The holiday season is the perfect time to show your friends and family how much you care by giving them lovely gifts handmade by you. But let’s be easy on ourselves and go the simple way: handmade is handmade- it doesn’t matter if the gift took five minutes or five months; they will enjoy it equally.
In this post, we'll explore 10 unique and homemade gift ideas that will knock the fuzzy winter socks off your recipients. These ideas are creative, uncomplicated, budget-friendly and beginner-easy!
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1. Customized Photo Calendar
Create a personalized photo calendar using pictures of the favorite moments you two shared throughout the year. Here’s how I did it the simple way this year: instead of uploading to Walgreens or Shutterfly, I found this on Amazon and made the calendar in five minutes! Pick 12 photos and you’re done, for under $30.
My kids’ grandmother loves getting these every year! This is a practical and nostalgic gift. If you don’t have a lot of pictures together, use your favorite photos of your kids or travels. Families love seeing these memories every day.
2. Homemade Bath and Body Products
Pamper your loved ones with luxurious homemade bath and body products. Handmade is soo much better than the junk at the store.
My simple favorites are bath bombs and sugar scrubs. Include a handwritten note with instructions or an inspirational self-care quote for an added touch.
If you enjoy those nice little French yogurts (Oui), repurpose the cute glass containers by cleaning and filling them with homemade body scrub! Top them off with these under $10 gorgeous aesthetic bamboo lids (pic below) that include a rubber seal making them leak-proof for transport!
Recipes to Try:
Bath Bomb Recipe for Beginners Effortless and easy!
Easy Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipe My favorite scrub, from Elaine with eatingbyelaine
3. Memory Jar
Decorate a glass jar and fill it with slips of paper detailing the best memories you've shared. Cut out a photo of the two of you for the top, and finish with a ribbon around the neck.
Make it easier by having the complete kit sent right to your door.
I love that it comes with everything you need- including 180 blank tags. Currently on SALE $20
Ideas for your memory jar:
What I admire about you...
Lyrics from your shared favorite song.
Inside jokes
Dreams/Goals (one day we will...)
Inspirational quotes
Favorite personality trait
Thank you for being there when:...
Name and date of concerts you attended together
A famous line from a favorite movie
(Romantic interest):
Favorite dates you’ve had
Future date ideas
Favorite charming attribute
Top memory of the year
Reasons why you are my person
My favorite way to waste time with you...
You get the idea! Revisit each one five times and you've got a nice collection that will have them grinning for days!
4. Handcrafted Jewelry
Get creative and make unique jewelry pieces, even if you've never done it before! It's so easy to string bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Use beads & charms, and personalize your creations by using your loved one's favorite color or their birthstone.
Michael’s has jewelry-making supplies, but if you want to save some money I would get this 2,000+ piece kit (left) that has all the tools and beads you'll need for $26. complete kit.
5. Recipe Book
This is perfect for your foodie friend or your adulting daughter (or son! Mine has called so many times, asking for childhood recipes!)
Gifting a collection of your favorite recipes is a priceless and special gift that can be handed down for generations.
Make a free ebook on Canva.com, including photos. They also have an option to print!
Or handwrite your recipes on index cards and slide them into a photo album. Bonus: the recipes will be protected from food splatters behind plastic!
6. DIY Terrarium
Here is the perfect present for your plant-mom friend! Create a mini garden in a glass container by arranging small plants, pebbles, and moss.
Terrariums make stunning, low-maintenance decor gifts that bring instant peace and beauty to indoor spaces.
I have a half dozen of these sweet hanging globes in my living room, displaying air plants...they are quite a conversation starter!
7. Hand-knit Scarf or Stocking
If you have knitting or crocheting skills, make a cozy scarf in your loved ones' favorite colors. Handmade scarves are not only useful, but they also make the recipient feel loved every time they wear them.
Talk about the gift that keeps on giving: knit them a stocking they can display and fill every year! Oh I would love this so much. It's officially on my wish list.
The gift of your special touch in creating something like this lasts forever.
8. Personalized Cutting Board
Engrave a cutting board with a favorite family recipe or a special message. If you have a dremel this is easy and satisfying. If we want it to be simpler: engrave their last name and Christmas/year. I love this for newlyweds! Everyone needs a cutting board. But this one will be a cherished keepsake.
I recommend an heirloom-quality board that will last, to be handed down to the next generation, like this one:
9. DIY Artwork
Create a piece of artwork using your artistic skills or explore different techniques. This sounds broad, but let me narrow it down with an example for you: I bought joint compound at Lowe’s ($4) and a framed art print canvas at Goodwill ($6) and went to town covering the existing art with patterns in joint compound.
Another fun DIY is mixed media; I love this idea because you can
personalize it with the gift recipient's favorite themes.
Check out more ideas here, and have fun making something special for someone important. Don’t forget to sign and date!
10. Homemade Food Basket
Put together a selection of homemade treats! Include Christmas cookies, jams, cupcakes, flavored oils, cookie-mix-in-a-jar, or whatever it is you know people love that you make. Attach handwritten or personalized labels to add an extra touch of love. Wrap the basket in cellophane and top it off with a big holiday bow. Or use a basket like this
and wrap the bow around the handles. I love the sweet lining on these, they are a present themselves!
I hope these ideas inspire you this holiday season to explore more than store-bought gifts and opt for something a touch more personal and meaningful. By creating unique and homemade gifts, you not only showcase your creativity but also demonstrate the thought and effort you put into each present. Love and care are gifts of themselves that bless each person lucky enough to get something like this from you.
These 10 ideas are just the beginning, so let your imagination run wild and make this holiday season extra special for your loved ones.
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