Manualidades navideñas: bolas y portafotos para el árbol

What does “manualidad” mean in Spanish?

In this Christmas craft video, the host finishes a homemade ornament and says, “Esta manualidad es muy sencilla.” A manualidad is something you make with your hands — a small project, often for fun, for kids, or as a gift. The host calls it “sencilla” (simple) and “original” at the same time: in Spanish, easy and creative are not opposites. When you hear this word, a hands-on homemade craft is coming.

In the clip: “Esta manualidad es muy sencilla, pero a la vez muy original.” — “This craft is very simple, but at the same time very original.” More examples: “A mi hija le encantan las manualidades.” (My daughter loves crafts.) — “Hoy hacemos una manualidad de Navidad.” (Today we make a Christmas craft.) — “Necesitas papel y tijeras para esta manualidad.” (You need paper and scissors for this craft.) You will often hear the plural form, “manualidades,” for crafts as a hobby or a school subject.