The holidays are coming, and everyone knows what that means: whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or something else, you’ll be responsible for getting gifts for your family and friends. The cost can quickly become overwhelming if you have a big family, a large group of friends, or many people to buy gifts for. However, sometimes the best holiday gifts don’t come from the store but rather from the heart! Our list below includes ten DIY, cheap gift ideas that are great for anyone in your life, whether they’re friends, family, teachers, neighbors, coworkers, or more.
Ornaments
Ornaments for Christmas trees are a perfect gift to make yourself because the recipient can use them for years—sometimes even generations—to come. When you gift a Christmas ornament, someone can hang it on next year’s tree and remember you fondly. And they may even pass your gift down to their children later on.
Christmas ornaments can become family heirlooms, and you can make many different types. For example, you could make simple salt dough ornaments and let your kids decorate them, or you can go all-out and print old family photos onto fabric and sew them into unique decorations. The choice is up to you; there are truly limitless possibilities!
Candy/Cookie Containers
Everyone goes crazy for baked goods around the holidays, and with good reason. Holiday desserts are characterized by their festive nature and addictiveness. Whether you make some candy, bake some signature cookies, or assemble special treats you buy at the store, containers of goodies are a surefire way of showing someone you care.
You could also make breads, chocolate-covered pretzels, or cupcakes as gifts. You can customize food-related gifts however you want, so find your favorite recipe and get cooking!
Wreaths
Wreaths make excellent gifts, and there are so many themes to use. For example, you could choose to make a holiday wreath or one that your recipient can hang on their door or wall door year-round! Some ideas include:
- Arrange ornaments in a vintage bundt pan and tie them all up with ribbon and wooden spoons for a baking lover’s dream.
- Fasten a bunch of cookie cutters together, secure it with garland, and have an adorable gingerbread man-style wreath that will never get dull.
- Buy a plain evergreen wreath and attach your own homemade ornaments and decorations to it. This is a variation of the first idea on our list.
- Craft a more temporary wreath using local flowers and foliage. Temporary wreaths are an excellent gift for those around you who don’t want any more “things” cluttering their home since they can throw them out later without guilt.
In addition to wreaths, there are many other Cheap and Creative Christmas Decorations you can give as gifts.
Candles
Making candles is a great way to go if you’re the crafty type. Whether you make them scented or purely decorative is up to you! Scented essential oils are easy enough to find in craft stores, especially if you want to make a scented candle. Pour candles using an old container, glass, or vase for a unique look. Additionally, if you have a Cricut machine or something similar, you can make a festive cutout and line the glass before pouring in your wax.
Hot Chocolate Bombs/Stirrers
Similar to the baked goods DIY idea, making hot chocolate bombs or hot chocolate stirrers is a great surprise gift. These are unique because most people don’t even realize what they are at first!
Hot chocolate bombs are chocolate orbs or shapes filled with hot chocolate powder, marshmallows, peppermint chips, and other fun ingredients. Drop them into hot milk or water and stir to create a nice cup of gourmet cocoa.
Hot chocolate stirrers are plastic spoons or sticks covered in marshmallows, chocolate, or peppermint that are used to stir hot chocolate and add extra flavor.
Gift Wrap
DIY gift wrap is a great way to celebrate the holiday season, and giving it to someone earlier in the year helps them reduce the stress of gift wrapping. Handmade gift wrap can be deeply sentimental, beautifully crafted, or even humorous.
One way to do this is to bring ordinary wrapping paper to life by sprucing it up with paint, stencils, markers, or stamps to give it your own personal flair. Another way is by making a stamp roller, painting dots, or writing out some typographic gift wrap. Whatever you decide, it makes gifts all that much more fun to open!
Snow Globe
Snow globes are a holiday staple in so many families, but buying pristine, hand-crafted snow globes can be a massive financial undertaking. Instead, consider making your own snow globes for the adventurous and curious kids in your life.
For the most simple DIY snow globe, you’ll need a mason jar, glitter glue, water, and some form of holiday figurine (like a little Christmas tree or gingerbread man). Then, secure the figurine inside the jar lid, mix glitter glue and water, secure everything inside the jar, and shake it up to watch the magic happen!
Knitted Goods
If you have knitting or crocheting skills, put them to work this holiday season! While the materials to craft something by crochet or knitting can be expensive, some sweet mittens, a hat, or a scarf handmade by you can be the perfect gift for a friend or family member.
Gifts like these are especially great if you already know the recipient’s favorite color, design, or flower, allowing you to customize the gift based on what they already like. Additionally, a gift like this will keep the recipient warm through the winter, and they will think about you every time they use it.
Coasters
Every household needs a good set of coasters. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can make them if you want to give a set away as gifts:
One option is buying a simple set of coasters and then using things like acrylic paint, gold leaf, or other materials to spruce them up and make them more attractive. The second way is to purchase some air-dry clay and shape the coasters yourself. Then, personalize them with paint and varnish for a beautiful and practical gift.
Spa Gift Box
Spa Gift Box This gift is especially great for the women in your life. Pretty much every woman wants a break or some peace and quiet for Christmas, and gifting her a spa gift box so she can treat herself is the next best thing.
In the spa box, you can include things like:
- Sheet Masks
- Body Scrubs
- Eye Masks
- Smoothing Moisturizers
- A Jade Roller or Ice Roller
- Bath Sponges
- Bubble Bath
- Bath Salts
- Manicure or Pedicure Supplies
- Shower Gel
- Microfiber Towel
- Scented Soaps
- Lip Balm
- A Luxurious Towel
You can make this gift as affordable or as expensive as you want, so this idea fits any budget.
Should I Make My Own Christmas Gifts?
Working some DIY magic for your holiday gifts is an excellent idea for anyone, whether you’re on a tight budget or not. Handmade gifts are sentimental, and the recipient will know that you have put time and thought into creating a gift just for them. Additionally, making your own gifts can be a fun and relaxing way to express your creativity and offload the stress of our busy world. Hopefully, this list of the best DIY holiday gifts has given you some great ideas!
