So we’ve established that we loving giving non-stuff gifts, right? But sometimes, the holidays call for something a bit more stuff-ish than non-stuff. And I don’t know about you, but I would rather gouge my eye out with a grapefruit spoon than deal with the mall this time of year.
So DIY it is! DIY gifts can get a bad name, so I rounded up 25 beautiful, interesting, I-actually-really-want-that gifts ideas for you!
25 DIY Gift ideas
For the ladies in your life
Adorable throw pillow made from a vintage silk scarf.
Scented bath fizzies, sugar body scrub, and lotion bars for all-important bubble baths.
These felted nesting bowls are so cute I’m almost inclined to learn how to knit. Or devotedly hope that my knitting BFF makes them for me. cough cough.
For kiddos
This mobile proves that nurseries don’t have to be a mess of teddy bears and ruffles.
I have fond memories of making these scribble cookies as a child. And fighting the urge not to eat them.
You know how you give a kid a million dollar toy and they spend the next hour playing with the bubble wrap? These simple and cute toys fill that same need.
Stuffed animals made from your old sweaters.
For your lover
For a sexy gift, make your own honey dust and apply with a fluffy feather
For animal-lovers
For the design nerd/animal owner in your life, the world’s hippest pet bed.
You don’t like preservatives and processed ingredients, neither do pets. Dog and cat treat recipes.
For your traveler
Help your traveler find their luggage faster with these cute luggage tags.
Being abroad during the holidays can be hard. Make an mp3 of you and your friends rehashing funny stories. Your traveler can listen when they’re feeling homesick.
Hardcore backpackers swear by stuff sacks, little nylon bags used to divide backpack contents. Lucky for you, they’re super easy to make.
For just about anybody
A car travel kit, you’re entertained and there might be fewer arguments about directions.
How sweet are you? Making cool, modern silhouette portraits your friend and their loved ones?
Ooooh, a hollowed out book where you can stash all your secrets?! So awesome.
Put those old Milli Vanilli tapes to good use by turning them into cute wallets.
Did your wool sweater go through the wash? Make mittens out of it!
What? attempting to take some time off!?
Not looking for guest posts? 🙂
DIY gifts most definitely don't have to suck!! I've been doing an (ongoing) series of DIY gift guides with lots of ideas for different people in your life. In order to not spam you with links, I'll just leave you the links to a couple, and the rest are linked from there.
Gifts for the Nester: http://transientexpression.com/2011/12/05/diy-gift-guide-for-the-nester-part-1/
For the Fashonista:
http://transientexpression.com/2011/11/21/diy-gift-guide-for-the-fashionista-part-1/
For the Techie:
http://transientexpression.com/2011/11/25/diy-gift-guide-for-the-techie/
Brilliant – simply brilliant!
I'm trying out trinket dishes made with paper pulp right now – you just soak 1" squares of recycled paper, blend it, then smoosh the paper pulp into a mold (helps to spray with Pam or, if you want to get fancy, mold release first). Let it dry thoroughly, then pop it out and paint.
Since I make paper in my spare time, I'm trying out some fancier things (dyeing the pulp! using different paper to make patterns!) but I've seen some simple versions of this that look totally awesome and make great small gifts (maybe with a handmade necklace to put in it?).
Oooh! That sounds fun! I also love homemade infused vodkas and oils or fancy biscotti!