29 Simple DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

We’re sharing 29 Simple DIY Christmas Gift Ideas you can easily make for your friends, family, and coworkers, or give as a hostess gift as we inch closer to the holiday season.  

Like many of you, some of our favorite gifts are handmade and homemade gifts.

We love it when our friends and family members get creative and put their own spin on things. 

In fact, every time I look at the bookcases in our living room, I think about how much love and hard work my Dad put into making them.

Simple DIY Christmas gift ideas don’t have to be as elaborate as bookcases though.

There are plenty of thoughtful things you can create to show the special people in your life you care.

While most of these projects can be completed in a day, some can be completed in an hour or less! 

Here’s a look at 29 Simple DIY Christmas gifts, projects, and ideas you can make this holiday season…

Advent Calendar

Believe it or not, advent calendars are some of the easiest DIY Christmas gift ideas to make during the holiday season. 

You can literally customize them in a ton of different ways.

Some of our favorite advent calendars to date have been the Say Yes Advent Calendar which took us out of our comfort zone and the Antique Picture Frame Advent Calendar which honored all the people (like you) who helped us through S’s accident a few years ago.

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar

So, I technically made this as a Countdown to Mother’s Day Calendar.

But you can use this same idea for a Christmas Advent Calendar as well.

It was a huge hit with my Mom and my Dad and I had so much fun looking for little goodies to put in each drawer!

Monogrammed Market Tote

I made this monogrammed market tote for my Mom several years ago and she loved it. 

I thought she would use it for groceries.

But she said it was roomy enough to take to yoga class too!

Personalized Name Plate for the House

I made this personalized nameplate for one of the guest rooms at my childhood home, Loblolly.

But this idea can be easily personalized in so many other ways though. 

Create a nameplate for your home, capture a special quote, or even a special anniversary date.

Vintage No Sew Monogrammed Pillows

These vintage no-sew monogrammed pillows are so versatile and neutral that we use them all over the house.

They’re one of my all-time favorite quick and easy DIY projects to create.

DIY a Dutch Inspired Tulip Crate

We made this DIY Dutch-Inspired Tulip Crate for my mom as a gift a few years ago.

It’s one of those pieces that can be used inside your home or outside on the porch or patio provided it’s properly weather proofed.

Gardener’s Lavender Hand Scrub

With Spring planting season just around the corner, there will be plenty of time for your favorite gardener to use this fabulous lavender hand scrub. 

It smells amazing and easily removes all the dirt and grime that comes with weeding and planting.

Quick and Easy Dried Flower Card

One of my big goals this year is send more cards.

While these quick and easy dried flower cards are delicate, they can also be used in so many different ways from cards to bookmarks.

Ironstone Container Garden

If you’re pressed for time consider creating an ironstone container garden as a gift.

We used kale but you could just as easily plant herbs, paperwhites, or even a miniature rose bush.

Dinner or Date Night Decision Jar

Have someone in your life who hates to make decisions about dinner?

Gift them a dinner or date night activity jar filled with ideas!

Jadeite Inspired Cupcake Stands

I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve used these jadeite-inspired cupcake stands and our milk glass cake stands over the years. 

They’re functional enough to display all sorts of yummy treats yet neutral enough to use for everyday decorating throughout the year.

Personalized Sign 

Creating a vintage-inspired sign like this one is another simple gift idea.

You can find all the details about how to make a flower market sign here or a grain sack-inspired wall art here.

A Serving Tray from a Breadboard

My bestie S swears I am obsessed with breadboards because I have so many.

And while that might be true, I appreciate more than anything how utilitarian and functional they can be.

We created this serving tray from a breadboard years ago and we still use it all the time.

Topiary for the Kitchen 

We created this faux dill topiary for the kitchen at Loblolly.

And I loved it so much I made one for my house too. 

They’re such an easy to add layers of greenery to your home in any season.

Drink Stencil

If your friends or loved ones look forward to a special cup of coffee in the morning or a latte in the afternoon, they will adore this personalized drink stencil.

The Gift of Your Painting Skills

This is one of those gifts that would fall under gifts of service or time which mean more than anything.

If you know someone who has been so scared to paint a piece of furniture they’ve been putting it off for months, give them the gift of your painting skills.

DIY Jeweled Napkin Rings

These festive DIY napkin rings were another quick project that was super easy to create.

No playing, it took me longer to ride to town and pick up the supplies than it did to actually make them. 

Quick and Easy Flower Napkin Rings

These quick and easy flower napkin rings have been one of my favorite projects to date!

Monogrammed Canvas Pouch

If your friends or loved ones carry a market tote, they’ll love this monogrammed canvas pouch.   

It helps keep everyday items from small notebooks to accessories to craft supplies organized.

Monogrammed Napkins

Another skill I wanted to learn this year was how to embroider napkins.

If you’re new to embroidery, this post, A Beginngers Guide to Embroidering Napkins, offers step by step instructions.

Surprisingly, I never thought I’d be able to learn how to embroider and now I’m stiching all the time!

Crock-Inspired Paint Cans

Given we go through lots of paint for home improvement projects, we’re constantly looking for ways to upcycle and reuse the paint cans. 

These crock-inspired paint cans can be used for everything from holding brushes to flower arrangements.

Aged Book Bundles  

These aged book bundles have consistently been one of our most popular posts to date. 

They were so easy to make I almost didn’t even create a tutorial for them.

They’re another simple DIY Christmas gift idea you’ll be able to use all over the house no matter what the season.

Vintage Inspired Ornaments

While these vintage-inspired air dry clay ornaments don’t have to be sentimental, you can make them extra special by using a treasured piece of antique lace or crochet from a beloved family member. 

I think about my Granny and her sister every time I look at these ornaments.

They were creating and DIYing way before it was considered cool. 

A Simmer Pot

We’re always looking for ways to make our home smell good throughout the year. 

These simmer pots couldn’t be easier to create.

Bonus, you can make them in advance and even give them away as gifts too!

Bee-Inspired Ring Dish

After family dinners, my sisters and I help clear away the dishes.

And since we take off our jewelry before washing up, I thought it would be fun to make these bee-inspired ring dishes.

While they’re a simple way to dress up the kitchen, they’re also great for your nightstand, desk area, or to keep by the bathroom sink!

Pink Himalayan & Rosemary Salt Scrub

We’ve been using this pink Himalayan & Rosemary salt scrub to help ease dry winter skin.

If rosemary isn’t really your thing though, consider trying our delicious cinnamon and vanilla latte brown sugar scrub.

Personalized Stationery

While it’s definitely easier to send a text message or an email, receiving a proper thank you note in the mail is always a sweet gesture.

Several years ago, we teamed up with Schuler Studio to create a personalized monogram and stationery set for my Mom and aunt and they loved it!

This is another gift that can easily be customized to fit the interests and needs of the recipient.

DIY Stenciled Bee Tray

Another really simple gift idea is this DIY stenciled bee tray.

We used a bee stencil we found at our local craft store.

But you could just as easily use a stencil that best fit your recipients decor for a custom feel.

Aged Serving Tray

Additionally, this aged silver serving tray was another super simple project to create.  

Use it in so many different places from a bookcase to a vignette or even on your coffee table.

Save for the drying time of the spray paint and waiting for the wax to cure, it took less than an hour to make.

Other Gift Ideas to Consider…

If you’re short on time or DIY isn’t really your thing consider these ideas:

• Buy an heirloom piece of vintage or antique jewelry and place it in a handpainted box.
• Working with a local jeweler to create something that has a special meaning. For example, my Dad let us choose the stones and the design for a ring he had made for my Mom.
• Buy every book on a loved one’s “To Be Read” wish list.
• Treat a loved one to new makeup or skincare products.
• Treat a loved one to a spa day and a hotel stay.
• Buy tickets for a concert or an outdoor adventure.
• Charter a sunset sail.
• Organize a trip to Europe or a loved one’s favorite city.

Always remember, Christmas gifts don’t have to be elaborate or expensive to make an impact.

They simply need to be thoughtful.

Most of these 29 Simple DIY Christmas Gift Ideas are budget-friendly and can be made at the last minute, in a day, or even in an afternoon. 

Have you started making Christmas gifts yet? We’d love to hear what you’re making this year!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo