Unique gifts made from natural materials
Children always enjoy creating gifts for their loved ones from found objects. The book «Naturgeschenke zu jeder Jahreszeit» shows how to create little treasures from natural materials.
Gifts made from natural materials are not only beautiful, they are also unique. Because every stone, every flower and every piece of wood exists only once. What's more, apart from a few resources, you can find everything for free on your own doorstep. In her book, Helena Arendt presents 75 natural gifts that will bring joy to children and recipients alike.
Organised in the course of the year, original gifts such as scented sachets, cough drops or funny stick figures are created from flowers, leaves and grasses, seeds, vegetables and fruit, wood, sand and stones.
We have selected two winter ideas for you from the many wonderful nature gifts.
1. grain snacks for birds
Delicious snacks for birds can be moulded very easily in silicone bundt cake moulds. Silicone moulds are soft and have the advantage that you can easily remove the finished granola snacks. However, you can of course also use moulds made from a different material.
That's what it takes:
- Small bundt cake baking tins
- Grains such as millet, sunflowers, peanuts, linseed, oatmeal ...
- Coconut oil
- Pot
- Cord
- Spread the seed mixture into the moulds to just below the rim.
- Heat the coconut oil in a small pan until it is liquid.
- Pour the liquid fat into the moulds.
- The grains should be covered with it.
- Leave the snacks to harden.
- Turn the moulds upside down and remove the snacks. Hang them up on a string outside.
2. pecks made from clothes pegs
The funny, colourful peckers made from clothes pegs are real all-rounders: they close open bags of flour and sugar, decorate presents or simply cheekily cling to this and that. With their funny faces and comical hairstyles, they really put everyone in a good mood.
Tips:
- Wooden pegs are available in different sizes - perfect for children and adults to make things with!
- You can paint the tiny little teeth with a toothpick. To do this, simply dip the tip of the toothpick in white acrylic paint.
- The hairstyles should be made from dry natural material, then they will last forever. You can attach them with craft glue.
- Clipped to a branch, the little tots stand upright without falling over and make a pretty table decoration.
Nature gifts for every season
Spring, summer, autumn or winter: With «Nature gifts for every season», children aged five and over will find great ideas for giving gifts to family and friends and getting closer to their environment at the same time.
Helena Arendt is an art teacher and works as a freelance artist on La Palma and in Münster. She has already shown her sculptures and jewellery at various exhibitions. She runs courses for children and young people and organises workshops for adults.
The book costs 28 francs and is available here.
