23 DIY Christmas Gifts ( People Like Getting)
There’s something about giving a gift you made with your own two hands. It feels special. More intentional. And a little bit more personal than clicking “add to cart” at midnight.
And honestly? Most of us are craving a little simplicity this holiday season. Christmas has been overrun with consumerism, and it kills the whole magic of the season.
Imagine a slower holiday where you’re not stressing about affording gifts. A holiday season where your kitchen counter is filled with jars and ribbons because you’re taking the time to create some awesome handmade Christmas gifts.
This list pulls together 23 DIY Christmas gifts. All 23 ideas are thoughtful, affordable, and completely doable ( even if you’re not particularly crafty).
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23 DIY Christmas Gifts
1. Cookie Mix in a Jar
Layering ingredients in a mason jar looks super impressive and well done, but takes only a few minutes.
To start, simply choose your recipe: chocolate chip, oatmeal cranberry, or gingerbread, and stack the dry ingredients so the colours show through.
A little handwritten tag with baking instructions makes this gift a little bit more personal.
These cookie mixes in jars look super adorable lined up on a counter. They’re a great Christmas gift for teachers, neighbors, or that friend who is into baking.
2. Homemade Vanilla Extract
This one can feel surprisingly fancy. And all you need is vanilla beans, a pretty bottle, and vodka (or rum if you want something richer).
The beans infuse over time, so the sooner you make it, the better it tastes by Christmas.
Tie a ribbon around the neck, add a small label, and you’ve got an awesome gift that someone can use all year long.
3. Caramel Sauce in a Jar
If you’ve never made caramel at home, it’s easier than it looks, and the taste is incredible. To make, simply melt sugar in a heavy-bottom pot. After around 10 minutes, add butter, then remove from heat and add heavy whipping cream, then add salt and vanilla and mix well.
Pour it into a small glass jar while it’s warm, let it set, then add a little cloth square under the lid for that classic “cottage kitchen” look.
This will pair well with apples, gingerbread, or popcorn. You should definitely make double because you’ll want one for yourself.
4. Mason Jar Bath Salts
A spa moment in a jar.
To make, simply mix Epsom salts, baking soda, and a few drops of essential oils and dried botanicals like rose petals or lavender. Shake it all together, add a label, and you’ve created a gift that feels soothing and luxurious without being too pricey.
5. Felt Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are the eco-friendly choice many people want to try but never actually buy for themselves.
Making them is simple: roll wool roving into balls, felt them with hot water, and let them dry. You can even add a drop of essential oil for scent.
Package three or four in a small cotton bag, and you’ve got yourself a practical, handmade Christmas gift that will be used constantly.
DIY Felted Dryer Balls Full Tutorial
6. Personalized Tea Mug
This is another simple DIY Christmas gift, but it can also be meaningful. Simply grab a plain ceramic mug and decorate it with porcelain markers or paint.
And you have creative control over what exactly to add. You can add a name, a favorite quote, or a little design that fits the person’s personality. After adding the design, bake the mug according to the manufacturer’s instructions to set the design.
You can’t tuck a tea bag or a hot cocoa packet inside to make the gift feel like a complete little moment.
7. Salt Dough Ornaments
Salt dough ornaments have this nostalgic, childhood Christmas feel that makes them a great gift.
To make, mix flour, salt, and water, and shape or stamp it, then bake until firm. You can leave them simple and white or paint them with muted holiday colors.
Tie with ribbon, add a date at the back, and gift them in sets.
They make lovely keepsakes for people who adore sentimental decor.
Full salt dough ornaments recipe
8. Yarn-Wrapped Ornaments
These can turn out surprisingly chic for something so simple.
Take a clear plastic or glass ornament, dab on a little glue, and wrap soft yarn around it in layers. You can mix neutrals, go full Scandinavian with white and tan, or choose colors that match the recipient’s tree. Tie one on top of another present, or gift a few in a small box as a cozy ornament set.
9. Stovetop Potpourri
This is one of those DIY Christmas gifts that can instantly make someone’s home feel like Christmas.
To make, slice oranges, tuck in a few cinnamon sticks, cloves, cranberries, maybe a spring of rosemary, and package everything in a jar or clear bag. Add a simple tag with instructions, “simmer on low with water.”
It is a simple and low-pressure gift that will bring in all the cozy vibes.
10. Monogrammed Market Tote
A simple, sturdy canvas tote can quickly become a very thoughtful gift with just a little personalization.
You can stencil a single letter, hand-paint a name, or even add a subtle botanical design around the initials.
It’s practical since everyone loves totes, but when monogrammed, it feels super intentional.
This will work well as a gift for teachers, coworkers, or that friend who is always at the farmers’ market every weekend.
11. No-Sew Monogrammed Pillow
If you want a soft and homely gift, then this pillow is perfect.
Cut a felt letter, attach it to a pillow cover with fabric glue, let it dry, and add any extra touches you like, such as a small wreath shape around the initial, a stripe of ribbon, or a simple stitching detail.
This will look great without needing to sew in a single stitch.
You can pair this with a homemade candle or a small throw, and it will make for a lovely gift set.
Here is a simple no-sew vintage monogrammed pillowcase tutorial to help.
12. Painted Wooden Spoon Set
Wooden spoons are the kind of everyday items that people rarely think to replace. So, gifting a painted set feels both useful and special.
To make, simply tape off the handles and paint them with colors or patterns that match the recipient’s kitchen or vibe, for that matter.
You can do pastels, neutrals, stripes, or just about anything. Then seal with a food-safe finish and tie the set with twine. They look great tucked into a stocking or paired with a favorite recipe.
13. Hot Chocolate Kit in a Jar
Layer cocoa mix, sugar, crushed peppermint, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips in a jar.
The layers look beautiful, and the end result tastes exactly like those cozy Winter evenings we all want more of.
Add a simple tag with instructions and maybe a little note about your favorite holiday movie to pair it with, and you have a simple but awesome crowd-pleaser homemade Christmas gift.
14. Pressed Flowers Coasters
Pressed flower coasters look so good. They often feel delicate and artsy but can be surprisingly sturdy when sealed in resin or finished with decoupage.
Go for flowers that keep their color, violas, daisies, or ferns, and arrange them on cork or wooden discs.
Pressed flower coasters look like something from a boutique gift shop, and that’s exactly the kind of energy you want for your handmade gifts.
Pressed flowers coasters tutorial.
15. Leather Bookmark with Beads
As a big reader, you know I must have at least one gift for my readers.
To make this leather bookmark, cut a strip of leather, punch a hole at the top, and thread a few beads or a tassel onto a piece of twine.
The whole thing can take 20 minutes, but the final bookmark will feel thoughtful and personal.
It’s the perfect homemade Christmas gift for big readers or anyone who journals.
16. Painted Mason Jar Votive Holders
A mason jar, a little paint, and a tea light can turn into a soft, warm piece of decor.
Paint the jars in wintery colors, cream, evergreen, cranberry, and lightly distress them if you are going for a rustic look.
Add a small candle inside, tie a ribbon or twine around the top, and you have a lovely Christmas gift that fits in almost any home.
They will also look lovely grouped as a trio.
Mason Jar Candle Holder Tutorial.
17. Recipe Box with Handwritten Cards
This one has awesome sentimental vibes that people will not forget. To make, decorate a plain wooden box with paint, stain, or stencils, then fill it with handwritten recipe cards.
For recipe cards, include family favorites, easy weeknight meals, or holiday treats you love and appreciate.
This is one of those personal and long-lasting gifts that someone will keep for years.
18. Infused Olive Oil & Herbs
Infused oils can feel gourmet without being too complicated.
To make, simply choose a good quality olive oil and add ingredients like rosemary, garlic, peppercorns, or dried chilli. Pour everything into a clear bottle and seal tightly.
The herbs look beautiful suspended in the oil, and the flavor develops as it sits.
It’s the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys cooking or hosting.
19. Knitted or Crocheted Scarf
A handmade scarf has a kind of personal touch that you simply can’t buy at the store.
To make, simply pick a soft yarn and a simple stitch pattern, if you want something quick, or go for a textured stitch for a more detailed look.
Fold it neatly, tie it with ribbon, and it instantly becomes a meaningful Winter gift.
20. Wood-Burned Coaster Set
Wood burning adds a personal, handcrafted touch that often feels timeless.
Start with unfinished wooden coasters and use a wood-burning tool to add initials, simple patterns, or botanical designs. You can decide to keep the wood natural or seal it with a clear finish.
The end result will look artisan-made, making for a great gift, especially for someone who just moved to a new place, people who enjoy hosting, or just anyone who likes rustic decor.
DIY Wood-burning Coaster Tutorial
21. Hand-Blended Room Spray
Room sprays are quick to make and customize.
Mix distilled water with a bit of witch hazel or alcohol, then add essential oils you think the recipient will enjoy, lavender for calm, peppermint for freshness, or a blend of fir + orange for a Winter scent.
Pour the mixture into a small glass spray bottle and add a minimal label.
22. Personalized Photo Calendar
A photo calendar is simple to design and makes for a great, heartfelt keepsake.
Choose 12 photos that mean something, you know, family moments, nature shots, travel memories, and arrange them monthly by month.
Print and spiral-bind it, or slip the pages into a small wooden stand.
This will feel super personal but not too sentimental.
23. Hand-Stamped Tea Towels
Plain cotton towels can quickly transform with a few stamps and some fabric ink.
You can use holiday shapes, simple geometric patterns, or botanical prints, depending on the style you’re going for.
Let the ink dry, heat-set if needed, and fold the towel neatly with twine or ribbon.
These will make for lovely gifts on their own, or pair them with baked goods, cookware, or a small kitchen item.
RELATED: 25 MINIMALIST CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT MORE STUFF.
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Final Thoughts on DIY Christmas Gifts
DIY or handmade Christmas gifts have a way of slowing the season down in the best of ways. I mean, you sit, you create, you think about the person you’re making the gift for, and all these moments become part of the gift itself.
Whether you try one idea or a handful, I hope this list gives you something fun to work on while the lights are twinkling.
And remember, there’s no pressure to craft the perfect gift. The real magic behind DIY Christmas gifts is the effort and the thought behind them.
Let me know which gift you’re planning to make first in the comments below.
Until next time, Happy Holidays, loves. I appreciate all of you.
