Creating Christmas gifts with my kids

Last year I began a new tradition of helping my children make gifts for each other.  You can see what they made in 2009 HERE and HERE.  Wanting to keep things a little more simple, I suggested we try freezer paper stenciling t-shirts for each other.  I found t-shirts for the older three at Michaels for $2.50 each.  We got Baby's at Wal-Mart.  I helped them look online for inspiration.  My older daughter and son wanted to make an Iron Man themed for shirt for their younger brother.  (You've seen his Iron Man affinity HERE and HERE).  We found this image,

 and I helped them trace and cut the design on freezer paper.  The children did the painting.

For Big Brother, the younger two wanted to make a Star Wars shirt.  Since the lettering was pretty intricate, I made the stencil, and they painted it.

For Big Sis, the boys looked at a couple different store websites for inspiration.  They found a t-shirt at Crazy 8 they liked.  We copied the image (sorry the resolution wasn't great),

and I created an applique and freezer paper stencil.

Here is my younger boy painting.

For Baby, I showed the kids some ideas, and they fell in love with Traci's owl applique.  I cut out all the pieces, and the older two took turns helping me to sew the appliques on.  At this point, my youngest boy was done with helping.

Here are the results...forgive the wrinkles.  I've been keeping them tucked away in a bag in my closet. 

Each shirt turned out great.  Best part, the children each had a lot of input on both design and putting everything together.  They are wrapping them up today, and are excited to see each others' reactions.

Sharing with:

Blue Cricket Design, and Someday Crafts.