Handmade Christmas gift ideas recommended for 1-year-olds
Christmas makes both adults and children fidgety with excitement.
Kids are surely looking forward to Santa’s visit.
Many families probably talk with their children, saying things like, “Do you know who Santa is? You see, Christmas is…”
This article gathers gift ideas recommended for parents who are wondering what to choose as a Christmas present from Santa.
All the gifts can be handmade, and we’re featuring ones suitable for one-year-olds.
Try making something by hand that your child will love and be delighted to receive.
Handmade Christmas gift ideas recommended for 1-year-olds (1–10)
Christmas tree
How about making a handmade Christmas tree? Using felt to craft one together as a parent and child could become a wonderful memory.
You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.
Cut the felt into a fan shape and roll it up to form a tree.
Add a star and decorations, and your cute mini tree is complete.
Choose felt in your child’s favorite colors, or attach sparkly beads to suit their taste.
While enjoying the Christmas atmosphere, you’ll likely deepen your parent-child bond as well.
The finished tree is sure to become a cherished memory.
slope toy
How about making a handmade slope toy that will bring smiles to both one-year-olds and adults? You can create it using familiar materials like cardboard, milk cartons, and empty capsule toy cases! If you’re thinking about a handmade Christmas present, be sure to use this as inspiration.
A slope toy is simple in structure but packed with different ways to play.
Children can track with their eyes, roll with their hands, or stop the pieces—helping develop fine motor skills and concentration! Another great thing about handmade toys is that you can freely customize them to suit your child’s preferences.
first shoes
Introducing handmade first shoes that make a perfect gift for a one-year-old who’s just started walking! Amazingly, you can even make them with materials from a 100-yen shop, so why not give it a try? First shoes lovingly handmade will become a lasting memory.
The outer fabric of the shoes uses suede scraps, and the lining is cotton, suitable for babies who tend to sweat.
The method involves cutting the pieces according to the pattern and sewing them together with a sewing machine.
You can also customize the color combinations and decorations to suit your child’s gender and style!
baby backpack
Introducing an adorable baby backpack that’s perfect for the first-birthday “issho mochi” celebration! You can get all the materials at a 100-yen shop.
For the outer fabric, we recommend using quilted fabric or adding fusible interfacing.
Since the belt portion is thick, hand-sewing works well.
For toddlers who are just starting to walk, having a backpack on their back can act as a cushion if they start to fall backward, giving you peace of mind.
Pop in their favorite toys or snacks and head out for a little stroll!
cloth picture book
How about giving a cloth picture book as a Christmas gift—something that will become a lasting memory for both your child and you? It may take some effort to make, but precisely because of the time you put into it, it could become a lifelong treasure for your child.
For the book’s fabric, felt is recommended because it’s gentle on the skin and easy to handle, even for beginners at sewing.
If you’re gifting it to a one-year-old, consider finishing it like an educational activity book that lets your child use their fingers and mind.
Adding removable parts with snaps, buttons, and hook-and-loop fasteners, as well as pockets or shoelaces, can make it even more fun!
Handmade educational toy
Isn’t your one-year-old starting to show interest in everyday objects? This time, we’re introducing educational toys you can make from used boxes, cans, and plastic bottles! The great thing is you can recycle items you already have at home.
For example, playing with a toy made from a can and a stick helps develop the action of “hitting.” Using a box and balls helps children learn the action of “dropping.” In this way, we can support your child’s growth using familiar, everyday materials.
clothes
Have you ever thought about making clothes by hand for your child? You might want to, but it can feel a bit daunting… If that’s you, we recommend a kids’ all-in-one! With its roomy body and easy on-and-off design, an all-in-one is perfect for fast-growing babies.
It’s also great because you can customize it—add or remove sleeves, choose long pants or shorts, and more.
Plus, by changing the fabric pattern, it can work for both boys and girls, making it an ideal gift.
Handmade clothes can last as cherished keepsakes, deepening those special parent-child memories over time.