Looking for an affordable and easy DIY gift? Here are 12 homemade gift ideas for family, friends, and teachers that are equal parts pretty and practical.
The minimalist aesthetic of these air-dry clay platters are sure to appeal to the gourmands on your list. Before tying the leather cord, apply a food-safe varnish so your favorite hostess with the mostess can use her homemade gift at this year’s holiday party.
(Photo Source: Alice and Lois)
For the gift recipient who’s been focusing on self-care this year, a journal is the perfect place for her to record daily gratitude lists. And she’ll no doubt feel #blessed when you customize a notebook in her favorite colors using scrapbook paper, downloadable labels, and Mod Podge®.
(Photo Source: Persia Lou)
Turn ordinary pens into an extraordinary bouquet with faux flowers, metallic washi tape, and a hot glue gun. But don’t forget about the presentation! Before giving to your child’s teacher or your best work friend, arrange this homemade gift in a mason jar for the full floral effect.
(Photo Source: Vicky Barone)
The moon is having a moment, as evident by all the lunar-inspired accessories available out there, but you can bang out a boho chic tote bag at home with just transfer paper and a hot iron. Trendy teens, in particular, will be “over the moon” to receive this handmade celestial creation.
(Photo Source: Almost Makes Perfect)
The best thing about unfinished wood trinket boxes is that there are any number of ways to decorate them. For the design enthusiast on your list, we’re smitten with this simple transformation: Paint the lid white and affix a tumbled gemstone “handle” with wood glue. This homemade holiday gift is so easy to DIY, you may as well make an extra one (or more!) for yourself.
(Photo Source: The Lovely Drawer)
What’s more fun than a jacket full of flair? We have the hot glue gun, acrylic sealer, tacky glue, and paint brushes you need to assemble a batch of cheeky pins once you print and cut the downloadable shapes using your Cricket Explorer. Whether they prefer fries or photography, your kids will get a kick out of expressing themselves with these playful homemade pins.
(Photo Source: Damask Love)
Clear votive holders get a glam makeover thanks to masking tape and gold spray paint. Practical and pretty, your friends will love receiving a set of these gilded geometric votives, especially when they find battery-operated candles inside.
(Photo Source: Tales from the Cusp)
Bandannas are trending — big time. Lately, they’ve been making surprise appearances on the wrists, necks, and heads of social media’s most stylish stars. Handy with a sewing machine? Take the trend to the next level and give your fashionable sister a gift worth Instagramming with this reversible leather-strap tote.
(Photo Source: eHow)
Surprise the stationery lover on your list with custom jewelry crafted from the prettiest paper. Wrapped in patterned strips and covered with Mod Podge, unfinished wood bangles become colorful, wearable works of art perfect for holiday gift-giving.
(Photo Source: The Crafted Life)
Why do people love giving coasters as gifts? Because they’re practical, easy to personalize and gift recipients always appreciate them. We’re impressed with this rustic version, which uses stamps, acrylic paint, and birch slices to create a uniquely customized set.
(Photo Source: Dans Le Lakehouse)
The beauty of these striped flower pots are the imperfect lines created by painting over rubber bands. Thoroughly modern in black and white, they’ll even impress your friends with brown thumbs. Just be sure to give them their homemade gifts along with a succulent or hard-to-kill plant.
(Photo Source: We Can Make Anything)
Parents of young kids know that you can never have enough magnets when there is artwork to hang! These handmade poppy magnets crafted from tissue paper and pipe cleaners get the job done while adding a cheerful pop of color to the fridge. A rainbow-hued bouquet would make a pretty and helpful gift for the gals in your mommy group.
(Photo Source: This Heart of Mine)