25+ Homemade Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List
Do you want to make gorgeous, handcrafted gifts without stressing yourself out? Well then, this post is for you! These gift ideas are easy to make, require no special skills, and turn out beautifully. We’ll cover body care gifts like lotion bars, homemade candles and other gifts for the home, culinary gifts like vanilla extract and chai tea mix, and more.
But first, I have a few tips based on my successes (and failures!) in DIY gift making:
Tip #1: Plan 2-3 projects at the very most
That way you can enjoy the gift making process without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, thoughtfully purchased gifts are a joy to give as well – here are 70 ideas that cover everyone on your list.
Tip #2: If you can, make plans to sip something delightful with friends and make gifts together
In other words, plan a gift making party. Use these instructions and substitute gift “recipes” for food recipes.
Body Care Gifts
These ideas will nourish your body {and soul} with wholesome, natural ingredients. Oh right, we are talking about gifts to give away. In that case, make a double batch and reward yourself for your thoughtfulness by taking some time in the bathroom ALONE (if you’re a mom you know what I mean!).
1. Lotion Bars – Luxurious and silky smooth, lotion bars melt slightly when rubbed against the warmth of your skin, leaving a layer of moisture that softens and protects. They are perfect both in the dry winter months and as a summertime after-sun soother. Many people find them especially helpful for dry patches on elbows, knees, feet and hands. I keep one in my purse, another one in a soap dish next to the kitchen sink for after I wash dishes, and a few in my pantry to give away.
2. Lip Balm – This tried-and-true, super easy lip balm recipe moisturizes and protects with beeswax, natural cocoa butter and coconut oil. While it’s very soothing to chapped lips, it’s also light enough to be worn year-round.
3. Calendula “Everything” Salve – Because it’s so versatile, I call this easy formula my “everything” salve. I use it as a face moisturizer, chapped-lip balm, baby bottom balm, owie salve, burn salve and bug bite balm. Makes a great gift for a mom to keep in her purse!
4. Sugar Cookie Body Scrub – Sugar contains naturally occurring glycolic acid, which dissolves old, dead skin and makes exfoliating that much easier. Though I prefer unrefined sucanat for baking, more refined types of sugar work better for exfoliation.
5. Dead Sea Salt Scrub – This Coconut Lime Dead Sea Scrub feels amazing, and it leaves skin soft and dewy. Unlike regular salt, which can be drying, it contains minerals which actually hydrate and support skin health.
6. Vanilla Body Spray – This particular recipe has three different variations: One that blends vanilla with the sweet, tropical aroma of ylang ylang, another that contains a hint of sweet orange, and one that incorporates the rich aroma of coffee.
7. Nourishing Rosehip Face Serum – This blend contains ingredients that support skin repair and renewal, elasticity and firmness, and even skin tone.
8. Salt Glow Face Scrub – This scrub nourishes skin with antioxidants that neutralize damaging free radicals, contains mild hydroxy acids that brighten skin and even overall tone, and minerals which support the body’s natural lipid barrier.
9. Dry Shampoo – This technique for “washing” my hair on days I technically have to skip the suds is one of my favorite tips to share with busy moms. It’s called dry shampoo, and it can transform greasy, lifeless hair into locks that are fresh and full of body. It works by absorbing excess oils on scalp and hair, leaving hair looking freshly washed. It’s good for all hair types: oily, normal, and even dry when used sparingly – and makes a great gift for busy moms. I love giving this gift with a nice makeup brush for easy application.
Gifts For People Who Love Food
1. Flavored Finishing Salts – Tuck these in a box for a simple and elegant edible gift, or wrap a single jar in brown craft paper with a simple bow. Give as a housewarming gift, wedding favor, or holiday set, but make sure to keep some for yourself as well!
2. Hot Chocolate Mix – Put this mix in a mason jar with some butcher’s twine wrapped around the lid and – voila! – you have an instant gift that just about everyone will love.
3. Chai Tea Mix – Makes a great gift with this monkey tea diffuser or a tea diffuser basket. Free printable gift label included in the post.
4. Homemade Caramels – Softy and chewy, these homemade caramels are made with just 2 ingredients.
5. Homemade Vanilla Extract – Not only is it more delicious than store-bought, homemade vanilla extract is far more affordable. With just a few minutes of your time now and at least six weeks for the extract to ripen, you’ll have amazing homemade gifts that will bring warmth and joy to holiday events and other special occasions. All for a fraction of the cost of other goodies, of course! (Tip: Although it’s ideal for the vanilla to be completely ready when given, sometimes it’s not practical. If the extract needs a few more weeks, I sometimes give it with “Open me on November 1st” (or whatever date is appropriate) written on the tag.)
6. Brownie Mix In A Jar – Though it’s pre-made like store-bought stuff, it’s so much better than a box! I’d like to say the secret ingredient is love, but the fact that it only uses high-quality ingredients like real butter and pure cacao powder probably has something to do with it, too.
Gifts For The Home
1. Beeswax Candles – Making beeswax candles is SO. MUCH. EASIER. than you probably think!
2. Wool Dryer Balls – They reduce drying time, soften clothes without chemicals, and save money.
3. Lemon & Lavender All-Purpose Cleaner
4. Chalkboard Mugs – These cozy coffee mugs are perfect for the odd game of tic-tac-toe. an inspiring word for the day, or a whimsical doodle.
Gifts For Men
1. Beard Oil – There’s no Hallmark card for “I want to kiss you every day of my life but your beard is giving me road rash, ” but there is this beard oil.
2. Bay Rum Aftershave – Clean and woodsy with spicy notes and a hint of citrus.
Gifts For Kids
1. Play Dough – Made with natural dyes found in your kitchen, this easy recipe makes a great stocking stuffer or kid’s holiday gift.
2. Moon Sand – It’s squishy yet crumbly. You can mold with it or smash it to smithereens. Kids love it, and you can make it in under 10 minutes from stuff you already have in your pantry.
3. Essential Oil Diffuser Necklace – Use kid-inspired stamps to decorate this necklace and – if desired – include a bottle of lavender essential oil.
4. Sweet Dreams Tea – This blend contains calming herbs that help kids drift off to sleep gently.
Gifts For Grandparents
1. Salt Dough Ornaments – A boxed set would be perfect for grandparents, and you can make a few extras as a keepsake for yourself. If someone in your family is sensitive to gluten, you can find a gluten-free salt dough recipe here.
2. Butterfly Footprint Art – Turn your little ones footprints into canvas wall art.
Miscellaneous Gifts
1. T-Shirt Tote – I like to use this tote as a gift bag filled with candles, my favorite salami, a bottle of wine, etc.
2. Happy Adrenal Tea – This blend contains herbs that help the body adapt to stress and are considered beneficial for all personality types.
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