65+ Crafty Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas
Save money and creatively tackle your gift list this year with our ideas for one-of-a-kind gifts you can create for him, her, the kids and even the family pet.
No-Knit Monogrammed Mittens
Handmade Gift: Easy, No-Knit Monogrammed Mittens
Make This Rustic Bread Board
How to Make a Rustic Bread Board
Craft a Handy Firewood Carrier
Make Your Own Firewood Carrier
Practice Your Cursive
Wow Wine Lovers
How to Make a Wine Rack From a Wood Pallet
Trendy Rhinestone Headband
Fashion-forward friends will appreciate this stylish accessory that looks like a pricey vintage brooch — but is actually made from materials you can pick up at your local craft or fabric store.
How to Make A Trendy Rhinestone Headband
Cookbook or Tablet Stand
Everyone could use an extra hand in the kitchen, especially when they're whipping up a new recipe. Beginner woodworking skills and our step-by-step instructions will help you turn lumber into a thoughtful gift for your favorite chef.
How to Make a Modern Tablet or Cookbook Stand
Whip Up These Tasty Dog Treats
Our pets enjoy special treats around the holidays just as much as we do. Get tails wagging by whipping up a batch of these sweet and crunchy biscuits. Package them in cellophane bags or tins and hand out to all the furry friends on your list.
Craft a Custom Tray
Give an old wooden tray a trendy new lease on life by covering it with upholstery fabric, then add a high-end finishing touch with a decorative pattern created with nail-head trim. Craft your own with our step-by-step instructions.
How to Craft a Trendy Fabric-Covered Tray
Personalize Your Pup's Bed
Give your four-footed family member a cozy place for cat (or dog!) naps by turning an old shipping pallet into a snug pet bed. You can even make it mobile by adding furniture casters and totally personalized by stenciling on your pet's name.
Make This Classic Board Game
Encourage the kids on your gift list to step away from tech devices and reconnect with friends and family by instead sitting down at a board game. A classic, like this rustic-inspired tic-tac-toe board, is fun for all ages, and is easy for the gifter to create using cut wood slices and a live-edge board from the craft store.
Handmade Gift Idea: Make a Classic Tic-Tac-Toe Board
Don't Forget Your Furry Friend
If your kitty goes gonzo for catnip (half of all cats do), treat them with a small, handmade toy to hold their stash. Scientists agree that smelling, rather than eating, catnip garners the biggest response but they still aren't sure what neurological reaction catnip triggers for sensitive cats. It's thought that it stimulates receptors in their brains that makes them feel initially energetic, playful and happy, then mellow and relaxed.
How to Make a Christmas Catnip Toy
Make a Custom Cutting Board
Foodies will appreciate this custom-made wood cutting board. This project requires basic woodworking skills and materials to create a chef-worthy gift that is far from ordinary.
How to Make a Wood Cutting Board
Easily Craft a Pretty Trinket Box
Turn inexpensive fence-post caps, from the hardware store, into a pretty jewelry or gift box. By itself, the box makes a thoughtful birthday, Mother's Day or holiday gift. Fill it with sweet treats or a small trinket for a handmade gift they won't soon forget.
Easy-to-Craft Handmade Jewelry Box
Homemade Lavender Bath Fizzies
Give the gift of a luxurious home spa day with these homemade lavender bath fizzies. Package the sweet-scented bath bombs in a vintage glass jar with a custom tag for a pretty presentation sure to make the gift even more special.
Homemade Gift Idea: Lavender Bath Fizzies
Monogrammed Doormat
Turn an inexpensive coir doormat into a personalized greeting for a friend's front door. An old cardboard box, utility knife, spray paint and a little creativity will make a $10 doormat look like a pricey catalog find.
Delight Your Favorite Foodie
Upcycle pretty tins into a magnetic kitchen garden that will ensure fresh herbs are always handy. Pot your own with our step-by-step instructions.
Delight the Hostess With the Mostest
Whip up an inexpensive wood conditioner and sealant to turn a hardwood board into a foodsafe surface they can use to make entertaining easy. Learn how to turn hardware-store staples into a pro-grade charcuterie board.
Custom Smart Phone or Tablet Covers
A new tablet or smart phone top most people's most-wanted-gift list this year. If springy for a pricey tech gift isn't in your budget, get crafty to surprise them with a custom-made felt cover to protect their new gadget. Download our free patterns and learn how to sew one up with our step-by-step instructions.
How to Make a Felt Cover for a Smart Phone or Tablet
Monogrammed Serving Tray
Surprise your favorite hostess-with-the-mostest with a chic serving tray hand-painted with a trendy trellis pattern and the recipient's monogram.
How to Make a Monogrammed Tray
Make the Container Part of the Gift
This vintage copper bundt pan is proof that practical can be pretty. Too pretty, in fact, to hide away in a box. Filled with spices, tea towels, wooden spoons and other kitchen essentials, this collection will put a smile on any foodie's face.
See More Photos: 15 Vintage Holiday Gift Ideas
Upcycle Old Sweaters Into a Stocking
Don't toss that old sweater. Instead, repurpose it as a custom stocking for someone special on your gift list, then stuff their stocking with a few small wrapped surprises. This project requires no sewing machine or knitting needles and can easily be completed in an afternoon.
How to Make No-Knit Christmas Sweater Stockings
Cozy Up Their Cocoa or Coffee
Upcycle a Frame Into a Cute Tray
Form meets function in this trendy tray made from an old frame, a pair of handles and colorful paint and wrapping paper. See more crafty transformations from our friends at HGTV Magazine.
See More Photos: Decorating on a Budget: Thrifty Finds Transformed
Handmade Woodland Necklace
Woodland-inspired accessories are all the rage. Create this trendy (and downright cute!) necklace with a branch from the backyard and a few inexpensive materials.
Make a Pet Feeding Station
Make mealtime a little easier on large or older dogs by turning an old stool, box or crate into a raised feeding station where food and water are within easy reach. This is also a great gift for anyone who treasures their pet.
Note: Some vets caution that giant breeds or dogs prone to bloat shouldn't eat from a raised feeder. If in doubt, please first check with your vet.
How to Make a Pet Feeding Station
Kids' Craft: Birdseed Ornaments
Bird watchers and naturalists on your list will love this thoughtful handmade gift that allows them to get a closer peek at winter's colorful birds. Bonus: This easy project is a great one to make with even the littlest crafters.
Kids' Craft: Bird Seed Christmas Ornaments
Rolling Storage Crate
Colorful Stocking Stuffers
Turn kids' broken crayons into the ultimate stocking stuffer for budding artists. Get our tips for making the colorful disks without trashing your pan.
Spread Holiday Cheer With a Wine Elf
Craft a Cute Canister
Got a baker on your gift list? They'll love receiving a vintage-style glass canister complete with a DIY chalkboard label that'll make storing kitchen necessities a snap. Learn how to add the chalkboard label with our step-by-step instructions.
Playful Preserve Their Memories
Just 1 of 6 easy-to-craft handmade gift ideas from our friends at HGTV Magazine, these clever photos printed onto fabric then embellished with yarn, beads or glitter are sure to brighten up anyone's walls.
Tasty Dog Treats
Don't forget your furry friend! Whip up a batch of carob-dipped peanut butter bones using ingredients you probably already have on hand. A wet kiss and wagging tail will be all the thanks you need.
Make a Cat Spinner Wand
When planning your holiday gift list, don't forget your favorite kitty. Turn basic craft materials into a Christmas-themed spinner wand that will encourage hours of playtime.
How to Make a Christmas Cat Spinner Wand
Superhero Cape
Tell your little hero that you think they're super by stitching up the perfect gift. Personalized with their initial or name, this action-ready cape guarantees hours of imaginative playtime. Our step-by-step instructions will help you whip one up for every super kid on your gift list.
Recycled Sweater Scarf
Favorite sweaters past their prime are given new purpose as a cozy, oversized scarf. The ends can be stitched together to create a hip, continuous design or left loose for a traditional-style wrap.
Kids' Craft: Ruffled Rose Headband
With just a little help from a crafty adult, kids can turn a plain elastic headband into a sweet hair accessory, perfect for girls big or small. Inexpensive materials and easy steps ensure girls can make enough of these to hand out to all their friends.
Make It Easy for Them to Stash Their Stuff
Anyone with kids will tell you that they could always use more toy storage — especially if its stylish enough to blend in with the "adult" furniture. Well, they'd be thrilled to receive this spacious chest with an upholstered top so it can also be used as a bench or coffee table. Put your wood-working skills and our step-by-step instructions to work to make one as a surprise for the parents on your gift list.
Stitch Up a Custom Pet Collar
If you're handy with a sewing machine, you can whip up pet collars to comfortably fit all the furry friends on your gift list. Get sewing with our step-by-step instructions.
Whip Up an Easy-to-Sew Tote Bag
Even novice sewers will be able to tackle this straightforward project. Customize the fabrics to suit the gift recipient's style and give the tote alone as the gift or fill with a few small surprises to really make their holiday.
Craft a Fashion-Forward Keychain
These trendy leather tassels are popular with fashionistas both as keychains and purse fobs. The real leather versions are pricey -- making them instead out of faux leather is much more affordable and you'll be surprised how easy these little fashion accessories are to DIY. Follow these instructions from our friends at HGTV Magazine to craft them up in all the colors of the rainbow.
Make Mobile Toy Crates
Make it easier for parents of small kids to corral their clutter with these cute, personalized toy boxes. Furniture casters make it easy to move their favorite toys from room to room while the crate's lid-less design makes playtime clean up a snap.
Easy-to-Create Bottle Cap Necklace
Create a one-of-a-kind necklace for your favorite tween. This is a great craft project for an older child to complete on their own or with a little help from a cool and crafty adult.
Keep Their Gadgets Cozy
A great project for young crafters or those with basic sewing skills, felt and a few beads are all you need to craft a stylish cozy to protect their favorite high-tech devices.
Make This Upcycled Jewelry Box
Old cutlery boxes are easy to find at estate sales or in antique or thrift shops — usually at bottom-dollar prices. With just a little elbow grease, you can turn one of these bargain boxes into a massive jewelry box that any fashionista on your list will be thrilled to receive.
Upcycle an Old Cutlery Box Into a New Jewelry Box
Kicky Wallpaper-Lined Trays
The hostess with the mostest on your gift list will appreciate an oversized serving tray lined with trendy wallpaper in her favorite color or pattern.
Easy Kids' Play Kitchen
Basic woodworking skills are all you need to turn a plain wooden bookshelf into a kid-sized kitchen for your little chef. Learn how to make your own with our step-by-step instructions.
Felted Sweater Vases and Candleholders
Easy-to-Create Dog Stocking
Santa's coming; don't forget your best friend when hanging the stockings by the chimney with care. Whip up this festive felt stocking to stash your pup's Christmas morning treats and toys.
Kids' Adventure-Ready Backpack
Kids are natural explorers. Outfit their outdoor adventures with a sturdy backpack filled with a handmade nature press, bug jars, sifter and more. Learn how to sew the backpack and make its crafty contents with our step-by-step instructions.
Capture Their Silhouette
A framed silhouette is a classic keepsake and makes a thoughtful Christmas, birthday or Mother's Day gift. A digital camera, computer and printer make this centuries-old craft a snap.
How to Make a Framed Child's Silhouette
Turn an Old Drawer Into a Chic Jewelry Organizer
The folks at HGTV Magazine got crafty with a thrifted typset drawer to create this handy hanging jewelry organizer -- a gift that any jewelry fanatic on your list would love.
How-to: Hanging Jewelry Storage
Homemade S'mores Kit
Surprise an outdoorsy friend with everything (except the fire!) necessary for ooey-gooey s'mores. Hand-make the cookies, marshmallows and chocolate squares so they're especially tasty, then package the goodies "hobo-style" for a gift that's ready to travel.
Monogrammed Men's Leather Valet
Does the man on your gift list need somewhere to stash his stuff? Easily turn an old frame and upcycled leather into a personalized tray to stylishly hold his keys, watch, cash — everything he needs to grab before heading out the door.
Make a Monogrammed Men's Leather Valet
Kids' Craft: Make an Outdoorsy Frame for Dad
Collected twigs, an inexpensive frame and a favorite camping photo are all you need to thank Dad for amazing outdoor adventures.
Help Kids Make a Rustic Frame for Dad
Create Custom Coasters or Trivets
A computer and scanner are all you need to turn their favorite collectible (like stamps) into a printable design you can use to turn inexpensive hardware store tiles into useful decorative accessories.
How-to: Vintage Stamp Coasters
Found Object Bottle Stoppers
Give keepsakes new purpose by turning them into conversation-starting bottle stoppers. Wine lovers will appreciate the useful, one-of-a-kind gift.
Rough-and-Tumble Bar Set
Treat the beer lover in your life to customized glassware, funky license-plate coasters and a handy wall-mounted bar tool holder. They'll toast to your thoughtfulness in giving such a personalized gift.
Leather Christmas Stockings
Give any mantel a high-fashion makeover with stockings creatively recycled from old leather or vinyl coats. The finished stockings can be embellished with rivets, colorful stitching or stamped with the recipient's name or initials.
Seed-Starting Kit
The green thumbs on your list will appreciate this handy caddy filled with potting soil, pots, an assortment of seeds and other necessities for getting a head start on spring planting. Make a gift to nurture their green thumbs with our step-by-step instructions.
Faux Leather-Lined Tray
Craft a fashion-forward tray to help them corral jewelry and spare change on the dresser or as a handy catchall for keys and mail near the front door. These instructions from HGTV Magazine show you how.
How-to: Faux Leather Lined Tray
Embellished Hair Combs
Silhouette Art
Put a playful spin on classic game taxidermy with silhouette pop art. Paint the surface of the cardboard backing in a picture frame, then trace the silhouette of a buck head to the backing with a pencil. Cover the traced silhouette with colorful buttons, fastening them in place with hot glue.
Geek-Chic Belt Buckle
Broken computer components can find new life as a hip fashion accessory. If a belt's not your thing, the defunct components can also be turned into funky jewelry, framed as art or made into drawer pulls.
Coffee Bag Gift Tote
Turn empty coffee sacks into a trendy, rustic tote that can not only hold a wrapped gift but is part of the gift itself. These sturdy burlap totes can be created in a variety of sizes and are great for carrying books and groceries or for use as an everyday purse.
Canvas Photo Art
Turn treasured photos into ready-to-hang artwork by printing the images onto canvas photo paper then stretching the fabric over a wooden frame.
Decoupage Tin
Don't discard an empty tin. Instead, embellish it with photos and favorite quotes. Fill the decorated tin with tasty treats, art supplies or a blooming plant for a uniquely personalized handmade gift.
