89 DIY Christmas Gifts for Everyone on Your List
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It's our personal opinion that everyone loves getting presents—especially at Christmas. Of course, you can buy them, but this year you might want to consider DIY Christmas gifts. Handing someone you love a gift—store-bought or homemade—is a thoughtful gesture regardless of where it's from, but if they know that you took time to make it yourself, they'll appreciate it that much more. So if you want to score some extra points this year, put your credit card down and start brainstorming.
We're here to help get you started. Ahead, we've laid out more than 90 homemade Christmas gifts to help inspire some crafty magic at home. From a floating wine rack to a custom cake stand, there are a lot of solid options for everyone on your list—even kids. If the idea of making something yourself sounds intimidating, hear us out: We found easy DIY Christmas gift ideas for every experience level. For some, all you need is a hot-glue gun. For others, you'll need a few more tools—at most, a sewing machine or handsaw. Regardless, there's nothing an ambitious novice crafter can't do. Plus, even if your creation isn't perfect, it’s the thought that counts, right?
Nothing from a store will measure up to the level of consideration in a homemade gift, so go easy on yourself if you don't consider yourself a very crafty person. Choose an idea that's easy to execute. Go ahead, peep our favorite DIY Christmas gifts below, and start gathering materials. The countdown begins...now!
Homemade Gift Wrap
If you're not super crafty, don't put pressure on yourself to make a gift. Instead, make the wrapping! Whether you use simple brown kraft paper adorned with cinnamon sticks and pine needles or something a little more colorful, the craft aisle is your oyster.
A one-of-a-kind decorative lampshade is sure to wow anyone who receives it. The best part? It's as easy as gluing some decorative paper or fabric to a blank shade. Just buy an inexpensive plain one, then follow our tutorial.
Geometric Cake Stand
This piece may look complicated, but it's just a rimmed plate secured to a geometric tabletop decoration. If there's a baker in your life who could use an extra place to display treats, this is a good idea. Follow the super-simple tutorial at Birds Party.
The package is part of this DIY Christmas gift idea. It's a set of hand-painted boxes that stack to make a reindeer (seen here), tree, snowman, or angel—so cute they'll want to reuse it. Place extra-cute DIY or store-bought gifts inside! Pick up some craft paint, gather a few sturdy cardboard boxes, and follow our simple tutorial.
Crochet Sweater
If you've picked up knitting this year, put your new hobby to good use and make a sweater, scarf, or mittens. Bonus points if you make it ugly-holiday-themed.
Rifle Paper Co. Festive Ornaments
Want to give them something they can display every holiday season? Consider making these ornaments using wrapping paper scraps, clear ball ornaments, and decoupage glue (such as Mod-Podge). Our tutorial makes this homemade Christmas gift simple.
Custom Perfume
This one may sound like it requires a chemistry degree, but as long as you have the key ingredients you can whip up a custom perfume for your loved ones. Here's what you need: at least three types of essential oil, 70-proof alcohol, distilled water, and bottles.
Or if you want to give them holiday decor that can be displayed all year long and is functional, try making these poinsettia coasters. Use crepe paper, wooden coasters, scissors, decoupage glue (aka Mod Podge), and a sponge brush to craft them. Get creative!
Sugar Scrub
"I use a sugar scrub every few days in the shower, and it makes my skin so soft," associate shopping editor Jessica Cherner says. "The best scrubs are the all-natural ones. Just make sure it has enough grain in it to remove dead skin and enough essential oil to hydrate."
Polaroid Collage
Polaroids have made a big comeback in recent years, so if you're in the mood to create a sentimental gift, spend the months, weeks, and days leading up to Christmas snapping shots of your loved ones. When it gets close enough, start arranging them on a board complete with string lights and hand-written notes.
Give the avid cook in your life one of these homemade felt-ball trivets that they can break out for every dinner party. All you need to buy are some extra-large pom-poms in their favorite colors—or their kitchen's palette. Get the tutorial from Lia Griffith.
Peppermint Bark
Nothing says Christmas like peppermint bark. Did you know it's actually super easy to make? So if you're headed to a holiday party and don't want to show up empty-handed, bring a plate of this stuff. Peep the recipe at Delish.
Decorated Baking Essentials
Decorated Baking Essentials
Spice up plain set of storebought wooden kitchen utensils with tiny details made using a wood burn tool pen or kit. (That may sound intimidating, but beginner kits are easy to find on Amazon.) The tutorial at Delia Creates walks you through each step.
Relaxation Starter Kit
Palo santo and sage don't just fill your space with a heavenly aroma, but they're also said to rid it of negative energy, making room for good vibes. Gift a bundle with an earthy-scented candle or a pretty box of matches.
Grab your loved one's favorite wine and wrap it in a cute homemade sweater sleeve for a cozy touch. Add a contrasting ribbon bow to finish the gift with a flourish. Get the tutorial from That's What Che Said.
Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are so easy to make. Just roll sheets of beeswax (which are easy to order online) around a square wick (ditto) and seal it together with a little bit of heat. When it's set, wrap it with paper band and freshly dried herbs for decoration.
If you want to stick with the wine theme, include a few wine cork stoppers too. These DIY ones simply involve adding decorative knobs to wine corks, which you can buy in bulk for cheap (we saw 50 for $12).
Fire Starter Kit
It's not Christmas without a crackling fire. Get the party started with this adorable little fire starter kit from Lia Griffith.
The avid reader in your life will adore this set of splatterpainted bookends made using concrete casts. Plus, they add a pop of color to any space. Buy acrylic craft paint in cool colors (a small bottle of each will do), then follow the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
If your loved one can't get enough holiday decor, make them this mini Christmas village wreath to display all season long. Start with an inexpensive faux-greenery base, then follow the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Kelly Allen is the Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she creates design, culture, and travel content online and in the magazine. She’s been on the team since 2019, writing features on dreamy TV sets and movie filming locations, in-depth city guides, and inspiring home tours. From researching ethereal estates to discovering can’t-miss set decoration details onscreen, she’s always eager to answer burning pop culture questions through a design lens. In her five-year career, she’s built a strong network of designers across disciplines to tap for their invaluable expertise. Her background includes honing reporting skills while tackling viral news for Delish and contributing to Cosmopolitan’s entertainment coverage. When she’s not watching every new film and TV show, she’s browsing vintage home stores, attending industry events, and wandering around New York City—highlighting it all on Instagram.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s Associate Shopping Editor, a role she’s honed since joining the editorial team in September 2022. She routinely tests and reviews viral products, carefully curates timely gift guides, and taps her vast network of interior designers to weigh in on decorating debates that often have the Internet divided. Though most of her day-to-day is product focused, she also curates and publishes home tours, which are the types of features she has written throughout her eight-year career in previous roles at 1stDibs and Architectural Digest. In her current role as a shopping editor, Jess has mastered the art of swapping decor in and out of her own New York City apartment to fulfill her seemingly never-ending quest for the perfectly styled space.
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