With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time to start planning your Christmas gifts! I love giving homemade gifts to friends and family.
There’s just something special about creating a unique gift that you can’t buy at the store.
That’s why I’m sharing these 22 DIY Christmas gifts ideas that are sure to impress your loved ones!
One of my favorite things about DIY gifts is that you can personalize them to match the recipient.
Whether you’re a master baker, a craft whiz, or a green thumb, there’s a homemade Christmas gift idea for you!
1. Make a personalized photo calendar
You can find a lot of options for creating a personalized calendar online, but I love the idea of doing it yourself.
You can make a calendar with your own photos using a template in a photo editing software,
or you can print out your photos and make a calendar from scratch.
I love this idea because you can use photos you’ve taken of the recipient and make a calendar that’s all about them!
I think this would be a great gift for grandparents, a significant other, or a best friend.
2. Create a family recipe book
A family recipe book is a great way to preserve your family’s recipes and to pass them on to the next generation.
This is also a wonderful gift for newlyweds or for someone who is moving into their first home.
You can purchase a blank book and write out your recipes, or type them out and use a self-publishing site to create a printed book.
You can also create a scrapbook with photos of the food and your recipe.
3. Make a DIY photo frame
Photo frames are a classic Christmas gift, and they’re a great way to showcase your favorite memories.
You can make a DIY photo frame with some simple supplies, and there are a ton of different styles you can try.
We love these rustic wood frames from It’s Always Autumn.
4. Make a homemade candle
You can make a homemade candle in a jar or a tin, or you can use silicone molds to create fun shapes.
You can also choose the scent you want to use for the candle, so you can really customize it to the person you are giving it to.
If you want to make a candle in a jar, you will need:
• A candle wick
• A wick centering device
• Wax flakes
• A candle scent
• A candle dye
• A glass jar
• A hot glue gun
To make a candle in a jar, you will need to glue the wick to the bottom of the jar.
Then, you can melt your wax and add your scent and dye. After that, you can pour your wax into the jar and let it harden.
5. Create a spa day in a mason jar
This is a great gift for a friend, sister, or mom who needs a little pampering.
You can customize this gift by adding whatever spa items you think your recipient would love. Here are some ideas:
• Face mask
• Lip balm
• Lotion
• Bath bombs
• Nail polish
• Nail file
• Bath salts
• Loofah
• Scented candle
I found most of these items at the Dollar Store or Walmart. If you have a little more to spend,
you could add higher-quality items from a beauty store. I found the mason jar, twine, and small ornaments at the Dollar Store.
6. Make a homemade sugar scrub
This is one of my favorite things to make and give as a gift because it’s so simple and you can make a bunch of them at once.
You can get creative with the oils and herbs you use to make it extra special and personalized.
I love this recipe because it’s made with coconut oil, which is so good for your skin, and it smells like Christmas with the addition of cinnamon.
Put it in a mason jar, add a cute label and you’ve got an amazing gift!
7. Create a custom mug
If you have a Cricut machine, you know the possibilities are endless.
You can create your own custom design, or you can use one that is already made and available in the Cricut Design Space.
Once you have your design, cut it out on vinyl and apply it to a mug. I used a Cricut Joy to make this mug.
8. Make a homemade bath bomb
Bath bombs are the perfect way to make anyone feel pampered. They are also a fun and easy DIY project.
You can make them in any shape or color, and you can add in essential oils to make them smell amazing.
These bath bombs are made with coconut oil, which is great for your skin. You can also add in Epsom salts to help soothe sore muscles.
9. Create a homemade lip balm
Homemade lip balm is a great gift idea because it’s practical, but you can also make it look really cute with some simple packaging.
You can buy the tubes and tins to put your lip balm in online, and then you can add a cute label to the top.
This recipe is made with beeswax, coconut oil and shea butter, and you can use essential oils to add a delicious scent.
10. Make a homemade soap
Making your own soap can be a fun way to create a personalized gift for someone.
You can choose the essential oils to make your soap smell exactly how you want it to.
You will need to get some supplies to make soap, but once you have them, you will be able to make many batches.
Here is a great recipe for a lavender and lemon soap.
11. Create a homemade foot soak
This soothing homemade foot soak is a great gift for anyone who could use a little relaxation.
You can use Epsom salts, sea salts, or a combination of the two.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and some dried herbs or flowers to create a beautiful and fragrant foot soak.
• 1 cup of Epsom salts or sea salts
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• A few drops of your favorite essential oils (like peppermint, lavender, or tea tree)
• Dried lavender or rose petals (optional)
• A glass jar with a lid
Add the salts and baking soda to a large mixing bowl. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and mix well.
Add the dried lavender or rose petals, if using, and mix again. Transfer the foot soak to a clean, airtight glass jar and seal.
12. Make a homemade body butter
Body butter is a great gift for anyone who loves to pamper themselves.
This homemade recipe uses just four ingredients and essential oils that you can customize to your friend’s favorite scent.
Find the recipe and instructions on A Pumpkin and a Princess.
13. Create a homemade pillow spray
Pillow sprays are a wonderful way to help someone you love relax and get a good night’s sleep.
This homemade pillow spray recipe from Garden Therapy smells amazing and is so easy to make.
You can buy the ingredients in bulk and make a big batch of this pillow spray to give as gifts to everyone on your list.
Just be sure to make a little extra for yourself, because you’re going to want to keep some of this for your own pillow!
14. Make a homemade room spray
You can choose any scent you like and create a homemade room spray to gift. All you need is water, alcohol, and essential oils. Get the tutorial here.
TIP: You can use vodka as the alcohol in this recipe!
15. Create a homemade hand scrub
If you know someone who loves to cook, they’ll appreciate this easy-to-make hand scrub.
It’s perfect for scrubbing away the smell of onions and garlic after cooking and leaves hands soft and smooth.
Simply mix together 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils and mix until well combined. Fill a mason jar with the scrub and add a ribbon and a gift tag.
16. Make a homemade face mask
Face masks are a great way to relax and give your skin a little bit of love.
They can be expensive, but making your own at home is super easy and a whole lot cheaper!
There are tons of different recipes out there, but this one is my favorite because
it’s so simple and requires ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
All you need to do is mix 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt, and 1 teaspoon of turmeric.
The honey is a natural humectant, which means it helps your skin retain moisture.
The yogurt is a gentle exfoliant, and the turmeric is anti-inflammatory.
Mix everything together, put it in a cute little jar, and you’ve got yourself a DIY gift!
17. Create a homemade massage oil
This homemade massage oil is perfect for anyone who needs a little relaxation.
Simply combine sweet almond oil with essential oils of your choice and pour it into a glass bottle.
Add a few sprigs of dried lavender or other herbs for a decorative touch.
If you want to make it a gift set, you can also include a candle and a gift card to a local spa.
18. Make a homemade shaving cream
This is a great stocking stuffer for the men in your life. It’s also a great option for the women who like to shave their legs.
This homemade shaving cream is so easy to make and can be customized with different essential oils.
I love using peppermint during the holidays.
You can buy these small jars at most craft stores and I always make a few at a time so I can keep them on hand for last minute gifts.
19. Create a homemade beard oil
We can’t forget about the men in our lives! This homemade beard oil is the perfect gift for the bearded men in your life.
This beard oil is made with a few simple ingredients, including jojoba oil and essential oils.
Jojoba oil is great for the skin and hair and is the perfect carrier oil for essential oils.
Once you’ve made your beard oil, you can pour it into a dropper bottle and add a custom label.
20. Make a homemade aftershave
This is a super easy recipe to make and you can customize it to your recipient’s favorite scents.
I used cedarwood and peppermint oils in the recipe but you can swap those out for other oils like lavender, orange, or frankincense.
This recipe is alcohol-free, so it won’t sting like most aftershaves.
The witch hazel in this recipe is great for soothing the skin after shaving and the aloe vera gel is great for moisturizing.
I also added some vitamin E oil to this recipe which is great for the skin.
21. Create a homemade deodorant
For the natural beauty in your life, a homemade deodorant can be a fun and practical present. You can make this in small jars or as a solid bar.
This recipe uses shea butter and coconut oil as the base, and then adds in essential oils to make it smell great.
Supplies:
• 1/2 cup shea butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup arrowroot powder
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Essential oils of your choice
• 4-ounce jars or deodorant tubes
Directions:
1. Melt coconut oil and shea butter together in a double boiler.
2. Remove from heat and add arrowroot powder and baking soda. Stir well.
3. Add essential oils and stir.
4. Pour into a clean, dry container. Allow to cool and harden for a few hours before using.
Note: If you’re using this recipe to make a solid bar, allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before pouring into molds.
22. Make a homemade toothpaste
I promise this is not as weird as it sounds! I love making my own toothpaste. It’s so easy and you can make it in a variety of flavors.
This peppermint one is perfect for the holidays.
I like to gift this with a bamboo toothbrush and some homemade lip balm. It’s a great way to encourage someone to take care of themselves.
Conclusion
A gift can be as simple as a jar of candy or as elaborate as a handmade quilt. The most important thing is to give with love.