There’s a lot to be said for a beautiful homemade gift. Especially this coming Christmas when the cost of living is exceptionally high and budgets are tighter than ever.
Not only do homemade gifts make thoughtful presents, but they can be cheap and a great ‘quality time’ project to do with your kids.
The trick to homemade Christmas gifts is to keep them super simple to minimise disaster and maximise the fun of making them. It's a good idea to check out party shops, where you can find different materials for creating or decorating your gifts at reasonable prices. After all, the whole idea is to keep the costs down this Christmas.
If you’re thinking of DIY-ing your present giving this year, here are 22 homemade Christmas gifts that are easy to make.
Further reading: 15+ Shopping website for great deals this Christmas.
Edible homemade Christmas gifts ideas
1. Double chocolate brownie jar
First on our list of homemade gifts idea: Foodies will love this DIY brownie jar that looks and tastes amazing. They are also a breeze to make and look look really effective.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Mason jar, flour, salt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa, semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped nuts.
How easy is this present to make? Super easy … just layer the ingredients in the jar, no cooking needed! Get full details from: Room for Tuesday.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Foodies with a sweet tooth.
2. Parmesan thyme crackers
These Parmesan thyme crackers are way easier to make than you would think. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could make some chutney to accompany them.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Flour, baking powder, salt, cayenne pepper, unsalted butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh thyme.
How easy is this present to make? Easy, the crackers come together in less than an hour. Get full details from: West of the Loop.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Your cheese and biscuit lover.
3. Flavoured sugars
Add a little something extra to regular sugar and turn it into a festive gift that your friends will love.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Unwaxed orange and lemon, caster sugar, dried lavender flowers, cinnamon, cloves.
How easy is this present to make? Easy, just mix the flowers, spices and ground orange/lemon into the sugar. Get full details from: Good Housekeeping.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Anyone with a sweet tooth who likes a gift with a twist.
4. Friendship soup mix
We have to say, this is one of the best ideas on this list and possibly one of the easiest gifts to make. We’ve made this with different ingredients to the below suggestion and it was just as good.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Quart jar with lid, beef bouillon granules, dried minced onion, dried parsley, uncooked wild rice, uncooked long grain white or brown rice, dried green split peas, dried lentils, elbow macaroni, tri-coloured rotini pasta, card stock, ribbon, twine or string, gift bow.
How easy is this present to make? Super easy. Layer each ingredient in the jar, seal and decorate with ribbon and a festive tag. Get full details from: Oh My Creative
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Friends, elderly relatives or people or need some help in the kitchen.
DIY gift idea for around the home
5. Hot cocoa bar in a box
Here’s one of our most popular homemade Christmas gift ideas: a basket of holiday sweetness in the form of hot cocoa. Who can resist?
What you need to make this DIY gift: Decorative basket, basket filler, chalkboard tag, mason jar mugs with lid, plaid ribbon, hot cocoa toppings (crushed candy canes, marshmallows, mini M&Ms), hot cocoa mix.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. After filling the mugs with cocoa and cocoa toppings, decorate the basket however you like. Get full details from: A Night Owl
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Doesn’t everyone love a hot chocolate?
6. Christmas engraved cookies
This rolling pin takes Christmas cookies to another level. Perfect as a hostess gift or for when you want to impress.
Available at: Catch
What you need to make this DIY gift: Christmas rolling pin from Ebay and your favourite cookie recipe.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. Make your dough as usual and use the rolling pin to create designs.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Perfect for kids stocking gifts and school teachers.
7. Photo love heart wall hanging
Nothing beats this photo heart wall hanging for a Christmas gift. It looks like it takes hours to make, but it’s actually very easy, and if we can do it, you can too!
What you need to make this DIY gift: Photo frame, printed photos, poster board and image editing program (if you want the photos to look uniform).
How easy is this present to make? Medium easy. You’ll need to get your photos printed at roughly the same size for a uniform look. You might also want to edit them before printing. Get full details from: It’s Always Autumn
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Mums, friends and anyone who loves a DIY gift from the heart.
8. Wine glass charms
The kids can help you make these cute wine glass charms. Pro tip: Use crystals or jewel stickers if you hate glitter.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Wooden clothespins, liquid watercolours or acrylic craft paint, white glue, glitter, craft varnish, paint brushes
How easy is this present to make? This is really easy even if you’re not into crafts. Just paint the clothespins with your favourite colours, coat in glue, add glitter or crystals and seal with varnish. Get full details from: Happy Hooligans
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Kids, parents, family
9. You rock picture frame
Are you out of homemade Christmas gift ideas for the men in your life? This rock picture frame is the answer.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Frame, paint, polished rocks, super glue.
How easy is this present to make? Easy peasy. Simply glue the stones to the frame and add your favourite photo. Get full details from: Dollar Store Crafts
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Anyone who loves outdoorsy décor.
10. Teacup candle
Your friend will cosy up to this lovely tea cup candle scented with their favourite essential oils. These are cheap and easy to make but look super professional. One of the best EVER homemade Christmas gift ideas!
What you need to make this DIY gift: Saucepan, tea cup and saucer, wooden or metal skewer, wax wick, wick holder, paraffin wax, dried petals, cinnamon, essential oils for scent.
How easy is this present to make? Medium. There are step by step instructions and photos to guide you even if you’ve never made a candle before. Get full details from: Country File
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Friends, neighbours, teachers … anyone!
11. Handcrafted Christmas decorations
Have a blast creating your own decorations this holiday season. Besides being unique, you and your kids can customise each one to make it extra special.
Available at: Riot Art & Craft
What you need to make this DIY gift: Plaster Christmas ornament kit from Riot Art & Craft, twine or ribbon for hanging.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. Gather the kids and have a fun time painting and personalising the ornaments.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Grandparents, teachers, and great for family/friends overseas as they are cheap and easy to post.
12. Seasonal succulents
Is there anything cuter than these seasonal succulents? We don’t think so. And it comes together in just a few minutes! We used jars and pots from local charity shops to keep them unique and super cheap.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Glass jars or candle holders, chalkboard tags, clothespins, succulents.
How easy is this present to make? Easy … takes less than 15 minutes to make. Get full details from: Happy Go Lucky
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Green thumbs and plant lovers … of a friend with a new pad.
DIY presents to pamper your loved ones at Christmas
13. Candle making kit
Want to make personalised candle gifts for the holiday? This kit is exactly what you need. It comes with enough materials to make eight lovely projects.
Available at: Etsy
What you need to make this DIY gift: Candle making kit from Etsy
How easy is this present to make? Easy. Everything you need is in the box, including candle moulds, soy wax, wicks, lavender fragrance, and instruction book.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Teachers, family and friends!
14. Lush bath bombs
If you want to make your own bath bombs to give as gifts, this is the recipe you’re looking for. It’s fairly simple and there’s a video tutorial you can follow.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salts, water, essential oil, olive oil, food colouring, bowl, whisk, jar and bath bomb mould.
How easy is this present to make? Medium. For teen years and above ideally. Get full details from: DIY Projects for Teens
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Stressed out mums, parents and friends.
15. Luxurious sugar body scrub
Here’s one of our favourite homemade Christmas gift ideas that’s easy, practical and sure to please: a luxurious, all-natural body scrub made with just three ingredients.
Available at: Wellness Mama
What you need to make this DIY gift: Granulated sugar, olive oil or coconut oil, favourite essential oils, small mason jar.
How easy is this present to make? Easy, just mix everything together and fill the mason jar. Add a bow and tag and you’re done. Get full details from: Wellness Mama
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Mums, family, friends and great stocking gift for teenage girls.
16. Personalised lip balms
Get this amazing lip balm kit and make your loved-one some beautiful balms. We won’t judge if you decide to keep the odd one for yourself though.
Available at: Etsy
What you need to make this DIY gift: Lip balm kit from Etsy.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. The box has everything you need to make 5 different kinds of lip balm.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Everyone loves a lip balm, especially if it’s made by you.
More homemade Christmas gift ideas that are easy to make
17. DIY lavender clay mask
There’s no better gift than a clay mask gift that you made yourself. We found this a bit tricky to make as it requires a lot of ingredients and tools, but great if you’re good at this kind of stuff and like a challenge.
What you need to make this DIY gift: 8 ounce jars, distilled water, argan oil, avocado oil, emulsifying wax, BTMS-50 conditioning wax, Kaolin clay, purple Brazilian clay, lavender essential oil, evening primrose extract, optiphen, clay mask template
How easy is this present to make? Medium and you’ll have to hunt around for some of the ingredients. Definitely worth the effort though. Get full details from: Soap Queen
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Teens, parents, friends, beauty product lovers.
18. Snowman chocolate bars
We made these snowman chocolate bars for teachers as they are easy to make, original and cheap. Buy the bars at your local supermarket when they are on special.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Flat chocolate bars, white paper, orange paper, yarn, tape, scissors, glue, markers
How easy is this present to make? Easy. This one also makes a great family project. Get full details from: The Gracious Wife
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Kids, teens, teachers, neighbours.
19. Printable Christmas coupons
Nothing says “unique gift” better than personalised Christmas coupons. You can write anything you want on the template and give them away to family and friends.
Available at: Etsy
What you need to make this DIY gift: Printable Christmas coupon template from Etsy, printer.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. This festive template is fully editable so you can personalise them however you want.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Significant others, friends, parents, siblings.
20. Make your own Christmas crackers
Did you know that you can make your own Christmas crackers? Just add your own special treats inside. This is perfect for DIYers.
Available at: Etsy
What you need to make this DIY gift: Christmas crackers kit from eBay
How easy is this present to make? Easy.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: The perfect gift to take if you have been invited for a Christmas meal.
21. Wooden bead key chains
When it comes to homemade Christmas gift ideas, we love these boho wooden bead chains in pastel colours and we’re sure your friends will love them too.
What you need to make this DIY gift: Leather or suede cording, wooden beads, scissors, paint or stain, key rings.
How easy is this present to make? Easy. Another fun project that you can do with the kids. Get full details from: The Sweetest Occasion
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Kids, teens, teachers, neighbours and great stocking gifts.
22. Mad Millie handcrafted gin kit
Some people like to gift this gin making kit to their gin-drinking friend or family member but we like to go one step further and actually make it for them. Lovingly made gin makes a thoughtful gift.
Available at: Biome
What you need to make this DIY gift: Mad Millie Gin Kit from Yellow Octopus, plain vodka
How easy is this present to make? Easy.
Who would love to receive this homemade Christmas gift: Gin lovers!
