It's official: Christmas is here, and time is running out to order gifts for everyone on your list. If you don't want to worry about shipping deadlines or braving the lines at local stores, consider heading to your craft room and making DIY Christmas gifts. They're extra meaningful, and they might just save you the stress of fighting the crowds this year. That's why we've assembled the best DIY gift ideas you can make for your family and friends this holiday season. From useful gifts for the home, to yummy from-scratch food gifts, and even presents that double as DIY Christmas decorations that they'll cherish for years to come.
Need a gift for Grandpa? How about a DIY photo ornament made with pictures of the kids? We also have the tastiest gift-worthy Christmas treats perfect for everyone from teachers to hostesses, and plenty of projects that result in an ideal gift for her (that snazzy bubble bath gift box) or him (how 'bout those hilarious hand-stitched hankies??).
And what's really awesome about these ideas, there is something for every skill level. From experienced DIYers to those who don't own a single tool (what's the difference in hot glue and Elmer's?). If you are game for something slightly complicated, check out the cross-stitched red truck—complete with a Christmas tree—for the fella in your life. Or, if you prefer to put in minimal effort, try putting together the slippers stuffed with pampering products, like lip balm and nail polish, for your best friend. They are going to love what you make for them no matter what it is!
1
Christmas Tree Cross-Stitch
Stitch up one of these simple patterns for a gift topper, or back it in festive fabric and tie on a ribbon to make a Christmas ornament. Either way, the recipient will love the time you took to make something just for them.
Get the free pattern.
2
Sheet Music Trees
These easy-to-make yet impressive trees will be brought out to display year after year. Choose a favorite song to make the gift extra-meaningful.
How to make sheet music trees.
3
Gift Bag for Teacher
We know teachers appreciate gift cards, but they can feel a bit impersonal. Have your kids help make these special gift bags and include a personal note to take things up a notch.
To make: Use a ruler to draw blue lines side to side on a white paper gift bag. Draw a red line perpendicular to the red line. Use a standard size hole punch to punch three holes to the left of the red line. Fill with a gift, then tissue paper.
Related: Gifts for teachers
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4
Caroling Book
If you have a music-loving friend or family member, make them a custom book with all of their favorite songs.
How to make a caroling book.
5
Yarn Ornaments
Use these DIY yarn ornaments as a bonus gift to decorate a wrapped present or craft several and wrap them all up together in a gift bag.
To make: Wrap yarn around a clear plastic Christmas ornament, holding the beginning of the yarn in place with a dab of hot glue, until the ornament is completely covered. Thread bamboo co*cktail picks through the yarn to mimic knitting needles. Hang as desired.
6
Christmas Tree Cupcakes
The tower of icing on a chocolate cupcake set off feelings of joy to whoever receives these sweet treats!Get the recipe.
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7
Reindeer Chow
A perfect gift for Santa and his reindeer, the kids classmates, or anyone who loves sweets, really.
Get the recipe.
8
Yarn Star Ornaments
These sweet ornaments only require two supplies (plus a little glue) and come together in minutes. A perfect DIY for the novice crafter.
To make: Cut a star shape from a piece of cardboard using an X-acto knife. Wrap the star in yarn, using dabs of hot glue to help hold the yarn in place near the points of the star, until fully covered. Glue the ends of a length of yarn to the back on one point to create a loop for hanging.
9
Sugar Cookie Mix Mason Jar Gift
Put together a DIY kit for the baker in your life. Mix up the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie (We love a good sugar cookie.) Attach a cookie cutter, a light shaped ornament filled with cookie decor, and baking instructions.
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10
Grinch Cookies
For the grumpy sweet lover in your circle give the gift of green sparkling sugar covered cookies. They might just soften their heart a little!
Get the recipe.
11
Santa Mason Jar Gift
After crafting this Santa Mason jar fill with the recipients favorite candy, cookie, or snack mix.
To make: Paint the inside of a Mason jar with red craft paint. Cut a piece of red felt into cone shape and glue to the metal ring; shape into a hat. Cut a thin strip of white felt and hot glue to the bottom of the hat. Attach a small white pom pom or marble to the tip of the hat with hot glue. Wrap a length of black ribbon around the lower part of the jar to create a belt. Top with a piece of yellow felt that’s fashioned into a buckle with hot glue. Attach two white buttons with hot glue.
12
Snowman Cupcakes
No one is ever sad when they receive a sweet treat as a gift and these sweet faced snowman cupcakes will get gobbled right up!
Get the recipe.
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13
Baseball Mason Jar
You're sure to hit one out of the park when you DIY a baseball mason jar for the major (or minor) league fan in your life.
To make: Paint the outside of a Mason jar with flat white craft paint. Once dry use a fine grit sandpaper to gently scuff up the paint. Use a fine-tipped paint brush and red craft paint to paint on the stitches of the baseball. Use brown spray paint to paint the metal lid and band of the jar; allow to dry completely. Cut a baseball bat from a piece of brown craft paper and use markers to add details, such as wood grain. Punch a tiny hole in one end of the bat and attach to the jar with a piece of baker’s twine. Fill jar with Cracker Jack and attach lid.
14
Hot Chocolate Mugs
A perfect DIY for kids to put together for Santa or for you to gift to the sweet lovers in your crowd.
To make: Place hot cocoa mix in the bottom of small mug Mason jars. Top with mini marshmallow, chocolate chips, and crushed starlight mints. Attach lid. Attach a tag with red baker’s twine
15
Cloth Peppermints
Gift a gaggle of oversized cloth "mints" to a friend or family member that loves to decorate for the season. They will look great gathered together in a silver bowl or scattered throughout the holiday table centerpiece.
To make: Cut a piece of red and white ticking striped fabric into a 6.5-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Use pinking shears to cut a decorative edge on the short ends. Glue two 2.2-inch wood craft rings together with hot glue (you can cut pieces of cardboard into rounds and glue them together). Wrap fabric around rings and tie ends tight with red rickrack.
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16
Craft Bead and Button Snowman
These little cuties come together quickly with the just a few simple craft supplies so make multiples and gift to all your friends and family.
To make: Draw snowmen faces on wooden craft beads with markers. Thread a length of baker’s twine through a brown button. Thread both ends of the thread twine through two plain buttons then through the button with the face. Thread twine through 5 to 6 black button to creating a hat. Tie twine close to the top button to hold everything together, then tie again about 2-inches up to create a loop for hanging. Cut a thin piece of red felt and tie between the top to buttons for a scarf.
17
Apple Mason Jar
For the teacher who has made your child's life a delight day in and out, craft an "apple of your eye" mason jar pencil holder.
To make: Paint the inside of a Mason jar with red craft paint. Cut an apple leaf from green craft paper and punch a small hole in one end. Write a note to teacher on the leaf and attach to the jar with a length of twine. Fill jar with pencils, colored pencils, or pens.
18
Reindeer Brownies
Brownies baked in a muffin pan and topped with icing and candy transforms a common treat into the cutest one in the sky.Get the recipe.
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19
Spice Rub Mix
Mix up a batch of your famous spice rub (or use our recipe) to gift to the grill master or cook in your life.
To make: Fill a small Mason jar with your famous spice rub. Attach a small wooden spoon and gift tag (you can write ways to use the rub on the back of the tag) with colorful twine.
20
VIntage Bingo Card Trees
The ultimate gift for a friend who loves to deck the hall plus all things vintage.
To make: Cut three to five half-tree-shaped pieces from matching bingo cards (with one edge flat and the other jagged). Hot-glue the flat edges to a 3/8-inch dowel, fanning them out to create a 3D tree shape. Finish with a bingo tile topper using hot-glue. Place dowels in tall wooden spools for easy display.
Charlyne Mattox
Food and Crafts Director
Charlyne Mattox is Food and Crafts Director for Country Living.
