Sending a Thank You Gift? 10 DIY Ideas to Steal
Nothing says "thank you" like a handmade gift.
Sometimes a card just doesn't do the trick, and there’s nothing more special than a handmade gift to say "thank you." We've rounded up some of our favorite, easy DIY projects that would work perfectly as a unique thank-you gift for almost any occasion.
Luggage Tags
Lara Robby (Crafting Kylie Fife)
As a thank you for someone who travels a lot, these DIY luggage tags are a perfect choice. They would also work great as a thank you for anyone who has hosted you as a houseguest. You could send the luggage tags along with an invitation to come visit you at your home so you can reciprocate their hospitality.
Make It: Map Luggage Tags
Firewood Tote
DIY Firewood Tote
Create a cozy DIY firewood tote that's as stylish as it is functional.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
This is an awesome, no-sew project that would be perfect for anyone who has a fireplace. As a thank-you gift, you can whip up your handmade firewood tote and fill it with some fresh-cut firewood before dropping it off. To amp up the wow factor, include some marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate so your recipient can have their own s'mores party.
Make It: Firewood Carrier
Sweet Food Basket
Putting together a sweet foods basket is a surprisingly easy thank-you gift idea. You can use made-from-scratch candies and sweets if you're comfortable in the kitchen, or simply fill up the basket with sweet treats from a gourmet market or bakery. For a unique variation, include all sorts of different European chocolate bars in a basket, or make up a hot chocolate basket filled with mini marshmallows and gourmet hot cocoa mixes.
Make It: Gift Baskets for Food Lovers
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Dried Rosebuds
Allow guests to recreate your signature party drink at home long after the party ends. Our favorite example? This rose and mint champagne that's almost too pretty to drink. The drink is a perfect mixture of homemade rose simple syrup and dry champagne topped with crushed rosebuds and mint leaves. Fill small jars with rosebuds and give to guests as a favor so they can mix up the drink later.
Make It: Rose and Mint Champagne Cocktail
Magazine Coasters
DIY Magazine Coasters
Bring a burst of color and pattern to your table with coasters made from upcycled magazine pages. Tear out pages, then fold each page into 1/4-inch strips and coat with rubber cement. Next, cut approximately 25 strips and place them to the side. Unfurl a paper clip and wrap the first strip around, creating a perfect hole for the center of the coaster. Once the first strip is wrapped around the paper clip, keep it securely wound with a bead of hot glue. Continue to roll the strip around the paper clip, then layer other strips on top, securing each strip to one another with glue. Once the shape of a coaster takes shape, secure the very end of the last strip in place with glue.
This is a perfect thank-you gift for anyone who entertains a lot. It's also a great choice as a combination thank-you/housewarming gift for anyone who recently moved into their house or apartment. Using old magazines, you can easily create a chic collection of coasters. Try making at least four of them so you can pass along a set. If you'd like to add anything to the gift, consider also sending along some cocktail mixers or a bottle of wine.
Make It: Magazine Coasters
3-D Cards
DIY 3-D Cards
Create cute 3-D cards to send all year long with kraft paper cards and household objects.
Photo by: Andrew McGary ©© 2015 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Andrew McGary, © 2015 HGTV/Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved
Sometimes a beautiful card is all you need to say thanks. These 3-D cards are a nice way to send along your love and appreciation. A fun confetti card might not be the best option for neat freak, but there are a lot of other ideas including an eraser card (great for a teacher), a band-aid card (for anyone who might need a pick-me-up) and even a candle card for anyone who has an upcoming celebration.
Make It: 3-D Greeting Cards
Terrarium
DoodleBirdie
This is a great DIY thank you for anyone in your life with a green thumb: an easy terrarium. You can create your terrarium with an unused vase or fishbowl that you might have sitting around with one or two plants, some gravel and a few other elements.
Make It: Terrarium
Color Palette Napkins
DIY Gift
HGTV Magazine shares how to make color palette napkins
Photo by: Lara Robby (Crafting Kylie Fife)
Lara Robby (Crafting Kylie Fife)
Another fab gift for someone who's known as a hostess with the mostest is this lovely, colorful set of linen or cotton napkins. These napkins are made with chalk paint and can easily be modified so they're machine washable. Make the napkins in sets of four or eight, depending on how much entertaining your hostess likes to do.
Make It: Color Palette Napkins
Knit-Wrapped Bracelets
Marko Metzinger/Studio D
These DIY knit-wrapped bracelets are a great choice for any of the fashionistas in your life. The end result makes you think that this project is complicated, but they're actually super-duper easy to make using old socks and a hot glue gun.
Make It: Knit-Wrapped Bracelets
Paint-Dipped Utensils
Original_Kayla-Kitts-Dipped-Utensils-Beauty1_h
Photo by: Kayla Kitts
Kayla Kitts
For anyone who loves to cook, this is an awesome DIY thank-you gift. You can easily recreate these painted serving pieces with some craft paint and painters tape. For an extra special gift, try pairing these with the color palette napkins above. Another idea would be to put them in a basket with some fresh vegetables from the farmers market to be used with a homemade salad.
Make It: Paint-Dipped Wooden Utensils
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