DIY Christmas gift ideas save money, but that is not the main reason I make them. A homemade present shows time, and people notice that.
Most of the projects below need a weekend or less. Many use pantry staples, thrift store jars or leftover yarn. A few need a quick trip to a craft store.
So here are 16 DIY Christmas gift ideas, with what you need and how to make each one. They suit beginners, kids with a helper and anyone who likes to work with their hands.
Good to know: Start in November. Candles need time to cure, pressed flowers need two weeks, and salt dough needs a slow bake.
In this post: 16 ideas
- Hot chocolate jars
- Hand poured soy candles
- Hand painted mugs
- Salt dough ornaments
- Knitted scarf
- Homemade cookie box
- Bath salt jars
- Fabric rice hand warmers
- Pressed flower bookmarks
- Photo memory box
- Crochet star coasters
- Herb infused salt
- Painted terracotta pot
- Felt Christmas ornaments
- Decoupage gift tray
- Homemade body scrub
1. Hot chocolate jars
A cocoa jar with neat stripes looks good on a shelf and tastes even better on a cold night. Layers of cocoa mix, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows show through the glass. It is one of the easiest DIY Christmas gift ideas, and kids love to help fill the jars.
For one pint jar, mix half a cup of cocoa with half a cup of sugar and some salt. Spoon it into the jar first, then add chocolate chips and top with marshmallows. Tie on a tag that says to stir three tablespoons into a mug of hot milk.
Gift tip: Pack each layer firmly with the back of a spoon. Loose layers mix together when the jar moves.
2. Hand poured soy candles
Homemade soy candles burn clean and smell as strong as shop candles. Plaid ribbon around each jar makes them ready to give. Candles rank among the most loved DIY Christmas gift ideas for teachers, hosts and neighbors.
Melt soy wax flakes in a pouring pitcher set inside a pan of simmering water. Stick a cotton wick to the base of each jar. Then stir in fragrance oil as the wax cools a little. Pour slowly and hold the wick straight with a clothespin. Let the candles cure for at least a week before you wrap them.
Good to know: Trim the wick to about a quarter inch before the first burn. Long wicks smoke and leave soot on the jar.
3. Hand painted mugs
Plain white mugs turn into keepsakes with a few painted trees and snowflakes. Green, red and gold look festive on white ceramic. Painted mugs are DIY Christmas gift ideas that get used every morning.
Wipe each mug with rubbing alcohol, so the paint grips. Use porcelain paint or oil based paint pens, and keep the design away from the rim. Then bake the mugs as the paint label says, starting in a cold oven to avoid cracks. Hand washing keeps the design bright for longer. If your hand shakes, trace the design first with a pencil. Pencil marks wipe off before baking.
4. Salt dough ornaments
Salt dough ornaments cost almost nothing and last for years. Pressing a sprig of pine or a leaf into the dough leaves a fine pattern. Families often hang the same ornaments every December, which makes these DIY Christmas gift ideas special.
Mix two cups of flour, one cup of salt and about three quarters of a cup of water. Knead, roll it out and cut stars or trees. Press in a leaf and poke a hole for the string. Then bake at a low heat for two to three hours. Seal them with clear varnish once they cool.
5. Knitted scarf
A chunky red scarf is a good first knitting project. Thick yarn and big needles make it grow fast, so you can finish one in a weekend. Knitted scarves are DIY Christmas gift ideas that keep someone warm all winter.
Choose a soft wool blend in a bulky weight and needles around 10 mm. A simple rib or garter stitch looks neat on both sides. Add a fringe at each end by looping short lengths of yarn through the edge. Fold the scarf in a box with tissue and a sprig of pine. Tuck in the yarn label, so the person knows how to wash it.
Save money: Thrift stores often sell bags of wool yarn for a few dollars. Check for moth holes before you buy.
6. Homemade cookie box
A box of gingerbread stars and iced snowflakes beats any shop tin. Line the box with parchment and pack the cookies in rows. Cookie boxes are DIY Christmas gift ideas that disappear fast, so make extra.
Bake firm cookies like gingerbread and shortbread, since they travel well. Let royal icing dry overnight before you stack anything. Separate each layer with parchment, and keep the box airtight. Most crisp cookies stay fresh for about a week.
Gift tip: Pack a small card with the cookie names. People like knowing which one is ginger and which one is shortbread.
7. Bath salt jars
Pink bath salts in a swing top jar look like a spa gift. A small wooden scoop tied to the jar finishes the look. Bath salts are cheap DIY Christmas gift ideas that you can make in bulk.
Mix two cups of Epsom salt with one cup of pink Himalayan salt in a large bowl. Add a few drops of essential oil, like lavender, and stir well. Spoon the mix into clean, dry jars and seal them right away. Moisture makes the salt clump, so keep water out.
8. Fabric rice hand warmers
Rice filled pouches warm up in the microwave and hold heat for a long time. Tartan cotton and cream ribbon make them look festive. Hand warmers are useful DIY Christmas gift ideas for walkers, students and anyone with cold hands.
Cut two squares of cotton fabric, about four inches wide. Sew three sides, fill with uncooked rice, then sew the last side shut. Use only cotton thread and fabric, since metallic threads spark in the microwave. Add a tag that says to heat them for 20 to 30 seconds.
You may also like25 Christmas Scrapbook Ideas for Photos and Holiday Keepsakes9. Pressed flower bookmarks
Pressed flowers and ferns sealed in clear sleeves make pretty bookmarks for readers. Red petals and green ferns suit the season. Bookmarks are light, flat DIY Christmas gift ideas that fit inside any card. Kids can help pick the flowers, which turns these DIY Christmas gift ideas into a family project.
Press flowers between parchment inside a heavy book for one to three weeks. Arrange the dried flowers on card stock, then seal them with a laminator or clear contact paper. Punch a hole at the top and add a ribbon tassel. Learn more about pressed flower craft if you want to try framed pieces next.
10. Photo memory box
A wooden box filled with printed photos brings back a whole year of memories. Write a date or a short note on the back of each print. Memory boxes are DIY Christmas gift ideas that grandparents treasure.
Pick 20 to 40 photos from phone albums and print them at a local shop. Sand and stain a plain craft store box, or paint the lid with a name. Sort the photos by date, and tuck a handwritten letter on top. Add a few blank cards, so the family can add new memories over time.
Gift tip: Ask siblings or cousins for photos too. Shared memories make the box feel bigger than one person’s view.
11. Crochet star coasters
Star shaped crochet coasters in green and cream protect tables in style. A stack of four tied with red ribbon makes a neat gift. Coasters are quick DIY Christmas gift ideas for anyone who already knows basic stitches.
Use cotton yarn, since it absorbs drips and handles hot mugs. Work a round base, then add five or six points for the star. Each coaster takes about an hour once you learn the pattern. Block them flat with steam, so the points stay sharp. Set them on these coffee table decor ideas for a photo before you wrap them.
12. Herb infused salt
Rosemary and lemon salt adds flavor to roast potatoes, chicken and fish. A tall jar with a sprig on top looks good in any kitchen. Flavored salts are DIY Christmas gift ideas for home cooks who like to try new things.
Mix one cup of coarse sea salt with two tablespoons of chopped rosemary and the zest of one lemon. Spread it on a tray and dry it in a low oven for about an hour. Dried herbs and zest keep the salt from clumping or spoiling. Pour it into jars and label them with the date.
Gift tip: Add a small card with serving ideas, like roast potatoes or grilled fish.
13. Painted terracotta pot
A small terracotta pot painted with white snowflakes turns a succulent into a gift. Red ribbon around the rim adds color. Plant pots are cheap DIY Christmas gift ideas for coworkers and teachers.
Paint the pot with acrylic paint and let it dry fully. Then seal the outside with a clear sealer, so water does not lift the paint. Pot up a succulent in cactus mix, which drains well. A small saucer underneath protects windowsills. Younger kids can dab the snowflakes on with a cotton bud.
14. Felt Christmas ornaments
Felt ornaments shaped like trees, gingerbread houses and robins never break. Simple embroidery adds detail without much skill. Felt ornaments are DIY Christmas gift ideas that kids and adults can sew together.
Cut two matching shapes from wool blend felt, then stitch details on the front piece. Sew the edges with a blanket stitch, and add a little stuffing before you close it. Loop a ribbon at the top for hanging. Wool blend felt holds its shape better than thin craft felt, and it does not pill as fast. Pair a set with these Christmas tree ideas for a matching tree theme.
15. Decoupage gift tray
A plain wooden tray gets a holly pattern with paper napkins and glue. The result looks hand painted but takes one afternoon. Decoupage trays are DIY Christmas gift ideas that stay in use all year.
Paint the tray edges, then separate the top printed layer of each napkin. Brush decoupage glue onto the tray base, lay the napkin down and smooth it with a soft brush. Add two or three coats of glue on top, letting each one dry. Read about the history of decoupage for more ideas.
16. Homemade body scrub
Sugar and coconut oil make a soft, sweet smelling body scrub. Clip top jars with red ribbons look ready for any shelf. Body scrubs are DIY Christmas gift ideas that take ten minutes to make.
Stir one cup of white sugar into half a cup of melted coconut oil. Add a few drops of vanilla or essential oil if you like. Spoon it into clean, dry jars and close them tight. Tell the person to use it within a few weeks and keep water out of the jar.
Good to know: Coconut oil turns solid below about 76 degrees F (24 degrees C). A quick stir softens the scrub again.
How to pick DIY Christmas gift ideas for each person
Match the project to the person’s habits. Cooks will use herb salt, readers will use bookmarks, and tea drinkers will use painted mugs. Then match it to your own skills and time.
| Project | Time needed | Skill level |
|---|---|---|
| Hot chocolate jars | 30 minutes | Easy |
| Bath salt jars | 30 minutes | Easy |
| Body scrub | 10 minutes | Easy |
| Salt dough ornaments | 3 hours with baking time | Easy |
| Painted mugs | 2 hours and baking time | Easy |
| Soy candles | 2 hours and a week to cure | Medium |
| Decoupage tray | One afternoon | Medium |
| Knitted scarf | One weekend | Medium |
| Crochet coasters | One hour each | Medium |
Easy homemade gifts kids can help with
Kids can layer cocoa jars, cut salt dough shapes and paint pots. Let them press leaves into the dough or add their own snowflakes. Keep hot wax, ovens and sharp tools with the adults. For more projects with little ones, try these pretzel craft ideas.
How to package homemade gifts
Glass jars, kraft boxes and tissue paper make simple packaging look neat. Tie each one with velvet, plaid or Nordic ribbon. Add a handwritten label with the name, the date and any use or care notes.
Food gifts need extra care. Write the ingredients on the tag, so people with allergies can check. Also add a use by date for scrubs, salts and cookies. Then set the gifts under a tree styled with these indoor Christmas decorations.
Save money: Collect jars all year from jam, honey and pasta sauce. Warm, soapy water lifts the old labels off.
Supplies to keep on hand for DIY Christmas gift ideas
A small stock of basics makes most DIY Christmas gift ideas on this list quick to start. Buy them in October, when craft stores restock for the holidays.
- Glass jars in pint and half pint sizes
- Kraft boxes, tissue paper and parchment
- Velvet, plaid and twine ribbon
- Blank tags and a fine tip pen
- Epsom salt, coarse sea salt, sugar and flour
- Acrylic paint, brushes and a clear sealer
- Cotton fabric, felt, thread and stuffing
Store everything in one box or basket. Then, when a last minute invite comes, you can make a gift in an evening.
Common mistakes with homemade gifts
The most common mistake is starting too late. Candles need to cure, glue needs to dry, and cookies need to cool fully before packing. Give yourself at least two weeks for the slower DIY Christmas gift ideas.
Moisture causes the next problem. Wet jars ruin bath salts, herb salt and scrubs. So wash jars a day ahead and let them air dry. Finally, test one item before you make ten. A test batch shows you if the scent is too strong or the paint peels.
How to make DIY Christmas gift ideas look shop bought
Matching packaging does most of the work. Use the same jar, ribbon and tag style for every gift in a batch. Printed labels look cleaner than handwriting if your writing is messy.
Also, keep colors simple. Cream, forest green and deep red suit almost every project here. A sprig of pine, a cinnamon stick or a dried orange slice on top adds a finishing detail. For a bigger present, group three small gifts in one box, such as cocoa, a mug and cookies.
DIY gifts versus store bought gifts
Homemade gifts often cost less, but they take more time. A batch of bath salts for ten people costs less than ten shop gifts. However, a knitted scarf can cost as much as a store scarf once you buy good yarn. In my house, I mix both types. I make the food gifts and buy one bigger item for close family. Mix both types if time runs short, and see these Christmas gift ideas for store bought picks.
More ideas: For more inspiration, take a look at these cool Christmas gift ideas.
FAQs about DIY Christmas gift ideas
What are the easiest DIY Christmas gift ideas?
Hot chocolate jars, bath salts and body scrub are the easiest. Each takes under an hour and needs no special tools.
What DIY Christmas gift ideas can kids make?
Kids can make cocoa jars, salt dough ornaments, painted pots and felt ornaments with a little help. Keep hot wax, ovens and sharp tools with the adults.
How far ahead should I make homemade gifts?
Start candles, pressed flowers and knitting in early November. Make cookies and food gifts in the last week before you give them.
Are homemade gifts cheaper?
Most are. Jars, salt, sugar and flour cost little in bulk. Yarn and good paint cost more, so plan your budget first.
What homemade gifts can I mail?
Salt dough ornaments, bookmarks, coasters, scarves and herb salt mail well. Avoid glass jars of liquid, and pack anything breakable in bubble wrap.
Written by Stephanie Fallis
Mom and homemaker who shares budget friendly DIY projects, decorating tips and gardening ideas for busy families.
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