10+ Easy DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends and Family

From homemade potpourri to delicious cookies and simmer pot kits, these easy DIY Christmas gift ideas are a great way to spread holiday cheer to those you love.

In a time when the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping takes center stage, I like to embrace a different approach here at Eleanor Rose Home. 

While store-bought gifts have their place, I believe that the most heartfelt and cherished presents are those crafted with love & care, right at home. 

There’s something so much more meaningful about creating a gift with your own hands, don’t you think?

These are the kinds of gifts that tell a story, that reflect the time and effort you’ve poured into making the holidays special for those you care about most. 

Every year I make a special homemade Christmas gift to give to friends and family, and so I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things that I’ve gifted in the past to give you ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

Whether you’re looking for something simple and charming or a bit more elaborate, these DIY gift ideas are going to inspire you to create something special right in your own home.

What Makes Homemade Christmas Gifts so Special

In this blog post, I’m not suggesting solely gifting homemade Christmas gifts, which is something you can certainly do. 

But, I personally love to give a store-bought gift (something the gift recipient has asked for or wanted) along with a little something extra I made at home.

Whether you’re gifting strictly homemade gifts or the combination of store-bought and homemade, what makes DIY Christmas gifts so special, is that you’re essentially giving a small piece of your heart and soul. 

When you craft a gift with your own hands, you’re not just giving an item; you’re offering your time, effort, and creativity.

In a world where so much is mass-produced, a homemade gift stands out as something truly special.

10+ Easy Christmas Gifts for Everyone On Your Shopping List

I’ve rounded up some of my favorite easy DIY Christmas gift ideas that I’ve gifted to friends and family throughout the years.

So, grab your crafting supplies, put on some Christmas music, and get ready to create gifts that say Merry Christmas!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

I thought I’d start this list of gift ideas with the most popular and practical gift I’ve ever given, vanilla extract.

Everyone loved this gift and I still get comments like…

“Remember that year you made vanilla extract?” Or, “Would you be able to refill my vanilla extract bottle you gave me last Christmas?”

What’s great about this gift is that it’s incredibly simple to make, and it’s something almost everyone will use.

All you do is just split a few vanilla beans and place them in a bottle with bourbon or vodka. Let it steep for a few weeks, and you’ll have a rich, flavorful extract that’s so much better than anything you can buy in the store. 

Package it in a decorative bottle with a cute label, and you’ll have a gift that looks like a million bucks.

Find the entire vanilla extract recipe in this blog post. 

Pine & Citrus Christmas Potpourri in a Jar

Nothing says holiday spirit” like the warm, inviting aromas of the Christmas season. 

Creating homemade potpourri is the perfect gift to share the scents of the holidays.

You can mix together dried orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, pine cones, and essential oils for a blend that captures the essence of Christmas. 

Add the potpourri to a mason jar with a gift tag & festive ribbon, and you have a beautiful, fragrant gift that’s perfect for anyone who loves to keep their home smelling fresh and seasonal.

Find the entire Christmas potpourri recipe in this blog post. 

Christmas Cookies

Maybe it’s just me, but who doesn’t love homemade treats, especially around the holidays?

Christmas cookies are a classic gift.

They remind me of my childhood when my mom would bake a variety of Christmas cookies for days and then give them out to friends & family. 

You can make a variety of flavors like spiced gingerbread, classic sugar cookies, peanut butter blossoms, or monster cookies to cater to different tastes.

Place the cookies in decorative tins, boxes, or cellophane bags and you could even include a handwritten recipe card so they can recreate the yumminess at home. 

Sugar Cookie Hand Scrub

Speaking of cookies, this sugar cookie coconut oil hand scrub is the perfect winter gift for treating dry skin. 

Sugar scrubs are easy to make (the kiddos can help with this one) using granulated sugar, coconut oil, essential oils, and in this recipe, a few festive Christmas sprinkles. 

Package the scrub in a small glass jar with ribbon and a small spoon for scooping, and you’ve got a thoughtful gift for anyone.

Find the entire sugar cookie hand scrub recipe in this blog post. 

Salt Dough Gingerbread Christmas Tree Ornaments

I loved making homemade Christmas ornaments when our kids were little. 

It was a fun way to get the kids to help me with gifts and we still have some of those ornaments hanging on our tree today!

To make these ornaments you cut out shapes from salt dough using wooden cookie molds, and then bake them until crisp. 

Attach a ribbon for hanging and you have an adorable gift for the Christmas tree. 

Find the entire salt dough ornament recipe in this blog post. 

Spiced Apple Butter

Spiced apple butter is a delicious homemade treat that captures the flavors of winter. 

Made by slow cooking apples with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, apple butter transforms into a rich, smooth spread that’s perfect for spreading on toast, stirring into oatmeal, or pairing with cheese. 

Gifting spiced apple butter in a gift basket (or on its own) is a great way to share a taste of the season with friends and family. 

You can start by packaging the apple butter in a mason jar, and then pair it with a few complementary items to create a thoughtful gift basket. 

Think about adding a loaf of freshly baked bread or a package of homemade crackers to enjoy with the apple butter.

You could also include a small jar of honey, a block of aged cheese, and a small wooden cheese board to round out the basket.

Tie everything together with a ribbon and a free printable gift tag, and you’ve got a beautifully curated gift basket that’s personal and practical. 

Find the entire apple butter recipe in this blog post.

Simmer Pot in a Jar

A simmer pot is an easy idea to fill a home with the cozy scents of the season, and it’s incredibly simple to put together. 

Create a DIY simmer pot kit by gathering ingredients like dried orange & apple slices, pine boughs, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. 

Place them in a mason jar or ziploc bag, and include instructions on how to simmer the ingredients on the stove for an aromatic experience. 

Find the entire simmer pot in a jar tutorial in this blog post. 

Dried Herbs

Drying herbs is an easy process that allows you to capture the essence of summer’s bounty and share it with loved ones during the colder months. 

No matter what you’re drying rosemary, thyme, sage, or parsley, these herbs can be used to enhance a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to roasted vegetables and meats.

To give a gift that’s both beautiful and functional, package your homemade dried herbs in small glass jars or sachets. 

Label each jar with the herb’s name, package date, and maybe include a few of your favorite recipes written on recipe cards. 

Homemade dried herbs are another great gift idea to include in a Christmas gift basket alongside items like olive oil, specialty salts, or homemade bread.

You could also add a cutting board or a set of wooden spoons to complete the gift set.

For more on how to dry herbs at home, visit this blog post. 

DIY Vintage Plate Fridge Magnets

This DIY gift idea adds a touch of vintage elegance to any kitchen while serving as functional magnets for holding notes, photos, or grocery lists on the fridge.

Creating these magnets is easy peasy. 

The first step is finding small vintage plates or old butter pat dishes. 

Then, once you have the plates, attach a strong magnet to the backside of each plate.

That’s it!

By turning vintage plates into functional art, you’re giving the perfect present that is meaningful and unique, making it a great choice for the holiday season.

Find the entire DIY magnet tutorial in this blog post.

Gingerbread House Bundt Cake

This is a great gift to bring with you to a holiday open house or Christmas party.

It’s a centerpiece that captures the spirit of the season

A gingerbread house bundt cake is a cozy, show stopping holiday treat that combines the classic flavors of gingerbread with the whimsical charm of a festive house. 

Baked in a specially designed bundt pan that creates intricate details resembling a gingerbread house, this cake is as delightful to look at as it is to eat. 

Simply wrap the cake carefully in clear cellophane and tie with a ribbon for easy gifting.

Find the gingerbread house bundt cake tutorial in this blog post.

More Creative Gift Ideas

What is an easy homemade gift?

Honestly, any of the presents mentioned in this blog post are very easy to make. 

When it comes to easy homemade gifts, remember these things…

• Use What You Have: Start with materials and ingredients you already have at home.
• Keep It Simple: Choose gift ideas that don’t require complicated techniques or special tools.
• Personalize: Tailor the gift to the recipient’s tastes and preferences.
• Use Free Resources: Look for inspiration and instructions online.
• Focus on Presentation: Even the simplest gifts can feel more special with thoughtful packaging.
• Enjoy the Process: The best part of making homemade presents is the joy and satisfaction of creating something with your own hands!

By following these tips, you can create meaningful and easy homemade gifts that will be appreciated by your recipients.

Are homemade gifts better than store bought?

I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other.

However, homemade gifts do hold a special charm that store bought items can’t quite match.

They offer a personal touch that shows you’ve invested time and thought into creating something unique just for the gift recipient.

While store bought gifts can be convenient, I think homemade gifts carry more sentimental value.

Shop My Favorite Products

Shop my favorite home decor & lifestyle products, my LTK sources, and my Amazon Storefront. By making a purchase with one of my affiliate links, I earn a small commission which helps me continue to create meaningful content for you! 

I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to have a well loved home! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LIKEtoKNOW.it.

xoxo, heidi