Another crazy year is nearly gone and the holidays are just around the corner. With supply chain issues and runaway inflation, you might be wanting to keep your money local this year.
Check out these simple, easy, handmade gift ideas that you can make in a day or less. Homemade gifts are thoughtful and can easily be personalized for the recipient, making them the perfect present for a friend or for someone you love.
Quick, handmade gift ideas
Handmade gifts are not only frugal and easy to personalize, they will solve many of those supply chain issues, especially if you are already a crafter or hobbyist and have some of the supplies on hand. You can check off the boxes on your gift list with ease!
Whether you're a whiz with a sewing machine, have some creative tendencies, or all you have time for is to add simple ingredients into a Mason jar for a quick but cute gift, I've got you covered.
Most (all?) of these simple projects can be done in a day. Plus many of them will make more than one item, so you can make enough cute little gifts for your entire gift list.
Each post I've linked to includes a step-by-step tutorial too.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure here.
Some of these ideas are simple, and some only require a few ingredients you probably already have on hand. A few require more time and equipment but are still definitely doable.
Let's jump right in.
All images are used with permission.
DIY Gifts that Pamper the Recipient
Pampering gifts are so simple to make and such a luxurious experience for the receiver. From body butters to bath balms, you'll find a selection here that is sure to please.
With just three ingredients and a few minutes, you can make these hard lotion bars
. No tin or other container needed, just rub these bars in your hands or on your skin to add moisture to winter-dry skin.
Calendula is an easy-to-grow flower with an amazing ability to reduce inflammation and promote wound healing. It’s also wonderful for aging skin as it tightens and hydrates. Learn how to make this Calendula Oil Body Butter that will be appreciated by young and old alike.
These Peppermint Bath Salts in a jar are easy to make and a cute gift idea for anyone on your holiday gift-giving list. By dying half of the recipe red and layering them in a jar you'll have a candy cane theme everyone will love.
Make your own lavender sugar scrub and package it up to make a thoughtful self-care gift for friends and family, using natural ingredients.
These lemon and coconut bath bombs will tone, regenerate and rejuvenate your skin. Made of all-natural ingredients, they detox your body and leave your skin smooth and silky.
This easy-to-make natural lip balm has a mild orange-spiced-cider scent and moisturizer with beeswax. Make up a batch of these and add one to everyone's stocking.
DIY Wooden Signs for the Porch
Wooden porch signs are very trendy and, if you make them yourself, very affordable. Use reclaimed wood for extra character and make them reversible (a different sign on both sides) for an even "bigger" gift. You'll find out how to make signs without a stencil in this post.
DIY Gifts to Sew
DIY throw pillows are a great way to change up your decor on a frugal budget, and they make a great gift. And with this primitive throw pillow, it won't matter at all if your sewing skills aren't perfect.
A handmade quilted table runner can be themed to your gift recipient's home decor style and colors. And if you love quilting as much as I do, this is a quick and easy project that you'll enjoy making and giving.
Use any fabric - even remnants you have from other projects - and learn how to quilt-as-you-go in this post.
Rice-filled hand warmers are simple and fast to sew and cost almost nothing. They're one of my favorite ways to use up scraps of fabric that are leftover from other projects. They make wonderful gifts for everyone on your list, from children to adults.
For a gift everyone will love, make some hand-embellished towels from inexpensive towel set, notion and trims. These might look complicated but they're really fast and easy, and don't require fancy sewing skills.
Give a Gift of Holiday Cheer
It's easy to make your home smell elegant and holiday-ish with this stove-top simmering potpourri, so why not make extra, package them in pretty tulle or cellophane bags, tie them up with pretty ribbons and give as gifts? Everyone loves a holiday-scented home.
Handmade Candles
For a fun and easy-to-make gift, consider making your own candles (plus it's a good skill to learn). You can be creative with the jar or holder you use for the candle, and customize the scent to your gift recipients too. Learn how with Easy Candle-Making for Beginners.
Mason Jar Gifts
This bread mix in a jar makes one delicious loaf of bread, the perfect size for a gift. Just add yeast and water to the ingredients, then bake as usual in the oven or in a breadmaker. Pair this jar mix with a new bread pan, wooden spoon and kitchen towel for a welcome gift.
I'm going to admit right now that I've included this one because I love peppermint bark myself! This tasty peppermint bark is made with just two ingredients and takes about ten minutes or so to put together. Fill a Mason jar and add the free holiday themed printable tag.
Add this delicious Homemade Caramel Corn made with warming gingerbread spices and sweet buttery caramel sauce to a Mason jar and you have a gift that's sure to be a hit! Perfectly sweet and crunchy, this snack is an easy, homemade edible gift.
Hot Cocoa In A Jar is a perfect warm-up gift to make this holiday season. This mason jar gift is easy to create and delicious to drink. That cute tag with directions is available too.
Fresh hot homemade brownies are hard to beat. Make your own brownie mix in a jar as a fun gift for friends and family and keep an extra jar or two for yourself.
DIY Gifts for Green Thumbs
Need a quick gift for a friend who loves plants? Or a little something to go along with the garden gloves and hand trowel you bought for your best friend? Make one of these cute little succulent in a watering can. Adorable, and so simple.
These twig-wrapped flower pots are a simple way to turn a basic plant pot into a rustic gift. Make one to hold a gift plant, or several to give as a set.
Make a Crafty Pendant With Wire
Who would have thought to pair wire and nail polish and come up with such an elegant pendant? And I'm told they make great earrings too. If you're up to the challenge, give this dragonfly pendant from wire a try!
A No-Sew but Big-Impact Gift for Little Ones
I think all children dream of a hiding place of their own. This no-sew teepee can be made in an hour once you've gathered the materials.
Make-it-yourself Salt Blends
These salt blends will delight your foodie friends, and they are so simple to make. Here are three to choose from, or make all three and give a culinary collection.
This orange lemon salt blend is a bright and flavorful salt blend that will bring your roast chicken, salad, avocado toast or any meals to life with it’s vibrant salty citrus flavor.
Learn how to make a simple citrus and herb-infused salt flavored with fresh rosemary, orange and thyme. It's perfect for seasoning and finishing foods like poultry, fish and vegetables - and it makes a wonderful homemade gift for the foodies in your life.
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