45 Handmade holiday gifts to start making now
Cross off everyone on your Christmas list with these easy DIY projects. They’ll love the results, but no one has to know about the time (and money!) you saved.
Handmade Gifts
Cross off everyone on your Christmas list with these easy DIY projects. They’ll love the results, but no one has to know about the time (and money!) you saved.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Salted-Caramel Cracker Candy
Who needs a candy thermometer? This sweet-and-salty dessert (made with saltines!)only requires a microwave.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Marbled Ring Dish
Keep odds and ends in check with a cheerful bowl made from oven-bake clay. The key is mixing white, gray and black with their favorite hues.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Ombre Tote Bag
A canvas bag comes in handy for just about everything. Dip-dyed in a bright color, this carry-all holds all of the daily essentials.
Get the tutorial at Hi Sugarplum »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Infused Vodkas
With flavors like spicy citrus and cucumber-tarragon, these gourmet spirits will get the party going ASAP.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Agate Coasters
With gilded edges, trendy coasters take cocktail hour to the next level. Please wine-lovers and hostesses alike with a glam set of their own.
Get the tutorial at Making Lemonade »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Embroidered Handkerchiefs
Give a personalized gift by stitching cheeky sayings on plain cotton squares. Not sure what to write? Keep it simple and add a colorful monogram.
Get the tutorial at Country Living »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Jam
Bacon lovers will obsess over this smoky spread — just try it on baguette slices with a little goat cheese. If you’re feeling extra generous, gift it alongside a jar of fennel-roasted olives.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Gilded Notebooks
Any writer is bound to swoon at these clever writing pads, which can either be made with pops of color or more subdued tones.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Handmade Soap
This blogger has easy-to-follow directions for making grapefruit and lavender or coconut and mint soap.
Get the tutorial at A House in the Hills »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Cellphone Case
Washi tape stars in this neatly patterned tech accessory.
Get the tutorial at Chronicle Books Blog »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Jewelry Box
A wooden trinket holder gets revamped with a coat of golden paint — but feel free to be as creative as you’d like, depending on her style.
Get the tutorial at Damask Love »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Tablet Sleeve
Try making this trendy carry-all for a guy who is always tied up with his device.
Get the tutorial at Sew 4 Home »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Koosh Ball Pillow
Give a nostalgic ‘90s girl this chic throw pillow, trimmed with a staple from her childhood.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Candle Holder
A store-bought, clear candle holder looks much better with a coat of paint and a cute design.
Get the tutorial at Mabey She Made It »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Coin Purse
Loose change is annoying, so help her keep track of it with an adorable tiny citrus wedge purse.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Painted Glassware
Use acrylic paint (but seal it afterwards) to recreate these confetti-dipped glasses.
Get the tutorial at Radical Possibility »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Map Wallet
If he loves traveling (or is lacking an awesome wallet), this one just requires an old map and sewing machine.
Get the tutorial at By Wilma »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Fun Tote
This bag is made from none other than a T-shirt, pulling off a rather impressive disguise.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Picture Frames
Chalky paint turns simple dollar store frames into a chic and pretty decor piece.
Get the tutorial at Make Your Mark »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Beaded Coasters
Admit it: Pearler beads make you nostalgic — and they make for the perfect citrus lookalike coasters.
Get the tutorial at My Frugal Adventures »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Colorful Utensils
This blogger used sherbet colored paint to adorn the end of each kitchen utensil, which she bought in a pack for $8 — score!
Get the tutorial at Peonies and Pears »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Heart-Shaped
You love your friends, so why not use that as the inspiration for a DIY glass set gift?
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Earphone Cord Holder
Because nobody (seriously, nobody) likes untangling their headphones for a good five minutes after taking them out of a back pocket.
Get the tutorial at Wah Made Simple »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Bike Basket
Turn a dull, black wired basket into a pretty, colorful handlebar accessory that’s just as unique as she is.
Get the tutorial at Anna Maria »
Source: Good Housekeeping
iPhone Easel
Because sometimes you just need a place to prop you phone, right?
Get the tutorial at Minted Strawberry »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Tie Clip
Use a letter and number punch set to stamp and personalize these handcrafted tie clips.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Desk Marquee Light
This one requires a little extra effort, but the end result (and her reaction) is totally worth it.
Get the tutorial at A Joyful Riot »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Succulent Box
A box filled with budding plants is just the present we’d love to receive.
Get the tutorial at Burkatron. »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Strawberry Pot Holders
If your cook loves summer, or fruit, or just colorful things in general, then they’ll dig these DIY strawberry pot holders.
Get the tutorial at Sew Some Stuff »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Fluffy Keychains
She’ll never lose her keys again thanks to the pretty pastels of these pom pom keychains.
Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Dish Set
If you’ve got food-safe markers, food-safe ceramic dishes and an oven, you’re all set to make these vibrant plates.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Wind Chimes
Skeleton keys actually make for a nifty alternative wind chime set.
Get the tutorial at Simply Darrling »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Fashionable Cufflinks
Dad will be impressed with these easy-to-make cufflinks, starring none other than a set of buttons.
Get the tutorial at Creme de la Craft »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Photo Block
Use Mod Podge to paste on a family photo to a set of wooden blocks to adorn an office desk with cheery memories this season.
Get the tutorial at Stars & Sunshine »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Superhero Pillow
Superheroes are timeless. So whether it’s for your four-year-old or the hubby, a pillow with all of their favorite characters is sure to win some smiles.
Get the the tutorial at Cherished Bliss »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Monogrammed Mug
A $2 mug looks much pricier (and lot more personal) when you add your friend’s initial in a glam gold decal. Fill with lavender or succulents to make this a double-duty gift: desk decor now, cocoa cup later.
Get the tutorial at House of Earnest »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Hand-Dyed Napkins
Morph plain dinner napkins into one-of-a-kind pieces with traditional tie-dyeing techniques. Stick to one saturated shade so the final product is more chic than groovy.
Get the tutorial at Lil Mrs. Tori »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Colorful Camera Strap
Fancy-up a shutterbug’s equipment with a strap in his or her favorite hues. This geometric pattern is easy to recreate, even if you’re not super artistic.
Get the tutorial at Design Love Fest »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Dried Flower Coasters
Flatten your mom’s favorite blooms and preserve them on wood slices with resin to make these meadow-like coffee table accents.
Get the tutorial at The Crafted Life »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Rainbow Candles
Go for a bold mix or a more subtle combo (like ombre stripes in graduated shades) to make these customizable candles. Bonus: They come together with crayons that are surely hiding in every drawer of your house.
Get the tutorial at Evermine Blog »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Cookie Cutter Trinket Dish
Call it pottery that anyone can make: This DIY bowl (here in a super-cute pineapple shape) requires only some craft-store clay and the cookie cutter of your choice.
Get the tutorial at Jade and Fern »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Sweet Deck of Cards
If you’re a sucker for sentimental gifts, tug at your loved one’s heart strings not once but 52 (!) times with this clever reuse of a deck of cards.
Get the tutorial at Nature’s Heirloom »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Flower Basket
This understated door decoration is a gift your neighbor can use all year when she fills it with seasonal goodies, from spring flowers to holiday holly.
Get the tutorial at Design Dining and Diapers »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Tiered Jewelry Holder
Keep your eyes peeled at flea markets and thrift stores to build a vintage-y jewelry organizer that treats baubles like delectable desserts.
Get the tutorial at Go Make Me »
Source: Good Housekeeping
Pretty Memo Board
This elegantly curved corkboard is a DIY your college student will actually want to hang in her dorm room.
Get the tutorial at She’s Kinda Crafty »
Source: Good Housekeeping
