Whether you’re trying to save some money during the holiday season or if you want to give a gift that’s more meaningful than what you can get at a big box store, homemade gifts are a great way to go. Keep reading for some DIY gift inspiration for all of the people on your list (including kids and pets)!
Table of Contents
For the Home:
Homemade Linen Spray
A little bit of vodka or rubbing alcohol and some essential oils are all you need to mix together an aromatic linen spray for the homemaker in your life. Linen sprays are a quick and non-toxic way to give bedding and living room furniture a clean and inviting scent. Check out Abbey Verigin’s Linen Spray “How To” for a recipe and tips.
DIY Beeswax Candles
Not only is beeswax a pretty and sweet smelling wax, it’s also a completely non-toxic option for candle-making. Beeswax is also one of the slowest burning waxes so you’ll be able to get extra life out of it. Our Oily House has a super simple recipe for beeswax candles that would make beautiful gifts.
Coasters
Handmade coasters like the set pictured above make a gorgeous gift for any occasion. For that tutorial and more, check out this list of DIY coasters by DIY Candy.
Wool Dryer Balls
All you need is wool yarn, pantyhose and a clothes dryer to make super simple yet very useful wool dryer balls. This non-toxic option replaces dryer sheets (which are often loaded with harsh chemicals and perfumes) and can help reduce the time it takes for your clothes to dry. If you add a few drops of essential oil to the dryer balls they’ll also leave a pleasant scent on your clothes. Check out this tutorial by The Frugal Girls for step by step instructions.
Hand Towels
This hand towel crochet pattern by Stitching Together is great for crafters of any experience level who want to make a gorgeous handmade gift for their loved one.
For the Kitchen:
Stove Top Potpourri
These charming little stove top potpourri jars by Hip 2 Save are a great gift for anyone who might want to make their house smell warm and inviting without using sprays or candles with toxic ingredients.
Hot Sauce
I feel like we all have at least one person in our lives that put hot sauce on EVERYTHING, and this gift idea was made for them! This simple hot sauce recipe by The Curious Chickpea turns inexpensive ingredients into a fresh tasting hot sauce that you can adjust to your recipient’s preferences.
Infused Salts
Try your hand at making infused salts for the foodie in your life. Check out this article by The Pioneer Woman for amazing infused salt ideas like espresso salt for the coffee-lover in your life or cayenne salt for someone who likes things spicy.
Soup Mix in a Jar
Give the gift of warmth and comfort with these adorable mason jar soup mixes. Wholefully has several soup mix recipes you can use to assemble your jars.
Infused Olive Oil
Infused olive oil makes an especially good gift for a gracious host. Try out different flavor profiles like spicy chili oil or lemon thyme oil using Aimee’s infused olive oil recipes.
Vanilla Extract
Create a rich, dark vanilla extract for the bakers on your gifting list using this recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen.
Crochet Potholder
Sarah Maker offers this pattern for free so with some basic crochet skills you can create these charming potholders as meaningful handmade gifts.
Herbal Vinegar
Herbal vinegars add a little extra flavor to dishes and make a great gift for the foodie, host or homemaker in your family. Check out this post by A Farm Girl in the Making for two vinegar infusing methods and great tips.
For the Bathroom:
Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Sugar scrubs are great for dry skin during cold times of the year, or any time you want to relax and exfoliate. This vanilla brown sugar body scrub recipe from Suburban Simplicity smells so warm and delicious and only requires four ingredients to put together.
Bath Bombs
Give the gift of self-care with these homemade bath bombs. Personalize these bath bombs with different colors and scents for a great gift (for all ages).
Beard Balm
Homemade beard balm is a gentle and non-toxic way to moisturize and give a warm manly scent to your beard. Personalize the blend with your choice of essential oils to make it just right for that special man in your life.
Tallow Balm
Tallow is incredibly compatible with our skin’s body chemistry and contains a whole bunch of vitamins that keep your skin soft and healthy. Check out this tallow balm tutorial by Mommypotamus for step by step instructions on how to create this non-toxic body moisturizer, put it in a festive jar, and give the gift of all natural self-care.
Crochet Little Washies
I feel like I’m always needing more wash clothes and would be delighted at receiving such adorable crocheted “washies” like these. The little crocheted basket to hold them in is a charming touch. You can find the pattern for free thanks to Brenda K. B. Anderson on Ravelry.
Tub Tea
Tub tea takes your bath to the next level by turning it into a relaxing herbal soak. Gift a reusable tea ball alongside the tub tea so the herbs don’t make a mess of the bath tub. Check out this article by Numi Tea for some recipes and ideas.
For the Kids:
Tool Belt
This super simple tool belt sewing project makes a great gift for the little carpenter in your life. Choose a fabric your little one will love and deck it out the tool belt with some mini tools.
I Spy Bottle
I remember playing with these for ages when I was a kid- especially on long car rides! I love how open-ended this DIY is and that you can use things from the dollar store or even recycle little toys that haven’t been played with in a long time. This post by The Imagination Tree has loads of great pictures and ideas.
Moon Sand
Moon sand is a great open-ended sensory toy that you can make with just two ingredients. Check out this tutorial by One Little Project.
Play Dough
Play dough is another classic sensory toy that makes a great gift for kids. You can make play dough in a bunch of different colors with this tutorial by i heart naptime.
Homemade Tutu Skirt
Dress up clothes are a great (and inexpensive) gift that will add to imaginative play for years to come. Try checking thrift stores for fun used clothes and accessories or make a tutu skirt by hand with this simple and creative tutorial that uses hair bands as an elastic waistband.
Explorer Activity Kit
This thoughtfully made gift is perfect for the little nature lover in your life. Your little one is sure to feel like a real-life explorer with their explorer activity kit, just check out this post by The Merry Thought for inspiration on putting it all together.
Pack ‘n’ Go Kitchen
One of the main complaints I’ve heard from parents about play kitchens is that now you have to clean BOTH kitchens. However, this genius idea from Printable Cuttable Creatables fixes that problem by converting a storage container into a portable cooking stove! Now you can not only bring the play kitchen on-the-go, but you can pack up all the play food inside the container for easy clean-up.
Felt Board
I remember playing with the giant felt board at my local library growing up and was so excited to find this easy to follow tutorial so I can make one for my own little one.
Portable Dino Play Mat
This portable dino play mat is so adorable, creative, and only requires basic sewing skills to craft (though I don’t see why you couldn’t use a hot glue gun). You can also adjust the scenery and toys to create other themes like farm animals, ocean, etc.
Lego Tables (with storage)
Legos are truly a classic and beloved gift for all ages, but they always come with the issue of needing a place to keep them organized. This comprehensive article by Sunny Day Family has tips for cleverly converting used furniture into lego play tables (with storage).
Felt Eggs
My toddler played with her plastic eggs from Easter for months and months which leads me to believe that this would be a genius gift idea for little ones. This inexpensive and resourceful tutorial uses felt, plastic Easter eggs and a empty egg carton to create crackable play eggs that would be great for toddler motor skills practice or even a play kitchen.
For the Pets (or pet owners):
Dog Nose and Paw Balm
The cold, dry weather can take a toll on your pet’s skin too- so try this tutorial for dog nose and paw balm to create a thoughtful gift for a dog (or dog owner).
Cat Wand
Use scraps of fabric and little bits and pieces from around the house to craft a cat wand for your feline friend.
Felt Mouse
Stuff this cute and classic little felt mouse with catnip to keep your kitties entertained for ages. Check out this post by Rhythms of Play for a beginner-friendly sewing tutorial.
Tuna Cat Treats
Cats tend to be a bit pickier than dogs so I’ve found homemade cat treats to be a bit of a challenge. I’ve never met a cat that didn’t like canned tuna though, so this tuna cat treat recipe by From Under a Palm Tree is a perfect gift for choosy cats.
Braided Denim Dog Toy
Recycle old denim into a super simple denim dog rope as a gift for your four legged friend. The tough denim should be able to withstand most levels of chewing.
Chunky Knit Cat Bed
The arm knitting technique used to make this chunky knit cat bed is a beginner-friendly way for you to make a heartfelt and comfy gift for your cat.
Paw Print Keepsake
Use a couple basic ingredients to create a dough that you can use to get an impression of your precious pet’s paw. With just a few creative touches this DIY paw print keepsake could also be turned into a Christmas tree ornament.
Snuffle Mat
Whether you want to slow down an impatient pup while eating or keep a bored dog entertained, this simple to craft snuffle mat makes a great gift.
Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Homemade dog treats are almost guaranteed to be a hit with any pup. This peanut butter dog treat recipe makes the project simple and uses wholesome ingredients.
