20 DIY Christmas Gifts That People Will Actually Love

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I am a huge fan of DIY Christmas gifts. My husband and I despise spending more than five minutes at a mall during the holiday shopping season, and I never want gift giving to feel like an obligation. I like giving gifts that are thoughtful and personal. Anyone can pass out gift cards, but it’s a true friend that puts time and effort into a truly special gift. 

But there’s a long-standing problem with DIY gifts—more than one, actually. First, they have a bad reputation. I know I’m guilty of giving out at least a few DIY duds (sorry, mom and dad).  They can also be frustratingly time consuming. And when we’re already busy with a hectic holiday season, no one has time to spend hours upon hours on everyone on their list.  So for this list, I had two criteria: gifts need to be high-quality and something people would actually want, and they also need to be reasonably easy to put together. 

I scoured the Internet and put together this list of my favorite DIY Christmas gifts. Check them out and get crafty!

Home Decor

1. Starbucks Candle

Do you have a friend that wouldn’t survive without their daily trip to Starbucks? You can fuel that obsession in a creative way with a DIY Starbucks candle. Candle making isn’t as hard as it seems, and when your friend is finished burning the candle, they have a cute Starbucks mug to use all year-round. 

Tutorial: Down Redbud Drive

2. Stovetop Citrus Potpourri

One of the best things about the holiday season is the smell. Candles are a popular gift this time of year, but stovetop potpourri is a great way to mix it up. This DIY Christmas gift idea combines everything you need for a fresh-smelling home into a reusable glass jar. Your gift recipients just need to put it on the stove and enjoy the fresh scent!

Tutorial: Sheri Silver

3. Photo Coasters

This DIY Christmas gift will be something your friends and family will cherish for years. You’ll need a few supplies like ceramic tiles and a bottle of mod podge. You’ll also need to print out high-quality photos. These photo coasters take a few days to dry, but they’re not hard to make.

Tutorial: Cardstore

4. Wine Cork Vase

You’ve been collecting those corks all year, and now it’s time to put them to good use! This DIY flower vase is the perfect gift for friends that also enjoy a good cup of wine. Give the gift with flowers already inside to make it even better.

Tutorial: Design Improvised

5. Upcycled Throw Pillow

You’ll need to have some skills for this one, but making throw pillows is actually easier than you’d think. Find fabric from old clothes or the bargain bin at the store. 

Tutorial: Organized 31

6. Knit Pot Holders

You don’t need to be an expert knitter to make these simple knitted pot holders. They’re great projects for beginner knitters, and you can pass them out like candy to everyone on your list. Try to coordinate colors with your friends’ kitchens to make the gift extra thoughtful. 

Tutorial: Homey Oh My

7. Fleece Blanket

I absolutely love a good DIY fleece blanket. There are at least three in my living room, and I’ve already made them for all my friends and family members. They take a little bit of time, but they’re not hard. And you can personalize each blanket with printed fabric. It’s a great gift for the men on your list that aren’t easy to shop for.

Tutorial: Cutesy Crafts

Self Care

8. Terrazzo Style Slice Soaps

DIY soaps are always a good idea for gift giving. They encourage self care, and they look especially pretty when wrapped up in ribbon and bows. Instead of your normal bar of homemade soap, try out these cute and creative terrazzo style slice soaps. 

Tutorial: Fall for DIY

9. Pumpkin Spice Lip Scrub

Lip scrub is like chap stick, but it’s way better. It moisturizes lips and removes dry skin that always comes with dry winter weather. This sweet-smelling DIY Christmas gift makes a great stocking stuffer.

Tutorial: Club Crafted

10. Lavender Bath Salts

Who doesn’t enjoy a relaxing bath? Those baths are even better when they come with the therapeutic properties of these DIY bath salts. Give someone the gift of self care with these easy-to-make and always-thoughtful bath salts. You can even customize them for each person on your list. 

Tutorial: My Cultured Palate 

Edible

11. Hot Chocolate on a Stick

This idea is perfect for all the chocolate lovers of the world. These cute little chocolate pops magically turn into decadent hot chocolate when you stir them into a mug of warm milk. It’s a creative gift idea that you can make in bulk for neighbors and family members. 

Tutorial: Eating Richly

12. Homemade Ice Cream

We all scream for homemade ice cream! This recipe is easy to make (no turning involved), and the seasonal flavor is sure to be a hit. Package your pints in cute cartons and add some ribbon for good measure. You’ll have to transport your gift in a cooler so it won’t melt, but it’ll be worth it. 

Tutorial: Country Living

13. Healthy No Bake Granola Bars

Christmas gift giving usually involves a lot of cookies and candies, but what about the people on your list that are serious about health or struggling to stick to a diet? Gifting them a plate full of sugary sweets might not be appreciated. But what they will appreciate is a gift that’s both delicious and healthy. 

Tutorial: Happy Kitchen 

14. Candied Pecans

Baskets of cookies are the go-to gift for neighbors, teachers, and friends, but your gift can stand out by going in a nuttier direction. Candied pecans are sweet, festive, and easy to make. Make a big batch and give them out to everyone on your list. 

Tutorial: The Rising Spoon

15. Coffee Mixers

Coffee is always a good gift idea, and you can make that morning cup o’ Joe extra special with these DIY coffee mixers. Hit up your local thrift store for some cool-looking old spoons, and add chocolate, nuts, coconut, peppermint, and anything else you think will pair well with coffee. When you put the spoon in the coffee, the chocolate will melt to make a really delicious holiday treat. 

Tutorial: Tatyana’s Everyday Food

Everything Else

16. Hand-Painted Tote

It’s not the tote itself that makes this project a great DIY Christmas gift (unless of course you’re skilled with a sewing machine), but the design you pick can be customized for everyone on your list. It’s an especially great gift for your kids to make. They can give them to teachers, grandparents, family members, and whoever else would appreciate an environmentally friendly and super cute shopping tote bag. Buy blank tote bags and use fabric paint for the design.

Tutorial: Adventures of a DIY Mom

17. Leather Bookmark

Need a gift for a book lover but don’t know what’s currently on their “to-read” list? You could go with a gift card to Barnes and Noble, but that’s not exactly personal. So why not pair that gift card with a cute handmade leather bookmark? They’ll think of you every time they get into a good book.

Tutorial: Making Manzanita

18. Hand Warmers

Homemade hand warmers are a super simple yet thoughtful DIY Christmas gift. You only need basic sewing skills, a few scraps of fabric, and some rice. Package your handmade gift in a cute little bag with a personalized note to make it extra special.

Tutorial: The Typical Mom

19. Flannel Infinity Scarf

This cute scarf looks like an in-depth DIY project, but it only takes 15 minutes. It’s cute, cozy, and your friends in winter climates will appreciate the extra warmth. They’ll be impressed that you made it yourself–and you don’t need to tell them how easy it was. 

Tutorial: Swoodson Says

20. Embroidery Hoop Ornaments

These easy DIY Christmas gifts are an opportunity to stretch your sewing muscles. You don’t need to be a pro at embroidery to make these cute little ornaments. There are super simple designs that are perfect for beginners and even kids. 

Tutorial: Swoodson Says

What are your favorite DIY Christmas gifts? Let us know in the comments!

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