The holidays are nearly here—have you started planning handmade gift ideas for friends and family? I’m Kate, and every year I enjoy crafting a few thoughtful presents. Over the last couple of months I gathered favorite DIY projects from top design bloggers, and I’m excited to share a curated selection with Decoist readers. Whether you want a quick, budget-friendly craft or a more elaborate handmade present, these stylish, design-forward gifts let you add a personal touch to your holiday giving. Enjoy the inspiration!
DIY Gifts for Design Lovers
If the people on your list love design and current trends, these projects are perfect. For instance, leftover paving stones make sturdy, modern bookends when paired with spray paint and toy animals—simple, on-trend, and customizable. The DIY Animal Bookends project (from LEAF) includes a helpful video tutorial that walks you through the steps.
Vintage planters are another great idea for design lovers. Repurposing retro objects into plant containers creates memorable, stylish gifts that suit many interiors. These vintage planter projects (from Oh Joy!) deliver a playful, nostalgic look that’s easy to make.
For modern, minimalist decor, air-dry clay candle holders are quick to shape and style. This DIY candle holder (from MyDubio) uses simple materials to create clean, contemporary pieces that suit many homes. If you prefer geometric accents, try wood-bead and block candle holders decorated with paint pens—these geometric candle holders (from Brit + Co.) showcase the popular geo aesthetic and pair beautifully with taper candles.
If you want to personalize candles directly, try a simple painted candle technique using acrylic paint and a foam brush. Small details like painted bands or subtle patterns transform ordinary candles into unique gifts. For a bit of sparkle, DIY sequin hearts—made with fabric stickers and sequin ribbon—adhere easily to fabric gift bags, journals, or small boxes.
For practical, creative stationery gifts, washi tape journals require only moleskine-style kraft notebooks and rolls of decorative tape. They’re fast to make, customizable, and perfect for friends who love to sketch or journal.
Jewelry Creations
Handmade jewelry makes a meaningful present. Marbled clay ring dishes combine oven-bake clay with subtle gold leafing to create chic, functional trays—ideal for anyone who loves jewelry or small accessories. The marbled effect is elegant and easy to achieve with a little practice.
For wearables, an ombre wrap rope necklace is a fashionable, easy-to-make accessory—white rope, fabric paint, and a few finishes get you a trendy piece that suits many wardrobes. Skinny leather bracelets, made with leather cord, small hardware, and metallic beads, are ideal for stacking and personalization. These simple jewelry projects are budget-friendly, fast to assemble, and perfect for gifting.
Pamper Your Loved Ones
Handmade bath and body gifts are thoughtful, luxurious, and surprisingly simple to make. Refreshing face mists crafted with rose water, witch hazel, and essential oils are delightful, versatile presents that brighten daily routines. A coconut and lavender body scrub—made from natural sugars, coconut oil, and essential oils—creates a spa-like experience in an attractive jar.
Soap-making is another lovely option. A lemon rind soap blends fresh citrus scent with a clean presentation—use unscented glycerin soap and lemon zest poured into decorative silicone molds for a cheerful, fragrant gift set.
For the Kiddos
Handmade gifts for children are both personal and playful. Pet pillows—made by printing a pet photo onto fabric transfer sheets and sewing it into a soft pillow—are a heartwarming keepsake. Simple donut pillows crafted from felt are whimsical and trendy, and they’re a fun sewing project for crafters of any skill level.
For travel-friendly fun, convert a wooden box with a sliding lid into a DIY Lego travel box by attaching a building plate to the lid—perfect for long trips and quiet play. If you’re up for a more involved project, sock dolls make charming, handcrafted toys that children treasure for years.
Handmade gifts are ideal for crafters on a budget, and they carry extra meaning because they come from the heart. I’m inspired to try several of these projects this season—maybe you will be too. Happy holidays and happy crafting!