22 Cheap DIY Christmas Gifts To Make When You’re Broke
While fun to give gifts during the holiday season, for many, it can be a source of stress because it can get pretty expensive.
However, being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t find great gifts to give your friends and family for Christmas.
Not only are these DIY Christmas gifts cheap to make, but your recipients will love that you created something special for them.
Below you’ll find inexpensive gifts and stocking stuffers that anyone would be thrilled to receive.
DIY Christmas Gifts
1. Frugal Spa Gift Basket
Get the Tutorial From: Savvy Honey
Gift baskets can be expensive, but this cute DIY spa gift basket is incredibly cheap to make using dollar store items.
By the way, if you shop at the dollar store, here are 20 Super Cheap DIY Dollar Tree Christmas Gifts you won’t want to miss!
This basket contains lotion, body scrub, bath fizzes, soft fluffy socks, and other products that will create a spa day at home for anyone receiving this pampering gift. A great tip when making this basket is to find bath products in their favorite scent.
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If you’re short on time or not in a DIY type of mood, this pampering Burt’s Bees gift set from Amazon is under $10 and makes an amazing gift!
2. Barbecue Spice Rub
Get the Tutorial From: Wholefully
Any grilling enthusiast would love to receive this homemade barbecue spice rub. It’s a quick gift that can be thrown together in ten minutes and includes a free downloadable gift tag.
This spice rub makes a great gift idea as is, or you can make a barbecue gift basket by pairing it with other grilling items.
Also, this is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer for him.
3. Sharpie Tile Coasters
Get the Tutorial From: Jessica Welling Interiors
Even if you don’t consider yourself a crafty person, these coasters are easy crafts anyone can make.
Using different colored Sharpies and alcohol on tile creates a beautiful watercolor effect that results in unique one-of-a-kind coasters.
You can personalize this gift to your recipient using colors to match their home decor.
4. Lottery Ticket Christmas Tree
Get the Tutorial From: Views From A Step Stool
Gift one of these lottery ticket Christmas trees instead of giving cash or gift cards. It’s a fun gift that’ll be a hit at your holiday gift exchange.
To make this lottery tree, follow the detailed tutorial that’ll show you how to layer lottery tickets and attach them to a styrofoam cone.
5. Cookie Cutter Fudge
Get the Tutorial From: Crafty Morning
A fun spin on gifting fudge is pouring the fudge into Christmas cookie cutters. Then, decorate the fudge-filled cookie cutter, wrap it in clear cellophane bags, and finish them with a festive bow.
Not only will the person who receives it enjoy delicious fudge, but they can also use the cookie cutter for baking.
6. Monogram Clay Keychains
Get the Tutorial From: Homey Oh My
Simple and pretty, these monogrammed keychains look expensive, but no one has to know they are inexpensive to make.
The hand-stamped initials on these keychains are a personalized touch that makes them feel like a high-end keychain.
7. Mason Jar Herb Garden
Get the Tutorial From: Plant Instructions
A creative gift for someone who loves gardening or enjoys cooking with fresh herbs, this mini herb garden is a unique idea.
All the gift receiver needs is an indoor sunny window for this Mason jar herb garden to thrive.
8. Chunky Knit Throw
Get the Tutorial From: Simply Maggie
Chunky knit throws can cost $100 or more from stores, but you can make one for significantly cheaper.
Instead of using knitting needles, a step-by-step video tutorial demonstrates how to use your arms to knit this throw.
You may think that knitting a throw would take days, even months, but you can shockingly make this in 45 minutes.
9. Christmas Morning Pancakes in a Jar
Get the Tutorial From: The Crafted Sparrow
If you’re looking for a gift the entire family will enjoy, there’s nothing like having pancakes on Christmas morning. Both kids and adults will love this pancake mix in a jar.
This food gift is so easy to throw together; even your kids can help you make these.
10. Pinecone Fire Starters
Get the Tutorial From: Something Turquoise
Winter is a time to get cozy and toasty in front of the fire, and these fire starters are a must-have.
First, dip the pinecones in colorful, fragrant wax, then wrap them with a candle wick. You’ll have a beautiful fire starter that smells amazing.
11. Homemade Vanilla Extract
Get the Tutorial From: Sally’s Baking Addiction
You need only three things to make the vanilla extract: vanilla beans, vodka, and a bottle.
Also included with the directions are printable labels, which are always a nice touch for your gift.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is not a last-minute gift. The vanilla extract is not ready to gift for 8 weeks or more to create the best flavor.
12. Photo Candles
Get the Tutorial From: It’s Always Autumn
If you think back to some of the best gifts you have received, it isn’t the most expensive gift but something personalized to you.
That’s why these photo candles make such meaningful gifts. Transfer your favorite photo to a glass candle for a gift that costs only $5 to make.
13. Chalkboard Serving Trays
Get the Tutorial From: Shanty 2 Chic
Serving trays make useful gifts for friends or family members who enjoy entertaining.
The serving tray is sprayed with chalkboard paint so you can write the name of the food item you’re serving in chalk.
A budget-friendly gift choice, these only cost $15 to make.
14. Holiday Bath Bombs
Get the Tutorial From: Fleece Fun
One whiff of these holiday-scented bath bombs will spread Christmas cheer to anyone who receives these.
This bath bomb recipe allows you to be flexible with the fragrance so you can easily customize it to the recipient’s favorite smell. Popular holiday scent choices include peppermint, ginger, or cinnamon.
15. Beard Oil
Get the Tutorial From: Beauty Crafter
Any man in your life with a beard would love this homemade beard oil made with essential oils.
This beard oil will not only leave beards soft and conditioned, but it promotes beard growth.
The tutorial includes a free printable label that you can affix to the beard oil jar.
16. Air Plant Stand
Get the Tutorial From: Garden Therapy
These air plant stands, created by attaching a piece of wire to a rock, are a lovely homemade gift. The simplicity of the plant stands showcases the air plant beautifully.
Don’t forget to include an air plant with the stand. Airplants are easy to care for as well as inexpensive.
17. Snowflake Slime For Kids
Get the Tutorial From: Little Bins For Little Hands
Kids will have a blast playing with this slime full of shimmering snowflakes and sparkles.
Kids who don’t live by the snow will feel like they’re playing in a winter wonderland inside their homes.
18. Hand Warmers
Get the Tutorial From: The Mummy Front
Nothing is worse than going out on a cold winter day and having your hands freeze. Cue these hand warmers to the rescue.
On top of keeping your hands nice and toasty, these hand warmers are filled with dried lavender or essential oils, which will provide some aromatherapy.
DIY Christmas Gift Ideas For Pets
If you’re unsure what to get for someone, but they have a pet, giving them homemade gifts for their cat or dog is the way to go.
People love their animals so much that they’ll be thrilled you thought of their pet.
19. Gingerbread Dog Treats
Get the Tutorial From: Baking Mischief
Humans aren’t the only ones that enjoy gingerbread around the holidays. Dogs will go crazy for these gingerbread dog treats made with dog-safe ingredients.
Just remember to label the treats for the dog, so people don’t eat them thinking they are regular gingerbread cookies.
20. Dog Bone Stockings
Get the Tutorial From: Wear Wag Repeat
Adorable hanging from the mantle, these dog-boned-shaped stockings are personalized with the dog’s name on the front.
You’ll need a sewing machine and some basic sewing skills to do this craft project.
You can give this stocking alone or fill it with some dog supplies and essentials. Some fun dog stocking stuffers include balls, treats, squeaky toys, and bandanas.
21. Homemade Salmon Cat Treats
Get the Tutorial From: The Cookie Rookie
Simple to make, these cat treats shaped like little goldfish are made with only three ingredients.
Fill up Mason jars with the treats and wrap green and red twine or ribbon around them.
22. Macaron Cat Toy
Get the Tutorial From: Club Crafted
Any cat lover would love to receive these pastel-colored macaron cat toys. Made with felt and filled with catnip, no cat will be able to resist these.
A sewing machine isn’t necessary, but you will need to hand-stitch these toys with a needle and thread.
In Closing
Whether you’re living a frugal lifestyle or love crafting, all the DIY holiday gifts mentioned above are guaranteed to impress.
Handmade gifts are incredibly thoughtful and show that you put extra effort into making gifts instead of going the store-bought route.
Now that you’ve found the perfect Christmas gift idea to make for someone special on your list, the fun part begins; making the gift.
This post originally appeared on Hello Sensible.
