For the 'snow', try to avoid glitter as this is an environmentally harmful microplastic. Instead, use thick tin foil cut into tiny specks, colourful aquarium sand, or seashell flakes (whichever is easier to come by!)

Then:

Glue the figurine’s base onto the inside of the lid. Allow to dry completely

Almost fill the jar with the water and add a few drops of glycerine or baby oil

Pour in a couple of teaspoons of 'snow', and watch it slowly sink

Tighten the lid back on and place the jar upside down so the figurine is upright

NB: You may wish to glue the lid to permanently seal your snow globe!

We hope you enjoy getting stuck in!