We can all agree that times can be rough, and we may be unable to splurge on Christmas gifts for friends and loved ones. However, we can also agree that the joy of the holidays is simply spending time with the people we love, and it is not all about the presents. There are many ways to show our appreciation without breaking the bank in the process.
In this article, I will share 10 DIY gift ideas and alternatives that you can personalize and bring joy to everyone around you. I suggest heading to your local craft stores, including Michael’s and DeSerres, which usually have many DIY projects packaged up.
1. DIY Candles
Most people enjoy lit candles and have candles in their homes. It can be to relax, to create an ambiance, for aesthetics and, of course, for when blackouts occur.
They can be overwhelming or quite pleasant, depending on their scents. With endless possibilities, you can make your own and please your friends with their favourite aroma.
First, you will have to consider the container where you want the candle to go or if you’d like a specific shape. In this case, you will need a mold made of silicone, preferably. You can easily find excellent containers, cute tea cups, and other items to pour your wax into at different thrift or antique stores, and you will have a magnificent candle. Or perhaps you have items at home that do the job. If not, do not worry; there is plenty to browse for. You will also need soy, rapeseed, coconut, paraffin or beeswax wax. Here is a guide to understanding and choosing the wax of your preference. You will also need a wick, of course.
With this article from Live Simply, you will be ready to tackle the task, which includes some dried herbs, flowers, essential oils, and other fragrance oils.
Here is another helpful video as well.
2. DIY Bar Soaps
Just like candles, you cannot go wrong with soaps. It doesn’t need to be a strong scent; if you know a person with sensitive skin, this can also be a great option. Bars of soap are also more environmentally friendly since they use less water to produce. You can follow a similar process as candles since you must melt a substance (soap base) and pour it into something else. The soap base is made out of distilled water, glycerin, and surface-active substances and can include other ingredients like shea butter and essential oils. For soaps, you need silicone or wood molds, which will last a long time. You can also use essential oils, herbs and dried flowers.
Here is a helpful video from the creator of Spicy Moustache on Instagram and an article from Food52 that will guide you through the process.
3. Crochet/Knitting
If you know how to knit or crochet already, this could be an excellent opportunity to gift people coasters, scarves, hats, mittens, headbands, and anything else! These options are also ideally suited for beginners, as they are more accessible and easier; however, if you want to make something more elaborate and you are a confident crocheter or knitter, make the most of it. Like the two DIY above, there are also kits for crocheting adapted to everyone’s skill level. You can opt for a kit or your yarn and hook. It is recommended that beginners start with a hook of 5mm or more as it is easier to work with, and the yarn size will also be chosen accordingly.
Hopelessly Devoted Crochet has an article dedicated to beginners and what to start with.
You can find and buy patterns online or find them free as tutorials on YouTube. Here is an abundant playlist for beginners from Hopeful Turns.
4. Holiday Cards
This might be obvious to most, but a simple card goes a long way. I mean something other than buying greeting cards from the store. Instead, opt to make personalized cards.
It is a small but sweet gesture that anyone can appreciate, mainly when you write and design your card according to the person who will receive it. This is an excellent reminder to express your feelings about the people around you.
If you have Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and others, it’s an excellent time to use them for this project and print out the desired design. Or you can simply visit your local craft store and get different tapes, ribbons, colourful construction paper, glitter, paint, pompoms and any material with the help of your imagination.
For inspiration, search up designs on Google, as so many are available. Here are some by the parade home and garden that will surely delight you.
5. Food, Dipping Sauce and Desserts
We all need to eat, and we all have preferences regarding food, so why not spoil your loved ones with homemade goods? Whether it’s a whole baked lasagna, a tzatziki sauce, a maple spread or simply gingerbread cookies, the options are endless and you’d be sure to please anyone with your cooking. You can follow recipes, place them in unique jars with little strings, and attach decorative tags. You can repurpose your used glass jars or get some new ones that your gift receivers will reuse regularly.
This is the easiest since you can get pre-made items from your local shops or bakeries if you do not like cooking.
Here are some ideas from Taste of Home that will inspire you and satisfy anyone’s tummies, but remember, you can make just about any recipe.
6. Air-Dry Clay
This is a fun alternative if you are looking to shape and create porcelain-like trinkets. The only downside is that this clay is more fragile than regular clay; however, it is easier to manipulate and perfect for beginners. It is easier since you do not need to heat it or do anything at the end of shaping your items. You can get them in different colors or white and paint the final result when dry. You’d want some tools to help you, like a rolling pin, a sculpting kit (if you plan on making more elaborate designs), a sponge or brush and a non-stick surface.
Here is a beginner guide and some tips and tricks for gathering beauty.
Also, here are some ideas for adults and kids from a gathered article.
7. Photo Album
This personal gift can be a great addition to anyone’s collection. We rarely develop photos and have photo albums nowadays.
Fortunately, it is easier than ever to compile pictures, go to a machine, or print them in your home. You could go to a thrift shop to find a photo album or get a new one you prefer.
You can always decorate the cover on the one you pick, and inside the album, you can customize messages or captions for the pictures. Like the DIY cards, you can use any crafting material to adorn the album. It can also be a bit like scrapbooking. However, it’s best not to over-saturate it, or the decoration might fall off or be crushed while the album is closed, making it look worn out quickly.
You can find some inspiration on Pinterest or really anywhere on the web.
8. Hot Chocolate Bombs
Technically, this can be included as food, but I decided to keep it as an option for the hot chocolate lovers in your life. It might sound complicated, but it is simple if you have a mold to pour the tempered chocolate. You can customize the ingredients to your liking. However, it will always contain hot chocolate powder (any kind you want), some marshmallows perhaps, cinnamon, nutmeg, sprinkles, chocolate chips and any other ingredient you think will combine well. The way it’s done is by mixing all your ingredients between two chocolate pieces and decorating it to your heart’s content. Then, once it’s ready to be served, you heat some milk of your preference, and it will melt and mix into the milk easily.
Here is an easy guide by the Kitchnn for you to make these wonderful chocolatey bombs.
9. Personalized Items
If you're creative and want to use paints or pens, you can personalize various items by writing or drawing on them. This includes mugs, plates, T-shirts, tote bags, cutting boards, and various decorations.
There are many paint markers that you can use on almost any solid surface. Fabric paints specifically used for clothing and tote bags, for example, are also available. Ceramic marker pens and acrylic paint mixed with different things, like gesso, can also help. It all depends on what you want to customize, and then you can choose the kind of paint to use.
The tote bag factory shows you how to decorate a canvas tote bag.
Here is a guide by skill share that will help you figure out how to paint on fabric and how to prep it and make it last.
10. DIY Jewelry and Accessories
There are cheap jewelry kits that you can find at the dollar store or any other craft store. You can also make it from different materials; it doesn’t have to be metals. It can be strings, buttons, beads, clay and anything you can imagine.
It is very versatile and can please anyone. You can make necklaces, chokers, bracelets, rings and even keychains.
Here is a guide for beaded jewelry, you can use your own type of beads of course. Some DIY jewelry projects to try by gathering beauty.
Here is a guide for beginners from Laura jade Prado.
Finally, here is an inspiring video and another video for a DIY tooth beaded necklace.
We are fortunate to live in a digital world where finding a video on how to make almost anything is just a click away. This makes it relatively easy to start any project you set your mind to. You might even discover a new hobby in the process. Here are some other great ideas for DIY projects: making your own body scrub, embroidery, DIY bath bombs, filling your own tea bags, creating a personalized recipe book, making DIY disinfectant or dish soap, and decorating a canvas bag. There are countless options and mediums to explore; all you need is a bit of imagination and inspiration. Remember, anything made with love is always greatly appreciated.
