There are so many occasions that call for gifts, and sometimes buying something new doesn’t feel like the right thing to do. That’s why I like making my own DIY presents.
They’re thoughtful and personal and with all the free time you’ll have after you’ve made them, you can enjoy your new creation for yourself! Here are some of my favorite ideas for DIY gifts (all under $5) just in time for Mother’s Day or friends’ birthdays.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Creative DIY gifts can be made for any occasion. |
| Handmade gifts add a unique and personal touch. |
| DIY projects can be a great way to save money on gift-giving. |
| There are many DIY ideas that can fit different skill levels. |
| Handmade gifts can demonstrate creativity and appreciation for the recipient. |
Mason Jar Candles
To make your own mason jar candles, you’ll need:
- Clean, empty jars (the best ones for this project are wide-mouth canning jars)
- A mix of wax and oils (you can find these at craft stores or online)
- A wick that fits inside the jar (they come in different sizes; look for one that’s as close to the diameter of your jar as possible)
- Lights! Or not. It depends on what kind of effect you’re going for.
To start, fill each container with an inch or so of water and put it in a pot large enough to hold them all. Warm up the water until it’s hot but not boiling around 160°F is ideal and then turn off the heat and let them sit until they’ve cooled completely before removing them from the pot with tongs.
While they’re cooling down, prepare some paraffin wax granules by melting about 2 tablespoons into a bowl set over simmering water; set aside when melted completely together without separating out any solids from within it (these are called “fines”). Set some oil aside too about 1 tablespoon should be good enough for each jar (just eyeball this!).
Next, pour half a teaspoonful worth into each glass container before adding a wick halfway through its depth in order to prevent floating at surface level once lit up later on down road here we go again just pick up where left off earlier momentous occasion
Looking to create something special for your loved ones? Check this guide out, and get creative with a range of DIY gift ideas suitable for all levels of skill. See our guide on DIY gift ideas for all skill levels for more information.
Lavender Bath Salts
Lavender is one of the most popular scents in aromatherapy, and for good reason: it’s great for relaxation. A few drops of lavender essential oil can be added to bath salts to help you wind down after a long day.
You can also add Epsom salt or sea salt (or both) to your bath salts if you don’t have any on hand—they’ll make an excellent addition to any DIY spa gift basket that you might want to put together this holiday season. Other ingredients include baking soda, dried lavender buds and herbs such as rosemary or mint leaves.
Top Lavender Bath Salts Options
| Brand | Product | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbivore Botanicals | Calm Bath Salts | Himalayan Pink Salt, Pacific Sea Salt, Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, Vanilla CO2, Himalayan Pink Salt Crystals, Bashwara Mineral Salt, Lavender Essential Oil | $18 |
| Kneipp | Mineral Bath Salt Lavender | Sodium Chloride, Polysorbate 20, Linalool, Parfum (Fragrance), Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Camphor, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Limonene, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Methyl Oleoyl Taurate | $20 |
| Dr. Teal’s | Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, Soothe & Sleep with Lavender | Magnesium Sulfate, Fragrance (Parfum), Polysorbate 20, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Aqua (Water/Eau), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methychloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone | $7 |
| Basd | Soothe & Refresh, Lavender Bath Salt | Epsom salt, coconut oil, lavender essential oil, peppermint essential oil, green tea extract | $13 |
| The Honest Company | Pure and Simple Hypoallergenic Bubble Bath with Naturally Derived Botanicals, Lavender | Water (Aqua), Lauryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Protein, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Salicylate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol | $10 |
Terrarium Necklaces
>To make a terrarium necklace, you’ll need the following materials:
- Small glass jar with a lid
- Sand or small rocks for the top layer
- Soil for the middle layer (or moss)
- A plant of your choosing in a plastic pot with drainage holes, such as cactus or succulents, or air plants. If using air plants you can skip this step and just add them directly to the sand.
- A chain and clasp, preferably gold-colored if you want to match your outfit! I found mine at Walmart – they had some beautiful options!
If you want to add a unique touch to your present, why not look into creating personalized DIY gifts? See our guide on personalized DIY gifts for ideas that you can make at home!
Handmade Soaps
Handmade soap is a thoughtful gift for any occasion. It’s also fun to make, and easy to personalize for the recipient.
To make your own handmade soaps you will need:
- Vegetable glycerin or coconut oil (melt)
- Liquid soap base or essential oils (30 drops) and food coloring/color (optional)
- Essential oils of choice (2-3 drops per bar) and fragrance of choice (5-10 drops per bar). You can choose from a wide variety of scents, including lavender, rosemary, mint and lemon verbena to name a few. The possibilities are endless!
Best Handmade Soaps Options
| Brand | Product | Ingredients | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lush | Honey I Washed the Kids | Honey water, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, and glycerin | $10 |
| Tom’s of Maine | Natural Beauty Bar Soap, Lavender & Shea | Sodium Palmate, Sodium Cocoate, Water, Glycerin, Natural Fragrance, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491) | $3 |
| Dr. Bronner’s | Pure-Castile Bar Soap, Lavender | Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Sodium Hydroxide*, Water, Organic Olive Oil, Lavandin Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Lavender Extract, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol | $5 |
| Rocky Mountain Soap Co. | Soap Bar, Lavender | Organic Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Organic Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil | $5.50 |
| The Body Shop | Shea Soap | Sodium Palmate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Aqua/Water/Eau, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Parfum/Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Coumarin, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77492 / Iron Oxides | $5 |
Fabric-Covered Notebooks
Fabric covered notebooks are a simple, versatile gift that can be made from materials you already have on hand. Here’s how to make them:
- Cut your fabric into pieces that are about 1 inch larger than the notebook covers.
- Wrap the fabric around the cover and glue it down with spray adhesive or double-sided tape. Let dry for 24 hours before using again.
These books are great for writing down recipes or keeping track of your favorite quotes and ideas.
They also work well as journals or diaries because they’re lightweight enough to carry everywhere with you but sturdy enough to last through years of use!
If you want an even more personalized notebook cover, try using recycled materials like clothing scraps, old shirts or pants any natural fiber will work!
You could even use scraps from other projects like quilts or table runners if they’re not too thick since those fabrics often have multiple layers which would make them harder to sew together neatly without fraying edges showing through (if there aren’t any ragged edges showing through after sewing then just trim any loose threads after stitching ends).
Want to impress your friends and family with handmade gifts that show your appreciation? Check out our list of handmade gifts that will wow your friends and family for some inspiration!
Homemade Lotion Bars
We all know that lotion bars are a great gift, but did you know that they’re also easy to make? Just three ingredients will yield a perfectly luxurious bar: beeswax, coconut oil and essential oils. Here’s how to get started.
- Melt together the beeswax and coconut oil in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl. You can use any type of container to melt them in—just make sure it is heatproof and won’t melt under the microwave’s high power!
- When the mixture has completely melted, add your desired scents. Drop some drops of essential oils (or do an infusion using herbs) into the hot liquid until they are fully incorporated.
- Pour into molds and allow them to cool overnight before removing from their molding device or tray. You can leave these out on your countertop or store them in an airtight container for later use!
Best Ingredients for Making Homemade Lotion Bars
| Ingredient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Beeswax | Adds a protective barrier to keep moisture locked into the skin. |
| Cocoa Butter | High in antioxidants and nourishing properties for the skin. |
| Shea Butter | Moisturizes, soothes, and softens the skin. |
| Coconut Oil | Rich in fatty acids that hydrate and nourish the skin. |
| Jojoba Oil | Mimics the natural oils produced by the skin, keeping it moisturized and supple. |
The above table lists the best ingredients for making homemade lotion bars. The table suggests ingredients such as beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, each with their own benefits for the skin.
Pom Pom Rug
You’ll need:
- 2 pieces of fabric (depending on how big you want your rug)
- Fabric scissors
- 1 or more colors of pom poms. The more, the merrier! I recommend using at least 1-2 colors from each color scheme (#1 and #2). You can always add more pom poms later if you want it to be extra fluffy!
The steps:
- Cut out a piece of fabric for each side. Make sure that one side has an open end so that you can attach fringe onto it after making the rug.
For example, my rug is made with two pieces of flannel that are about 12″x16″ each, but yours can be any size based on what kind of space you have available in your home—just keep in mind that bigger rugs will take longer to make and require more materials (more fabric needed = more sewing involved too!).
If using two different fabrics like I did here (one dark blue flannel called “Gus” and one aqua colored polyester satin called “Eco”), then consider cutting out 2 separate rectangles instead because they won’t necessarily match perfectly when sewn together later on down the road due to differences in texture along each edge seam between these two types
Looking for practical gift ideas to make your mom’s life easier? Check out our guide on practical Mother’s Day gifts for some great tips and tricks!
Embroidered Photo Coasters
The best part about these coasters? You can make them in any size, with any photos and fabric you like.
To begin, cut your fabric into the shape of the coaster you want. Then, trace around an embroidery hoop onto cardboard or wood to create the base of your coaster (this step is optional).
Next, place your photo on top of some paper inside a photocopier at high resolution and press “copy”. Remove the photo and trim around it leaving about 1/4″ all around for seam allowance and then tape it down on top of one side of your fabric piece so that it’s aligned properly with whatever design or pattern you’re using.
Using a sharp needle threaded with thread (I used embroidery floss) sew around the outside edge of both sides until you’ve gone all around at least once or twice depending on how thickly you want it sewn down I did three times just because I’m crazy like that!
Once finished stitching up one side only turn over onto its other side without unthreading anything so that now both sides have been stitched down but still facing each other and voila!
Now start sewing on another row exactly where this last one ended repeating all along until you reach where ever else needs securing before turning over again…and keep going until done!
Peppermint Body Scrub
This is a simple gift that anyone can make. It’s great for people who love all things minty, but the benefits of peppermint essential oil go beyond that.
Peppermint essential oil contains menthol, which is an analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory agent. It also helps increase blood flow to the skin, which gives you a nice rosy glow after using it in the shower or bathtub.
To make Peppermint Body Scrub:
1 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
½ cup coconut oil (or olive/avocado/olive oil)
20 drops peppermint essential oil
Thanksgiving is a time for showing appreciation for your loved ones, and what better way to do so than by giving a gift? Check out our list of gifts for the host/hostess for some ideas to make your Thanksgiving celebration extra special!
Knit Boot Socks
Knit boot socks are a great DIY gift idea. They’re hand-knit, they’ll keep your feet warm and cozy, and they’re the kind of thing you can’t get at the store. They’re also relatively easy to make you just need some yarn and needles (or crochet hooks).
If you want to personalize them for someone special, there are lots of options! You could add their initials or monogram on one side of each sock (or both!).
You could pick colors based off their favorite sports team or hobby. Etcetera. The possibilities are endless!
To store them once they’ve been made, I recommend putting them in an airtight container like an old shoebox or Tupperware container with a lid (to prevent damage from moisture). Once that’s all set up? All you have left is giving it as a gift!
Floral Monogram Mug
- Materials:
- Plates, bowls, and mugs
- Paint (or stencil)
- Transfer paper or freezer paper – available at most craft stores! This will make the image transfer much easier.
- Tools:
- Painter’s tape – Round up any small pieces of tape that may be in your house and use them to tape off any areas of your mug you don’t want painted. If you’re going to be doing a lot of painting projects it would be worth investing in some new painter’s tape as well. They sell this stuff in bulk stores too sometimes for cheaper!
Striped Kitchen Towels
Striped kitchen towels are a fun project to make and they’re perfect for any occasion. To make your own striped kitchen towel, you’ll need:
- 3 balls of yarn in varying colors (I used white, red and grey)
- A size H crochet hook (5 mm)
- Scissors
To begin making your stripey goodness, start by making a chain of 351 stitches. Make sure that the chain is a multiple of 7 + 1 because this will help you keep track of how many rows you’ve completed later on in the process.
When your work is done in the round and ready for joining rounds, join into first stitch with slip stitch then chain 1.
When working with two different colors at once, only work one color per row.
In order to create stripes, alternate between yellow/gray yarns every other row until desired length has been achieved.
For finishing touches: cut off ends from each ball when all tails have been secured; weave in loose ends through back loops only; block dry overnight before using.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some great ideas for DIY gifts for your friends and family.
We have also created a separate bundle of all ten of these projects so that you can pick and choose from them based on what your needs are!
Further Reading
If you’re looking for more ideas on DIY gift making, check out these articles:
Save Money and Impress Your Loved Ones: 10 Creative DIY Gift Ideas for Any Occasion: This post offers ten creative DIY gift ideas that are suitable for various occasions.
Handmade Gifts Ideas for Different Occasions & Recipients: This post provides ideas for handmade gifts for specific occasions and designated recipients.
50 DIY Projects to Make and Sell This Year: This post lists 50 DIY ideas for projects that you can make and sell, offering a range of creative gift ideas.
FAQs
What are DIY gifts?
DIY gifts refer to presents that are handmade or customized by the gift giver. This can include a range of creative projects, such as handmade crafts, personalized items, and more.
Why choose to make a DIY gift?
There are many reasons one might choose to create a DIY gift. It can demonstrate a unique effort and appreciation for the recipient, serve as a low-cost option, and offer an opportunity for creativity and self-expression.
What occasions are suitable for DIY gifts?
DIY gifts are suitable for a range of occasions, including birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, baby showers, and many more. Making a DIY gift can add a unique touch to any celebration or special event.
What are the benefits of making a handmade gift?
Handmade gifts often hold a special sentimental value for the recipient, showcasing the effort and creativity of the gift-giver. Additionally, handmade gifts may be more cost-effective than store-bought presents and can deliver a one-of-a-kind personal touch.
What are some easy DIY gift ideas for beginners?
Some easy DIY gift ideas for beginners include bath bombs, homemade candles, and personalized photo frames. These projects offer a range of customization options and can be modified to fit various skill levels.
Hey there, I’m Hellen James, and I’m here to help you find the perfect gift for all your favorite people. I have been working in the retail industry for a little over ten years now, and I’ve seen a lot of people struggle to find the right gifts for their loved ones.
