Tips for Christmas crafts with the kids

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With the holidays approaching adults and kids alike are looking for that perfect gift for loved ones. For kids, a hand-made craft can mean more than anything money can buy.

But making the right gift does require the right know-how.

For a clay ornament or bowl, Dave Kilvans from FirePit Ceramics in North Austin provided these suggestions:

1. Use polymer clay or FIMO or some type of air-dry clay, easily found at most local arts and craft stores.
2. Roll out about 8 ounces of clay into 1/2" thick slab utilizing a rolling pin.
3. Put some texture into the clay using stamps or sponges or anything you can find around the house.
4. Get a cookie cutter and cut out your shape, such as a candy cane, star or Christmas wreath.
5. Using a needle tool or the end of a scissors, put a hole at the top of the ornament for some ribbon to hang the finished ornament.
6. In order to paint your piece once it's dry, you can use acrylic paints found at most local art stores, and brushes that suit your needs.
7. Have fun and, above all, be CREATIVE!!

FirePit will hold "Santa's Workshops" over 3 weeks in December to help kids make their own Christmas gifts. You can check out the classes online.