Handmade Holiday Gifts for Every Guy

Bestow upcycled charm upon your favorite guys this holiday season with clever gifts made from repurposed materials.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo By: H. Camille Smith

Photo By: Brian Patrick Flynn

DIYs for the Guys

From framed album covers to repurposed license plates, these smart gift ideas were all made with basic craft skills and a little elbow grease.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Metal Desk Vessel

Add stylish storage to a workspace with a vintage tool holder. Made from old license plates or thin sheet metal, the vessel is constructed by wrapping the metal material around a small emptied tuna fish can, then fastening the ends together with rivets or using a soldering gun.

Found Object Bottle Stoppers

Give keepsakes new purpose by turning them into conversation-starting bottle stoppers. Wine lovers will appreciate the one-of-a-kind gift. Get the step-by-step instructions >>

Photo Coasters + Magnets

Turn vivid images of favorite places into coasters or refrigerator magnets with a decoupage stone application. To make, print images on paper using a laser printer. Next, place them on top of small stone tiles, then secure them in place with decoupage glue added to the front and back. To protect the color from fading, use a spray sealer once the decoupage glue has dried.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Canvas Photo Art

Turn favorite photos into artwork by printing the images onto canvas photo paper then stretching the fabric over a wooden frame. Get the step-by-step instructions >>

Framed Albums

Pick up classic albums from flea markets and thrift stores, then place them in basic square album frames. These can simply lean on shelves or hang on walls as a grouped focal point.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Custom Phone or Tablet Covers

Get crafty to surprise him with a custom-made felt cover to protect his new gadget. Download our free patterns and learn how to sew one up with our easy step-by-step instructions.

From: Michelle Edgemont

License Plate Keychain

Create several gifts from one vintage license plate with cut metal keychains. Search antique stores for old steel plates ranging in different letters and numbers. Use metal snips to cut out the letters and numbers, then sandpaper the edges. Add a hole along the top with a drill and a 1/8-inch drill bit, then attach a metal key ring into the hole.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Wood Letter Bookends

Put scrap wood to use as letter bookends. To make, use letter stencils and pencils to mark the surface of the wood. Next, guide a jigsaw along the traced letter. Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges before placing the letters at each end of a bookshelf.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Monogrammed Leather Valet

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. Get the step-by-step instructions >>

From: H. Camille Smith

Baluster Candleholder

Architectural salvage can make for excellent tabletop decor. Here, a baluster crafted from an old Victorian staircase is given new life as a traditional candleholder. To outfit it for holding candles, a small wooden plaque is used as the footer and a pillar candle plate is added to the top.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn