In this guide, we’re sharing 11 great handmade gift ideas that are perfect for any occasion, from last-minute Diy birthday gifts to thoughtful homemade Christmas gifts.
Searching for the perfect gift can seem oddly impersonal. Everything is almost what you’re looking for, or “they might like that”. Then you end up settling for something generic and their favorite chocolate, just to give it a bit of personality.
And that’s why I’m a big fan of handmade gifts. They are surprisingly budget-friendly, very eco friendly, and beautifully sentimental. Even something as simple as a pressed flower bookmark.
So, if you’re looking for some meaningful handmade gifts, welcome.
If you’re especially short on time, we also have a fantastic list of easy homemade Christmas presents for last-minute crafting.
Why Choose Handmade Gifts?
- Perfect for Personal Aesthetics
- You can tailor colors, fabrics, and styles to everyone’s exact tastes. Like, creating a matchbox and candle holders from air-dried clay for your cousin who loves candles.
- Create A Memory Keepsake
- Handmade gifts are perfect for incorporating photos or souvenirs from a shared memory or adventure.
- Budget-Friendly Gift Idea
- The main factor in giving homemade gifts. However, the sentimental and meaningful aspect is priceless.
- The Gift Of Thought & Time
- A handmade gift really shows how much time and effort you put into getting them the perfect gift.
Our Ultimate Handmade Gift Guide
Cozy Handmade Crafts with Felt
Felt is a great place to start with any handmade crafts. It is inexpensive and very forgiving to beginners and mistakes. Additionally, it adds a truly cozy and charming feel to any gift.
Felt Photo Frames
This is one handmade gift that is beginner-friendly. Find a photo of a memory you too shared, then cut out a cool frame shape, a backing piece and stitch it together. Voila, you have a handmade frame perfect as a magnet, Christmas ornament, a diy fathers Day gift, or a sweet keepsake.
Felt Bookmarks
For book lovers, this is a fantastic handmade craft. Use buttons, embroidery or layers of differently colored felt for a quick personal gift. That honestly is so much better than dog-eared pages.
Beautiful Fabric Creations
The possibilities with fabric are endless. Breathe new life into scraps or breathe new life into an old piece of clothing. Fabric crafts are a very affordable DIY gift, as thrift stores often have clothing and sheets for a couple of dollars.
Woven Loom Pot Holders
You can get a simple loom for under $20, and it is something that you can use over and over again for a variety of crafts.
Make yarn out of old t-shirts (or buy t-shirt yarn). These pot holders are thick and sturdy and can be perfectly personalized to suit your loved one.
Plus, they are great handmade gifts for new homeowners or cooking lovers.
Hammered Flower Designs
This one is practically magic.
Arrange flowers face down on a piece of plain cotton, like a tote bag, pillowcase, cushion cover, etc.
Then, with a hammer or rubber mallet, hammer the flowers into the fabric to transfer the natural dyes.
Trust me, this one-of-a-kind botanical print is the perfect handmade gift that beats anything you could find at the store.
Pretty Together has a fantastic tutorial that is easy to follow.
Fabric Covered Journal with Disposable Camera
The ultimate diy birthday or Christmas gift for someone who loves keeping memories.
Cover a plain notebook or composition book in fabric that suits their style.
Pair it with a disposable camera or photo printer for them to keep and journal their adventures.
Cherished Handmade Gifts with Photos & Memories
If you loved the idea of the fabric-covered journal, then you’ll adore these ideas. That beautifully preserves memories and turns your favorite memories into thoughtful and sentimental handmade gifts.
Personalized Lockets
Give your loved one a gift they can take with them everywhere.
Using a blank locket, place a cropped photo or phrase with meaning inside.
It’s a handmade gift with meaning that they can wear close to their heart. This makes a surprisingly easy but perfect Christmas gift.
Curated Memory Frame
Gather tickets stubs, pressed flowers from a hike, meaningful notes or anything that reminds you of them.
Artfully arrange them into a shadow box frame. Use anything that someone might tuck into a journal.
I made one of these for my mum a couple of years ago for her birthday after her trip to France to visit us. If you discount the shipping cost from France, it truly was inexpensive but very meaningful.
This handmade gift would make a perfect Christmas gift filled with tokens and snippets from throughout the year.
Modern Handmade Crafts with Air Dry Clay
On the other hand, if they love a modern, trendy but minimalist style, then you can’t go wrong with some handmade air-dry clay crafts.
Minimalist Polaroid Holders.
Roll out and shape air-dry clay into your designed shape, and place a slit to fit a Polaroid or photo.
Once dried, paint and seal.
Bam, you have a fantastic, stunning homemade gift that is the perfect diy mothers Day gift. But honestly could be given for any occasion.
To make it extra special, include your favorite photo and create the photo holder to match.
The cost of the clay, paint, and sealer, plus a photo printer, is under 150$, and you could make at least 15 holders, but honestly probably more.
Decorative Match Boxes
This is a small but useful handmade craft that anyone who loves candles would adore.
Shape a matchbox from clay, just make sure you stick the strike strip to the box.
It adds a cool personal touch to any coffee table or fireplace.
It’s a gift someone would cherish but not realize they needed until you make it for them.
For the perfect pairing, why not make your own DIY bendy candles to go with it?
Kitchen Friendly Homemade Gifts
But of course we can’t forget about gifts for the kitchen. These gifts are for everyone. They are wonderfully useful and eco friendly.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
A simple but impressive homemade Christmas gift that only gets better with time.
All you need is vanilla beans, bottles and vodka or bourbon.
Slice the beans, pop them in the bottle, cover with alcohol, and then in a couple of months, they’ll have wonderful vanilla extract.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our guide to low-waste Christmas crafts for other eco-friendly ideas.
Reusable Beeswax Wraps
A truly sustainable and eco friendly handmade gift that anyone would love. They also make for wonderful eco-friendly party favors for a baby shower or birthday party.
It is simple and inexpensive to make using 100% cotton fabric cut to shape, beeswax pellets, and heat.
You will have a beautiful replacement for plastic wrap that will last. They are a practical, sustainable gift.
The Lasting Impact of a Handmade Gift
At the end of the day, a handmade gift is so much more than just things; they are expression of care and thoughtfulness. Even if you are choosing a handmade gift to be more budget-friendly or eco friendly, they are still gifts that you crafted with effort and time.
Choosing to make a gift is not just about saving money; it’s about creating a keepsake. It’s a conscious choice to be more sustainable and to give something that is one of a kind.
For more ways to live a greener lifestyle, explore our favorite sustainable swaps that actually save you money.
I hope this handmade gift guide has inspired you to embrace your creative side. So, which one of these handmade gifts are you leaning towards more? Let us know in the comments.