Homemade gifts are a thoughtful way to show your family and friends just how much they mean to you at Christmastime — but they're an especially great idea if you're trying to stick to a holiday shopping budget. If you're on the hunt for some fresh DIY Christmas gift ideas, start by browsing through this guide to find inspiration for everyone on your list.
Don't worry if your crafting skills are lacking: We've included unique gift ideas for every skill level. Even if you're a first-time crafter, you'll find dozens of easy, practically free DIY gifts you can pull off using just simple household items (case in point: homemade cookie mix in a mason jar!). On the other hand, if you're a pro at knitting or crocheting, you'll want to check out our exclusive patterns. Or, if your idea of a DIY present is a perfectly curated Christmas gift basket or a homemade food gift, we've got you covered there as well.
Give a super personal and thoughtful gift this year, like a pair of hand-knitted mittens. Start by picking up a ball of yarn in their favorite color, then follow our simple knitting tutorial and download this easy-to-follow pattern.
A festive throw pillow is a great way to get them in the holiday spirit, plus it'll mean so much more that you made it yourself. If you're new to punch needling, this round pillow is a great place to start. Feel free to customize it however you'd like!
If you've been looking for an excuse to bust out your Cricut machine, consider this one: Cut a winter wonderland scene on white vinyl and stick it around the base of a hurricane candle holder for a festive gift.
Whether they've just come back a trip or finished celebrating an important milestone, this DIY photo collage will help them capture their favorite memories. Print out their favorite shots, then personalize the frame with a patterned backdrop and colorful clothespins.
Fill a mason jar with everything they need to make delicious chocolate peppermint or double chocolate toffee cookies. Decorate the jar with a festive ribbon and a cute printable label.
Don't show up to the party empty-handed: Give your hostess an assortment of colorful drink skewers to spruce up their party spread. To make, cut drink skewers down until they're about 3" long, then attach a mini bottle brush tree to the top with hot glue.
If you know how to crochet, make her an adorable bag she'll love carrying around town. To start, follow our easy daisy square pattern that's designed for advanced beginners.
Give them a piece of hand-crafted home decor, like this chic candle holder. You'll only need a few supplies and you can customize it by choosing their favorite color for the taper candles.
Fill empty salt and pepper shakers with salt (a.k.a. snow), mini bottle brush trees, and reindeer figurines for an adorable winter wonderland display, perfect for the kitchen countertop.
Put their favorite photos on display with this unique snow globe idea. Use a few drops of food coloring to turn the water the color of your choosing, or choose to keep it clear. You can also add in glitter, sequins or faux snow.
Now that you've mastered your cross-stitching kits, give these holiday embroidery ornaments a try. Even if you're a beginner, these simple patterns — FYI, the Christmas tree is the easiest — are quick to master.
It's not as difficult as you may think to make a candle from scratch, whether you reuse an old candle jar or you've stumbled upon a chic canister at the antique shop. You'll need to pick up some wax flakes — or you can reuse wax from a candle you're not using.
Even if they'd rather unwrap an Amazon gift card on Christmas (hey, we don't blame them), dress it up by sticking it inside this adorable card holder. It's made out of leftover toilet paper rolls, so head to your recycling bin stat.
Looking for a small gift idea for friends of classmates? All you have to do is pick up a pack of cute scrunchies and print the gift tag from See Vanessa Craft. Sure you didn't make the scrunchies, but we're still considering this a well-executed DIY.
Here's the perfect gift idea for your favorite traveler or outdoorsman. Load a basket with their favorite snacks and drinks, then add in a few activity books, notebooks or novels. Incorporate a few festive pieces, like an ornament or mini Christmas trees, to complete the look.
They'll love putting their favorite photos on display! This super cute DIY will take you less than five minutes — all you need is bendable craft wire, wooden ball knobs, super glue, wire cutters and a drill.
Spoonfuls of chocolate stir instant flavor into coffee or cocoa. For aesthetic's sake, try sprinkling chopped espresso beans, peanut butter chips, or crushed candy canes on the chocolate of your choice.
You don't have to make your own mug to give a gift that feels handmade. Come up with a creative way to wrap it, like this folding gift box that features tea bags, chocolates and other goodies.
There's nothing she loves more than relaxing in the tub while sipping on a cup of tea. This gift lets her do both: Make your own bath soak with layers of epsom salt, dried flowers, and essential oils.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.