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How to Create a Cozy Christmas Morning with Kids (That’s Calm, Joyful, and Full of Magic)

By Nancy ~
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There’s something truly special about Christmas morning. The excitement, the sparkle in your kids’ eyes, the smell of something baking in the oven—it’s the kind of moment that lives in your heart forever. But if I’m being honest, Christmas morning can also feel a little overwhelming. The early wake-ups, the gift chaos, the sugar rush… and before you know it, the magic starts feeling like stress. That’s why a few years ago, I decided to slow down and be intentional about how our family celebrates Christmas morning. My goal was simple: to make it cozy, memorable, and meaningful for my 12-year-old son and my 6-year-old daughter—and to enjoy it myself, too. If you’ve ever felt like Christmas morning flies by in a blur, this post is for you. Here’s exactly how to create a cozy, joy-filled Christmas morning your kids will remember for years (without the overwhelm). Step 1: Start with a Calm Christmas Eve The secret to a cozy Christmas morning actually begins the night before. We do ...
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Best Holiday Craft Kits for Kids (That Parents Actually Don’t Regret Buying!)

By Nancy ~

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog

If you’re anything like me, the holidays are equal parts magic and… craft-supply chaos. I love seeing my kids light up when they make something festive, but I don’t love the glitter avalanche that hangs around the living room until Easter. So I tested and hunted down holiday craft kits that actually deliver on the joy without turning your house into a craft tornado. Every kit below is available on Amazon (I checked), and I’ve included quick pros/cons so you can pick the right fit for your family.

Why the right holiday craft kit matters

Parents want three things from a holiday craft kit: it has to be age-appropriate, genuinely engaging, and — ideally — low drama to clean up. The wrong kit leaves you holding a box of half-used stickers and a kid who’s bored after five minutes. The right one becomes a memory: a handmade ornament, a goofy gingerbread house, or a stack of heartfelt cards to send Grandma.

Below I’ll recommend kits across ages and mess-levels, plus quick tips to prep, extend, and store the finished projects.

My top picks (tested with my own tiny chaos crew)

1) Melissa & Doug — Decorate-Your-Own Christmas Ornaments

Why I love it: Classic, durable, and actually beautiful when finished. These kits give kids real, paintable ornaments that look great on the tree year after year. Great for ages 4+ and a sweet keepsake.
Quick pros: High-quality shapes, paints included, low-ish mess (brush painting beats glitter).
Quick cons: Little kids will still need help with ribbons and small details.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

2) Creativity for Kids — Beaded Snowflake Ornaments

Why I love it: These are excellent for fine-motor skills and make sparkly tree decorations the kids are proud of. The sets often include everything you need and produce multiple ornaments.
Quick pros: Engaging, repeatable (multiple ornaments), classroom-party friendly.
Quick cons: Many small beads — keep away from toddlers.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

3) Christmas Color Dough Set for Kids - Clay Set for Kids Ages 4-8

Why I love it: For preschoolers who love squishing and building, this Dough set kit is the perfect low-stakes, high-fun option. No sticky frosting, no melty candy — pure fun.
Quick pros: The material of this dough toys is wheat flour, salt and water, which is safe for kids.

Quick cons: Older kids may prefer “real” decorating.

Available on Amazon. Amazon

4) Classic Gingerbread House Kits (pre-baked or craft-style)

Why I love it: If you want the authentic holiday-decorating vibe, a pre-baked gingerbread kit gives kids the real deal (and parents the joy of watching them strategize candy placement). Choose craft-style foam kits for less sugar and less melt-downs.
Quick pros: Family tradition; great for older kids.
Quick cons: Sticky/crumbly; requires supervision and surface protection.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

5) Crayola — Inspiration Art Case / Create & Carry Art Sets

Why I love it: These are holiday gifts that keep giving — markers, crayons, coloring spaces — perfect for quiet crafting afternoons or travel. They’re ideal for kids who love open-ended art rather than one finished product.
Quick pros: Huge variety of tools, minimal setup, travel-friendly.
Quick cons: Not “holiday-themed” on its own — but excellent as a base for holiday projects.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

6) Holiday Card-Making Kits

Why I love it: A practical, heartfelt craft: kids make cards that actually get mailed. Great for broad age ranges and especially good for classrooms or group activities.
Quick pros: Low-mess, teachable moment (writing, gratitude), lots of finished keepsakes.
Quick cons: Younger kids may need help with writing.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

7) Sewing Kit for Kids - Christmas 

Why I love it: It’s one of those rare craft kits that’s both fun and meaningful. Kids end up with adorable handmade ornaments they can proudly hang on the tree year after year. Plus, it’s mess-free, screen-free, and teaches a real skill—something you don’t always get with holiday crafts.

Quick pros: Encourages focus, patience, and fine motor skills.
Quick cons: Younger kids may need help threading the needles.
Available on Amazon and toy stores. Amazon

8) Bulk Classroom/Party Craft Packs (stockings)

Why I love it: If you’re prepping a class party or a holiday playdate, bulk craft packs make it easy — everything arrives in one box, and kids can make simple projects in 15–20 minutes.
Quick pros: Cheap per kid, fast setup.
Quick cons: Less “special” than a branded kit.
Available on Amazon. Amazon

How to choose the right kit for your family

  1. Match the kit to the kid — fine-motor beads? Great for ages 6+. Foam stickers and large stamps? Toddler-friendly.

  2. Decide how much mess you’ll tolerate — more glitter = more magic = more cleanup. Choose paint-on ornaments or Play-Doh for less glitter fallout.

  3. Think about longevity — do you want a one-day project (gingerbread) or something that becomes a yearly keepsake (ornament)?

  4. Check the included supplies — does it include glue, paint, brushes, and string? If not, add them to your cart before the kids get excited.

  5. Batch size — for classrooms and parties, buy bulk packs; for gift-giving, pick the nicer branded kits.

Quick prep tips so the kit doesn’t prep you

  • Lay down a plastic tablecloth or a cookie sheet — it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps small parts contained.

  • Sort pieces into muffin tins or small bowls so kids can pick and create without losing things.

  • Have wet wipes and a damp cloth nearby — instant rescue for sticky fingers.

  • Set a reasonable time limit (30–45 minutes). Most kids are happy-makers for that long, then they’re done — and so are you.

Bonus: How to make the activity last longer

  • Turn ornament-making into a mini “craft night” with cocoa and holiday music.

  • For card kits, schedule a mailing party — kids pick a recipient and address/write together.

  • After gingerbread decorating, have a judging round with silly awards (most colorful, most symmetrical, best use of gummy bears).

Final Thoughts

If you want a low-regret purchase that still creates holiday sparkle: go for a Melissa & Doug ornament kit or a Creativity for Kids beaded ornament kit (keepsakes, limited mess). For preschoolers who’ll play for hours, Christmas Color Dough Set is a winner. If you want value for a crowd, the bulk party craft packs are lifesavers for classrooms and playdates. And if you want a present that keeps giving, the Crayola art sets are evergreen.

All the kits I recommended are sold on Amazon — check their product pages for current pricing and fast shipping. 

Ready to make this holiday season less chaotic and more crafty? Head to Amazon, pick one kit that fits your child’s age and your tolerance for glitter, and schedule a holiday craft night!

I’d love to hear from you — what holiday craft ruined your house, and which one saved it? Leave a comment below and tell me your favorite kit, any clever prep hacks, or a disaster story so we can laugh about it together.

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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.



~With love,

Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️

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