i had what i think is a cute idea for little ones to make, but i didn't put it in the teacher thread, b/c i think it is more of a grandparent-esque gift, iykwim:)
anyways, i was looking at those yankee candle jar toppers...so cute, but so expensive for what they are and i realized how easy and cheap kids could make them themselves.
i brought the kids to walmart and they picked out a ton of those small $1 jar candles (you could go all out and get the big $5 ones too of course;) ...they just need to have a flat glass top. then at michael's we bought sno-tek, clear glitter, and a bunch of little figurines. this week they had the xmas figurines 50% off (little squirrels, carolers, etc...the things that go with the Christmas village stuff they sell.
All you do is paint a layer of sno-tek onto the jar lid (enough to look like snow), sprinkle on some glitter, then stick a figurine on top. if you buy the candles at walmart, look for the ones that say easy peel on the label...we peeled off the labels and replaced it with Christmasy scrapbook paper, but you could do a ribbon or whatever else.