40+ Thoughtful DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: Homemade Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love!

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Looking for the ultimate DIY gifts to give your friends this Christmas that will ‘sleigh’ the competition?

We’ve got your back! We’ve compiled over 40 ideas from bloggers around the web to showcase their DIY Christmas craft and edible ideas that make cute, cost-effective, and creative presents for your besties.

You simply can’t go wrong with any of these ideas, and you might even have most of the items on hand already for a recipe or craft or two.

Plus, sharing is caring – if you have any left over, you can always gift them to loved ones in your family! Who said that Christmas gift-giving needed to be expensive?

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The bEST Crafty diy Christmas Gifts

This Christmas, get crafty! Whip out your DIY skills to make some of these creative, budget-friendly gifts for your friends. All of these yield beautiful results, so your pals may not even be able to tell that you made them yourself!

1. Bleach Stenciled T-Shirts

These bleach stenciled t-shirts make fantastic personalized gifts for friends! They’re super customizable to please the tastes of anyone on your Christmas list.

Click here for the tutorial from Chaotically Yours.

2. DIY Self-Care Kit

Show your friend how much you care by making them a DIY self-care kit for Christmas! Include all of the things that will uplift their mind, body, and spirit this winter (from their fave tea to inspiring books).

Click here for the tutorial from Healthy Happy Impactful.

3. Hand-Sewn Hand Warmers

Make your friends a gift that is both pretty and practical. Choose a fabric that suits their personality and make them a set of microwaveable hand warmers with removable covers.

Click here for the tutorial from Sum of Their Stories.

Here’s a fleece version of DIY hand warmers that will surely delight your friends. Click here for the tutorial from Six Dollar Family.

4. Bathroom Spa Set of Crocheted Items

Create a luxury spa gift set for your friends this Christmas! These crochet patterns are suitable for beginners and are free to view online.

They’re a crafty and thoughtful gift for somebody who needs to pamper themselves this Christmas. Click here for the tutorial from Hooked on Patterns.

5. Loom-Knit Ponytail and Bun Hat

This loom knit hat comes together quickly and is the perfect knitting loom craft for beginners. Make one for all your friends who love to rock a ponytail (or bun), even in the winter!

Click here for the tutorial from One Mama’s Daily Drama.

6. Ribbon Bookmarks

Create these charming custom bookmarks for all your book loving friends! The best part? They are so fun and easy to personalize! Click here for the tutorial from Joyfully Treasured.

7. Handmade Polymer Clay Earrings

If you’ve ever been yearning to craft some adorable polymer clay earrings, this is the perfect time to learn! Your friends will love these beautiful handmade earrings, and the best part is that it doesn’t take as long as you’d expect to make them.

Click here for the tutorial from Handmade in the Heartland.

8. Christmas Gift Basket

This gift basket idea filled with hot cocoa and handmade coasters is the perfect present for your friends. It’s an easy way to assemble multiple items to show how much you care this Christmas!

Click here for the tutorial from Farm Girl Reformed.

9. Photo Necklace

Making your own Christmas gifts, such as this charming photo necklace, is such a memorable gift for the recipient. It’s a purposeful gift that can be worn and cherished for years to come!

Click here for the tutorial from Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

10. Homemade Lavender Soap

Homemade lavender soap is a thoughtful gift that is not only pretty, but also highly practical (we can never have too much soap in the house!). Wrap it in parchment paper for the perfect finishing touch.

Click here for the tutorial from Feast for a Fraction.

Want to try your hand at homemade lemon soap? Click here for the tutorial from The Inspiration Edit.

11. Poured Paint Votive Candle Holders

These poured paint votive holders are simple to make and can be done relatively quickly as a great Christmas gift! You can pair a box of your favorite scented votive holders with them.

Click here for the tutorial from Confessions of an Overworked Mom.

12. Two-Ingredient Rose Water

To gift a truly useful, sweet-smelling gift, try making this rose water spray for your friends to pamper themselves with. It only requires two ingredients, and it’s far more budget-friendly than buying in stores!

Click here for the tutorial from I Spy Fabulous.

Rose water
Photo via I Spy Fabulous

13. Orange Creamsicle Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are the perfect treat for an at-home spa night. Your friends will love being able to treat themselves, and these are so easy to make! Click here for the tutorial from Feast for a Fraction.

You can also make these nifty orange bath salts, which make great therapeutic gifts for anyone this Christmas. Click here for the tutorial from Crafts by Amanda.

Orange bath salts
Photo via Crafts by Amanda

For bath bombs made of lemon zest, check out this tutorial. Click here for the tutorial from The Inspiration Edit.

Also, check out these peppermint bath salts- you can package them up in a jar with a festive printable label from the article. Click here for the tutorial from Honey and Lime.

Peppermint bath salts
Photo via Honey and Lime

14. Monogram Frames

Want to make a monogram frame for a friend using only a Circuit Vinyl? This is a nifty DIY project that can be whipped together using basic materials, and costs a lot less than buying online.

Click here for the tutorial from Mission to Save.

Monogram frame
Photo via Mission to Save

15. Crocheted Snowman Baubles

These hand-crocheted snowman bauble ornaments are the cutest Christmas crafts to make for your friends! They’re quick to make, only use a small amount of yarn, and would even bring a smile to Grinch’s face.

Click here for the tutorial from Hooked on Patterns.

16. Heat-Transferred Personalized Bags

Who doesn’t love personalized things? If you have a cricut or silhouette, you can learn how to transfer heat onto vinyl bags in just a few minutes.

Click here for the tutorial from Vikalpah.

Bag heat transfer
Photo via Vikalpah

17. Snow Globe Mason Jars

Need an adorable and simple last-minute Christmas present for a friend? Check out how to make these snow globe mason jars! All you need are some simple materials (most of which can be found at your local dollar store), so this makes a creative, inexpensive, and very useful gift.

Click here for the tutorial from Homemade Lovely.

mason-jar-snowglobe
Photo via Homemade Lovely

If you want to take it a step further, you can also house a gift card in a snow globe as well! Click here for the tutorial, via Homemade Lovely.

Giftcard snowglobe
Photo via Homemade Lovely

For another take on snow globes, check out this method. Click here for the tutorial from Swanky Den.

Snow globe
Photo via Swanky Den

18. Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are the sweetest little homemade gifts! You can personalize them with your friend’s monogram and the year, or with beautiful patterns such as lace.

Click here for the tutorial from Good Life Eats.

Salt dough ornament
Photo via Good Life Eats

19. DIY Upcycled Earrings

For your boho goddess bestie, take an old pair of hoop earrings and turn them into a trendy statement pair. Learn how to turn thrifted finds into upcycled gorgeous gifts!

Click here for the tutorial from Pretty Delightful.

20. Book Stack Decor

This DIY book stack is so fun to create for friends this holiday season. It can also be customized however you wish, making it even more personal for your recipient.

Click here for the tutorial from A Heart Filled Home.

21. Ceramic Trivets

These hand-painted ceramic trivets (with pineapple designs) are a cute DIY gift for anyone. They’re ideally perfect for adding a pop of color (and element of paradise) to one’s kitchen or living room.

Click here for the tutorial from The Country Chic Cottage.

22. DIY Jewelry Organizer

This is an amazing DIY gift for a friend who loves jewelry. Alas, they’ll no longer need to frantically search for that one missing earring or necklace with this handy gift! It serves as both a great home jewelry organizer, as well as a perfect jewelry storage travel pouch. 

Click here for the tutorial from Apple Green Cottage.

Edible Christmas Gifts

We’re simply drooling at these edible Christmas gifts that you can bake up in no time. Your friends will most likely inhale them the same day that you give them, so be sure to pour all your love and care into them when whipping these up!

23. Peanut Butter Cup Rice Krispie Treats

These sweet, sticky treats are the perfect gifts for friends for the holidays. They’re a mouthful of delight in every bite, filled with marshmallow, peanut butter, and mini peanut butter cup candies. 

Who can possibly resist these?! Plus, you can package these up easily and gift them to as many friends as you like.

Click here for the recipe from Bake or Bust (@bakeorbustblog on Insta).

PB cup rice krispie treats
Photo via Bake or Bust

24. Vegan Cranberry-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (in a Jar)

Need an easy, last-minute, but thoughtful gift? Look no further, because these cranberry-oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in a jar are fun, festive, and so simple to make. Click here for the recipe, via Vegan Huggs.

Vegan cranberry cookies
Photo via Vegan Huggs

25. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

These are the easiest festive cookies that you can make in just under 30 minutes! These chocolate peppermint cookies are a soft, chewy, combination of delightful flavors that will be heavenly for anyone who eats them.

Plus, the dough doesn’t even require chilling, so you can make them as a quick gift on Christmas Day if you’d like. Click here for the recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen.

26. Old-Fashioned Christmas Sugar Cookies

These festive cookies are sure to delight your friends, especially since they can be packaged up quickly and given out by the batch. After all, who doesn’t love traditional sugar cookies?

Click here for the recipe from This Old Gal.

Christmas sugar cookies
Photo via This Old Gal

For Christmas tree sugar cookies with icing and crushed peppermint, check out this idea. Click here for the recipe from Kim and Kalee.

Christmas tree sugar cookies
Photo via Kim and Kalee

27. Homemade Pizza Seasoning Mix

Looking for an easy DIY Christmas present for your friends? Homemade pizza seasoning mix is both unique and thoughtful! Pair this with a pizza cutter, and your gift is complete. 

After all, who doesn’t love pizza? Click here for the tutorial from Amy Gorin.

Pizza Seasoning
Photo via Amy Gorin

28. Cranberry Chutney

Cranberry chutney is a great recipe that can also make a divine Christmas gift for your pals! Unlike cranberry sauce, chutney is usually made with red onion, chili, sugar, vinegar, salt, and cloves… and served with cheese, if you’re preparing a cheeseboard!

Click here for the recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen.

For another idea, try making this delicious apple, plum, and raisin chutney. Click here for the recipe from A Mummy Too.

Fruit chutney
Photo via A Mummy Too

For persimmon chutney, check out this fruity idea. Click here for the recipe from Greedy Gourmet.

Persimmon chutney
Photo via Greedy Gourmet

29. Christmas Spiced Chocolate Salami

This chocolate salami is not only festive, but it’s also a work of art. It’s a blend of cranberries, pistachios, orange zest, Schwartz ground cinnamon, and whole cloves.

Click here for the recipe from A Mummy Too.

Spiced chocolate salami
Photo via A Mummy Too

30. Crockpot Christmas Candy

Everyone loves chocolate, right? This Christmas, gift these festive chocolates as presents for your friends – they’ll be shocked when you tell them that you made them in a crockpot! These chocolate peanut clusters are a breeze to make, yet look very impressive. They also make ideal party favours!

Click here for the recipe from Recipes From a Pantry.

For an additional crockpot Christmas crack recipe, check out this variation. Click here for the recipe from Kim + Kalee.

Christmas crack
Photo via Kim + Kalee

31. Instant Pot Pumpkin Butter

This recipe is an easy way to make your very own homemade version of the classic pumpkin spread. Scale up this recipe and then package it as scrumptious gift for friends to enjoy.

Click here for the recipe from Recipes From a Pantry.

32. Boozy Amaretto Cherries

Amaretto cherries are easy to make and also serve as a fabulous foodie gift. They’re simply cooked in an Amaretto syrup and stored in sterilized jars, so you can take all the stress out of gift-giving this year! And yes, they’re naturally vegan – what a bonus!

Click here for the recipe from Greedy Gourmet.

Amaretto cherries
Photo via Greedy Gourmet

33. Rudolph Hot Cocoa Mix

These Rudolph hot cocoa gifts are so adorable that you can give them to all of your friends on your Christmas gift list. They even come with an instruction tag that you can print and attach to the bag.

Click here for the tutorial from Ottawa Mommy Club.

34. Vegan, Gluten-Free Candied Nuts

These candied nuts are insanely addictive and take less than 10 minutes to make! They’re ideal for gifts as they keep for a long time, are easy to package, and travel well. They’re also naturally vegan and gluten-free.

Click here for the recipe from Rhian’s Recipes.

35. Pumpkin Bread

If your friends love pumpkin and the flavors of fall, this pumpkin bread recipe is the perfect gift. You can easily bake up a loaf, then slice them up into gift bags to give to all of your closest pals.

Click here for the recipe from Tasty Galaxy.

Photo via Tasty Galaxy

36. Canned Blueberry Syrup

This blueberry syrup is easy to make and a delight to give. It’s delicious on pancakes, waffles, and stores well. Click here for the recipe from Fluxing Well.

Blueberry Syrup
Photo via Fluxing Well

37. Gingerbread Holiday Fudge

This delicious gingerbread holiday fudge is perfect for Christmas parties and giving away as DIY Gifts. Serve it in a present shape or decorate with sprinkles.

Click here for the tutorial from Living Sweet Moments.

38. Hot Chocolate on a Stick

Who wouldn’t love a cozy cup of chocolatey goodness topped with sweet pillowy marshmallows? This hot chocolate on a stick is the perfect gift for just about anyone on your Christmas list!

Click here for the recipe from Vegan Huggs.

Hot chocolate on a stick
Photo via Vegan Huggs

39. Five-Minute Fudge

This fudge recipe is the perfect cost-effective gift for the holidays. It’s also incredibly simple to follow and can be whipped up in a mere five minutes!

Click here for the recipe from It is a Keeper.

5-minute-fudge
Photo via It is a Keeper

40. Christmas Popcorn Gift Box

This Christmas popcorn gift box is the cutest idea, and the punny printable labels make this even more perfect. It’s a versatile gift that can be given to anyone on your list, and your recipient will undoubtedly enjoy snacking on all the treasures inside!

Click here for the recipe from Hunny I’m Home.

Popcorn gift basket
Photo via Hunny I’m Home

41. No-Bake Peanut Butter Clusters

These delicious sweet treats are so easy to make. They’re made of white chocolate and crispy candy filled with chunky peanut butter, mini marshmallows, and roasted peanuts. Such a delight for all your friends!

Click here for the recipe from Bitz n’ Giggles.

42. Rainbow Chocolate Truffles

These dark chocolate rainbow truffles are the tastiest gifts for your friends. They’re bite-sized and topped with rainbow sprinkles. Who can possibly resist these colourful works of art?

Click here for the recipe from Tasty Galaxy.

Rainbow chocolate truffles
Photo via Tasty Galaxy

43. Disneyland Apple Cinnamon Muffins

If you’re craving an original recipe from Disneyland, these apple cinnamon muffins will definitely do the trick for creating some magic at home (and serve as yummy gifts for your friends)!

The article also includes an adapted recipe which yields more (normal-sized) muffins, but just be wary of not wolfing them all down straight out of the oven – they’re that scrumptious.

Click here for the recipe from Babes in Disneyland.

44. Disneyland Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies

These chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies are some of Disneyland’s most iconic treats, so this official recipe is bound to leave both you and your friends drooling for more.

They bake up into buttery treats of delight within 20 minutes, so this is a recipe that even novice bakers can use! Avid Disney fans will be delighted to receive these wrapped up in Christmas packaging.

Click here for the recipe from Babes in Disneyland.

45. Christmas M&M Cookies

These delicious soft cookies were inspired by the actual recipe from Disneyland, making them the absolute perfect gifts when packaged up.

If you’re making chocolate chip cookies, why not add some red and green M&Ms to them so you can give them that ultimate Christmas feel? And they’re not just ideal for friends – they go perfectly with a glass of milk or cup of hot cocoa for Santa, as well!

Click here for the recipe from Babes in Disneyland.

We hope you enjoyed this list of thoughtful Christmas gifts for friends!

Have an idea or suggestion for further Christmas gifts ideas for friends? Drop a comment below! Happy craft-making and baking, and may your gift-giving season be bright and merry.

Christmas gifts under tree
Photo via Element5 on Unsplash

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