Creative Homemade Gift Ideas
For those of you who enjoy crafting, baking and generally doing something practical, then you could easily whip up some fantastic (and totally unique) homemade gifts for your friends and family using the tutorials below.
Photo of hand-drawn jars by Abbey Hendrickson.
I have listed my favourite DIY gift ideas for men, women and couples, so that you can give all of your favourite people thoughtful surprises on their birthdays, or at Christmas, housewarming parties and other celebrations.
People do appreciate the extra time and effort put into gift-giving, and you could perhaps save yourself some money too!
You don't even need extra special equipment or crafting skills to complete most of these projects...so even if you're a total beginner to "making things", you can still create some awesome goodies :)
Have fun!
(If you can't find what you're looking for here, feel free to take a look at my homemade present guides specifically for men, for women, for kids and for Valentine's day.)
Edible Gift Recipes & How-Tos:
Not only yummy, but pretty too.
Truffles and caramel squares in a gift package.
Awesome DIY kit of apples, caramel sauce & an assortment of toppings.
Including bacon jam and honeycomb brittle.
A simple tried-and-tested recipe.
Very few ingredients go into making these sweet treats.
Traditional recipes for vanilla, chocolate, rum and whiskey fudge.
With step-by-step instructions and photos.
Delicious offerings including cocktails and lollipops.
Made from mashed-up chocolate cake!
Lovely little gift set to make a delicious mug of cocoa.
Chocolate truffles rolled in a variety of toppings...made by madlyinlovewithlife.
Kits to Assemble & Themed Boxes of Goodies:
With balloons, candles, garlands and more.
I would love to receive this one!
Waffle cones and toppings galore.
Mini pots containing quality spices and teas.
With homemade clay plant markers.
A picnic basket, blanket and thermos flask would make a sweet gift.
A ready-made batter which just needs to be baked.
Provide all the ingredients for a campfire treat.
A charming way to upcycle an old case.
Beautiful 'talking bouquet' full of treasures.
Packed full of sweets and fun knick-knacks.
Dry recipe mix in a mason jar.
Lovely materials assembled for people who enjoy writing.
Including a magnetic post-it note holder.
A wonderful collection of ingredients.
A lovely gift for the holidays! Photo by kittylitter.
F i n d P o p u l a r G i f t s o n A m a z o n :
Video How-To for Edible Treats & a Candy Dispenser:
Key Holders, Wine Racks & DIYs for the Home:
A rustic wine holder that leans against a wall.
A minimalist bottle holder in leather and wood.
Easy to construct from just wood and framing nails.
A memo board and key holder in one.
For storing your keys and knick-knacks.
Instructions for jazzing up a plain terracotta dish.
Potted succulent and key hook in one!
Very useful item made using wood and magnets.
Made a quirky rack with mini houses on top.
An effective and budget-friendly DIY.
Made from a single reclaimed wood board.
Sew a handy holder for remote controls and gadgets.
Wooden wall-mounted paper roll for reminders.
A fun design to hold notes and lists.
Made from scratch using air-dry clay.
Make your own tiny litle mountain range.
Sew your own squishy stand using fun fabric.
Embroider a pretty pattern onto storage boxes or planters.
Photo by The Spanish Peach.
Creative Kitchen Items & Handmade Ornaments:
A smart wooden block with copper accents.
Easy to make as a last-minute present.
Hardboard base with embedded terracotta pots.
Add a personal touch to wooden spoons & a salad bowl.
Use heat transfer paper to apply handwritten recipes to cloth.
Mason jar container with a shaker lid.
Add drawer pulls to corks to jazz up a range of decanters.
A colourful and interesting display for tea lovers.
Add whatever words you like to the glass to personalise them.
Beautiful centrepiece of air plants, sand and moss.
You could stamp the name of the recipient on the flattened spoon.
An attractive set of paraffin oil candles.
A cute idea for storage containers.
Copper & Marble Candle Holders
Add multi-coloured taper candles for a colourful effect.
With a rustic wooden base.
Make trendy candle holders using marble tiles.
Decorate a plain mirror frame with ceramic leaves! Photo and mosaic mirror by Diamond Tech.
Games and Fun Makes:
I love this one; amazing detail and illustrations.
The characters could be from your family or favourite TV show!
Cute noughts and crosses game made using a sewing machine.
In its own smart leather pouch.
Fun DIY using acrylic latex caulk for the 'icing'!
Fun and cheap way to make a personalised clock.
Humorous idea where you can make someone a clone of their favourite person.
A cute way to compliment someone or congratulate them for an achievement.
Lovely gift idea for families or couples.
Simply paint onto small pebbles, add a magnet and you're done!
Creative design for someone who travels a lot.
Give an award to someone for being a great friend, mum, dad or sibling.
Give the gift of peace and calm.
I would love this to be left on my doorstep.
Create a tiny little replica of the recipient!
Why not use seashells and string to make a pretty windchime? Photo by Thaths.
Mugs, Plates, Coasters & More:
Adding a simple layer of porcelain paint makes all the difference.
Add cute drawings or words on the base of the mugs.
Just doodle all over mugs, cups or saucers to make them one-of-a-kind.
Bold and colourful art inspired by Marimekko.
These would make a fantastic wall display.
For those who love colourful and retro patterns.
Add your own modern minimalist designs.
Pick out the rubber stamps you want and you're away!
With gold around the edges for a bit of added luxury.
A very creative use for carpet tiles!
So easy to create a beautiful object for someone's desk.
With an attractive splatter effect finish.
Pick the recipient's favourite quotes to print and display.
That can be used year after year after year.
Stencil your own unique design on to the top.
A fun way to create a piece of personalised letter art.
A trendy photo holder with a wire hand shape.
A fun idea would be to paint little wooden dolls as the recipient's favourite characters...or as the recipient themselves!
Photo by Abbey Hendrickson.
Christmas Themed Gifts & More Craft Ideas:
Make a cute little outfit from felt.
Lovely idea for a festive cuppa.
Little robot dolls that hold your secret message in their pocket.
A trendy reversible scarf that is really easy to sew.
Adorable gnome ornaments with pointed hats.
I've always wanted to know how to do this, and this how-to solves the mystery!
Fun idea for using brown sugar and fridge magnets to mould the chocolate.
Scented apple-shaped sachets of lavender.
Complete with a smart cover title.
The sachet contents are put in a simmering pot of water to release the scent.
Use a map of a place that means something special to the recipient.
Sweet little flip calendar full of memories.
Send a set of paper with a handmade feather pen.
For people who like to doodle on-the-go.
All enclosed inside a chocolate tin.
1 Yummy, 1 Romantic & 1 Sentimental Gift Idea:
Soap Recipes PLUS Thoughtful Gifts for Gardeners & for Couples:
Made using coffee and Guinness!
Only requires a few ingredients, and looks very inviting.
Simply attach seeds of your choice to a stripe of newspaper.
Cute miniature garden inside a lightbulb.
A similar concept to seed tape, shaped into balls instead.
A charming idea using wooden spoons and paint.
A cute idea for a couple who need a break.
Sweet homemade gift made of felt.
Easily stencil your own pillowcase designs.
Genius present idea for an engaged couple.
Another unique treasure for an engaged pair.
Smart and compact planner made with a vintage Rolodex.
Perfect for displaying personal photo memories.
Requires only basic sewing and woodworking skills.
Adorable birdies with fabric feathers and wire legs.
Recycle an old bottle to make a cool new functional item!
Chalkboard flower pots as a gift for teacher, by Emmanuelle Bourgue.
Candles, Keychains & Many More Cool Presents:
With crackling wooden wicks.
Ideal for making you feel cosy in Winter.
I particularly like how cinnamon sticks are incorporated.
Made using polymer clay and inexpensive letter stamps.
No binding necessary; just add a nice cover!
For holding little photos or memos.
Simple construction using pre-made wooden blocks.
Create the recipient's initial or maybe a heart shape.
Dye a plain white sheet to make a unique pattern.
Fun idea for a spice rack; test tubes! By FluffyMuppet.
Foodie Gifts for Keen Cooks & Bakers, PLUS Further Inspiration Lists:
Recipe for making a quick microwave cake.
For use as seasoning on your food.
A cheese board with a useful chalkboard section.
Woodworking plans for a simple wooden stand.
Citrus flavoured sugar for use in baking.
Aromatic and great for dressing salads.
8 Ways to present a herb garden.
Includes vanilla extract, syrup and sugar.
Pretty tiered stand made from terracotta pots and saucers.
Clever idea to transfer a hand-written recipe.
Easy sewing project with a pocket on the front.
Loads of little nuggets of inspiration.
I particularly like the felt fortune cookie make.
An inspiration board for every occasion.
A goldmine of ideas for crafters.
Including homemade caramel sauce and teacup candles.
