Friends and family always appreciate a heartfelt gift. Especially during the holiday season, when all your loved ones gather under one roof to celebrate. You can certainly find personalized and unique gift options when shopping at local specialty stores or searching for artisan pieces on online marketplaces, but when it comes to handmade gifts, it’s truly a labor of love. This allows you to let your family and friends know that you have a new job. I spent extra time thinking about what they wanted to receive this year and scheduled time to create it.
It may seem difficult to make homemade gifts for everyone on your list, but these ideas and how-to’s are surprisingly simple yet super fun for the recipient. Designed to delight everyone on your list, from in-laws and siblings to friends and kids, these handmade DIY gifts are built to last.
cloth headband
Janelle Jones
Take your recipient’s hairstyle to the next level with this handmade headband. To enhance the look, we recommend using crushed velvet or satin silk blends.
canvas log bag
Kate Mathis
Add some fire starter to your life with this handsome quick-saw canvas log carrier. Measure one piece of canvas 18 1/2 x 36 1/2 inches. Next, fold the bottom of the sides of the canvas by 1/2 inch and press with an iron. Fold down another 1/2 inch and create a hem around the perimeter. Using a stitching needle and waxed thread, hand sew the leather handle down the center of the short edge of the canvas.
homemade limoncello or arancello
Kate Mathis
Homemade limoncello or arancello will make the recipient happy with every sip. Fill the bottle with limoncello or arancello using a funnel. Secure the top. Fold each circle card in half and crease with a bone folder. Paint the edges of the semicircle with yellow or orange watercolor and draw five evenly spaced triangles arranged like pizza slices inside the semicircle. Punch a hole in the top and secure it to the neck of the bottle with string.
wooden tea box
Kate Mathis
For a souvenir wooden tea box, stain a simple container with diluted paint and stick a pine cone on top for a finishing touch. To make the box, dilute the craft paint with a little water. Paint the outside of the round wooden box and lid and let dry. If necessary, apply a second coat to build up the color. Hot glue the pine cone to the center of the lid. Let dry. Line the box with wax paper and fill with loose tea blend.
marble soap
Kate Mathis
Lather up your loved one with marble soap that cleans gently and smells incredibly good. Our recipe combines skin-softening shea butter with spa-like eucalyptus oil or sweet almond honey, and coral or golden natural mica powder for a soft glow.
And making them isn’t a pioneer-era chore. Just cut the ingredients, melt them in the microwave, put them in a small mold, and then slice. We will wrap your beauty bar in wax paper and bright cord and ship it to you.
DIY notebook
Kate Mathis
For people who love journaling, this simple DIY notebook is the ultimate gift. Create unique designs by binding regular watercolor paper pages with a basic hand-stitched binding, then dipping a pencil eraser into watercolor paint and stamping it on the front of your notebook.
lavender tab tea
Lavender is a great ingredient to add to your water when taking a bath, as it has a relaxing effect on everyone. To make these sweet bagged “tub teas,” simply scoop dried lavender and Himalayan salt into a diffuser bag.
Citrus and spice scented candles
james merrell
Here’s the secret to finding the perfect candle. Make your own candles. Making candles is much easier than you think. These beautiful copper candles are made with a blend of essential oils for a lovely scent that can be lit all season long.
painted ceramics
Addy Jewel
Customize rustic, inexpensive pottery to look completely artisanal. Use ceramic paint to cover the surface of your piece and flick the paint onto the item from above to create a splatter effect.
it kit
Kirsten Francis
Think of gift baskets as a modern take on something well-curated and cozy. We have next level products for classic hot drinks. Option 1, for couples who like a nightcap: a hot toddy, two polished glass mugs, a little whiskey and honey, a lemon, a cinnamon stick and fresh ginger all packed into a tray that can be updated instantly with felt. Masu lining and raffia handles.
Option 2: For a friend with a designated reading corner: soothing chamomile tea leaves, strainer, honey, and tangy lemon biscuits. Fill the reusable wooden wine carrier with wine and start unwinding. To DIY a neat sleeve for loose teas or cookies, wrap wax paper around a thin piece of glass, fold the ends around the bottom, tape it flat, and slide it off the glass. Place the goods inside and tape the top.
Cashmere hat with mixed appliqués
During the bitterly cold winter, you want to keep your loved ones warm every day. That’s why we brightened up this basic beanie with vintage bullion applique and iron-on metal studs. Create this look by attaching the appliqué with fabric glue and attaching iron-on metal studs to a vintage cashmere hat.
tea gift box
anna williams
Pack a luxurious tea time into a box for a special gift. The concept can be as simple or decadent as you like. Here, we chose antique gold-rimmed teacups, vintage silver spoons, black tea tins, silver strainers, and a homemade rose-scented sugar and tea spice fruitcake.
leather luggage tags
anna williams
Luggage tags and stationery are natural gift options for the travelers on your list. Achieve a timeless look by cutting out the leather and embossing it with the recipient’s name.
knit mittens
Mittens knitted with love by a family become even more precious. This cozy set is a universal symbol of winter happiness and comfort. You can create several pairs on your list for your loved ones.
aroma extract
Using vodka and a few kitchen essentials, you can create the irresistible aroma of your baked goods. Use your favorite baking extracts (citrus, vanilla, almond) or citrus fruits (lime, orange, lemon) to infuse your homemade flavor into a friend’s home or homemade dessert. Pour vodka over your chosen ingredients and let them soak for three weeks before gifting. Recipients can use the infused vodka in desserts, cocktails, and more.
Two-tone beaded necklace with tassels
Kate Mathis
Remember how proud you were when you gave your mom a piece of macaroni jewelry a long time ago? Our handmade necklaces are made with the same amount of love, but with a more sophisticated result. , could be even easier to create. First, you’ll need two strands of stone or glass beads, a package of crimp beads, and two tassels on a ring. Next, thread the strand through the crimp bead, through the tassel ring, and back through the crimp bead. Flatten and secure with pliers, then repeat the process with the second tassel on the other end.
For stylish wrapping, cut two slits near one side of the felt square. Thread the suede cord through them and the necklace, roll it up and tie a knot.
potholder
anna williams
These cozy knitted kitchen accessories are the perfect way to personalize a small gift from a high-end kitchen or home goods store. Sewers can start by casting 24 stitches. Determine the width of the stripe made of cotton twill tape and where you want to place it. Knit at least 8 rows of garter stitches before placing the stripes.
For thin stripes, follow this pattern: Row 1, knit. Row 2, flipped. Knit the third row and the remaining rows. To achieve wide stripes, follow this pattern: Row 1, knit. Row 2, flipped. 3rd row, knit. Row 4, flipped. Row 5, flipped. The 6th row and the remaining rows should be knitted.
Once you have knitted a total of 48 rows, cast off your work. Weave in the ends and cut a 7 1/2-inch piece of twill tape, matching its width to the width of the weaving groove. Fold the edges to 1/2 inch or less and place in the groove. Next, sew the tape to secure it, hiding the stitches between the knit stitches. For the loop, cut a 3-inch piece of 1-inch twill tape, fold it under about 1/2 inch, then sew it to one side of the potholder. Fold the other end under and sew on the side as well.
embroidered hands
There’s something very personal and sentimental about your own handwriting. And it can be used to personalize all kinds of items, including recipe cards, tea towels, family trees, and even family table linens like the photo embroidery you see here. Simply choose your linen and embroidery thread and embroider your name onto the fabric.
terracotta bowl
Addy Jewel
These ceramic pots are preferred by gardeners because they are porous. If your recipient has a green thumb, gift them a plant of your own. Terracotta pots and planters sold at garden centers can be customized with paint, stamps, tape, and other crafts.
upcycled photo frames
Ashley Poskin
Vintage trays and mirrors are often used, but family photos are often covered in dust. Why not combine them into a single beautiful heirloom? Use decoupage medium to turn a high school yearbook photo from your grandfather’s bedside tray or an old snapshot of your aunt into an oval on a handheld mirror. Can be combined.
Handwritten recipe on pie plate
Ashley Poskin
Mom’s chocolate chip cookies, Nana’s lasagna, and my aunt’s pierogi all deserve honor in this family project. Transfer the handwritten recipe card to a plate, trace with a glass paint marker, and bake in the oven. It will be proudly displayed in your kitchen for generations to come.
therapy lavender eye pillow
Anusha Rajeswaran
This soothing gift can help reduce stress during meditation or help you relax before bed. This aromatherapy pillow with lavender and flaxseed can be chilled in the refrigerator or heated in the microwave for instant relief from headaches, pain, and eye strain. Make this relaxing gift even more personal by making it with the recipient’s favorite printed fabric.
knit pouch
Is there someone on your list who wears glasses? Create these pouches with delicate thread to keep your glasses safe and protected. Add a button to the opening to prevent the glasses from slipping off.
gingham check knit blanket
Dana Gallagher
Even if your knitting skills are novice, this gingham blanket is a project you can complete. In fact, if you can knit a scarf, you can easily knit this simple blanket. It’s as simple as knitting together a few ready-to-knit strips. The recipient will love the comfort and you will love learning something new too.
handwritten recipe cutting board
Ashley Poskin
Not only is this gift a great way to store family recipes, but it can also be used as a cutting board or platter for meats, cheese boards, fruit plates, and more.
cold pressed soap
Sanan
In addition to being practical, making DIY cold-pressed soap allows you to adjust the scent to your liking. Experiment with your favorite scents to create the perfect gift to give this holiday season or year round. To make cold-pressed soap, oils must be combined with sodium hydroxide lye, which causes a chemical reaction called saponification. This process allows you to customize your soap to your favorite colors to make your gift even more personal.
body scrub
The gift of self-care never goes out of style. Make your own scented body scrub from scratch and share it with your loved ones. Mix Epson salt or sugar with your favorite essential oil to create a body scrub that’s perfect for exfoliating in the bath or shower. You can also add food coloring to dye the salt to match the scent you choose for your scrub.
