Need some inexpensive, but heartfelt DIY handmade Christmas gift ideas for the upcoming holiday?
I’ve got a ton of choices with this list of 50+ DIY Christmas Gifts Ideas!
There is just something special about a handmade Christmas gift.
Even if the store bought one was cheaper…and even the handmade one isn’t perfectly square…or the finish isn’t JUST right.
It’s the “handmade” part that makes it so valuable–the fact that someone who loves you spent their time making that just for YOU.
I’m not normally a sentimental person, but those are the best gifts you can get 🙂
So this Christmas, if you are looking to give something special, heartfelt, personal and handmade, I’ve compiled a list of great DIY handmade Christmas gift ideas for you to check out below.
SIDE NOTE: these gift ideas aren’t ONLY for Christmas. Many of these would make excellent wedding, housewarming, birthday, or other special occasion gifts, too!
Jump to:
- Unique Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas
- Handmade Gifts for the Cook
- Handmade Gifts with Photos and Frames
- Handmade Games as Gifts
- Handmade Lanterns as Gifts
- DIY Sentimental Gift Ideas
- Holiday Themed DIY Gift Ideas
- DIY Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids
- DIY Small Furniture Christmas Gift Ideas
- DIY Gift Ideas for the Pets
Unique Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas
These are fun and simple gift ideas for anyone on your list.
The majority of these projects can be made from scraps, so these are inexpensive gift options you can make quickly.
Simple DIY Book Holder
This book holder can be made with a few pieces of 1×6 scrap board and just a few minutes of your time! It’s perfect to pair with a new book for the avid reader on your gift list!
DIY Bookends
Aren’t these the cutest bookends you’ve ever seen?! I made these using pieces of scrap wood from my ever growing pile, ha!
They are the perfect handmade Christmas gift for any music lover you know.
DIY Tea Storage Box with Mug Holder
Forget the coffee bar. Set them up with a tea bar!
This DIY handmade Christmas gift idea will wow the tea lover on your gift list and you can make it with scrap wood!
Modern Serving Tray
They can put together the biggest charcuterie board with this modern serving tray!
I made this with some Walnut boards that I scored for free, but you can use any type of boards you want to make this.
Scrap Wood Catch All Tray
This is a super simple and easy scrap wood project perfect for anyone on your list!
It’s a catch all tray with handy pegs for holding keys. Gift this to the person who loves (or needs) a little extra organization in their life!
DIY Personalized Lazy Susan
Personalize a DIY lazy Susan charcuterie board with the state your recipient lives in.
The one I did was Kentucky, but you can use any state that fits for your gift. Or chose another fun shape or letter to personalize how you’d like.
DIY Wooden Box
Building a simple wood box like this is an INCREDIBLY easy project that you can build from a single 1×6 board (or scraps!) and they make perfect handmade gifts for the holidays, housewarmings, or even weddings.
Personalized Serving Board
This easy project is a great way to use up some wood scraps and is a gift they are sure to love.
It’s as simple as cutting a handle shape on a board. Then, you can personalize with a little stain and a stencil!
Scrap Wood Catch All Tray
I may just be slightly obsessed with trays. They are so EASY to make from scrap wood and they make a great gift!
You can make these just about any size or shape you want!
DIY Sofa Arm Rest Tray
This is small, but practical gift idea for both the book lover and the tea drinker on your list. A few pieces of scrap wood creates a cradle for their favorite book and a sturdy place to set their drink on those cozy nights in.
Handmade Gifts for the Cook
These fun gifts are perfect for the chef on your gift list, but could also make excellent housewarming or wedding gifts, too!
DIY Cutting Board
A cutting board is one of those tried and true gift ideas. They are easy to customize in wood type, shape, and design.
Plus–it’s one of those gifts you can never have too many of. So even if they already have one, they’ll be excited to open up another one!
Learn how to make a simple, basic cutting board
RELATED: There are many ways to make a cutting board. Here’s another DIY cutting board method you might like to try!
DIY Scrap Wood Book Stand
This is the perfect hostess or wedding gift. While its size works great for most cookbooks, this would also be ideal for displaying photos, plaques, and more.
The back rest even folds up so it’s easy to pack and store away when not in use.
DIY Drink Coasters from Scrap Wood
Everyone can use a set of coasters. This fun idea is a great way to use up some of those smaller scrap pieces (they don’t even have to be the same wood type!), and the cutting board shape is cute and unique!
Learn how to make “cutting board” coasters here.
Looking for something a bit more traditional? These thick wooden coasters (shown below) made from scrap wood are simple, yet attractive and so easy to customize with a little wood stain!
DIY Tea Station Tray
Another great gift idea for the the tea lover! This simple, compact tea station is the perfect gift idea.
You can include a set of mugs and a set of handmade scrap wood coasters to go with it. They can proudly (an conveniently!) display this gift in their kitchen and think of you every time they make tea!
Salt and Pepper Shakers
Add a fun touch to the table with these wooden salt and pepper shakers! They would make such a unique addition to the kitchen of your favorite cook!
Handmade Gifts with Photos and Frames
These are easy gift ideas for anyone! Just slip in a photo of their favorite person, place, or pet!
Desktop Photo Frame
This may be the EASIEST photo frame ever. It’s a super easy project you can make from a small scrap of wood. Slip in a sweet photo and you’ve got the perfect budget friendly gift for anyone on your list.
Scrap Wood Art
While these are obviously sunflowers, this project is completely customizable to any shape, style, or color you want!
Cut out their favorite flower, the shape of a pet, a landscape scene–get as creative as you can! The build process is the same–just cut out whatever shape(s) you want!
Easy DIY Picture Frame
A custom picture frame with is the perfect gift for teachers, co-workers, or anyone on your gift list that is hard to buy for.
These inexpensive frames look nice, and can be customized to any size you need.
Handmade Games as Gifts
These are some of the most FUN gift ideas on the list. Not only are they tried and true game night favorites, but the wooden versions make great décor!
DIY Scrap Wood Tic Tac Toe
Tic tac toe is not just for kids! This table top tic tac toe game board is both functional, but also attractive.
It makes an excellent addition to a coffee table, or console table to bring the family together for a fun game night.
DIY 4 in a Row Game
This brings back so many fun memories! Not only is this 4 in a row game pretty enough to leave around on the coffee table, it’s also SO much fun to build.
DIY Puzzle Board
This DIY puzzle board is the perfect gift for puzzle lovers. It easily slides under the couch when you need it out of the way, and includes drawers for storing the pieces!
It’s a fun and easy project that they will love!
Handmade Lanterns as Gifts
These deserve a category of their own because there are so many options! I love building different style lanterns.
They make excellent scrap wood projects, gifts, and décor all around the house, the porch, and the patio.
DIY Arched Lanterns
These lanterns are SO much fun to make and can be customized to any size (and color!) you want.
The best part? You only need a couple basic tools to make them!
DIY Wooden Lantern
You can never go wrong with a candle as a gift. Let’s take it up a notch and make a DIY wooden lantern they can put their candle in.
The top of the lantern is the hardest part, but trust me you can do this and they will love their DIY handmade Christmas gift!
DIY Scrap Wood Lantern
Here’s another wood lantern option for the candle lover on your gift list. You can make this using scrap wood too.
They’ll never know it was free to make!
DIY Sentimental Gift Ideas
These DY gift ideas are projects you can personalize with special notes, names, or dates to make these gifts extra special.
Scrap Wood Keepsake Box
Keepsake boxes are such a great DIY handmade Christmas gift. You can give them to anyone on your gift list.
I’m showing you how to make them in a hexagon shape and a rectangle inspired by the tile samples I bought to use for lids. Which shape will you make?
DIY Shadow Box
Create a large (or small–totally up to you!) shadow box with their favorite photo or keepsakes for an easy and inexpensive gift idea!
They’ll be sure to love this personalized gift!
DIY Personalized Wall Clock
Who doesn’t love clocks?! Personalize it with a family name and it becomes the perfect DIY handmade Christmas gift.
It’s super easy to make, all you need is two 1×10 boards and a clock kit.
DIY Keepsake Box
Give them a keepsake box to keep all their treasured memories in. It’s the perfect gift for us sentimentalists.
The picture frame lid can be use for anything. A favorite note, a picture, or a drawing.
Holiday Themed DIY Gift Ideas
These holiday themed gift ideas are fun and festive and make excellent hostess gifts for those holiday parties!
DIY Wooden Sled
This simple decorative sled makes an excellent centerpiece or decoration for the porch.
Customize the sled seat with a last name, a fun logo, or a holiday design of your choice.
Stackable Wooden Tree
This is one of my favorite ideas on the list! This stackable nesting wooden tree shelf is a super fun holiday gift idea they’re sure to love.
We use ours for displaying Christmas cards throughout the winter season (even after the other decorations come down!).
DIY Snowflake Shelf
A simple, but oh, so fun gift idea they can display all winter long–a DIY snowflake shelf!
They can hang it on the wall, display it on the porch, set it up by the tree or fireplace–the possibilities are endless!
Tiered Candy Stand
The perfect hostess gift! A DIY tiered candy stand they will love. And if you’re going to be visiting, you’ll get to enjoy the goodies they put on it.
That’s a win win in my book!
DIY Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids
DIY Art Easel
Got a little artist on your gift list? This adorable art easel folds up for easy storage and includes a tray to hold all their supplies. Customize with chalkboard paint OR use a paper roll for their canvas!
DIY Rotating Bookshelf
This compact bookshelf rotates so you can store and display your favorite books on all four sides.
It’s the perfect place for kids to store their favorite games, books, and toys!
DIY Kid’s Nesting Table
This fun gift idea will inspire creativity and it comes with four nesting storage seats to corral all those supplies.
You can make this with a sheet of plywood, some boards and just four tools! Your child will love it and will provide hours of entertainment.
Kid’s Play Table and Chairs
This easy to build play set is perfect for coloring, activities, and games. Build one for the little one who loves to play!
DIY Toy Chests
Toy chests are a fun option to give a baby or young child that they can keep as an heirloom piece for years to come.
Here are some design ideas to pick from.
Toy Chest Option 1
This DIY handmade Christmas gift might just be more for parents than kids, but we’re going to call it a kid’s gift idea.
This toy chest will give your kids a place to store all their favorite toys. It may even help teach them to clean up their toys when they’re done playing.
We can hope so anyway…right?
Toy Chest Option 2
Toy chest option 2 is a little more detailed with handles and even has soft close hinges to keep your kiddos fingers from getting smashed.
RELATED: Check out all these toy chest ideas for more options!
DIY Small Furniture Christmas Gift Ideas
For gifts a little larger in size, here is a great list of furniture builds that would make excellent gifts as well!
Easy DIY Corner Shelf
Make this DIY corner shelf for under $30 in lumber and in just a weekend. They can use it as a plant stand, or as a bookshelf, or to display treasured items.
It will make a great handmade Christmas gift.
DIY Modern Blanket Ladder
Blanket ladders aren’t just farmhouse style anymore and they make a great gift!
This modern take on the traditional blanket ladder is an easy DIY project you can make in a day.
DIY Tiered Plant Stand
For the plant lover on your gift list, this tiered plant stand can be made using scrap wood.
I’m on a roll with scrap wood projects, that happens when you have a lot of it and can’t bear to throw any of it away, ha!
Simple Shoe Bench
This simple shoe bench is a quick and inexpensive build that would make a great gift for a wedding, housewarming, or any occasion.
DIY Plant Stand/End Table
This would make a great gift for a college student. It’s small enough to use in a dorm room and they can use it for plants or as a bedside table.
It’s easy to make using 1x2s and a 2×6.
DIY Gift Ideas for the Pets
DIY Dog Bed
Let’s not forget our furry friends this Christmas! Give them a comfy place to lay down with this DIY dog bed. Add a big cushion and they’ll be all set.
DIY Dog Tent
Give them their own little sanctuary with this DIY dog tent. The teepee style is just so cute, don’t you think?
DIY Dog Bowl Food Stand
Made in the same style as the DIY dog bed, this dog bowl stand gets their food and water off the floor and makes the bowls easier to reach.
Plus it cuts down on the mess on your floor!
WOW, that’s a lot to choose from! You can find lots more on the projects page as well.
I hope this list is helpful if you are looking to gift someone with a handmade Christmas gift this year.
And I hope that in the midst of all the sawdust and glue, that you find time to enjoy the holiday and spend time with those you love…and eat lots of Christmas candy in the process 😉
As always, thank you so much for your support and for following along. To you and your family, have a very Merry Christmas 🙂
Until next time, happy handmade Christmas gift building 🙂
