It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I get to give gifts to people! I love gifting!
I know, I know, calm my enthusiasm. Sometimes gift giving can be stressful and I acknowledge that. There’s the struggle of what to get. How are you going to afford it? Will they like it? Aunt Matilda has everything. I don’t know what Susan likes.
Allow me to propose the solution to all these struggles… are handmade gifts.
Many of them on the list are consumable, meaning the recipient won’t be stuck with additional clutter once it’s used. Others are practical, meaning they’ll be useful and not just shoved on a shelf. Most are relatively inexpensive compared to big ticket items or marked up seasonal products.
Now understand, I am not a crafty person. I cannot manage to glue two popcicle sticks together. I did, however, spend a few years dabbling in candlemaking as a hobby. And, I can cook, if I do say so myself. So even if you’re like me and not particularly excellent in the DIY space, there’s hope for us both!
Here’s a list of 12 ideas for potential homemade Christmas gifts to give. Don’t be limited by this list alone, but let it stimulate your creative brain for other ideas that are unique to you. Because after all, the gift of something you’ve made is the gift of time spent thoughtfully preparing an offering with that person in mind.
1. Handpoured Candles
Yeah I started out with the one that was my personal go to for a few years. Now, I will confess upfront that this isn’t the least expensive option. The two biggest cost drivers are the wax, and the scents, if you’re using them. But the base paraphernalia like pour pots, wicks, and color, are actually quite affordable, and much of the equipment is reusable once it’s attained. Especially molds. Also, it’s just plain fun. Pour coffee scented wax into mugs. Strawberry jam scented container wax into jelly jars. Do layers of different colors for a gradient effect. Make star-shaped pillar candles in holiday colors, red and green, blue and white. Once you get started, it’ll be a hard habit to kick.
2. Handmade Soap
This one is very similar to candlemaking. You’ll still want pour pots and molds, but you won’t have to fuss with wicks. And again once the equipment is gotten, that’s a non-recurring cost that you won’t have to pay for again in the future. Use scents that you know the recipient loves, or if you don’t know what they like, stick to familiar and appreciated ones like vanilla. You can use skin-safe dyes, or leave the soaps naturally colored.
3. Trivets and Coasters
These are fun and simple enough even I couldn’t mess them up. Go to your local craft or home improvement store and pick up some ceramic tiles. You’ll want to get felt that you can glue to the underside. Then pick out some paint stamps and paints and go ham with your creative design. If you’re artsy, you can hand paint a beautiful design on the tiles instead. I still have the trivets my niece and nephew made for me one year and I will cherish them for always.
4. Baked Goods
If you know how to bake, this can be a wonderful gift. Do you have a family bread recipe handed down to the generations? (If you do, I promise this will touch the hearts of anyone in your family that remembers the original baker.) Are you handy with the piping bag? Make creative cookies. Or think inside the bakery box. Batches of cinnamon rolls, homemade pastries, or little handpies are a delightful and inspired gift. Want to wow? Gift a layered cake or a cheesecake.
5. Candies
This is a personal favorite. Making Christmas candies is a tradition in my family. It’s potentially a little more involved than making cookies, especially if you’re planning on multiple varieties to gift. Mostly because there’s a lot of hot sugar work involved. Longstanding favorites in our household: fudge, peanut butter balls, cream-cheese mints, candied citrus peel, peppermint bark, Oreo truffles, divinity, and chocolate-covered pretzels. Choose one to be your trademark candy or dabble in all of them.
6. Knit/Crochet Items
If you’re handy in the yarn arts, go all in on your talents. Hats and scarves are always useful and appreciated. Blankets too if you’ve got the time and yarn to make them. Mittens are fun for children and adults alike, and for the smols, booties to match. Don’t forget fun items like mug cozies or bowl cozies! I’ve got a particularly talented cousin who has made crocheted Christmas ornaments, fandom-inspired plushies, and even cute animal throw pillows. I smile every time I see these in my home.
7. Handmade Ornaments
So many options here! You can make a basic salt dough and paint it after giving it a bake to harden. Clay either shaped or cut with cookie cutters is also an option. Cinnamon dough in that same vein, doesn’t necessarily require painting but smells amazing. There’s also the clear glass balls that can be filled with garland, confetti or other small decor, or painted on the outside. A favorite I’ve received in the past that I still love is the hand-sewn gingerbread man.
8. Jams and Jellies
Before you worry that it’s too late in the year to start making a peach preserve, there’s lots more options open in the winter. Sure you can start your brandied cherries in July and save them for December, but let’s look into what’s seasonal now. You can make an orange marmalade or lemon curd. And don’t forget the fruit butters, either. Apple butter, spiced pear butter, or even pumpkin butter are easy to make and delicious to eat, especially if you let the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. Just don’t tell anyone how easy it really was.
9. Gift Basket
This can be as hand-made or not as you like. And no I’m not suggesting you take up basket weaving, unless of course you want to. Something of a lost skill that I feel could be appreciated for its own effort. But I’m getting off track. Consider a pancake breakfast basket with an inexpensive batter bowl from Dollar Tree. Add pancake mix, a bottle of syrup, a whisk and a spatula, throw in some coffee or hot chocolate, maybe some chocolate chips. Or compile a bath basket. Even if you don’t make the soaps, put in some bath salts, soaps, body butters, maybe a candle. This is a great option for someone who has great ideas for a gift set, but doesn’t have the time to make all the items contained within.
10. Homemade Mixes
And since we talked about pancake mix in the last idea, let’s roll with that a little more. Make your own mixes. You could make pancake or scone mix, put it in a jar, and provide cooking directions on a pretty tag. Hot chocolate mix with marshmallows is another great choice. Glam it up with hot chocolate bombs. What about spices? Have your own killer spice rub for ribs? Mix that up and hand it out; keep the recipe for yourself if you’re not worried about making Santa’s nice list. Curry, taco, chili, ranch, steak rub, or your secret House Seasoning. This year, I’m making up batches of my mulling spices for apple cider.
11. Jewelry
Remember where I said I’m not crafty? I don’t have much experience with this particular art, but I know many people do and enjoy it greatly. However, as a recipient of a handmade bracelet years ago, I can testify from personal experience that it is a much beloved gift. I still wear it 20 years later and smile when I think of the one who made it. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, or technically even a keyring could fall under this category and all are marvelous and lovely ways to bless someone.
12. Personalized Mugs and Glasses
Not to throw in too many painting projects, but personalizing a mug or glass is another winner. Or paint grapes and vines on a set of wine glasses. Your not big on paint, but have a Cricut? Break that out and make a fun design on drinkware. Think beer glasses. Or travel mugs for someone’s morning commute. You can always add something related to the drinking vessel, like a bag of coffee, or marshmallows and hot chocolate mix.
Bonus: Slime!
This one is a great idea for kids. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Peachybbies as much as the next human. But the kids in my life have been making their own slime for funsies for years. And I would suggest making a gift of a slime DIY kit… but without knowing the parents’ tolerance for creative messes and the materials involved, I’d say, make the slimes yourself. Don’t feel you have to limit the slimes to just children either. I know plenty of adults who love playing with a good slime. Myself included.
So even if money is tight this year, take heart! There’s so many options out there of how to be a great gift giver, and it doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Start with this list and let your imagination soar. Lovingly made gifts can be some of the best ones you can give, or receive, this Christmas.
Let me know what gifts you’re making this year. Unless it’s for me. Because I like surprises.
Blessings and joy! Momma
