Homemade gifts are a thoughtful way to show your family and friends how much you appreciate them during the holidays — and they’re an especially good idea if you’re trying to stick to a holiday shopping budget. If you’re looking for new DIY Christmas gift ideas, start by perusing this list for inspiration for everyone on your list.
When it comes to DIY gifts, there’s no need to break the bank.
A few inexpensive supplies and some clever ideas can transform any ordinary item into an amazing gift that will be appreciated by all! In fact, there is always a way to make fantastic DIY Christmas gifts on a budget!
Here are our top recommendations…
How To Make a Budget-Friendly DIY Christmas Gift
- Make the same gift, or a variation of the same gift, for as many people as possible to save money on supplies!
- Effectively plan and shop for supplies- Make a list of who you want to make gifts for, what you’re going to make, and all the supplies you’ll need.
- Forget about buying expensive equipment you don’t really need! For example, you can make candles brilliantly by hanging a jug over a saucepan of boiling water… no need for a double boiler!
- Wherever possible, upcycle used items such as fabric, jars, and ribbons.
Where Can I Find Low-Cost Supplies for Making DIY Christmas Gifts?
Once you’ve created a detailed supply list, the first places to look for low-cost supplies are…
- Pharmacies and drug stores in the area
- Supermarkets
- Craft Shop
- The Dollar Tree
- Hobby Lobby’s
- Diy’s and other local home improvement stores
- Charity Shops
- Of course, Amazon is great for getting supplies quickly for those last-minute gifts… but keep in mind that they aren’t always the cheapest!
So, are you ready to get your hands dirty and make lovely gifts for your friends and family?
Let’s get started…
50 Quick and Simple DIY Christmas Gift Ideas
Below you’ll find DIY food gifts, photo gifts, fabric gifts, pampering gifts, and more fun, unique handmade ideas – these would also be great for birthdays!
DIY Christmas Photo Gift Ideas
Photo gifts are always a hit with family members (especially grandparents). These thoughtful gifts feature photos of people and places we adore and are sure to be appreciated. They also make excellent decorations!
#1. Customized Photo Candles
Personalized Photo Candles are quick, inexpensive, and simple enough for children to make! All you need is a photo laser print and some packing tape.
#2. Photo Magnets
These DIY photo magnets are simple to make and only cost a few pennies each—you can make 100 for about $8! To make your own Instagram photo magnets, you only need a printer, magnetic paper, and a pair of scissors.
#3. Photo Ornaments in 10 Minutes
Keepsake photo ornaments are easy to make and allow the recipient to fill her Christmas tree with special memories.
#4. Acrylic Photo Frame
Print a photo onto clear sticker paper and adhere it to a clear acrylic block for the simplest handmade Christmas gift ever. Done!
#5. Miniature Photo Calendar
This simple gift idea is quickly put together and only costs a few dollars. Print out the free templates and customize them with your photos! There are step-by-step instructions for making a simple stand included. You can also use cool fonts from this library of free fonts at Creative Fabrica. Here you can browse thousands of fonts and resources to help create your unique Christmas gift and every other craft project you have in mind. You can also find a sewing and embroidery section and many other crafts that can be used for Christmas and other professional or craft projects.
#6. Photo Album Keepsake Box
This keepsake Photo Box comes together in a matter of minutes, making it a simple DIY gift idea. You could make one for Grandma with pictures of all the grandchildren!
#7. Coasters with photographs
In just a few minutes, Travel Inspired Living shows you how to make photo coasters. To surprise the recipient, use your favorite photos or photos from the recipient’s social media.
#8. Photo Display in a Shadowbox
A photo frame with interchangeable frames allows the recipient to display a variety of favorite photos. This project comes together in minutes thanks to the use of clothespins and a large shadow box frame.
#9. Photo Illustration
Discover how simple it is to turn your photos into illustrations for under $5! It only takes a few clicks with a free app. This is an excellent gift for grandparents!
DIY Christmas Food Gift Ideas
Homemade treats are one of the best parts of the holidays, and these DIY food gifts are suitable for almost anyone on your holiday shopping list.
#10. Jarred Soup Mixes
Fill cute jars with soup mix for an easy DIY Christmas gift that everyone will enjoy. Gift them separately, or put a couple together in a basket for a truly lovely gift. Wholefully has all six recipes.
#11. Caramel Apple Butter in the Crockpot
In your slow cooker, you can make a large batch of caramel apple butter! This simple recipe only requires a few minutes of hands-on time and yields a large quantity, allowing you to complete multiple gifts at once. It’s Always Autumn’s recipe.
#12. Mason Jar Elf DIY
Polka Dot Chair’s Elf Mason Jar gift is literally the easiest thing to make! Fill the jar with green candy, add a red felt collar, and finish with a cute twine tag.
#13. Cans of Christmas Cookies
Wrap empty chip cans in pretty paper and tie them with ribbon for a quick, easy homemade Christmas gift, then fill them with cookies.
#14. Cookie Mix Gift Bag
Everyone loves cookies, but with so many treats available during the holidays, putting a cookie mix in a gift sack is a great idea. That way, whoever receives it can make a sweet treat whenever she wants.
#15. A Mixture of Chocolate and Peppermint Cookies
Another cookie mix gift idea, this time layered in a jar. Crazy Little Projects has recipes for Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Mix and Double Chocolate Toffee Cookie Mix.
#16. Pretzels with Salted Chocolate Caramel Filling
In about 30 minutes, you can make a large batch of these salted caramel chocolate pretzels, then divide it into small jars or bags for a gift that almost anyone will enjoy. It’s Always Autumn’s recipe.
#17. Pancake Mix with Cinnamon Oats
A jar of cinnamon oat pancake mix will be a well-received gift, especially when paired with a fancy bottle of syrup from the grocery store. An Oregon Cottage has the recipe and a printable instruction label.
#18. Tea Bag Plants
To make this cute Christmas tree topiary, glue an assortment of tea bags to a styrofoam cone as a healthy alternative to sweet treats. Thirsty for Tea provides instructions.
#19. Spoons for Peppermint Candy
To make cute peppermint spoons for hot cocoa, melt crushed peppermint candy in a spoon-shaped mold and then dip it in chocolate. Princess Pinky Girl demonstrates how to make the spoons, which are then combined with a cocoa mix for a fun, one-of-a-kind handmade gift idea.
#20. Hot Chocolate Mix in a Jar
This homemade hot chocolate mix is extremely creamy and delectable! Make a large batch and layer it with toppings to make a cute holiday gift.
DIY Christmas Pampering Gift Ideas
Everyone appreciates a little pampering during the busy holiday season. These DIY Christmas gift ideas are ideal for friends, sisters, teachers, and others.
#21. Sugar Scrub Cubes
Homemade sugar scrub is a variation of homemade bath salts that has become a popular Christmas gift idea – Smart School House teaches you how to make easy sugar scrub cubes.
#22. Peppermint Milk Bath
Bath bombs are fun, but they can be time-consuming to make, so try making a batch of homemade peppermint milk bath instead. This simple gift comes together in minutes thanks to no drying time and only two ingredients.
#23. Pumpkin Spice Soap
In just ten minutes, you can make Pumpkin Spice Soap! It smells fantastic and would look great in a gift basket with a new hand towel.
#24. Lip Balm with Coconut Oil
Homemade lip balm is one of the simplest cosmetics to make; this batch takes about five minutes to make with only three natural ingredients.
#25. Body Butter Whipped
This Whipped Lavender Body Butter contains skin-nourishing floral ingredients. Lavender butter is the main ingredient, and the scent is enhanced with lavender essential oil. Soap Queen teaches you how to make it.
#26. Crocheted Face Scrubbie
These crocheted face scrubbies come together quickly if you know how to crochet! It’s also a great beginner project if you don’t know how to crochet.
#27. Lavender Eye Pillows
These lovely eye pillows are filled with lavender buds and essential oil and can be warmed or cooled to help you relax.
#28. Jewelry Organizer
Make a jewelry organizer out of chicken wire and a large picture frame. This is ideal for keeping earrings accessible and easy to find. Add necklace hooks to the bottom.
DIY Christmas Sewing and Crafting Gift Ideas
These homemade gift ideas are perfect for anyone who enjoys crafts. Make great gifts that only take a few minutes to make – and you might be able to use up some of your craft and fabric stash in the process.
#29. DIY Sunglasses Case
You can sew up these pretty sunglasses cases for a one-of-a-kind DIY gift in a few minutes. This idea is also very inexpensive if you have extra fabric or scraps in your stash.
#30. Drawers Sachets
Make your drawer sachets, and you’ll have multiple gifts ready in no time! You don’t even need a sewing machine to make them because they use fusible hem tape.
#31. T-Shirt Produce Bag
This t-shirt produce bag is one of the coolest easy DIY projects I’ve seen! Everyone will be impressed by your inventiveness, even if they are unaware of how simple it is to make.
#32. Scrunchie Made Simple
This is the simplest method we’ve seen for making hair scrunchies. After reading the simple tutorial, you’ll be able to sew one in no time (only two seams!). Threads Monthly has a pattern that includes a cute bunny ear bow option.
#33. Beanie with No Sew
Find old sweaters with cute patterns at the thrift store and turn them into beanies! This is a no-sew version made with fabric glue.
#34. Christmas Towels with Stamps
Stamp designs onto plain white tea towels with Christmas cookie cutters – genius! The towels are adorable, and there is a printable label that you can wrap around them.
#35. Earwarmers Made of Fleece
Fleece ear warmers are an easy sewing project for beginners. excellent gift for children, friends, and especially anyone who enjoys running.
#36. Warm Hand Warmers
Hand warmers made from scratch are a cute and useful gift! Rae Ann Kelly demonstrates how easy they are to sew.
#37. Trivet with Felt Balls
This simple craft idea is a fun way to keep hot platters and pans off your table. It’s a simple hand-stitched project suitable for teens and tweens.
#38. Embroidery Hoops Organizer
Make a fun gift for a fellow crafter by transforming an embroidery hoop and some beautiful fabric into a hanging organizer for pens, small scissors, measuring tapes, and other items.
#39. Scarf + Fleece Hat
A matching hat and scarf from colorful fleece can be made in about fifteen minutes with no pattern and only one line of sewing! For a personalized gift, select fleece you know the recipient will enjoy.
#40. Potpourri for the Stovetop
Stovetop potpourri jars are quick and easy to make, look great, and smell even better! Follow the link for the recipe and a free printable tag.
#41. Utensils Made of Stamped Wood
These trendy wooden utensils are quick and easy to make, and they look like they came from a high-end kitchen boutique. Combine them with a couple of tea towels for a gift that appears much more expensive than it is.
#42. Wooden Tablet Stand
To make this table holder, start with a wood cutting board and add a few small pieces of lumber. It’s fantastic for anyone who enjoys cooking!
#43. Candles in Teacups
Making teacup candles is simpler than you might think: you can make three or four in about 30 minutes (plus drying time).
#44. Colorblocked Vases (DIY)
Learn how to make beautiful color-blocked vases for a unique handmade Christmas gift. This method employs self-adhesive wood sheets that can be painted in any color.
#45. Personalized Coffee Mugs
If you have a cutting machine, you can download the cut files for these funny coffee mugs to make a handmade gift for your mom’s friends.
#46. Bookends Made of Pineapples
You won’t believe how simple it is to create these adorable pineapple bookends. To match the recipient’s personality, you can use any faux fruit or even small plastic toys (dinosaur bookends…anyone).
#47. The Twelve Days of Christmas
Print out the 12 Days of Christmas for a fun DIY gift for your husband or partner that you can enjoy throughout the year!
#48. Kitchen Towel with Embroidery
With iron-on embroidery letters, you can achieve the look of custom embroidered towels! Make a cute towel with fun trim to give as a hostess gift from the film A Beautiful Mess.
View the Complete Post
#49. Dinner Schedule on a Chalkboard
Everyone knows what’s for dinner with this weekly chalkboard menu planner. This project is made incredibly simple by the use of letter stickers and spray paint.
#50. Keychain with a Photograph
The secret to making these long-lasting photo keychains that kids can help make is printable Shrinky Dink paper. For added cuteness, write notes on the photos before shrinking them.
Is Cash a Bad Idea as a Gift?
Giving money as a gift, or even asking for money as a gift, was once frowned upon. But not any longer. “Money is an appropriate gift,” says Elaine Swann, founder of The Swann School of Protocol and etiquette expert. “Studies say that it is the most welcomed gift—the one gift that most people want.”
What is a Thoughtful Gift?
Whether from a list or from studying their interests, a thoughtful gift shows the recipient that we care for them and want them to feel loved.
What is the 5 Gift Rule For Christmas?
In the 5 Gift Rule, the first four gifts are the same: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read. But what about the fifth? The fifth is the true victor. It’s something they need or want but aren’t aware of.
Which Items are Improper for a Holiday Gift?
- Candles
- Souvenirs
- Undies or Underwear, etc.
Homemade Christmas Gifts: What Are They?
- Gift-wrapping Accessories
- Candy and other edible presents
- Homemade Arnica Salve
- Christmas Trinkets
- DIY Beeswax Snack Wraps, etc.
Last Words
Remember that spending a lot of money on Christmas gifts does not guarantee they are special…
Indeed, DIY Christmas gifts like the ones shown here are the way to go if you want to give meaningful gifts that your friends and family will appreciate… without breaking the bank!
Whatever gifts you decide to make this year, your friends and family will adore them!
Related Articles
- Fun Office Christmas Party Ideas, Games & Gifts In 2023
- 5 Easiest Things You Can do to earn extra cash for Christmas [with guide]
- 25 BEST AMAZON BLACK FRIDAY DEALS IN 2023.
- Walmart Hours for 2023 Black Friday
- Basement Renovations: DIY or Don’t Even Try?
References
