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Last updated on May 9th, 2026 at 08:39 pm
Only one week left until the Holiday Break and you haven’t had time to help your students put together a gift for their parents. Sound familiar? With all the things that happen during this time of year in the classroom and at home, it’s easy to lose track of time. But you’re in luck! I have a solution for you. These 5 last minute holiday gifts are sure to make any parent smile and, even better, they’ll be done in time to send home in less than a week!
1. A Holiday Card
This is the simplest gift on the list! There are many options for having students create a creative and thoughtful card for their parents. The card can be as easy as letting students choose a holiday-colored piece of construction paper and folding it in half. Then, the students will decorate the card and write a heartfelt holiday message. You can come up with examples with your students and write them on the board for them to copy. Older students can come up with their own message. Otherwise, click on the button below for some cute cards to make from The Joy of Sharing!
2. Coupon Book
I remember making one of these to give to my parents when I was a kid! And they are still a great gift idea! All you have to do is create a sheet of paper with rectangle outlines on it. Then, students can use markers or colored pencils to create coupons for their parents. Examples are: Good for 1 Car Wash, Free Back Rub, Make You Breakfast in Bed, A Giant Hug, Play a Game of Your Choice, Do the Dishes, Take the Trash Out etc. Have the students save one rectangle to design a cover for their coupon book. Then, the students will cut them out, stack them up placing the cover on top, and staple the pages together. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of whipping up a quick template, you can use this free one from Simply Kinder!
3. Ornament Keepsake
This gift has a couple options. Select to use either holiday-colored yarn or ribbon. Choose what you have available. Then, use the yarn or ribbon to measure the height of each student. Cut off the yarn/ribbon at the exact height of the student. Then, this cut piece can be used to make an ornament. It can be placed in a glass or plastic ball ornament, which would cost a little bit of money, or you can print an ornament on cardstock, laminate it, and tie the cut piece around the ornament. Click the bottom button for an adorable height ornament with fingerprints from Glued to My Crafts!
4. Student Picture in a Craft Stick or Foam Frame
Use up some of those craft sticks lying around by gluing four together in a frame shape. Make as many needed for your class. Then, let your students use dots of glue to glue on holiday confetti or small pom-poms, or let them decorate the frame with glitter glue. Next, take a cute photo of each student and print them to the size of the frame. Laminate the photo, if you choose. Then, attach the photo to the frame by taping the backside to the frame. Finally, you may choose to attach a string to the top to hang the frame from, or attach a magnet to the back. Keep in mind this project will take more than one day. Most likely, 3-4. Unless, you have foam frames. Then, you can cut down the time by a day because you will not have to assemble the craft stick frames and wait for them to dry. Check out these links for materials: craft sticks, confetti, pom-poms, glitter glue, foam frames. Join Amazon Prime to get your items within 2 days!
5. Handprint Potholder
I placed this option at the bottom of the list because while quick, it will cost the most money. For this gift, you will need solid-colored pot holders and craft paint. Paint your students’ hands and help them place them onto the pot holder. Lift students’ hands carefully and have them wash their hands. Student can, then, paint their name and the year onto the pot holder. For young students, you may want to paint the name and the year. Note: only one handprint may fit for an older student.
Conclusion
Make your students’ parents’ Christmas day a little brighter by selecting one of these 5 last minute holiday gifts to make with your students! It’s always fun to spend a little time making holiday gifts with your students. It’s a nice break from the endless push for academics. Enjoy this time with your students! Merry Christmas!
My next new post will not be until after the new year as I take time to spend with my family to celebrate and recharge! I hope you will do the same. Check out my post on You Do You This Winter Break for tips!