Having trouble finding the perfect Christmas gift? Try one of these DIY Christmas gift ideas.

 
The Christmas season is here and as families head out to stores or start shopping online, pandemic-related supply issues are posing many challenges when it comes to finding the perfect gift to show loved ones that they care.

Rising production costs across the globe and shipping container shortages worldwide are creating major delays in timely shipping. Online orders are taking months to be delivered while store shelves are staying bare, creating panic amongst holiday shoppers who may not have placed orders or started shopping since October.

If you’re finding yourself in this predicament, don’t start worrying just yet. There are many handmade Christmas gift ideas out there that are perfectly suited for any person on your Christmas list.

Read on to take a look at these 12 creative, thoughtful, and easy DIY Christmas gifts.

1. Scrapbook

2021 has been a busy year, so if you’re looking for something fun and sentimental (whether for your spouse, child, or any close loved one) a scrapbook is a perfect idea.

Spend some time combing through your favorite pictures with that special someone and send them to print. You can then head over to your local craft store that sells premade scrapbooks and fill in your pre-picked photos or get even more hands-on and creative by buying some craft paper, other dazzling embellishments, and get to work making your own book!

Regardless of what you decide, the effort you put into this homemade gift will surely be appreciated by its recipient!

2. Personalized calendar

Another way to make the most of all the special pictures you may have taken this year with that special someone on your Christmas list is by turning them into a personalized calendar!

While you can draft up the calendar on your own computer and print it, stores like Walgreens and CVS also create these for a nominal price, and they can be ready in less than one day.

To give it an extra special touch of sentimentality, consider circling or notating special dates such as birthdays or anniversaries this person may celebrate so that they know you’re celebrating with them!

3. Wine bottle sweater sleeves

If you’re a fan of sewing, this is perfect for you and for the person who loves to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day.

These wine bottle sweater sleeves have a unique way of dressing up a wine bottle and giving them that extra “home for the holidays” feel by making them look cute and cozy.

Although you can certainly make this even more unique by creating it from scratch, head on over to Fiberartsy or ThatsWhatSheSaid’s blog to find out how to keep this DIY project nice and simple. Aside from your sewing machine, the only other materials you’ll need include:

• An old or thrifted sweater
• A pair of scissors
• Thread
• Ribbon
• Pen or marker
• Pins

4. Personalized gift basket

Looking for a gift that speaks to all the different things that make a certain someone special? Consider making them a personalized gift basket (or gift box)! Head on over to local stores like Walmart or Michaels to find an affordable but spacious basket and start piling it up with little things your Christmas person loves.

Perfect things to put in your personalized gift basket include:

• Their favorite snacks (everyone loves food gifts!)
• Hot chocolate mix and a mug
• Their favorite movie on DVD
• Socks or a scarf you think they’d love
• A gift card to their favorite restaurant
• Sugar scrub, bath salts, or bath bombs
• A candle, journal, or something that may hold significant meaning to them
• Handmade jams, jellies, or preserves

With the gift baskets, you can get as creative as you want so make sure to have fun with it. You can even put homemade Christmas gifts inside the gift basket. If the person is a foodie, bake some fresh Gingerbread or other Christmas cookies. Or make some small Christmas ornaments for their Christmas tree.

For an extra personal touch, consider monogramming an item. You can get a mug and use spray paint or craft paint to put their initials on it and fill it up with their favorite snacks. You can also get an inexpensive tote bag and paint on meaningful words before filling it up with the things they love.

5. DIY Snow Globes

With toy stores like Toys-R-Us now closed down, many gift-givers are reliant on stores like Target or Walmart to provide the toys perfect for the little ones in their lives. But if you’re facing empty shelves and want to make something fun, snow globes are top of the list for DIY Christmas gift ideas when it comes to children 10 and under.

According to tutorials like this one from “the sweetest occasion” or this one from popular children’s channel PBS For Kids, this quick and easy project can be made in just under 10 minutes and only needs the following tools:

• Clean jars with lids
• Distilled water
• Glycerin (which can be found at your standard pharmacy)
• Plastic or ceramic animals, trees, and/or figurines (which can be found and your local craft store)
• Tinsel glitter (which can be found at your local Michaels)
• Epoxy
• Sandpaper

For some extra quality time together, you can make this a gift you do with your little one! Package up all the supplies needed and wrap them up in a bow as a fun project to do on Christmas day.

6. Drinks in a jar

As long as you’re making your way over to the craft store anyway, why not pick up a few extra mason jars to create some flavorful drinks-in-a-bottle? 

For the tea lover in your life, fill the jar with variety of flavorful tea packets, miniature jars of honey or honey straws, and a tea strainer - everything needed to make the perfect cup!

For the happy hour enthusiasts on your gift list, you can create a variety of mason jar cocktails! In addition to mason jars, you'll need cans of soda, juice, or your favorite cocktail mixer and a handful of the appropriate spirits in single-serve bottle form. If your mason jar is large enough, you can fit both the can and the bottle inside. Otherwise, place the can inside and attach the bottle with a decorative bit of string or twine. 

Drinks in a jar are simple yet unique DIY Christmas gifts that can be easily tailored to fit the tastes of just about anyone!

7. Adults only - Infused vodka

If you’re making drinks for an adult, infused vodka is not only something they’ll enjoy but something that looks beautiful standing on the shelf too.

After choosing their favorite choice of vodka, decide on what flavors they’d love it infused with the most. Choices can include:

• Peppermint
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Limes
• Delicious herbs such as basil, rosemary, mint, etc.
• Vanilla beans
• Favorite choice of berries
• Favorite choice of fruit such as mangoes, pineapples, etc.
• Chili peppers

Once you’ve settled on the flavor of infusion, cut up the ingredients and drop them into your jar or bottle of vodka and let it sit for a minimum of 24 hours. Keep in mind though, the longer it sits, the more flavorful it will be!

8. Kid-friendly - Hot cocoa

For a drink-in-a-jar gift that’s kid-friendly, try your hands at making a yummy jar of hot cocoa.

All you have to do is get the ingredients for that special little one’s favorite type of hot cocoa and pour it in the jar, layer by layer to create a pretty display.

Add some fun to the top by throwing in things like marshmallows, chocolate chips, or even sprinkles to really light up that little one’s holiday cheer!

For more directions take a look at this tutorial here or create reindeer cocoa bags using this tutorial.

9. Paint dipped mugs

Have a tea or coffee lover to treat on your Christmas list? This DIY homemade gift idea is not only expensive-looking but super quick and easy to make.

All you’ll need is a plain mug (general dollar stores sell some great options), ceramic paint (which can be found at your local craft store), paintbrushes, and painter’s tape.

Make sure to visit the popular blog “The Merry Thought” to find detailed instructions on how to complete this project, or check out the House of Hipsters blog to see how to do this project using nail polish instead of ceramic paint.

10. DIY scratch-off map

If you’re looking for something for someone who loves to travel, then a DIY scratch-off map might be the perfect wandering gift.

This DIY project only calls for a few items and AWWSam.com makes it super easy to do! After you visit Sam’s blog for printable templates, all you’ll need to get is a wooden frame, a lucky coin for scratching off locations, and scissors or an Exacto knife.

With only 4 steps to complete, this DIY project is one that’ll be an easy check on your list of to-dos while also making something special and impactful.

11. DIY spa package

Do you know someone who’s in need of some extra TLC this holiday season? Then creating your own spa package should be on the top of your list when it comes to creative DIY Christmas gifts.

To create this thoughtful present, stock up on any items that you know will help your loved one feel extra relaxed while showing themselves some spa-type care. This can include a full body treatment with lotions, nail polish, a bath bomb, foot scrub, face mask, teacup candles - the sky is the limit!

And while you can choose to either fill these items up in a box or a basket, you can also keep this gift small by choosing to narrow it down to specific body areas. Perhaps you put a few items for a great pedicure in a jar (nail clipper, nail polish, toe separators, etc.), or you focus on a luxurious bubble bath and include a bath bomb, loofa, essential oils, etc.

Take some time to think about what your special someone would enjoy the most!

12. Heartfelt letter

If all else fails and you still find yourself empty-handed as the Christmas holiday rolls around, taking the time to write out a heartfelt letter can be just as special as any of the handmade Christmas gift ideas listed above.

Remember, this season is all about letting your loved ones know how important they are to you so letting it all out in a piece of paper or on a card can seal the deal in doing just that.


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