I love giving and receiving homemade gifts. I also love crafting and being creative so doing homemade gifts is a natural fit. Homemade gifts sometimes have a bad reputation for being the ‘cheap’ or ‘easy’ option but I personally feel that it’s usually the opposite. Yes, while I first got into homemade gifts as a way to save some money around the holidays (who can’t relate to that though), the amount of thought, time, and effort that goes into each homemade gift far outweighs the money I would have spent otherwise. Plus, there are lots of ways to make sure that your homemade gifts are high-quality. We aren’t talking macaroni necklaces here. If you really put the time into it, I guarantee people won’t even know your gifts are homemade until you tell them.
Have I piqued your interest yet? If so, read on for 34 awesome homemade gift ideas for any occasion.
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1. Homemade Vanilla Extract
I made homemade vanilla extract for the first time last Christmas and it’s officially a staple in my repertoire of homemade gifts. Not only that, but as someone who bakes a lot (I mean a LOT), I have exclusively switched to using homemade vanilla extract because the taste is just that much better. All you need for this simple DIY is some vanilla beans (I buy mine from Amazon), some alcohol (I use bourbon), and some glass containers (I found mine at the dollar store!).
2. Macrame Plant Hangers
Macrame can seem intimidating if you haven’t tried it before but it is actually super easy to do. Essentially it’s just a series of knots, and once you learn how to do it you can practically do it with your eyes closed. Macrame plant hangers are great for the plant lovers on your list, especially since buying a nice macrame hanger new can cost upwards of $30.
3. Baked Goods
This one doesn’t need much explanation – baked goods are always a hit. Take some time to figure out what the people on your list really like to make this gift extra meaningful. Cookies for Christmas? Yes please.
4. Propagated Plants
If you have a plant propagating problem like I do then this one is a no-brainer. Plus in my experience, people love getting free plants – especially if they are plant lovers.
5. Scrunchies
Scrunchies are easy to make if you have a sewing machine and are something that lots of long-haired people in your life will likely get a lot of use out of! I made lots of scrunchies last year and gifted them in sets of 3 or 4. For those on my list that have dogs, I even made some matching scrunchy/dog bandana sets. I couldn’t resist.
6. Baking Mix in a Jar
A super simple DIY that anyone can do. Give the gift of your favourite cookie or brownie recipe and dress it up for the holidays! Simply grab a large mason jar and add all the dry ingredients to the jar. Then write or type out a label with the instructions and the remaining wet ingredients that need to be added. Tie a festive ribbon around the jar to really top things off.
7. Dried Soup Mix in a Jar
Similar to the baking mixes, gifting a dried soup mixes is a super easy gift that the people on your list are sure to appreciate. Here are 6 recipes to try out!
8. Dog Bandanas
Got a dog-lover in your life? Dog bandanas are one of my go-to Christmas presents for all the pooches I know. They’re simple to make, and you’ll have lots of fun picking out funky fabrics to use. Bandanas can be made with or without a sewing machine – simply use a pair of pinking shears to cut out the fabric in a triangle shape if you don’t have a sewing machine you can use!
9. Beeswax Food Wraps
A friend of mine gifted me some homemade beeswax food wraps for Christmas and we have used them ever since. This is something that I wouldn’t have thought to DIY but it turns out it’s a pretty simple and fun project. This gift is sure to be extra meaningful for those on your list who are trying to be more eco-friendly and cut down on their single-use plastics. Bye-bye saran wrap!
10. Felt Food Toys
My newest obsession. I have always loved play food toys, and now that I have a kid of my own I am having all the fun creating a full set of felt food toys as gifts for her. This one doesn’t even require a sewing machine – if you can learn to do a blanket stich you too can hand-sew your own felt food toys. While there are lots of patterns available, I have been particularly enjoying the amazing patterns from Lia Griffith.
11. Homemade Dolls
Another newfound obsession of mine. If you have kids in your life then homemade dolls are such a sweet and thoughtful gift that will last a lifetime. Plus, there are so many options out there. I have been using a sewing machine and enjoying patterns like these animal dolls from Studio Seren, but if you don’t have a sewing machine you will definitely be able to find some hand-sewn options out there.
12. DIY Candles
Candles are super easy to make and there are lots of creative options available. Grab some wax shavings from Amazon or your nearest craft store and some containers and have fun experimenting with different scents and colours.
13. Lavender, Oatmeal, & Rice Heat Packs
Several years ago, my mom sewed up a bunch of reheatable heat packs stuffed with oatmeal, dried lavender, and uncooked rice and it’s one of the best homemade gifts I’ve received to this day. It gets tons of use in my house, from soothing aches and pains to helping keep us warm when we’re sick or just feeling a little chilly. This DIY is best done with a sewing machine to ensure the stiches are tight and the filling doesn’t spill out over time! Take a page out of my mom’s book and sew a little cover for each pad as well to make it more durable.
14. Salt Dough Ornaments
A classic DIY Christmas gift! Suitable for adults and kids alike, salt dough ornaments are both easy and fun to make. Plus they are stylish in a minimalist kind of way.
15. Hand-Embroidered Clothing
I’ve been getting really into embroidery lately and hand-embroidered clothing is such a simple and easy way to give those on your list a unique and personalized gift. If embroidery makes you think of your grandma, draw some inspiration from modern collaborations like the recently released Champion x Percival collection.
16. DIY Sugar Scrub
Maybe one of the easiest things to make on this list, all you need is sugar and oil (brown sugar and coconut oil is a great choice). Check out this super easy recipe from Perry’s Plate to make your own sugar scrub at home in just a few simple steps.
17. Homemade Jams
I might be aging myself here, but there is just something about a really good jam that is just *chefs kiss*. This one might require some forethought to ensure that you are using fruits that are currently in season for the best final taste, but either way homemade jams are a thoughtful homemade gift that are pretty easy to make and are sure to be appreciated. Here are 40 different homemade jam recipes you can try out!
18. Bath Bombs
For the bath lovers in your life! Bath bombs are another classic DIY gift idea, and for good reason. They are simple to make and easy to customize. Draw some inspiration from lux bath bombs like those from Lush, or you could even try hiding some treasures inside your custom bath bombs like the folks at Charmed Aroma for a gift that keeps on giving.
19. Stovetop Potpourri
Stovetop potpourri has been a somewhat hot homemade gift idea for the holidays over the past couple of years for good reason. A simple concoction of dried fruit, herbs, and spices can fill your whole home with the scent of the holidays. Plus it’s pretty effortless to make! Here are a few cool recipes to try out.
20. Tie-Dye Clothes
Tie-dye is IN and its super easy to make. Plus there are so many opportunities to get creative with it, from testing out different patterns to playing around with colours. Grab some white clothes and some dye and have fun with it!
21. Bleach Dye Clothes
A fun twist on the classic tie dye, bleach dye has been all the rage lately and it’s super easy to do. Grab some black clothing and go wild. Since you’ll be handling bleach, make sure you protect yourself and your surroundings properly to prevent injury or damage.
22. Handmade Soap
A classic homemade gift! Homemade soap is pretty easy to make, especially now that soap bases are readily available meaning you don’t have to ever come in contact with lye. Plus there are lots of fun ways to customize your soap, from the scent to different additives that will affect the texture or appearance of the final product. Here are some beginner-friendly recipes to get you started.
23. Throw Pillow Covers
If you have a sewing machine, throw pillow covers are an awesome and simple gift to make. Nice throw pillow covers can add up quickly when they are purchased new so the gift is sure to be appreciated by your recipients. Just make sure you get an idea of the size or type of throw pillows they have so you can ensure that you make the right size!
24. Punch Embroidery
I haven’t tried punch embroidery myself but it’s on my list of crafts to try at some point. It’s pretty simple to get started with and there are lots of different projects you can make, from wall hangings to pillow covers, rugs, coasters, and more!
25. Essential Oil Epsom Salts
Dress up standard epsom salts with relaxing essential oils, herbs, and dried flowers. This gift is super simple and requires just a few ingredients you can easily grab online or at your nearest natural market or health food store. Make the gift extra meaningful by customizing the scents to your individual recipients.
26. No-Sew Fleece Blanket
Shoutout to my sister for this idea. She recently made her fiance an awesome no-sew fleece blanket for his birthday and it turned out amazingly. Grab some fleece fabric in a fun print and start knotting!
27. Children’s Handprint/Footprint Momentos
If you have a child, this is practically an obligation for the grandparents in the family. But there are so many fun ways to bring a handprint or footprint momento to life. From clay ornaments to painted tshirts or sweaters, glazed plates, and more you can find a way to memorialize those itty bitty prints in a way that is truly personalized and meaningful.
28. Wall Art
For those who like to draw, paint, or create digital art, creating some wall art for the people on your list is a great choice. Even if you aren’t artistically inclined there are lots of ways to craft some super stylish art (take plaster art for example). Just keep your recipients personal style in mind, and maybe ask them for some inspiration first to guarantee your gift will get good use in its new home!
29. Trinket Dish
Perfect for storing jewelery, keys, change, or other odds and ends in a stylish way. This is such a cute gift that can be made in a few different ways. Air dry clay is an easy and affordable option, but you could also go the resin route which requires a few more supplies.
30. DIY Minimalist Wooden Blocks
One of the most popular toys that my siblings and I had as children was a box of large, plain wooden blocks. We played with these blocks endlessly – building towers, marble runways, drawing on them, using them for pretend play, etc. Recently, I learned that my Opa actually made these blocks himself using 1×3 planks of wood. He made two different sizes, and then sanded them down so that there was no risk of us getting splinters. Genius! I can’t tell you how many hours we spent playing with those blocks.
31. Embroidery Hoop Decor
Embroidery is enjoying a major comeback and embroidery hoops are frequently featured in curated home decor displays across the web. For those who are familiar with hand sewing or other forms of handiwork, it’s pretty simple to pick up. However, if you’ve never done embroidery before, there are lots of different ways to get started – from beginner kits to printable templates and video tutorials! Plus, the supplies are really affordable. Double win!
32. Wax Melts
If you’re an avid candle burner like me, then gifting homemade wax melts is a great way to use up all that leftover wax from your candle stash. All you need is some wax molds (Amazon has lots) and a pot that you don’t care too much about, and you can create these fun gifts in just a few simple steps. Dress them up in a pretty bag or box and you’ve got a simple homemade gift that fellow candle lovers will adore.
33. Painted Plant Pots
For the plant lovers in your life! You can pick up some terracotta pots or plastic pots for just a couple of dollars each and add some acrylic paint for a unique and artistic touch.
34. Sourdough Starter
For those who are still baking sourdough like its 2020, sourdough starter makes a super easy gift. Make sure that you consider your recipient – making sourdough is quite the commitment so if you don’t have any avid bakers in your close circle you may want to consider an alternate gift. Choose a pretty container and include some handwritten instructions and give the ongoing gift of amazing homemade bread.
I’d love to hear what your favourite homemade gifts are! Let me know in the comments below.
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