Filled with favorite photos, this is just the present for a relative or special family friend, particularly one your family sees less often than you'd like.

Materials

• Assorted photos
• Craft knife
• 4-ply and 2-ply rag board (sold at art supply stores)

• 26-inch-long piece of ribbon
• Colored paper
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Choose seven favorites from a stack of family photos.

2. Use a craft knife to cut two 5- by 6 1/2-inch rectangles from the 4-ply rag board for the book covers. For the inner pages, cut one 5- by 39-inch rectangle from the 2-ply rag board. Lightly mark 6 1/2-inch increments along the long edges of the 2-ply rag board, and accordion-fold the sheet at those marks Use a ruler edge to press the folds into sharp creases.

3. Lay the ribbon on a tabletop and center the folded rag board on top so that the side with three creases is on the left and lines up with the midpoint of the ribbon Apply glue to the top of the folded rag board. Then lay the left side of the ribbon over the glued page and top with one of the book covers, pressing firmly until well stuck. Flip over the book and use the same method to attach the right side of the ribbon and the back cover.

4. Now, cut the colored paper into seven 4- by 5 1/2-inch rectangles. Glue one onto the center of each page and the front cover. Then glue the photos onto the colored paper. Finally, print the year on the front cover.

Tips:

Open the album into a full circle, tie the ribbon binding into a bow and it's ready to display on an end table or dresser.

Here's a special treat for the sweet tooth on a child's list: a coffee mug filled with the fixings for a delicious, near-instant cupcake for one. Teachers, sitters, relatives, and neighbors will love this creative (and yummy!) gift so much, they'll probably ask for the recipe as well.

Materials

• One 1-pound, 2 1/4-ounce packaged cake mix -- yellow, devil's food, or spice flavor
• 16 plastic sandwich bags and twist ties
• Glaze mix (see below)
• 16 adhesive labels

• 8 large microwave-safe ceramic coffee mugs (1 1/2 cups or larger)
• 8 index cards
• Ribbon, scissors

Instructions

1. For a batch of 8 cupcake gifts, empty the dry cake mix into a large bowl. Help your child place 1/2-cup portions of the cake mix into plastic sandwich bags and close them with a twist tie. Then, using the list of glaze options below, she can fill 8 more bags with 1/3 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of the appropriate glaze ingredients. She should label the bags "cake mix" and "glaze mix."

2. Have your child copy the Cup Cake directions onto the index cards. She can then use ribbon to tie one cake mix and one glaze mix bag together with each card, and set them inside a mug.

3. Directions for Cup Cake: Generously spray the inside of the mug with cooking spray. Empty the contents of the cake mix bag into the cup. Add 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, and 1 1/2 tablespoons of water. Mix well, approximately 1 minute. Microwave for 2 minutes on full power or until cooked through. Use a pot holder to remove the cup from the microwave and allow the cake to cool for 1 minute. In a small container, combine the glaze mix ingredients with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water, mixing well. Pour the glaze over the cake and enjoy!

Variations:

Make one batch of glaze for all eight cakes: YELLOW CAKE GLAZE: 2 2/3 cups of confectioners' sugar mixed with 1/4 cup of pink strawberry drink mix or cocoa powder. DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE GLAZE: 2 2/3 cups of confectioners' sugar mixed with 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. SPICE CAKE GLAZE: 2 2/3 cups of confectioners' sugar and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts.

This casting project may take a day or two to complete, but the end product -- a pretty holder for jewelry, coins or other collectibles -- will make a lasting impression on whomever your child bestows it.

Materials

• An apple, a small acorn squash or an old baseball
• 2 to 3 10-inch wooden kabob sticks
• Plastic bucket for mixing

• Paint stirrer
• 2 lbs of plaster of Paris
• Acrylic paints and paintbrushes

Instructions

1. First, prepare the mold by trimming the sides of the carton or tub so that they are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall.

2. Next, partially insert the kabob sticks into the center of the object you plan to cast, evenly spacing them around the circumference (with hard objects, you may have to hammer starter holes with a small nail). Rub Vaseline on the portion of the apple or squash that will be submerged in plaster (skip this step if you're using a baseball). Then rest the skewers on the sides of the mold.

3. Use the bucket and stirrer to mix the plaster according to the package directions. Slowly pour the mixture between the object and the carton walls until one third of the object is submerged (no more, or the object will be hard to remove later). Gently tap the mold on a table to release air bubbles.

4. After one hour, lift the object from the plaster. Carefully remove the mold and let the casting cure completely (about 24 hours). Then prime the plaster with shellac or spray matte, let it dry and the casting is ready to paint. For the best effect, use a contrasting color to accent the hollowed portion. Or sponge a darker hue on the top and sides once the base coat dries.

Top off gifts with these handmade gift tags that double as bookmarks.

Materials

• 8- by 2 1/2-inch piece of card stock
• Craft knife
• Glue
• Pencil

• Colored markers
• Con-Tact paper
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Draw a simple shape, such as a fish, a flower or a curvy earthworm on the card stock.

2. With a craft knife, cut out the shape (a parent's job) and discard it. Next, glue the card stock onto a slightly larger piece of card stock that's been cut from a contrasting color.

3. Use markers to color in the design and print the name of the person who will be receiving the gift.

4. Make a hole in one end of the tag and tie a loop of ribbon through it for tying the tag to its package. Finally, laminate the tags with Con-Tact paper to make them long lasting.

These glamorous rings look so good, the recipients might not even guess they're homemade. Kids can customize them with their favorite beads, and an elastic band means they'll fit any finger (or toe!). They make great gifts for aunts, grandmoms, and friends.

Materials

• Clear elastic beading cord
• Scissors

• Beads

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of elastic. To make the beading easier, we started with a 10-inch length for an adult's ring finger and a 6-inch length for a child's pinkie.

2. Thread the bead or beads onto the elastic (for our larger ring, we used 18).

3. Using a helper's finger as a guide, knot together the ends. Finally, trim the ends and slide the knot into the middle of a bead so it's hidden from sight.

The wreath can symbolize the circle of friendship, which makes this decorative sun catcher just the gift for almost anyone on your family's list.

Materials

• 16- to 20-gauge silver-colored craft wire
• Wire cutters
• Translucent plastic beads (with center holes large enough to thread the wire through)

• Ribbon
• Fishing line or monofilament

Instructions

1. Cut the wire to a length that will form a loop the size of the wreath you plan to make plus 6 inches (16-gauge wire works best for larger wreaths).

2. Curl one end to keep the beads from sliding off, then thread on the beads from the opposite end.

3. Twist the wire ends together to close the circle and wrap the loose ends around the wire between the beads.

4. Tie on a ribbon and a loop of fishing line or monofilament for a hanger.