What about making a placemat? Cut strips ahead of time out of Christmas fabric - really wide, then they can sew them together. Flip and Sew QAYG style onto a fabric foundation.
Make extra wide "binding" they can fold in half leghtwise, then tuck edges to center of lengthwise. With being really wide, and tucking into the center against the fold, even if they sew it on all wonky, it should still catch.
Make the length about twice as long as needed, so it can be tied into a bow at the top of the square to make a "gift box" placemat.
Maybe be sure that the fabric for the binding is near the center of the strips. Before adding the binding, add one strip horizontally across all fabrics (tuck edges under, they can sew on both edges to secure). This would add to the look of the gift box.