I’m very excited about today’s post, because it’s been too long since I last shared a batch of simple handmade gifts! (About two years too long, in fact!)
I’ve been collecting and sharing DIY gift ideas from around the web since the very beginning of my blog back in 2011, making it the longest running series in OGT history! There have been twelve installments in this series to date, and you can find links to all of them right here.
Whether you’re looking to make the most of your gift budget this year, or just looking for a way to give your loved ones something meaningful, making gifts by hand is a great way to do it! So here are 14 unique and simple handmade gifts to serve as inspiration, starting with a few of my own gift-worthy projects!
14 Simple Handmade Gifts To Give In 2019
Click on the title of each project for full details and instructions.
1. Hanging Dish Towel
In addition to being easy to make, this hanging dish towel has the potential to save the sanity of the person you give it to! Anyone who cooks at home is sure to appreciate the value of a dish towel that won’t slip off their oven handle.
2. Sugar Scrub Bars
Body scrubs can be messy to use, and they add an extra step to your bath or shower routine. But these sugar scrub bars make it easy to wash and exfoliate your skin at the same time!
3. Finger Looping Crafts
I picked up “finger looping” as a hobby this year, and I can’t recommend it enough! This special looped yarn makes it easy to create blankets, scarves, and more that anyone on your list would love to receive.
Check out this post to learn how it’s done, and to find out where to get simple finger looping patterns and project ideas!
4. Personalized Candles
From It’s Always Autumn
A personalized candle would make a thoughtful and practical gift for just about anyone! Use a favorite photo or quote, then transfer it to the glass using good old fashioned packing tape.
5. Soup Mix In A Jar
From Wholefully
When in doubt, give someone the gift of food in the form of this soup mix in a jar! The recipient is sure to appreciate having a meal on hand they can put together quickly and easily!
6. Funny DIY Socks
From Pretty Providence
One can never have too many socks, especially during the wintertime! These easy-to-make DIY socks will keep your loved ones in stitches with their silly slogans.
More Ideas You'll Love
7. Crafty First Aid Kit
From Sweet Paul Magazine
Cuts, scrapes, and other minor injuries can strike at anytime! This cute, portable first aid kit, complete with antibacterial ointment and bandaids, would come in handy for just about anyone on your list!
8. Earbuds Case
From Polka Dot Chair
Have a friend or coworker who can’t seem to keep their earbuds untangled? Make them a handy carrying case they can keep them in!
9. Embroidered Notebook
From Dear Handmade Life
Turn a simple notebook into a custom masterpiece with a bit of embroidery! It’s not hard to learn how to do (though some experience with needle crafts would go a long way!)
10. Etched Cutting Board
From Design Mom
If you’re willing to try your hand at something new in the name of gifting, give wood burning a try! With a simple wood burning pen you can pick up for under $15, it’s quick and easy to create great designs on wood items like this cutting board.
11. Pattered Bowls
From The Lovely Drawer
Small ceramic bowls make a versatile gift, coming in handy for everything from food prep to holding jewelry! Turn plain white bowls into patterned masterpieces with the help of a few acrylic paints, permanent markers, and some time in the oven.
More Ideas You'll Love
12. Marbled Votive Cups & Dyed Market Tote
From Lovely Indeed
Okay, so this idea is technically two ideas… but I found them both on the same post and couldn’t decide which I liked more! Tap into your inner artist by making (and gifting!) these painted votive cups or dyed canvas tote.
13. Pom Pom Market Tote
From Damask Love
And speaking of totes, there’s a whole wide world of ways to customize a canvas tote to make the perfect handmade gift! This one features a fruity design made of yarn pom poms and some simple stitching, perfect for any friend who loves a good trip to the farmers market!
14. Quote Pillow
From Inspired By This
Creating a custom piece of home decor as a gift doesn’t have to require a bunch of special equipment. In fact, this heartfelt quote pillow only requires a pillow cover, a set of stencils, and a permanent marker!
Want more easy DIY gift ideas? Click the button below to view a full list of past blog posts from the “Simple Handmade Gifts” series! :-)
Will you be making any simple handmade gifts this year?
I like the Loop yarn ideas – but I was never sure if I was following the directions right. We’re thinking of trying the Soup mixes.My sister in law has a December birthday and can be difficult with her g free diet. I think most of the mixes will work for her.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. Check the spelling on #12 “patterned”.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi! These are great ideas, especially the finger loop yarn. I think I’m looking at my newest craft hobby. My granddaughter and I will have a ball I think. Thanks for the inspiration!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You know what, Jillee, I think it was actually your original post on loop yarn that turned me on to it! After I read that, I think I went to YouTube and found a bunch of instructional videos and then went and got some yarn and got busy! So an incredibly huge THANK YOU for that! :-D One other thing, though, it’s not a cheap hobby. Those skeins can run from $5.99 to $11.99, though I do my best to buy on sale at Joann’s. So I’m limited to one project per month as I’m on a fixed income now. Still, not gonna stop anytime soon! ;-) Thanks again, Jillee!! Blessings, Love and Peace to you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the price tip Phyllis. I’m also on a fixed income.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My advice? Learn to knit or crochet and buy the REGULAR yarn. (I have laughed my socks off at all these new “no skills required” crafts!) HOW does one learn to do this, and for free? Go to the library. Seriously. Talk to the librarian, find out which crafty meetings are happening at a time that’s good for you, and while you’re at it, join the library. (That’s ALSO free.) Now, the “learn for free” part is right here: Go to the craft group bearing the tools of that particular trade – which means yarn and knitting needles or a crochet hook (I recommend size 10 needles and a “J” crochet hook) – and get there just before the meeting is about to start. Tell the first person you see that you want to learn how, can someone teach you? I promise you, there will be someone there that is the “designated tutor” of the group, and there may well be more than one! We LOVE to teach our craft!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been making a bunch of fun gifts for friends and family with the loop yarn that I discovered a few months ago, too! It is soooo much fun to do, and it’s easy as well. I’ve never been able to knit or crochet before though I tried when I was a kid, I just couldn’t get the hang of it. But this, this is terrific that even I can start and finish a project in a day or two!! I’ve made pillows (some with hand-made tassels), a bathroom rug for myself (first project), a baby blanket with a border and right now, I’m making a wall hanging for my sister, which is going to be incredibly cool! What I’m doing is learning how to do different stitches and different combinations with each project so I’m learning something new each time. A very good thing to do to keep the brain active and occupied. I’m a little worried, though, as my fingers have started to get crooked and painful with arthritis this past year. I’m concerned I won’t be able to do too much more with my hands if it gets worse, which arthritis tends to do. But I will keep going as long as I can and maybe beyond if the pain isn’t too horrific. So, yeah, I totally agree and highly recommend this terrific new hobby! I just wish they would make the yarn a bit more consistent and great new colors! Dreaming… ;-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.phyllis, For the pain and swelling of arthritis, using a 6-8oz mug, add 1 tablespoon of RAW apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of RAW honey to mug then add boiling hot water (6-8 oz) stir well. Do this twice a day until pain and swelling have subsided at which time you can do only once. In the summer, I make a larger amount in glass pitcher and put in fridge. I love the relief I get and the sweet/sour taste of it………….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m making pillowcases for family this Christmas. A Christmas one and a winter one. They will have flannel pillowcases for the winter, and something special to dream on for the holidays.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s great, Marlene. I’m sure they will love your homemade pillowcases.
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