77+ DIY Christmas Gifts (That Don’t Suck)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—but that doesn’t mean it has to be the most expensive! What better way to show your loved ones how much you care than creating heartfelt, one-of-a-kind DIY Christmas gifts with some love?
With 77+ options in this guide, you’ll get plenty of creative inspiration for homemade gifts at any price point. From spa-themed DIYs to handmade gifts for kids, there truly is something for everyone on this list!
And don’t worry. These are gifts that people will actually want to get, not just ones they’ll be polite about (and secretly toss in the trash later).
Just choose a gift from the list below, and pair it with a free printable Christmas card, and you’re good to go!
Note: This is a long post with tons of options! I have broken it down into sections based on the types of gifts. Feel free to use the table of contents to skip around and find your perfect homemade gift.
Spa & Relaxation Gifts
Are you looking for a way to help your loved ones unwind and relax during the busy holiday season? Look no further than these spa-themed DIY gifts. From luxurious bath bombs to soothing candles, these gifts will bring a touch of tranquility to anyone’s life.
Plus, you can double the batch easily—they make for great self-care treats too! 😉
60-Second Project: Lavender Bath Salts
These lavender bath salts take just a minute to make for hours of serenity – all packaged up in a giftable jar.
Soothing Epsom salts and fragrant lavender are the ultimate power duo, caring for sore muscles along with aromatherapy benefits.
Easy DIY Sugar Scrub
A 4-ingredient DIY? Count me in!
My sugar scrub is made with all-natural ingredients and is beyond easy to make. Best of all, it makes your skin silky smooth with gentle exfoliating sugar.
Easy DIY Bath Bombs (Copycat Lush Recipe!)
Forget about buying bath bombs – make them with this easy DIY bath bomb recipe!
It’s easy (and inexpensive) to make bath bombs at home, turning every bath into a fizzy delight.
How to Make Candles with Essential Oils (+ Video)
Learning how to make scented candles may sound intimidating, but you’ll be surprised at how simple it really is! These DIY essential oil candles are toxic-free and clean-burning.
This also happens to be one of my most popular DIYs of all time, so it’s been vetted by hundreds of people!
Cinnamon Apple Soap Bars
Ever thought about crafting your own homemade soap? It’s easier than you’d imagine!
This apple cinnamon bar soap is as deliciously festive as it sounds and surprisingly simple to make, even if you’re just dipping your toes into the soap-making world.
Christmas Tree Sugar Scrub Bar
These festive scrub bars are just the thing to leave everyone feeling refreshed and pampered through the holiday season.
They look just about good enough to eat (please don’t!).
Peppermint Lip Balm
This peppermint lip balm is one of my easiest DIY Christmas gifts, coming together with just 3 ingredients.
This minty balm makes the perfect stocking stuffer or thoughtful teacher gift.
Chai Bath Melts Christmas Gift
These chai bath melts smell like you’ve bottled the holiday season, made with the sweet scents of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
Using the intricate beauty of star anise, these gorgeous bath melts take just 15 minutes to make!
Coconut Milk Bath
When picking out DIY teacher Christmas gifts, relaxing options like this coconut milk bath are top-tier. After a long term, teachers deserve nothing more than to relax in a coconut milk bath, gently softening and soothing the skin.
Whipped Candy Cane Body Scrub
This whipped candy cane body scrub foams, exfoliates, and cleanses – what else could you ask for? It’s easy to make, and the texture is nothing short of dreamy, like thick whipped cream!
DIY Foot Scrub Recipe
Your feet deserve a little TLC too! This quick peppermint foot scrub combines sugar, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil for a cooling effect.
Milk & Honey Floral Bath Soak
Gifting a little bit of relaxation through the holidays is always welcome. And this milk and honey floral bath DIY guarantees a stress-relieving soak.
This recipe contains healing ingredients like mood-enhancing jasmine petals, healing calendula, and moisturizing goat’s milk.
Homemade Vanilla Lip Balm
These DIY vanilla lip balms provide intense moisture with added shea butter, beeswax, and avocado oil. Plus, their cute round containers make for adorable stocking stuffers!
Pssst…. you may be surprised just how easy DIY spa gifts are to make. With just a handful of supplies, the DIYs are nearly endless! I’ve linked some must-have products here for you:
Creative DIY Christmas Gift Ideas
I’m always hunting for new ways to spread a bit of holiday cheer!
These homemade Christmas gifts feature creative ways to show your loved ones that you care, from DIY hand warmers to custom handmade journals!
Color Blocking Craft Idea – Painting Utensils in 10 Minutes
Of all the DIY Christmas gift ideas, these painted utensils are some of my favorites!
This DIY is such an easy way to jazz up a pair of wooden spoons or trendy charcuterie boards. It’s cheerful, colorful, and totally functional.
Upcycling Old Books Into Custom DIY Journals
Take your old books and transform them into something new by giving them new life as DIY journals. This thoughtful gift is perfect for your most cherished loved ones, like your partner, parents, or best friend.
How to Make Wine Charms
Wine charms are a cute and easy hostess gift to bring to any party this holiday season. So grab a pair of needle nose pliers and get to work!
DIY Wooden Serving Tray
This DIY serving tray makes a fabulous beginner project because it requires minimal materials and takes just minutes to make.
Plus, anyone who receives this stunning tray will be shocked to hear that it’s homemade!
Framed Family Photos
This adorable DIY Christmas gift idea is quick and easy to make, and any mom or grandma will cherish it.
Tablet Bean Bag
Do you know someone who loves to unwind with a bit of tablet time before bed? Up their comfort with a DIY bean bag tablet holder. It’s a great project for beginner sewers.
Easy Fabric Coasters
For more easy sewing, try out these sweet fabric coasters. You can customize them with the perfect color palette and patterns for your recipients.
Whip up a set of four fabric coasters in just 20 minutes flat!
Handmade Fire Starters
Who knew fire starters could be so chic? This tutorial for handmade fire starters is fun and inexpensive to execute. AKA – my favorite type of DIY Christmas gift!
Give a burlap satchel filled with these artfully decorated firestarters along with a bundle of long matches for a thoughtful gift idea.
Christmas Hand Warmers
Nobody likes to be cold. Give the gift of warmth with these DIY hand warmers! Go classic with buffalo plaid, or choose any pattern you prefer.
A cold-climate staple, simply pop these warmers in your boots and mittens to stay toasty through the winter days.
Terracotta Wind Chime
Calling all garden lovers, nature-seekers, and forest-bathers – this is your official reminder to add this wind chime to your Christmas list!
This DIY makes a beautiful gift to anyone who catches themselves gazing longingly out their window.
DIY Christmas Wax Melts
These holiday wax melts smell nothing short of heavenly, combining peppermint, spearmint, and cinnamon.
This project is great for gifting to multiple people, making 12 wax melts in a single batch. Simply pop a couple of festive melts in a mason jar, and they’re ready to gift!
DIY Tool Storage Roll
Sew a tool roll this Christmas for anyone in your life. They’re wonderful for organizing paintbrushes, makeup brushes, screwdrivers, wrenches, and more!
Just knowing that this is a handmade gift will make it super special.
Flannel & Sherpa Scarf
Stay toasty warm with this sherpa-lined scarf. It’s one of those DIY gift ideas that you’ll want to make extra for yourself.
The inside is SO soft, providing an insane cozy factor every time.
Resin Floral Coasters
I love the delicate beauty of these resin coasters, harnessing the power of nature through pressed flowers and flecks of gold.
While resin crafts may look intimidating, I guarantee that anyone could make a beautiful set of these coasters.
Embroidered Bookmark
Book lovers will be enamored by this hand-embroidered felt bookmark; it’s thoughtful, sentimental, and practical.
For an even sweeter gift, give this bookmark along with one of your all-time favorite books!
Magnetic Post-it Note Holder
I love how this DIY is magnetic, so you can display it on your fridge for note-taking on a whim. Customize this project with colorful post-its and beautiful scrapbooking materials for a personalized gift.
Painted Mason Jars
These festively painted mason jars are such a cute farmhouse craft idea. So cute, in fact, that they’re totally giftable!
For a bit more beauty, pop a bundle of fresh or dried flowers in the jar.
Monogrammed Drawer Fresheners
Sustainable projects that reuse materials are some of my very favorites.
These monogrammed drawer fresheners are actually made from a thrifted wool sweater. They’re then stuffed with dry herbs for a natural air freshener solution.
The monogrammed touch makes this gift extra dear.
DIY Floating Candles
Decorating for the holidays is practically the sixth love language – play into it with these cheerful floating candles!
Simmer Pot Gifts
DIY Christmas gifts for coworkers are always more tricky, but I think I’ve found the solution with these DIY simmer pots.
They’re chic and special, and give off a holiday scent that anyone would love.
DIY Makeup or Toiletry Bag
Fill these DIY toiletry bags with your favorite beauty essentials for an easy yet creative gift idea.
Wood Burned Charcuterie Board
The start to any gorgeous charcuterie spread is the board!
Gift a homemade charcuterie board using this easy tutorial. It has a major wow factor that will make its recipient feel incredibly special.
DIY Christmas Potpourri Gifts
This DIY Christmas potpourri is perfectly giftable and made with dried oranges, cranberries, and cloves. Add a cinnamon stick for a spicy finishing touch!
Etched Glass Vase
I bet you never thought that you could etch your own glass vase. But with this easy tutorial, anything is possible! A bit of etching cream on thrifted glass makes for a gorgeous handmade gift.
Snowglobe Candles
These snowglobe candles combine two winter classics along with the sweet scent of frosted vanilla sugar cookies.
Custom labels are a must with this gift!
Marbled DIY Mugs
Coffee mugs are a go-to Christmas gift because they’re equal parts beautiful and functional. These marbled mugs add one more draw – they’re handmade!
Easy Wood Bead Necklace
This easy wood bead necklace is elegant and understated, made with jewel-toned hues and splashes of metallic gold.
Potholder Baking Set
This custom potholder is the perfect gift for baking lovers! Simply stencil a cute motif over the pot holder, then fill it with a bunch of baking goodies.
Fabric-Covered Photo Album
The gift of shared memories is a powerful offering.
Try this easy sewing project for a fabric-covered photo album, then fill it with cherished photos of you and your loved one. They’re going to love it!
Easy Christmas Candle
Did you know how easy it is to make gorgeous candle displays? I sure didn’t before I tried!
This Christmas candle is made with fresh cranberries, sprigs of pine, and essential oil for a festive celebration of light.
Wine Gift Bag
A bottle of wine is a go-to gift for many. Make yours a bit more personal with a custom-stenciled gift bag.
Edible DIY Christmas Gifts
In my humble opinion, edible confections make some of the best DIY Christmas gift ideas! They’re perfect for friends, co-workers, hostesses, and more.
Discover delicious homemade gift ideas with everything from classic chocolate chip cookies to artisanal mulled cider.
How To Make Peppermint Vodka
Easy DIY peppermint vodka is a fun gift to make this season for white elephant parties or as a Christmas gift for coworkers or friends. This version is so simple!
With this gift, pass along a few recipes to make with peppermint vodka, like a peppermint martini.
Peppermint Oreo Bark
Peppermint bark is a holiday staple. Gift this delicious recipe, made with layers of white chocolate, Oreos, and crushed peppermint (is anyone else drooling?).
Mason Jar Hot Chocolate
You truly can’t go wrong with these hot cocoa mixes; they’re made extra rich with milk chocolate chips. Bonus – they have obligatory mini marshmallows!
Gingerbread Caramel Corn
This scrumptious gingerbread caramel corn recipe combines the cozy flavors of gingerbread spices with a rich, buttery caramel coating.
Savor this delightfully sweet and crisp treat throughout the holiday season, and share your homemade gingerbread caramel corn as a simple yet delightful edible gift with family and friends.
Brownie Mix in a Jar
Need more DIY Christmas gifts for coworkers? I present brownies in a jar! This gift idea includes some ingredients + instructions for making warm, melty brownies at home.
I love giving mixes over completed baked goods because it’s a 2-in-1 present – a holiday treat and the experience of making them!
White Hot Chocolate Gift
You can make your own white hot chocolate with just five ingredients in a couple of minutes. Talk about easy! Top your mix with mini marshmallows and give a jar to anyone you want to make you smile.
Homemade Oat Brittle
Oat brittle is amongst my favorite hostess gifts because it’s sweet, snackable, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Bonus – This recipe is also nut-free and perfect for anyone with an allergy to tree nuts.
Grinch Truffles
The recipients of these Grinch truffles are darn lucky. Each bite is rich and delicious, made with cream cheese, golden cookies, and melting chocolate.
Friendship Soup in a Jar
Cue the tears – this friendship soup in a jar is too sweet.
This edible DIY is very straightforward. Simply fill a jar with dry soup ingredients and finish it with a hand-written instruction tag.
For a special touch, plan a date where you will make this “friendship soup” together!
Chocolate Covered Figs
These chocolate-covered figs are easy to make and delicious. They’re budget-friendly too!
Christmas Oat Granola
Christmas granola is so healthy yet easy to make to conjure up your own festive gingerbread spice, orange, cranberries, crunchy pecans, seeds, and toasted oats.
It makes the best DIY Christmas gifts for anyone on your list.
Christmas Jam DIY Gifts
This Christmas jam recipe is made with mixed fruits, cardamom pods, cinnamon, and star anise. It’s sweet and spicy, tasting far more complex than store-bought jam.
Finish your jars with cuts of twine for lovely, rustic gifts.
Salted Caramel Walnuts
These salted caramel walnuts are sweet, nutritious, and positively addictive! They come together in just 15 minutes for a quick and yummy gift idea.
Rosemary Salt
This DIY finishing salt is infused with garden-grown rosemary, tasting absolutely scrumptious on potatoes, toast, olive oil, and more!
Red Pepper Jelly
Red pepper jelly is truly the unsung hero of the snack board, adding a sweet bite to crackers, cheese blocks, and pickled veggies.
Gift a jar for a creative edible gift.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
These chocolate chip cookies are fairytale-delicious with rich chocolate chips and an enviable chewy texture.
This recipe is also allergy-friendly, fitting the dietary restrictions of anyone on your gift list.
Mulled Cider
Mulled cider is one of my favorite holiday treats! Give this yummy syrup made with fresh oranges, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. It works well in hard cider, mulled wine, and more!
Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla extract is EXPENSIVE, so many of us choose to bake with some good old-fashioned artificial vanilla.
With that said, nothing beats the flavor of pure vanilla. And you can make your own on a budget using just vodka and vanilla bean pods.
Tie a festive ribbon around a bottle and give this easy, luxurious gift.
White Chocolate Liqueur
This white chocolate liqueur is creamy and sweet, tasting fabulous in cocktails, hot chocolate, or over ice.
Whiskey Infused Maple Syrup
This whiskey-infused maple syrup is such a great holiday gift idea because it could be given to just about anyone, from co-workers to teachers, to friends and family.
As a bonus, this recipe even comes with free printable labels.
Homemade Irish Cream
Decadently sweet, this homemade Irish cream can be enjoyed in coffee or on the rocks. Infused with Jameson whiskey, gift this DIY recipe to anyone needing a sweet holiday pick-me-up.
Apple Cider Gift Set
Your house will fill with the spicy aromas of apple cider as you’re making this DIY gift, lifting holiday spirits throughout!
Gifts For Kids
These homemade Christmas gift ideas wouldn’t be complete without a few options for the little ones in your life!
Making homemade gifts for your kiddos is so special because you’re creating something you can’t buy in store; a gift made with love and customized to their very special selves.
Fun Christmas Poppers
Fill these adorable Christmas poppers with little toys, Christmas candies, funny jokes, and other exciting goodies.
Kids love the mystery aspect, popping them open to reveal what’s inside.
DIY Lego Travel Case Gift
Gifts that kids love and make their parent’s lives easier are total wins in my book!
This DIY Lego travel case is perfect for car rides and flights, containing a Lego board and pouch filled with Lego pieces in a handy binder.
Kids can build and learn through play, all while on the go!
Magic Reindeer Food Snack Mix
This magic reindeer food is festive, colorful, and super snackable. In other words, it’s the perfect gift for sweet tooths, big and small.
Hidden Dinosaur Soaps
Dino lovers are going to freak out for this fun stocking stuffer idea. The more they use the soap, the quicker they will reveal the secret dinosaur hidden at the center!
DIY Christmas Tree Crayons
These festive Christmas crayons take less than 20 minutes and $5 to make. Gift these colorful tree crayons as party favors, stocking stuffers, or a small gift to show that you care.
Reading Pillow
This easy-to-sew reading pillow is one of my favorite DIY Christmas gifts for its custom patterns and cute book pouch.
Slide one of your favorite board books into the pouch for an extra personal touch.
Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelets
These beaded bracelets are made with lava stone which soaks up the scent of any essential oil you choose.
Teen Personalized Phone Stand
Teenagers are some of the hardest people to shop for because they’re so particular about what they like.
These personalized phone stands are a great solution, customized with their favorite TV shows, movies, and other pop-culture references.
DIY Reindeer Lollipop Holders
These reindeer lollipop holders make inexpensive party favors that will delight kids and adults alike!
They’re great as student Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers, or holiday party favors.
Bonus: DIY Gift for Pets!
Your favorite furry friends deserve DIY Christmas gifts too!
DIY Dog Toy & Pet Holiday Basket
I made this puppy gift basket with my dogs in mind, filled with their favorite natural treats, squeak toys, and a handmade tug toy made from tea towels!
Make the furry friends in your life feel extra special this holiday season with a gift basket of their very own. You can easily customize this basket for cats, rabbits, hamsters, and more.
So, there you have it – the best DIY Christmas gifts out there! Happy making, friends!
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.