30+ Last-Minute DIY Gift Ideas (You Still Have Time to Make!)
With Christmas quickly approaching, you might be starting to scramble for some hard-to-shop people on your list. So today I’m popping in with a quick round-up of my favorite easy DIY Christmas gift ideas that I have made/given over the years. All of these homemade gifts are great for teachers, classmates, co-workers, teammates, hostesses, neighbors, and more. And depending on how well stocked your craft room is, they are all quick enough to make in time for your next gift exchange…even if it’s tomorrow!
Bulk Gift Ideas
Need an idea that can quickly and easily be made in multiples for all the teachers, neighbors, co-workers, and friends on your list? Here are some of my favorite ideas to make in assembly-line mode!
DIY Wood Bead Keychains
These come together in mere minutes and are easy to customize in countless colors and designs. With a bag of beads costing mere dollars, this is a budget-friendly idea too!
Ribbon Key Fob
Ribbons come in pretty much every color, pattern, and style. Pick a festive pattern or school/company/team colors to make something totally personal!
Ribbon Magnetic Bookmarks
Perfect for book lovers or book club friends, these magnetic bookmarks are quick to make (no sewing required!) and even more delightful to receive!
Vinyl Magnetic Bookmarks
These vinyl bookmarks are a little more slender than the ribbon versions shown above. Plus, with the help of an e-cutter, you can create all sorts of fun shapes and designs!
Sweetly-Packaged Treats
Cookies and other sweets are always a good gift idea, but you can make it feel extra-special through thoughtful and intentional packaging.
Wood Slice Gift Tags
Easy handmade wood slice ornaments make adorable gift tags that can then go on the Christmas tree year after year to remember you by.
Color-Changing Water Bottles
The color-change surprise of these vinyl designs delight every time. Pick just one or two wraps to make cutting and assembly more efficient!
Personalized Ideas
With the help of an electronic cutting machine (e.g., Cricut, Silhouette), it’s now easier than ever to make last-minute personalized gifts. Here are some of my favorites that don’t take much time but sure go a long way in making your recipient feel extra special!
School Logo Keychains
Have someone on your list who loves their alma mater? Almost every (major) school’s logo can be found on Etsy. Cut it from vinyl for an accessory they’re sure to love!
Monogrammed Mugs
With the help of sublimation, you can make professional mugs right at home! Dishwasher safe and peel/fade-proof, these mugs don’t look at all homemade!
Monogrammed Candles
These candles look super chic thanks to (quick) foil vinyl monograms. And once the candle is all burned through, the jars make adorable planters, pen cups, vases, and more!
Personalized Hat
Adding personal phrases, symbols, logos, or designs to a stylish hat is now easier than ever.
Themed Gift Sets
A bunch of small, inexpensive items look more thoughtful and intentional when part of a bigger theme or gift basket. Here are some fun set ideas to consider!
Peppermint-Themed Mug & Coaster Set
Combine a candy-cane themed mug, coaster, candies or chocolates, and wrapping to create a sweet, festive gift anyone will enjoy!
Coffee Lover Set
Do you have a coffee or hot chocolate lover on your list? Take the basic mug gift up a notch by adding some coffee pods, hot cocoa mixes, stirs, and even a gift-card for on-the-go enjoyment!
Baking Gift Set
Pick up a few festive kitchen utensils and pair them with off-the-shelf mixes (or ingredients to your favorite recipe) for a tasty gift. Package it all in a cute bowl with some Christmas cookie cutters for an added touch!
Wine Lover Set
Love the ease of grabbing a bottle of wine but wish it didn’t feel so “last minute”? Pair the bottle with some adorable DIY drink charms, coasters, or a dish towel for a more complete gift!
Hand-Washing Gift Set
Pair a lovely Turkish hand towel with a matching bottle of hand soap for a gift that is both delightful and useful. This is my personal go-to gift that everyone always loves!
For the Hostess with the Mostess
Heading to a party and want to bring something for the hostess? Here are some ideas that are a bit beyond the usual bottle of wine or scented candle!
Embellished Dish Towels
Everyone needs extra dish towels, and a hostess will especially appreciate festive ones. If you can’t find any you love, it’s easy to add your own fabric ruffle to any store-bought sets!
Snowflake Drink Charms
For someone who loves to host, you can never have too many drink charms. A handmade festive set is sure to be a welcome surprise!
Wooden Christmas Signs
A little free-standing Christmas sign makes for a perfect accessory for bathrooms, kitchens, shelves, and entryways.
Christmas Pillow Cover
Talk about a present your hostess can use right away! A zip-on pillow cover (embellished with a festive phrase!) can quickly transform any pillow in the house!
Clever Gift Card Packaging
Almost everyone appreciates a gift card, but to help it look and feel a little extra special, consider packaging it up in these clever and cute ideas!
Gift Card Holders
Need a cute gift card holder ASAP? My printable templates are a tried-and-true favorite that come together in mere minutes no matter your skill level!
Christmas Card Holders
Do you love making handmade Christmas cards for the holidays? Learn how to add gift card slits to the inside!
Christmas Character Bag Toppers
These bag/envelope toppers take some time to cut and glue together; but they are so incredibly adorable, that you’ll have so much fun assembling them anyway!
Hidden Gift Card
Tuck a surprise gift card into a jar of candy. Jelly beans, Hershey Kisses, peppermints, and m&ms all make for a festive display!
Handmade Gifts with Love
Grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles, teachers, and special family members often can’t get enough of homemade Christmas gifts. Here are a few thoughtful suggestions you maybe haven’t considered!
DIY String Art
These are much easier than they look, even for little kids. Pick a holiday design or go with a classic heart that can be displayed all year round!
Photo Ornaments
Placing photos inside Christmas ornaments is a great way to surround your loved ones with their family and friends during the holiday season!
Hand-Drawn or Colored Mug
Did you know you can use Infusible Ink markers to draw and color your very own designs that won’t ever wash away or fade?
For Kids
Looking for something different for some kids in your life? Handmade games, kits, and sets may not be on their list to Santa but they’ll love them all the same (especially if they are made by mom or dad!)
Animal Memory
My son LOVED this wooden memory game. If animals aren’t their thing, you can easily customize the images to whatever interests the child has!
Personalized Notebook & Pen Set
What kid doesn’t love little notebooks? Pair a few with some fancy pens and a personalized pencil box for the ultimate on-the-go doodler.
Custom Toy Bag
A little set of nail polishes, cars, figurines, dinosaurs, pets (or any small collection) can be transformed into a charming gift by making a custom canvas bag to hold them all!
Alphabet Bean Bags
Mini bean bags are another fun thing to customize (letters, shapes, numbers, animals). They can be used for so many different indoor games during the winter months!
For the Classroom
Looking for a simple gift to send into the classroom holiday party? Here are some ideas to try!
Silly String Gift Set
Pair a can of silly string with inexpensive glasses so kids can have the ultimate battle. This is great at the bus stop on the last day of school before break!
Candy Bag Toppers
These couldn’t be any easier to make! Simply staple long rectangles of cardstock over the top of little bags filled with your favorite festive candy. Want to take it up a notch? Use punches to create neat designs!
Craft Kit with Bag Toppers
Little holiday craft kits are usually on sale this time of year. Fold a cut of cardstock over the top of each one with a festive greeting!
Whether you truly need something last minute or you just like making handmade gifts for the special people in your life, I hope these ideas inspire you to whip the hot glue gun (or Cricut machine or sewing machine!) out and get started! Happy holiday crafting!
Megan
2 Comments on “30+ Last-Minute DIY Gift Ideas (You Still Have Time to Make!)”
I love your ideas, especially for gifts.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
In your email you talked about buying one big roll of wrapping paper and using it year round for all types of gifts. I have started using brown paper bags for wrapping paper. I know it sounds ugly, but we get them when we shop at a particular store, so I get a lot of them! I cut them up and wrap my gifts in them (free wrapping paper). I buy wired ribbon when I see it on sale, and all the gifts have beautiful bows! I save all of the ribbon and reuse it! My family knows not to throw away their ribbons and bows! All of the brown paper can be recycled, unlike wrapping paper. It is an earth friendly way to wrap gifts, looks old fashioned and chic’, and saves a lot of money!