"I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite parts of the holiday season is searching for the perfect gifts for my friends and family. I look forward to finding fun items I know they’d never treat themselves to and practical presents that will help improve their everyday lives. What can I say? Gift-giving is my love language.
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But although I love shopping for others, I still struggle to check everyone off my list each year. Sometimes, nothing I find in stores seems special enough, or I’ve waited too long to place an online order, or I can’t find the right item at the right price point. When this happens, I know I can always turn to DIY gifts. But I’m not talking about regular DIY gifts—I mean cool DIY gifts. With a little time and effort, you can create something that’s uniquely tailored to your loved one, which will feel much more personal than something you can get from a store.
If you’re struggling with shopping this year, try making one of these handmade gifts for an extra special surprise under the tree.
1. Personalized Platter
A seasonal serving platter is always a thoughtful gift, but adding a custom design makes it extra special. Sketch a sentimental drawing or write a heartfelt message—it can be as simple or detailed as you like. Once you’re happy with the design, bake the platter to set the ink. This ensures it’s both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. It’s an easy, meaningful DIY that will become a cherished piece they’ll use year after year.
2. DIY Coasters
If you’re trying to find a gift for someone who always has three drinks going at once (coffee, water, and juice, of course), custom coasters are the perfect gift. These look so high-end you’ll be surprised at how simple they are to make. Grab some square stone tiles from the home improvement store, apply temporary tattoos as you would to your skin, and seal them with a coat of Mod Podge. That’s all you need for a one-of-a-kind, chic set of coasters they’ll use daily.
3. Painted Taper Candles
Taper candles with painted designs are all the rage, and making your own is easier than you’d think. Skip the Anthropologie shopping trip and DIY them instead. You’ll find this DIY easy even if you’re not an artist—minimalistic designs are better than overly complicated ones. Paint their favorite flowers, foods, or a festive pattern using acrylic paint and fine-detail brushes on plain taper candles. It’s a stylish, personal gift perfect for any decor lover.
4. Etched Wine Glasses
Every wine-lover could use some pretty glassware, which makes this DIY gift idea especially practical. Purchase glasses in the recipient’s preferred style (team stemless over here!) and select your design. Then etch it onto the glass using a stencil and etching cream, which you can find at craft stores. These also make a great gift for newlyweds—use their new monogram or initial for the etching!
5. Cocktail Infusion Kit
This DIY gift pair perfectly with some etched glasses or coasters, but it’s also a fantastic gift on its own. Create cocktail infusion kits using mason jars, dried fruit, spices or herbs, and a sprinkling of sugar. Layer the ingredients, seal the jars, and tie a ribbon with a cute gift tag. For an added touch, include a bottle of alcohol to make it a complete cocktail set.
6. Imprinted Clay Ornament
This is one of my all-time favorite DIYs. It’s as simple as rolling out air-dry clay and cutting out shapes using cookie cutters. Once you’ve prepared your clay, customize the ornament with stamped letters or an imprint of something special. This example uses plant material, but you could use seashells, fingerprints, pet pawprints, keys, or other meaningful items. And don’t forget to poke a hole in the top so you can thread a ribbon through and hang it on the tree.
7. Personalized Doormat
If you know someone who recently moved or bought their first home, gift them a personalized doormat this holiday. Start with a plain mat and add their initials, a fun saying, or a design using a stencil and paint. You could also create your own version of a more expensive doormat you love, like this TikTok video that recreates an Anthropologie gingerbread house doormat.
8. DIY Winter Candle
There’s nothing like the warmth of a seasonal candle, but large luxury ones can come with a hefty price tag. Instead, create your own stunning winter candle to give as a thoughtful gift. Choose a decorative ceramic bowl, secure wicks with wick stickers, and melt soy wax pellets. Add a few drops of holiday-scented essential oils and pour the wax into the bowl (don’t forget to stabilize the wicks). Once the wax sets, adhere festive touches like pinecones or evergreen sprigs using melted wax. It’s a beautiful, cozy gift that’s way more special because it’s homemade.
9. Infused Olive Oils
Treat the foodie in your life to the delicious gift of homemade infused olive oils. Simply heat one cup of olive oil and your desired additives (such as lemon peels, chili flakes, garlic, or rosemary) in a pan over low heat for 20 minutes. Let the mixture cool for half an hour before decanting the oil into glass bottles. Add a gift tag or label and present the bottle alongside a fancy baguette for a bread lover’s dream come true.
10. Chunky Knit Blanket
Chunky knit blankets are a popular gift this time of year, but they can be expensive to buy in-store or online. This year, try making your own by following a finger-knitting tutorial. This project is easy enough for non-crafters and only requires a few skeins of yarn and your own two hands, but it makes a big impact as a gift.
11. Sugar Scrub
Whip up this treat for the beauty and wellness lovers on your gift list. You’ll need one cup of white sugar, one cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of coconut oil, ¼ teaspoon of allspice, and a few drops of gingerbread essential oil. Mix the ingredients together and pour the mixture into a glass jar with a lid. Top it off with a bow, and you have a gift that keeps on giving, all dry-skin season long.
12. Recipe Book
This DIY gift idea is perfect for the person who loves to cook but whose recipe collection is a disorganized mess. Handwrite or type out all the ingredients and steps for each dish, include a photo or story with each recipe, and compile them all into a binder. Don’t forget to use sheet protectors to keep the pages mess-free.
13. Bath Soak
Give the gift of relaxation during the busiest time of year with a DIY bath soak. Combine Epsom salt, pink Himalayan salt, baking soda, dried flowers, melted coconut oil, and your favorite essential oils. Add everything to a beautiful jar with a small scoop and top it with a bow for a luxurious gift they’ll love.
14. Stovetop Potpourri
Stovetop potpourri is an easy way to make your home smell like the holidays, and it makes a perfect DIY gift idea, too. Find a cute little pot and fill it with aromatic ingredients like apples, oranges, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and spices. Include a recipe card with instructions, and you’re set! This would make such a thoughtful hostess gift if you’re attending any holiday parties this season.
Christine Winder, Contributing Writer
Christine is a long-time reader turned contributing writer for the Everygirl. She has a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and lives with her two cats in Richmond, Virginia, where she writes for several local publications.
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.