15 Handmade Gifts People Will Actually Want

By Stacy Tornio Updated: December 11, 2019

Tags:

Physician's Choice Menopause Probiotic Supplement for Women - Supports Hormone Balance, Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Weight Management, Bloating

Deal of the Day

Save 40% on Physician’s Choice Menopause Probiotic Supplement for Women With Subscription! View Deal

This year, you can make your own gifts without spending a lot of time or money. There’s nothing wrong with a wish list, but when you want to create a deeper and more meaningful gift-giving experience, try going handmade. Now this might sound good in theory, but in reality, it’s a lot harder to pull off. Personally, I tend to be someone who loves handmade, but my finished project never quite looks like the inspiration.

This is why I put together a list of some of the best and easiest handmade gifts that you can give this season. And yes, the goal is that people will actually want them. Take a look for some inspiration in making your own handmade gifts this holiday season.

Ahead, the easiest DIY gifts your friends and family will cherish for years to come.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub Mom4 Real

Mom4Real
Share this:
Body Scrub

You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make a quality sugar scrub. Instead of shelling out top dollar at a spa store, upcycle some old jelly and mason jars to use for your favorite sugar scrub. This peppermint recipe from Mom4Real is a great option!
Magnet

Getty Images
Share this:
Personalized Magnets

You can put photos, sayings, or anything else you please on a magnet. If you’re truly the crafty type, you might consider using clear marbles and doing a decoupage technique to make your magnets. (Learn how that works on this crafty blog.) Otherwise, don’t feel bad about going the semi-handmade route by ordering up magnets at your favorite photo printing location like Walgreens. They often run great deals, and you can save a lot of money this way.
You Had Me At Aloe Creative Ramblings

Creative Ramblings
Share this:
DIY Planter

Even in the dead of winter, you’ll be able to find sweet little houseplants like aloe at your local gardening center. Combine that with a jar or mug and a personalized saying, and you’ve got a great gift. Find out how Sarah from Creative Ramblings made this one right here.
Letters

Getty Images
Share this:
Cards for a Year

You’ve probably heard of this one before, but it’s worth a shoutout. Write up a sweet little card or note for someone special that they can open on the first day of every month. You can decorate the cards and add some designs for a little bit extra. It really is a lovely way to show someone you’re thinking of them throughout the year.
Baked Goods

Getty Images
Share this:
Snacks

You can never underestimate the appreciation someone will have when you remember their favorite food. Plus, when it’s homemade, it’s even more special. There are so many great recipes and holiday treats to try. This is also a great gift idea to do in bulk! Make a big batch and then sprinkle the love all around.
Hot Drinks

Getty Images
Share this:
Drink Kit

Building off the food theme, think about gifting someone a drink kit. For instance, you could give the ingredients to have a mulled wine, a hot apple cider, or even a hot cocoa kit with extra toppings included. This one is great for someone who loves handmade but isn’t necessarily crafty.
Pallet Coasters Crafty Blog Stalker

The Crafty Blog Stalker
Share this:
Coasters

This is one of those things that you almost can’t have enough of. You can use coasters for drinks or just decoration in general. These mini pallet coasters have that popular rustic look and offer a fun option to personalize with a special saying. You could also put names on these.
Essential Oils

Getty Images
Share this:
Essential Oils

Are you into essential oils? If so, then you likely do your own blends and mixes for specialized needs. This is a great gift idea to make for someone, too. You can pick up little rollers or mist containers on Amazon or at your local craft store. Then look up recipes (you’ll find so many on Pinterest) and create lovely concoctions of to evoke cheer, rest, and more. By customizing the aromas to things you know the gift receiver likes, you’re giving them a very cool personalized gift.
Painted Rock Yogis Owl

Yogisowl
Share this:
Painted Rocks

This one is a perfect gift to get kids involved. Find smooth rocks (you can buy them online if you need) and then pick up some paint pens. If you want inspiration, you can find lots of it on Instagram or Pinterest, doing a search or using the hashtag #paintedrocks. You could even get a theme going and create a little rock family like you see here.
Water Bottle

Getty Images
Share this:
Personalized Bottles

As more and more people move away from plastic, it’s a great opportunity to buy a reusable water bottle and add a little style and personalization. You’ll find a few different techniques for doing this, including using cutouts and paint. If you aren’t the crafty type, then just find stickers or other ways to personalize the bottle.
Knit

Getty Images
Share this:
Knitted Accessories

Do you have knitting or crochet skills? Don’t overlook their value! Winter is the perfect time of year to gift a neck wrap, scarf, or cozy socks. You can find so many great options and patterns online. This Instagram knitter has tons of great options, and there are many others, too. Use hashtags to search for inspiration and ideas. And if you’re not the knitting type (it’s a challenge for me), look at a local class. They break it down and often feature easier projects you can complete in a single sitting.
Kids Painting

Getty Images
Share this:
Kid Art

It doesn’t matter what age they are, when a child puts their heart into creating great art, it will definitely shows. Encourage the kid in your life to take a little extra time to create something unique or personal for that special someone. You might even get the glitter out if you’re brave.
Dog Pic

Getty Images
Share this:
Pet Art

Does the special person in your life have a pet? Can you borrow that pet for an hour or so for a photo shoot, a paw print, or even a creating painting? This won’t necessarily be the easiest gift to pull off, but it will definitely be a memorable one.
Air Plants Garden Therapy

Garden Therapy
Share this:
Air Plants

Do you know about the magic of air plants? They really seem to be floating in air (plus, they don’t require any soil to grow), which makes them feel like a piece of artwork anyone would love to receive — especially if you add some of your own flair. There are lots of good ways to display air plants (and entire websites dedicated to this), but one of our favorites is this simple design from Stephanie at Garden Therapy.
Getty Images 1191287532

Getty Images
Share this:
Heartfelt Video

Even with little to no budget, you can still make something sweet and meaningful when you create a video. If you have kids, get the whole family involved in singing a song or recording a special message for someone you love. You can download an app to make the video a little more polished or fun. But otherwise, it’s really the message that counts. Speak from the heart, and you’ll be giving a gift that someone will cherish for many years.