Last-minute shopping and wrapping gifts in a frenzy are familiar faces as we head into the holiday season. But they don’t have to be!
This year, why not give homemade gifts a try? Opting for DIY Christmas gifts can make your holiday more merry and bright by:
- Saving your family some money.
- Reminding your family that Christmas isn’t about giving or getting the most expensive gifts.
- Teaching your children new skills, like baking or sewing.
- Nurturing your children’s existing talents and giving them an opportunity to utilize them.
- Learning how to make Christmas memorable on a budget.
Without further ado, here’s our list of homemade Christmas gift ideas that are easy, affordable, and meaningful!
1. Family Cookbook
If you’re from a family of chefs or bakers, compile your family’s favorite recipes into a printed and personalized recipe book!
Simply ask the aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family for their recipes, type them out, print them up, then bind the pages together. Get those secret recipes in writing and keep them in the family forever!
2. Bar Soap
Consumable gifts, like soap, are an optimal gift option during the holiday season. At a time when people accumulate so much “stuff,” something usable that won’t take up much space is always appreciated!
There are many ways to make soap at home. Common ingredients include olive oil, coconut oil, lye, and essential oils. Click here to learn more about soapmaking!
3. Picture Frames
From sentimental moms to lovers of wall art and home design, picture frames make a lovely present! Instead of running to your local big-box retailer for new frames, stop by your neighborhood thrift or secondhand store.
There are always plenty of picture frames piled up at these places! Grab your favorites, then dress them up with chalk paint and other craft supplies. Good as new—maybe even better than new!
4. Mug Mixers
Calling all coffee and hot cocoa lovers! These simple stirring spoons will make your morning sippers smile.
Melt chocolate chips, candy melts, or caramel in a bowl, then toss in your choice of toppings: crushed peppermint candy, toffee bits, mint chocolate chunks, and sea salt are some common picks. Dip a wooden or plastic spoon into your mix, then place on wax paper to harden.
Dress it up by wrapping it in a treat bag with ribbon, then pairing it with a mug and coffee grounds or hot cocoa mix!
5. Stamped Tea Towels
These tea towels are the festive finishing touch a table needs for the holidays! Pour acrylic paint onto paper plates, dip Christmas cookie cutters into the paint, then press onto flour sack tea towels. You can stamp a pattern, use a paintbrush to fill in the shapes, or keep it simple with a few stamps.
Gift them to neighbors, friends, or family—on their own or paired with baking mix, cookie cutters, or another kitchen addition!
6. Photo Calendar
Everyone needs an updated calendar before the new year begins. Why not make schedules more special with a personalized photo calendar? All you need to do is select your calendar size, upload your images, then add any extras—like fancy fonts and digital designs.
You can create your own calendar on many websites online, but some popular picks are Shutterfly, Vistaprint, and Mixbook!
7. Sugar Scrub
Most simple sugar scrubs include four primary ingredients: sugar, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils. Additional touches like dried flowers, citrus zests, or colorants can be mixed in, too! Click here for a few easy recipes.
Once your sugar scrub is ready, pack it into a small glass jar for gifting. Top it off with a mini scoop or spoon, then pair it with some face masks, lip balm, and cozy socks!
8. Planter
If you’ve pulled the name of someone with a green thumb, make a pretty planter for herbs or flowers!
Paint the bottom half of a wooden planter with black chalkboard paint, fill four buckets with polished rocks and potting soil, then place a plant into each bucket. Finally, use chalk or chalkboard markers to indicate which plant is which. Quick, easy, and unique!
For the full tutorial and supply list, click here.
9. Custom Coaster Set
Everyone needs a solid set of coasters to keep the stains away. Why not use your creativity to make them one of a kind?
Cut crepe or tissue paper into shapes and form a pattern or picture. Apply Mod Podge to a wooden coaster, place your pieces onto the wooden coaster, then apply another layer of Mod Podge on top to seal it. If you’d rather, you can always paint them instead!
10. Bath Salts
For self-care experts and relaxation cravers, bath salts are the best presents! Better yet, they’re pretty easy to whip up yourself.
All you need are Epsom salts, sea salt, baking soda, and essential oils! Click here for specific measurements and essential oil blends with health and wellness benefits.
11. Layered Jar Mixes
From soups and stews to cookies and cocoa, you can make the task much quicker by gifting jars with all the ingredients!
Fill a jar with the dry ingredients of your favorite recipe. Attach a tag with the full recipe and directions, plus measuring cups or spoons for extra pizzazz!
Check out this book for recipe ideas.
12. Painted Reusable Bags
Canvas tote bags are incredibly versatile items. You can use them for library runs, a day at the pool, and as a replacement for plastic shopping bags!
Add a unique touch to a plain canvas tote bag with liquid dye, hot water, and some salt. Pour liquid dye into a bucket of hot water, stir in some salt, then dip the tote bag into the mixture.
Once the tote bag is in the bucket, hold it in place for a few minutes. Then, lift the bag slightly and hold in place again. Repeat until you’ve achieved your desired ombre look!
13. Candles
Candles are easier to make than you might think! All you need are a few candle-making basics: wax, wicks, and fragrance.
Heat the wax, add fragrance, place your wick into your container of choice—try mason jars, teacups, or glassware—then pour in the wax! Use popsicle sticks to keep the wick in place. Let your candle cool completely, trim the wick, then your candle is ready to gift!
Click here for more detailed directions and here for recipe inspiration.
14. Kitchen Utensil Set
Could your favorite chef use new kitchen equipment? Spruce up a plain set of wooden utensils with a little paint!
Use a piece of painter’s tape to separate the heads from the handles. With a foam paintbrush, apply paint to each handle. Once dry, seal with a food-safe finish.
15. Heating Pad
From pain relief to keeping warm, heating pads are a staple for healing at home. There are multiple methods to make them, and every one of them is easy!
You can fill fun patterned socks with rice, then tie them up with matching ribbon. You can also use a pillowcase or scrap fabric to sew a square, fill it with rice, then sew the open end. Click here for more methods and directions!
16. Themed Gift Baskets
Gift baskets are a fun and easy way to combine a collection of smaller pieces that make one big present! They’re completely customizable and add a personal touch underneath the tree.
Need gift basket ideas? Take your lead from the recipient’s interests! Try a barbeque basket with grilling utensils and seasonings. What about a comfort basket with candles, a blanket, and cozy socks? Make a movie night basket with popcorn, snacks, and a movie theater gift card!
17. Homemade Goodies & Treats
You can’t beat a homemade treat! Jams in jars, specialty breads, chocolate-dipped pretzels, shortbread cookies, and other baked goods make great gifts.
Pack them into a pretty package, wrap ‘em up, and add a tag!
18. Floral Arrangement
Flowers are a whole lot prettier when they last all year long! Pick up a few bunches of silk flowers from your local craft store, then arrange them in a thrifted vase. Your arrangement will make a stunning centerpiece!
Another option with silk flowers? Assemble a wreath instead of putting together a flower arrangement!
19. Trivet Set
Hot pads and trivets are crucial kitchen components. You can never have too many, especially if you spend your days crafting delicious dishes!
If you have a knack with hooks and needles, try knitting or crocheting a trivet set. Or for a more unique look, make them out of felt balls. Click here for the tutorial!
20. Custom Christmas Ornament
Make your loved ones’ Christmas trees complete with a custom Christmas ornament!
Simply fill a clear glass or plastic ornament with pom poms, feathers, sequins, paint, and any other material you can think of. Fast, easy, and the perfect Christmas present!
