HANDMADE FOR CHRISTMAS

1. Christmas Tree Cross-Stitch

Stitch up one of these simple patterns for a gift topper, or back it in festive fabric and tie on a ribbon to make a Christmas ornament. Either way, the recipient will love the time you took to make something just for them.

2. Sheet Music Trees

These easy-to-make yet impressive trees will be brought out to display year after year. Choose a favorite song to make the gift extra-meaningful.

3. Gift Bag for Teacher

We know teachers appreciate gift cards, but they can feel a bit impersonal. Have your kids help make these special gift bags and include a personal note to take things up a notch.

To make: Use a ruler to draw blue lines side to side on a white paper gift bag. Draw a red line perpendicular to the red line. Use a standard size hole punch to punch three holes to the left of the red line. Fill with a gift, then tissue paper.

4. Caroling Book

If you have a music-loving friend or family member, make them a custom book with all of their favorite songs.

5. Yarn Ornaments

Use these DIY yarn ornaments as a bonus gift to decorate a wrapped present or craft several and wrap them all up together in a gift bag.

To make: Wrap yarn around a clear plastic Christmas ornament, holding the beginning of the yarn in place with a dab of hot glue, until the ornament is completely covered. Thread bamboo cocktail picks through the yarn to mimic knitting needles. Hang as desired.

6. Christmas Tree Cupcakes
The tower of icing on a chocolate cupcake set off feelings of joy to whoever receives these sweet treats!

7. Reindeer Chow

A perfect gift for Santa and his reindeer, the kids classmates, or anyone who loves sweets, really.

8. Yarn Star Ornaments

These sweet ornaments only require two supplies (plus a little glue) and come together in minutes. A perfect DIY for the novice crafter.

To make: Cut a star shape from a piece of cardboard using an X-acto knife. Wrap the star in yarn, using dabs of hot glue to help hold the yarn in place near the points of the star, until fully covered. Glue the ends of a length of yarn to the back on one point to create a loop for hanging.

9. Sugar Cookie Mix Mason Jar Gift

Put together a DIY kit for the baker in your life. Mix up the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie (We love a good sugar cookie.) Attach a cookie cutter, a light shaped ornament filled with cookie decor, and baking instructions.

10. Grinch Cookies

For the grumpy sweet lover in your circle give the gift of green sparkling sugar covered cookies. They might just soften their heart a little!

11. Santa Mason Jar Gift

After crafting this Santa Mason jar fill with the recipients favorite candy, cookie, or snack mix.

To make: Paint the inside of a Mason jar with red craft paint. Cut a piece of red felt into cone shape and glue to the metal ring; shape into a hat. Cut a thin strip of white felt and hot glue to the bottom of the hat. Attach a small white pom pom or marble to the tip of the hat with hot glue. Wrap a length of black ribbon around the lower part of the jar to create a belt. Top with a piece of yellow felt that’s fashioned into a buckle with hot glue. Attach two white buttons with hot glue.

12. Snowman Cupcakes

No one is ever sad when they receive a sweet treat as a gift and these sweet faced snowman cupcakes will get gobbled right up!

13. Baseball Mason Jar

You’re sure to hit one out of the park when you DIY a baseball mason jar for the major (or minor) league fan in your life.

To make: Paint the outside of a Mason jar with flat white craft paint. Once dry use a fine grit sandpaper to gently scuff up the paint. Use a fine-tipped paint brush and red craft paint to paint on the stitches of the baseball. Use brown spray paint to paint the metal lid and band of the jar; allow to dry completely. Cut a baseball bat from a piece of brown craft paper and use markers to add details, such as wood grain. Punch a tiny hole in one end of the bat and attach to the jar with a piece of baker’s twine. Fill jar with Cracker Jack and attach lid.

14. Hot Chocolate Mugs

A perfect DIY for kids to put together for Santa or for you to gift to the sweet lovers in your crowd.

To make: Place hot cocoa mix in the bottom of small mug Mason jars. Top with mini marshmallow, chocolate chips, and crushed starlight mints. Attach lid. Attach a tag with red baker’s twine

15. Cloth Peppermints
Gift a gaggle of oversized cloth “mints” to a friend or family member that loves to decorate for the season. They will look great gathered together in a silver bowl or scattered throughout the holiday table centerpiece.

To make: Cut a piece of red and white ticking striped fabric into a 6.5-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Use pinking shears to cut a decorative edge on the short ends. Glue two 2.2-inch wood craft rings together with hot glue (you can cut pieces of cardboard into rounds and glue them together). Wrap fabric around rings and tie ends tight with red rickrack.

16. Craft Bead and Button Snowman

These little cuties come together quickly with the just a few simple craft supplies so make multiples and gift to all your friends and family.

To make: Draw snowmen faces on wooden craft beads with markers. Thread a length of baker’s twine through a brown button. Thread both ends of the thread twine through two plain buttons then through the button with the face. Thread twine through 5 to 6 black button to creating a hat. Tie twine close to the top button to hold everything together, then tie again about 2-inches up to create a loop for hanging. Cut a thin piece of red felt and tie between the top to buttons for a scarf.

17. Apple Mason Jar

For the teacher who has made your child’s life a delight day in and out, craft an “apple of your eye” mason jar pencil holder.
To make: Paint the inside of a Mason jar with red craft paint. Cut an apple leaf from green craft paper and punch a small hole in one end. Write a note to teacher on the leaf and attach to the jar with a length of twine. Fill jar with pencils, colored pencils, or pens.

18, Reindeer Brownies

Brownies baked in a muffin pan and topped with icing and candy transforms a common treat into the cutest one in the sky.

19. Spice Rub Mix

Mix up a batch of your famous spice rub (or use our recipe) to gift to the grill master or cook in your life.

To make: Fill a small Mason jar with your famous spice rub. Attach a small wooden spoon and gift tag (you can write ways to use the rub on the back of the tag) with colorful twine.

20. Vintage Bingo Card Trees

The ultimate gift for a friend who loves to deck the hall plus all things vintage

To make: Cut three to five half-tree-shaped pieces from matching bingo cards (with one edge flat and the other jagged). Hot-glue the flat edges to a 3/8-inch dowel, fanning them out to create a 3D tree shape. Finish with a bingo tile topper using hot-glue. Place dowels in tall wooden spools for easy display.

21. Santa’s Boot Pin Cushion

For the sewer in your group, this pin cushion will be right at home on their craft room.

To make: Trace the inside of the cookie cutter on a piece of cardboard and cut out. Trace the cutout on the back of a piece of fabric and cut out, leaving an extra 1-inch of fabric around the outline. Hot glue poly-fil to the cardboard. Top with the fabric and wrap the excess fabric around to the back of cardboard and glue in place. Slide the cardboard into the cutter and hot glue in place.

22. Vintage Map Wall Art

Commemorate a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip with a loved one for a sentimental and easy DIY Christmas gift they won’t soon forget.

To make: Begin with a vintage or new map. Outline the route traversed with ribbon or twine. Use hot-glue to hold the ribbon or twine in place on the map. Frame in a pre-made frame.

23. Shapely Cookie Cutter Wreath

This wreath makes the perfect gift for the friend who loves to decorate every inch of their house for the holiday.

To make: Arrange a mix of cutters in a circular shape. Once they’re placed as desired, secure to one another using a two-part epoxy (such as J-B Weld). Add a bow (ours is jute ribbon), and hang.

24. DIY Air Fresheners

One of these DIY Christmas tree-shaped air fresheners will keep a car, closet, or office smelling fresh. Added bonus they are made with essential oils, so no nasty chemicals involved.

To make: Trace the shape of a wooden Christmas tree ornament on a scrap of fabric twice. Cut out and glue to the front and back of the ornament. Once dry, soak the fabric with an essential oil of your choice (we used cedar). Thread twine through the ornament loop for hanging.

25. Twine-Wrapped Toppers

You made and wrapped the gift. Now it’s time to add a playful touch to the package!

To make: Wrap a cookie cutter with baker’s twine (if your twine is thin, wrap two strands at a time) and securing it to the package with extra twine

26. Wreath Cross-Stitch

If you’re a cross-stitch hobbyist, you can complete this easy Christmas wreath pattern in no time. (If you’re a beginner, here’s how-to cross-stitch.)

Bonus: The embroidery hoop itself can serve as a rustic frame just trim the extra fabric.

27. Merry Little Mobile

Friend and family will love setting a festive baking scene with a DIY cookie cutter mobile.

To make: Wrap two embroidery hoops (we used 9- and 10-inch) with gold ribbon. Tie two lengths of twine across each hoop so they cross in the middle. Cut a piece of craft wire about 8 1/2 inches long; bend the ends into hook shapes. Connect the two hoops by hooking the wire to the twine where it meets in the middle. Hang cutters from hoops using twine, adjusting as needed to hang evenly.

28. Cookie Cutter and Notions Ornaments

Everyone loves an ornament packed tree so a sparkly DIY ornament is a gift that can’t go wrong.

To make: Hot-glue tinsel and mini Christmas notions in solid backed aluminum cutters. Tie or hot glue a length of ribbon to the back for hanging.

29. Seasonal Garland

Gift a holiday garland that the recipient can use year after year to add charm to their house.

To make: Use short loops of baker’s twine to hang cookie cutters along a single long ribbon. Display on a mantel, shelf, cupboard, or even a headboard

30. Memory Board

Hit the flea market to search for a vintage enamelware tray. Its magnetic properties make it a perfect way to celebrate the cherished memories you share with a family member or best friend.

To make: Choose some fun magnets to attach photos and other mementos, such as old ticket stubs. Include Command Strips with your gift or attach double-sided Velcro to the back so your recipient can hang it on the wall.

31. Cookie Cutter Candy Container

Gift an assortment of candy using cookie cutters to stylishly separate each sweet. Line a box with parchment paper, place cookie cutter, then fill with candy.

32. Bundt Pan Wreath

Fill a vintage Bundt pan with ornaments for a shiny and bright holiday display.

To make: Line a Bundt pan with Styrofoam, cutting to fit and attaching with hot-glue. Secure ornaments to the Styrofoam using hot-glue. Finish with a large bow.

33. Ornament Tic-Tac-Toe

A 9-by-9 ornament box and two sets of ornaments are all it takes to make the sweetest gift for the little ones in your life.

34. Shiny Brite Candlesticks

Add bling to a mantel or holiday table by cover candlestick with vintage Shiny Brites.

To make: Hot-glue ornaments in assorted sizes to silver or glass candlesticks.

35. Slice-and-Bake Shortbread Cookies

Choose from three flavors—fruit and nut, lemon, or chocolate (we recommend making them all!)—and package up the perfect cookie box for all your friends and neighbors.

36. White Chocolate Peppermint Patties

That classic peppermint patty taste but with snowy white chocolate. The recipients of this sweet treats will gobble them up in no time.

37. Door Bells

The perfect gift for the friend who loves to cook. Hang on the stove hood or in the kitchen window, there cooking mold bells will help ring in the cheer.

To make: Stack mini molds and Bundt pans to form bell shapes; affix together using epoxy. Hot-glue small ornaments to the bottom to create the clappers. Glue ribbon loops and a bow to the top for hanging. Add a swag of greenery, if desired.

38. Citrus Marmalade

Flavored with ginger and star anise friends and loved one will be snacking on this marmalade into the new year.

39. Sweet & Spicy Coated Nuts

The perfect gift for those that love salt and sweet.

40. Cinnamon Hard Candy

Spicy and sweet this homemade hard candy put forwards one of the seasons most iconic flavor—cinnamon

41. Hot Chocolate Stirrers

Gift a sweet treat that’s perfect for celebrating the holidays on cold, nippy nights.

To make: Dip ends of candy canes in melted semisweet chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes; place on a parchment paper–lined plate, and chill. Lightly mist large marshmallows with water. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

42. Millionaire Shortbread Bars

You’ll make ’em feel like a million bucks when you gift these rich and delicious 3-layer bars.43. Candy Cane Sleighs
Everyone loves candy and when it comes delivered in a custom made candy cane sleigh it’s even more special.
To make: Wrap small white jewelry boxes in thin holiday
ribbon, holding it in place with double-sided tape. Attach two candy canes to the bottom of each box with hot-glue. Attach candy cane sticks (if desired) to the back of the box. Fill with candy.

44. Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies

Fashion homemade Christmas bulb gingerbread cookies into the shape of a wreath and gift with a tag reading, “Hope your season is merry and bright.”

45. DIY Paper Poinsettia Gift Wrap

How gorgeous are those cardstock poinsettias? Not only are they a fabulous gift topper, but they look just as pretty all on their own. Bring them to life by cutting cardstock by hand (find the template here), then secure with a button and finish with a fringed ribbon.

46. Gingerbread Fudge

Here’s a treat that’ll make you wish you could reach through your screen and try a bite. Yum. Our favorite part? Those adorable, Christmas-themed sprinkles.

47. Pine-Scented Candles

These striped candles smell positively delightful (like pine!), but they’re also just really, really pretty. And that mint and white design will look lovely in your recipient’s home all the way until springtime.

48. Snow Globe

Okay, hold the phone. Handmade snow globes are such a good idea! They also happen to be as inexpensive as they are nice to look at.

49. Fabric Covered Christmas Tree Ornaments

DIY gifts don’t have to look fuddy-duddy, you know! We love the modern look of these whimsical ornaments, which can be customized with just about whatever pattern you want.

50. Homespun Ornament

He’s worked tirelessly to get through that Christmas honey-do list, so why not reward your significant other with this ornament starring your special home for the holidays and every day.

To make: Mod Podge a photograph of your house to an oval wood crafting blank. Once dry, attach a length of felt or twine to the edge with hot glue. Use an awl or small drill bit to create a hole in the top; thread a ribbon through the hole to hang.

51. DIY Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are a classic gift—and for good reason. They’re simple, subtle, and so thoughtful!

Make the ornaments: Combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 1/2 cups of warm water in a mixing bowl. Knead until the dough is firm and smooth. Roll out dough and cut desired shapes (use a straw to poke a hole for hanging). Bake at 300°F until dry, approximately 1 hour; cool completely.

52. DIY Cross Stitch Gift

If you’re crafty, now’s the time to show it off! Stitch this adorable Christmas motif, and let your recipient share your handiwork with the world year after year after year.

53. Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream Pints

Think homemade ice cream is too finicky to tote to the next holiday party? We disagree. Simply pack up scoops in white paper pints adorned with red and white ribbon for a look that’s as chic as it is transportable.

54. DIY Agate Coasters

These coasters couldn’t be more gorgeous. It’s hard to believe they’re made of polymer clay and a bit of acrylic paint—making them a beautiful and inexpensive DIY gift.

55. DIY French Fries Ornament

Would you like your Christmas tree with fries this year? Better question: Who wouldn’t? This hilarious ornament will have your fast food-loving friend in stitches.

56. DIY Candy Dispenser

Know someone with a serious sweet tooth? Let them get their fix with this sophisticated candy dispenser. (We suggest including a selection of the recipient’s favorite candies to keep things feeling truly personal.

57. DIY Bubble Bath Gift Box

Odds are, your bestie could always use a good night of pampering. Give her everything she needs to unwind with this sweet gift box, complete with bath salts, rosé, a bar of chocolate, and more.

58. DIY Family Heirloom Ornaments

Who says an ornament has to have been around a long time before it can be considered an heirloom? These ornaments, crafted from vintage family photos, are an immediate classic.

59. DIY Christmas Lights Leggings

Gift these leggings to a loved one on Christmas Eve, then don them together on Christmas morning. They’re the ultimate festive getup!

60. Glistening Snow Ornament

A perfect gift for the grands, this ornament places the kids inside a wintry wonderland of sparkling snow.

To make: Cut out photographs. Cut out snow and snowflakes from glittery craft paper. Set imagery on one sheet of laminating paper. Top with a second sheet and run through the laminating machine. Cut out ornament to desire shape. Punch a hole in the top; thread a ribbon through the hole to hang.

61. DIY Basket Backpack

Come springtime, the gardener on your list will love filling this stylish, no-sew pack with pretty flowers.

62. Marble Vase

Talk about a great hostess gift! Place a small pillar vessel inside a larger vase, and fill the gaps between the two with red and white marbles. Contrast the colorful stack with anemones, garden roses, and evergreen sprigs.

63. DIY Fleece Blanket

Give the gift of warmth this Christmas with a cozy fleece blanket you can make yourself.

64. Photo Transfer Art

Add some art to her home with this blogger’s simple photo transfer tutorial.

65. Paint Chip Bookmark

Leftover paint swatches turn into cute and colorful bookmarks. Bonus points for personalizing in their favorite color!

66. Peppermint Blondies

Staying with relatives this Christmas? Any hostess will be grateful for a box of peppermint blondies as a treat for opening her home.

67. Personalized Luminaries

Light up someone’s Christmas with this personalized luminary.

68. Gourmet Marshmallows

Make Christmas presents for a crowd by baking a batch of these gourmet marshmallows, then packaging them in a glassine bag.

69. Stovetop Potpourri DIY Gift

Simmer pot, or stovetop potpourri, recipes are all the rage right now. Make your coworkers’ or neighbors’ homes smell like Christmas with this easy DIY Christmas gift idea.

70. In the Doghouse Photo Ornament

There isn’t much that kids love more than their pooch, so why not make them a special ornament this year that celebrates the object of their affection?

To make: Cut a piece of cork to the shape of a small doghouse. Cut out a black piece of craft paper to resemble the doghouse door; glue a picture of the dog to the door. Glue to the cork. Trim two tongue depressors to the size needed to create a roof, overlapping trimmed ends at the point. Paint tongue depressor black. Cut snow from white craft paper and glue to roof. Glue mini craft lights to the back of the roof. Glue roof to the top of the cork house.

71. Cross-Stitched Christmas Gift

If you’re handy with a needle and thread, stitch a super-cute Christmas motif that your loved one can display year after year.

72. Laminated Portrait Ornament

Long-lasting thanks to lamination, this ornament freezes a moment in time. Drop it in the mail to show far-flung relatives how big the littles are getting.

To make: Cut two pieces of decorative craft paper to desired size. Cut a hole (it can be any shape) in one piece of the craft paper that is just smaller than the photo. Tape the photo over the opening. Tape the second piece of paper to the back with double-stick tape (this hides the messy back). Use sticker numbers or cut out numbers from craft paper and glue them to the paper below the picture. Run the ornament through a laminator; round edges. Punch a hole in the top; thread a ribbon through the hole to hang.

73. Homemade Toffee Christmas Gift

Homemade candy like this dark-chocolate pecan toffee is sure to be the sweetest gift of all.

74. Flavored Salt Gift Idea

If the recipient’s more of a savory person, make an assortment of salts for a food gift with some kick. Bottle in jars, stick on our cute labels, and place in a metal box with shredded newspaper for padding.

75. Mason Jar Candle Gift DIY

Everyone loves candles, and mason jars make ideal vessels.

76. Cutting Board Spice Rack

Repurpose an old cutting board by using screws to attach small wooden cheese boxes to a rectangular cutting board. Then add a leather strap for hanging.

77. Vintage License Plate Birdhouse

Old license plates also make a one-of-a-kind roof for your favorite birdhouse. Simply use hot glue or a screw to attach them to the little home.

78. Celebrate Their Passions Ornament

From horses to football, baseball to doll collecting, no matter what they love they’ll adore getting a nifty ornament from you saluting it.

To make: Mod Podge a photograph to an oval wood crafting blank. Once dry, attach a length of felt or twine to the edge with hot glue. Use an awl or small drill bit to create a hole in the top; thread a ribbon through the hole to hang.