Looking for a gift that’s going to knock your recipient’s socks off? Try making it yourself! You only need two things to create an extra-special homemade present: a bit of free time and a lively creative spirit. Here are a few of our favorite homemade gift ideas that will help you get in touch with your artsy side and spread a bit of joy at the same time.
1. Homemade Candy
There’s simply no better gift than gourmet chocolate, which is why we’re starting here. While loading up on your recipient’s favorite bars is a no-brainer, you can honor their chocolate fanaticism by creating custom chocolate candies, truffles, or dipped treats using food-safe molds and chocolate discs for baking. How sweet is that?
2. Crafty Ornaments
DIY ornaments are a fun way to bring a personalized or sentimental touch to holiday gifts. Plus, you can take this one in any route you like glittery and glamorous, rustic and woodsy, or boho chic. We love doing homemade ornaments in the months leading up to the holidays so our recipients can put them on display come December.
3. Pressed Flower Candles
Like chocolate, candles are a guaranteed win for pretty much any recipient, and you’ll earn some brownie points if you make them yourself! Go the pretty, aromatic route with DIY dried flower candles made with pressed flowers, wax, and the essential oils of your choice.
4. A Paper Flower Bouquet
Bouquets are a classic gift that serves any purpose, no matter if you want to say “thank you,” “I love you” or “I’m sorry.” But standard bouquets only last for a few days. Make your own enduring floral creation by crafting a pretty paper flower bouquet using craft paper in tons of vibrant hues.
5. Bakery-Worthy Cookies
Everybody loves fresh-baked cookies, but the high-end bakery varieties can be quite expensive. Whip up your very own gourmet creations to honor their sweet tooth. You can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate chip made with top-quality baking chocolate.
6. Relaxing Bath Salt Mixes
If your recipient could use a trip to the spa, help them transform their bathtub into a luxe oasis with the help of custom bath salt mixes. These are super simple to make. Just start with plain Epsom salt and add essential oils, dried herbs, pressed flowers, and more.
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7. Herbal Soap
Making soap at home is easier than you might imagine. All you need are some plant-based oils (coconut and olive oil will work), some pure lye, essential oils, dried herbs, a soap mold, and some basic cooking and craft supplies. These make awesome large-batch DIY gifts for showers, weddings, and stuffing goodie bags at special events.
8. DIY Coasters
Perfect for any recipient with a well-stocked home bar, coasters are equal parts practical and decorative. The best part is that there are tons of great DIY coaster tutorials online to help you make creative options for everyone on your list. Go the reclaimed route and make yours from Scrabble pieces, old concrete, tiles, cork, or wood.
9. Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are reusable food storage wraps that can help you reduce your carbon footprint, curb food waste and save money at the same time. As great as they are, the store-bought ones are a bit pricey. To save some cash, try making your own using beeswax pellets and cotton fabric. Be sure to choose a cute, fun fabric that honors your recipient! Their favorite color, flower, or sports team logo will work!
10. Hot Cocoa Mixes
Who doesn’t love a yummy cup of hot cocoa on a chilly fall or winter day? To create the coziest homemade present for one or many recipients, build single-serve mason jar hot cocoa gifts featuring gourmet drinking chocolate layered with sweet mix-ins like marshmallows, chocolate chips, and candy pieces.
11. Fresh-Baked Bread
Though it may be a relatively small gesture, we think homemade bread is one of the most delightful, warming presents you can give someone. Go for a hearty crusty sourdough, a dense artisan focaccia, a yummy sweet bread, or a basket of all three!
12. Shrink Plastic Keychains
Are you on the shrink plastic crafting train? This realm of clever and sustainable DIY art lets you dream up one-of-a-kind charms and keychains using stuff you’ve already got around the house, including discarded plastic, markers, and your oven. You’ll need to dig through the recycling bin for some old single-use plastic containers, which you’ll then decorate and shrink down in the oven, creating adorable little trinkets.
13. Homemade Lip Balm
Lip balm is one of those small but practical presents you know will get used, especially if you live in a chillier climate. Did you know you can whip up your own lip balm at home in 10 minutes? You’ll need beeswax pellets (or soy wax pastilles if you want your balm to be vegan), shea butter, coconut oil, and the essential oils of your choosing. Create custom labels for a personalized touch.
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14. Hand-Painted Planters
Got a green thumb on your list? Consider giving the gift of a personalized planter painted by hand. Plain terracotta pots are relatively inexpensive at hardware and garden stores, but you can give them a chic upgrade with some acrylic paint and your art skills.
15. Scented Fire Starters
Anyone who loves to have wood fires in the fireplace or outdoor bonfires will appreciate the help of scented fire starters, which make getting the fire going so much easier. Not only do these handy little igniters help get the fire roaring, but they also emit a pleasant scent in the air, so you don’t come away smelling like a campfire.
Ready to get crafty and spread some joy while you do it? Going the homemade gift-giving route with any of the above crafts lets you dream up one-of-a-kind creations on a budget while tailoring your present to anyone on your list. You simply won’t get the same thrill from a trip to the department store!
Ft. Img. Source: Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
