13 Of The Best Simple Handmade Gifts To Make This Year

It’s time for another installment of my “Simple Handmade Gifts” series! This is one of my favorite recurring series of posts, because I’ve always loved both giving and receiving handmade gifts during the holidays. I also really enjoy hunting down amazing gift ideas from around the web to share with you! And I’ve got a fresh batch of 13 easy DIYs to share today! :-)

Today’s post will be the 13th installment of my “Simple Handmade Gifts” series, if you can believe it! To catch up on the ones you may have missed, or to start from the beginning, get the complete list of links to all the previous installments of the “Simple Handmade Gifts” series at the link below!

Related: Simple Handmade Gifts Roundup!

13 Simple Handmade Gift Ideas

For each item, click the linked title or photo for full details and instructions on how to make it.

1. “Naked” Salve

from One Good Thing by Jillee

This homemade salve (think of “naked” salve as an all-purpose salve that you can add any essential oils you like to it) makes a great gift for just about anyone, especially friends or family with sensitive skin. The salve makes a great moisturizer for dry, winter skin. And you can also use it to treat all sorts of skin issues from rashes to bug bites! Everyone needs jar of this lifesaver!

2. Embroidered Leather Card Case

from The Spruce Crafts

Gift cards make great presents, but many people worry they come across as impersonal. With this hand-embroidered leather gift card case, you can add a personal touch and a bit of style to the gift! It’s a pretty easy craft that is sure to turn out beautifully, even with a simple design!

3. Placemat Clutch

from Lil Blue Boo

I absolutely love the print on this clutch! Can you believe it was actually made using a placemat? All you have to do is add a few simple stitches, and voila! You’ve got a stylish, practical clutch that any gal would be happy to carry. :-) And I just so happen to have a few extra placemats lying around that would be perfect for this project!

4. Glasses Case

from BurdaStyle

A soft leather glasses case like this is perfect for protecting reading glasses or sunglasses. And it’s so dang cute, it could even double as a small clutch for a night out!

5. Mouse Slippers

from Make It & Love It

I think I might need a pair of these snuggly mouse slippers in my size! I love that this tutorial uses a pair of your child’s existing shoes to make the slippers the perfect size. Any little one on your list is sure to love them!

flavored salts

6. Flavored Salts

from Country Living

This collection of flavored salts looks fancy, but they’re actually really easy to make! You could even double or triple the recipe to make a bigger batch for gifting to all your friends and family members.

7. Christmas Tea Tree

from Thirsty for Tea

This is the perfect handmade gift to make for the tea-lover in your life! This tea bag topiary is not only completely adorable, but it will also provide your tea-loving friend with plenty of warm, comforting tea breaks!

8. Pinecone Fire Starters

from Something Turquoise

There’s nothing better than a cozy night spent by the fire, and these pretty-and-practical wax-dipped pinecones can make it extra special. They smell and look so good, they could also be used as wintery decor!

9. Map Magnets

from The Happy Housie

These map magnets would make great gifts since you can personalize them so easily. Just choose a map that has special meaning to your giftee, like a place they love to travel or the city where they got married!

10. Macrame Wall Hanging

from macrame for beginners

I tell my kids all the time that “everything old becomes new again,” and that certainly seems to be the case with macrame! Macrame is back in a big way, largely in the form of wall decor like this cute macrame wall hanging. Follow the link to learn how to weave this unique decor item for someone on your gift list this year!

11. Yarn Ball Pom Pom Bookmark

from Design Mom

Looking for the perfect gift for a voracious reader? These simple pom pom bookmarks would make a great gift or stocking stuffer! They’re easy to make, and cost-effective too—with just one skein of yarn, you could make dozens of these bookmarks!

12. No-Sew Drawer Sachets

from Practically Functional

You don’t even have to know how to operate a sewing machine to put together these easy and practical drawer sachets. They’re great for keeping clothes smelling fresh and clean, even when they’re packed away in drawers or storage containers. Grab your pinking shears and some lavender flowers, and you’ll be good to go!

13. Floral Herb Perfume

from hello, Wonderful

You don’t need to fork out a small fortune to give someone a nice wearable scent for Christmas. You can make your own perfumes with fresh flowers and herbs! One of these homemade perfumes would make a great gift for anyone who prefers natural alternatives to chemical-laden formulas.

What’s the best handmade gift you’ve ever given or received?

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Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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10 Comments

  1. Want to make the Naked Salve for co-workers. How do I print the top that goes on the jars?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Dianne! I use these Avery labels: https://amzn.to/2ruwcjp
      They have tons of cute templates, and walk you right through the process of printing whatever you want. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. The drawer sachets could also be made scent-free with cotton balls inside for the person to put their own essential oils on for whatever fragrance they want!

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  3. Thank you for several ideas for family & teachers this year!

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  4. I love most of these. But did you realize the perfume only lasts for a day or two?

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    • You could always let the flowers sit for a couple days, and then strain out all the plant pieces. The strained liquid would last much longer!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. There are some GREAT ideas in this collection! Thanks so much! I’m checking on/pinning/making several of them! Just when you think you’ve seen it all… : )

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. So many great ideas. I love the clutch ideas and the perfume. The perfume one could save a bundle of money if it turns out good.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. Thank you – i love the teabag tree and pom pom bookmarks! Hope to find time to make those.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

Leave a Comment

10 Comments

  1. Want to make the Naked Salve for co-workers. How do I print the top that goes on the jars?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Hi Dianne! I use these Avery labels: https://amzn.to/2ruwcjp
      They have tons of cute templates, and walk you right through the process of printing whatever you want. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. The drawer sachets could also be made scent-free with cotton balls inside for the person to put their own essential oils on for whatever fragrance they want!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. Thank you for several ideas for family & teachers this year!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. I love most of these. But did you realize the perfume only lasts for a day or two?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • You could always let the flowers sit for a couple days, and then strain out all the plant pieces. The strained liquid would last much longer!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. There are some GREAT ideas in this collection! Thanks so much! I’m checking on/pinning/making several of them! Just when you think you’ve seen it all… : )

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. So many great ideas. I love the clutch ideas and the perfume. The perfume one could save a bundle of money if it turns out good.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. Thank you – i love the teabag tree and pom pom bookmarks! Hope to find time to make those.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.