The secret to making handmade holiday gifts, is starting early. Like October might be too late if you have a long list of people to make for including family, friends and teachers. I like to give consumable items because I feel like most people don't need more stuff. Or maybe I'm hoping it will encourage people not to give me stuff but rather something I can enjoy for a while and then it's gone?
It is also easier to make many of the same item, this is good especially for neighbors, teachers and distant relatives, you know people you are going to see and want to give a little something to but something small. It is much easier to make 15 of the same item than 15 different items.
Here is a list of ideas for a handmade holiday!
1. Felt Christmas Ornaments
I am planning to whip up some of ornaments this year because we are having a big family gathering and I'd like to have something small to give everyone attending. How adorable are these deer? Watch a video tutorial from GuideCentral here. Or there is another cute pattern from Lia Griffith here.
There are two ways to do make this easily, you either need time or an electric pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot. Do not use a stove top pressure cooker!
For the time method, put 2-3 vanilla beans in a small gift bottle in mid-shelf alcohol, vodka being the classic choice but bourbon is also a fun option. The beans must be fully covered. Wait...2-3 months at least, shaking the bottles once a week. Make cute labels and gift it! There are full directions from Beanilla here.
If you have an Instant Pot, you can do this project without having to wait for the vanilla to slowly extract from the beans. Here directions for doing this with an Instant Pot from the Kitchn.
You'll also need some cute glass bottles and labels.
I received this a gift two years ago and I am still using it! I just add a little vodka when it gets to the top of the beans.
3. Make homemade soap
People love cold process soap, or at least they must because it's all over Etsy and seems to dominate and craft fairs and farmer's markets these days. You can buy it there or get a few supplies and make your own at home for around $1 a bar. I've tried several recipes for soap but this one is my favorite and I always go back to it.
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| Ready to cut soap! |
4. Infinity scarves
These trendy scarves are really easy to make! It's basically a tube that you sew closed. If you can operate a sewing machine, you can do this. You need fabric about 2 yards long to make a good length scarf but from a 2 yard cut that is full width, you can actually make two scarves that are 66" long and about 21" wide (fabric width varies but most is 40-45" wide).
Here are some basic directions from Craftsy. If you want to go a little fancier, try this version with a pocket detail! This is also really easy and makes this accessory a little more fun.
5. Sugar scrubs
Who doesn't need a little pampering after the holidays? And you make a little extra for yourself to use before your holiday parties. The Wellness Momma has a great basic recipe and lots of ideas for variations if you want to make these several years in a row!
6. Bowl cozies
These are a great winter gift for anyone who likes soup but dislikes transporting a really hot bowl around. Hot! Here is a really clear tutorial on how to make a bowl cozy from Happy Hour Stitches. It's a quick project, only basic sewing skills needed and combined with a soup mix, a really cute gift.
If you want it to be microwaveable, all materials need to be cotton! Make sure to check your batting isn't a blend and your thread especially is cotton, as most thread is polyester and a lot of batting is a cotton-poly blend. I recommend using wrap-in-zap batting.
7. Dip mix ornaments
This is a good small gift for a neighbor or co-worker, just be sure to include directions on how to mix up the dip! You'll need some dip recipes (find here on Master Chef) some ornaments you can fill (try these cute heart shaped ones) and gift tags to write the directions on. You put all of the seasonings in the ornament (be sure to wash them first ☺) and attach the gift tag and you are done!
These are best made for a group of recipients to maximize the frugality, as you will need to buy the different seasonings.
8. Cookies in a Jar
I love these. There are lots of variations now with brownies or other jar mixes. They look nice and who doesn't want to make fresh cookies without measuring anything? As with the dip mixes, be sure to include the directions for making them!
Here is a chocolate chip cookie version but there are so many! You will need the cookie ingredients, bell jars (you can use the classic mason jars but since you're not canning, you could get these less expensive plastic jars) and gift tags to write your directions.
9. Coffee cup sleeves
Like the infinity scarves, this is a very basic sewing project. If you can sew a straight line and attach a button, you can make these. I made a bunch of them a few years ago for all of my coworkers and many of them are still floating around my office. Combine it with a nice travel mug, Starbucks gift card and it's a great teacher gift.
I made mine using this free pattern.
10. Passport wallet
This one requires a little more advanced sewing skills but is still fairly simple. I made one for my MIL last Christmas because we were all taking a trip to Costa Rica a few days after the holiday and I think it took a maximum of 2 hours. You can get the tutorial here.
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