DIY Gifts

DIY Christmas Gifts

YOU JUST CAN’T BEAT HOME SWEET HOME(MADE).

Why bother with DIY Christmas gifts, you ask? Because Christmas presents just mean so much more when they’re homemade, that’s why. Your friends and family know you had to spend a little more time on them, and that thoughtfulness is always appreciated. Enter our list of the ultimate, most creative DIY Christmas gifts around. They’re perfect for Mom, for Dad, for friends, for sons and daughters, for neighbors, and everyone in between. Whether you use them as fun stocking stuffers or easyto-make hostess gifts, we have a gift for everyone on your list. And yes, we’ve even got you covered when it comes to finding the perfect DIY Christmas gifts for your boyfriend. How will he be able to resist a sweet cross-stitched truck or a handmade mason jar coaster? We’ve also rounded up a few out-of-this-world delicious DIY Christmas food gifts, like a homemade dark chocolate toffee that’ll leave your recipient craving more and a set of flavored salts that even the more sophisticated foodies will appreciate. Short on time this year? We can help you out with that too! Cute crocheted cozies, DIY stovetop potpourri, and a “Christmas tea tree” are just a few of the ideas on our list that take minimal effort—but still allow you to claim DIY status.

Pine-Scented Candles

These striped candles smell positively delightful (like pine!), but they’re also just really, really pretty. And that mint and white design will look lovely in your recipient’s home all the way until springtime.

Fabric Covered Christmas Tree Ornaments

DIY gifts don’t have to look fuddy-duddy, you know! We love the modern look of these whimsical ornaments, which can be customized with just about whatever pattern you want.

For the man who has everything, put together a DIY gift set complete with some grilling essentials: homemade ketchup, dry rub, skewers, a basting brush, and cutting board.

DIY Bubble Bath Gift Box

Odds are, your bestie could always use a good night of pampering. Give her everything she needs to unwind with this sweet gift box, complete with bath salts, rosé, a bar of chocolate, and more.

Charming Bookmarks

Jewelry designer Andrea Singarella fashioned these bibliophilic baubles for just a few bucks each. To assemble your own, cut velvet ribbon into nine-inch lengths. Purchase ribbon clamps the same width as your ribbon, then use flat-nose jewelry pliers to affix clamps to both ends of each ribbon. Finish by attaching charms, trinkets, or vintage earrings, to the clamps with jump rings.

Flavored Salt Gift Idea

If the recipient’s more of a savory person, make an assortment of salts for a food gift with some kick. Bottle in jars, stick on our cute labels, and place in a metal box with shredded newspaper for padding.

Goat’s Milk Soap

A goat’s-milk formula and a beguiling bird mold—along with thoughtful packaging— result in bars that seem like they cost a fortune. First, melt the soap according to package instructions. Pour the mixture into the silicone mold. Let it set for four hours, then pop out your bar. To wrap these soaps, we used unbleached coffee filters, rectangular cardboard boxes, and paper color-copied from a vintage bird guide. Enclose each oval soap in a coffee filter before boxing—the ruffles gather neatly around curves.