Be Aware 
Handmade Gifts are a Labour of Love
“A hand-made gift holds not just thoughtful wishes, but the labour of love that a store-bought gift just can’t match up to,” says Jasmine Koh, founder of Gift Wrapsody, a gift boutique which stocks Do-It-Yourself kits for crafting custom-made presents.
With no doubt that working together on a gift project can be a fun way for dads and kids to bond, Jasmine shares some of the key factors when you are choosing one:
1. Quick Project
A good gift project should have less than five steps and not take longer than 30 minutes. A child does not have a long attention span. As such, a quick project will mean avoiding a situation in which you will need to coax the child to complete the project.
2. Easy Enough for the Child
Read through the steps and assess if your child has the motor skills required to participate and be engaged meaningfully otherwise he or she might be easily frustrated.
3. Minimal Mess
Select a project that results in minimal clutter, as a very messy project can be overwhelming and discourage you from attempting to try another project ever again.
4. A Gift that Pleases
The final outcome should result in a gift that looks presentable and will delight the recipient.
5. A Gift that Surprises
Surprises are not easy to engineer but always touching when pulled off. If the gift is something that is particularly meaningful, it will elicit a heartfelt response, one that tells you and your child that you have brightened up a special person’s day.
Having worked with children for several years, Jasmine encourages dads to simply enjoy the process and not be too focused on the results. She shares the following tips:
1. Do not try to achieve perfection. Rather, enjoy the opportunity to bond and laugh with your child.
2. Be slow to offer help when you see your child struggling a little with the task but assist when asked.
Gift Ideas for Grandparents
Grandparents adore their grandkids and like to be constantly reminded of them. This holiday, get your children think of what they can make for Grandpa and Grandma.
Come up with something that is personalised and celebrates their bond. Consider custom-making a bookmark for Grandpa. Or, make a handbag with a monogram of Grandma’s name.
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These are the kits for this project.
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Use a disposable sauce plate for easy cleanup later.
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Steady now, but don't worry if its not perfect.
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Dad keeps an eye out for safety.
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Almost done.
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There we go!
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For Further Inspiration
To fire up your imagination on gift projects, Jasmine recommends that dads check out Made by Joel for its “free printables that stimulate imaginative play.”
Joel Henriques is an American dad who writes about the fun he has with his kids. An artist by profession, he generously publishes online, colouring sheets and cut-outs of paper cities.
Jasmine explains why Joel’s paper cities are so popular, “They look great in black and white but also make a fun colouring activity for girls who naturally enjoy doing that more than boys.”
Presenting the Presents
Why not make the way you package the gift, part of the gift project too?
In her blog, Jasmine shares about innovative ways to package the gift you made. For the coming Chinese New Year, try placing homemade pastries and goodies in bamboo steaming trays (like the ones used to serve Dim Sum).
There are many other websites with cool ideas on how to let gift recipients know that you really had them in mind when you put it all together.
For those who love travelling, wrap their present in a map that you are no longer using. There is bound to be one stashed away in your shelves from a trip you took long ago.
For nature lovers or Greenies, wrap their presents in leaves. Or, use simple brown paper bags, and adorn with twine, grass or flowers.
If Grandpa likes collecting stamps, get your child to create special packaging for his present by placing stamps all over a piece of piece of ‘mahjong’ paper. Of course that means you have to start collecting stamps early, or appeal to friends to hand over some stamps.
Go to Homemade Gifts Made Easy for a comprehensive list of gift wrapping techniques, ideas and instructions.
Most men find gift wrapping a chore. Fret not, RealSimple.com suggests 24 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas.
When it comes to gift-making, Jasmine puts it aptly, “In a society where time has become a truly precious commodity and gift making is a lost craft, a hand-made gift is priceless indeed.”
Where to find materials for your project:
1. Some places to buy materials for your gift projects include Art Friend, Paper Market, and Popular Bookstore.
2. There are “budget” shops that stock materials for your gift projects. Think of Daiso, Japan Home and your neighbourhood value-dollar shop.
3. Besides stores selling craft material, you may also to places where you will find hardware. If you are looking for wires or duct tape, try Home-Fix, Homely or your neighbourhood hardware shop.
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With the pressures of examinations out of the way, the year-end holidays make for a great opportunity to spend extended time with your children. Plan your schedule well, so that you make time to bond over activities and get to know them better. Share with your children the joy of giving by sharing your time or resources to loved ones and worthy causes.
Quick Reads
Dads for Life compiles a snapshot of fathers and their holiday plans, activities, and reflections.
Show your children how to choose suitable presents to express what they think or feel about a person or occasion. Here are eight great nuggets of wisdom on giving.
How does a dad choose a gift project to do with his kids? Here are five fabulous tips.
Unearths eight great gift projects that will get you bonding with your kids. In the process, store up a decent stash of presents for friends and family.
Taking your family to an exciting destination for a fun vacation stay is possible with less than SG$150/pax. Here is how we do it!
In an e-mail interview, Fandi Ahmad shares with Dads for Life about his roles as Singapore’s favourite football son, player, coach and now dad. He also talks about holiday activities with his children.
Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Vice-President of SINDA, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Moves and Former Nominated Member of Parliament, shares about how his family reinforces their bonds through holidays.
Hungry Monkey, a Food-loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater, makes eating fun. Author, Matthew Amster-Burton, a restaurant critic and food writer, did not put aside his self-identity as a bona-fide foodie once he became a dad. Rather, he embarked on an amazing adventure which he called a “second honeymoon with food.”
Whatever you think of the word “geek”, this book is for you. Packed with projects that will suit any timeframe and budget, Ken Denmead’s book will surely convert you into one -a Geekdad, at least. With your kids, find interesting solutions for problems that can be solved in a more mundane fashion. Play, build and learn together.
Have a thought or insight? Read more and talk on this Theme here! |
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
