You know, sometimes you look at the Christmas budget you’ve managed to stash away…
…then you look at the list of people you have to buy for, and you can’t help but wonder…
how is this supposed to work??
Well, all it takes is a little creativity!
Now, if (like me) you are NOT exactly a creative type of person, that might make you sweat a little.
But don’t worry!
I’ve found a list of good things you can DIY for people. Things they’ll actually love to have. And that are really hard to mess up.
Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to knit any sweaters this year. 😉
(This post is part of the 7 Ways to Pile Up Christmas Money series. If you missed any of the previous days in the series, you can find them at the bottom of this post.)
Give these Do It Yourself Christmas Presents a Try!
Let’s start with food ideas. If you enjoy baking or cooking, these ideas will be perfect for you!
Your Supplies
Before you get started, stock up on a few of these supplies.
A set of these nice bottles. (You can do so much with these!)
In the Kitchen DIYs
Homemade Coffee Syrups
You don’t even have to be good in the kitchen to make this one work!
If you need the best bargain on glass bottles, try the dollar store, thrift shops, and yard sales.
A Few Shortcuts
Infused Olive Oils
Similar to the simple syrup idea, you can make a variety of infused olive oils. This would be great for friends who love to spend time in the kitchen!
Just Putzing
Hot Chocolate in a Jar
There are so many options for “In a Jar” types of gifts.
If you or your loved ones aren’t crazy about hot chocolate (we tend to drink it daily in the winter here!), look for other ideas like cookies in a jar or soups in a jar. Pinterest is just chock full of ideas!
Layer this Hot Cocoa recipe with marshmallows, chocolate chips, peppermint (if you like to mix mint with chocolate), or any other fun additions to Hot Cocoa for a pretty and fun gift.
The Thrifty Couple
Homemade Mints
These cute little mints are simple to make (only 4 ingredients!).
They taste so amazing that…well, none of them made it into gift jars in our home. Whoops! Make extra!
Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub in a Jar
Body scrubs can be made in all sorts of scents, and most women would adore this self care gift.
I have put them in mason jars, but that does get tricky for using in the shower!
Next time, I’d probably put it in a container like this.
Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub
Happiness is Homemade
Related: Host a super frugal cookie exchange party this year!
Non-Cooking Do It Yourself Ideas
If you aren’t much of an “in the kitchen” type of person, there are plenty of other options out there. Here are some to consider.
Wrapped Up Candy Bar
If you just need something very small, here’s a really cute (and frugal!) idea for jazzing up a simple candy bar.
Cha Ching on a Shoestring
Microwaveable Heating Pad
The stitch lines on this gift are pretty simple, so even a beginner could pull it off. And who couldn’t use a pretty heating pad?
The Happy Housewife
Sundae in a Box
This one is so much fun, I’ve gifted it to people several times.
You can start shopping now for sundae toppers. Try Pioneer Woman’s caramel sauce or this 5 minute chocolate sauce for a delicious (but affordable) topping.
Put them in bottles like this.
Break up extra candy canes that you have, save a small bag of nuts when you are making cookies, etc. There are many ways to make this into a frugal gift!
Bloom Designs Online
A Box of Teas
I’ve made this one myself, and it’s a great gift for the tea lover in your life! Look for coupons and deals on tea to collect a variety.
Medium Sized Family
Diorama In A Jar
Here’s a simple idea for a cute diorama in a jar. What a fun gift idea!
This really only scratches the surface of the do it yourself Christmas presents ideas out there.
It really is possible to craft a gift yourself that your loved one will actually enjoy.
Visit Medium Sized Family’s profile on Pinterest.
Do you make homemade gifts for people each year or do you prefer to leave it to the professionals?
I'm Jamie, and I want to help you afford a beautiful life with your family. 
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for the great do it yourself tips for xmas gifts! Very creative 🙂
I’m going to have to make that cocoa mix for myself, ha! 😀
In the same vein as this post, everyone appreciates baked goods. And while it may not be their first choice for a gift, they don’t get to choose what they get, do they (I enjoy this from time to time, honestly, shame on me). I like taking the baked goods route for family that I don’t see often (so I would have no idea what they would want), but I know they like cookies (or fudge, or pie, or whatever).
A few years back, my dad was visiting for Christmas (which, I don’t get to see him often) and was able to gift him a key lime pie. It was the perfect gift (as it was our favorite dessert) and no real DIY required 😀
I love your idea for wrapping candy bars in magazine pictures. Pinned!
I loved that idea, too! I can’t take credit for much more than finding it on Pinterest, though. 🙂
Wow! Some really great ideas here!!
These are great ideas! I especially like the coffee syrup and hot chocolate mix. I might keep the syrup for myself! Thanks for sharing on the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
Last year I did keep some of the hot chocolate mix for myself! It was really good.
These are all great ideas! I love making homemade gifts for others. I thinking giving homemade comes from the heart, and shows that you care. I want to try the mints. Pinning for later!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful tips on christmas presents to Hearth and soul blog hop, tweeting.
Anything in a mason jar rocks! I love gifts I don’t have to dust, feed, or clean up after:)
Jamie, these are very helpful tips. You inspired me. I love the sugar scrub idea. That seems pretty easy to do at home and have the kids help.
I’ve had my kids make that for their Godmothers before. It’s nice to get them involved!
Great suggestions. I pinned a few. Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed visiting from the Homestead Blog Hop. I signed up for your emails. I linked the end of my summer garden. Come over and visit and say ‘Hi’. Have a good weekend.
Wow, thanks! I’ll have to check out your site.
Love that you’re thinking of Christmas gifts in the summer – so smart! I actually bake and give a mixed box of goodies (cookies, fudge) to my immediate family every year, so I guess I am a DIY’er! From your list I really like the heating pad idea – my mom would totally use that!
As always, you’re full of wonderful ideas. I know plenty of people who would love the hot chocolate idea.
These are helpful for non-DIYers like me. 🙂 I did come up with another idea while reading your list though too.
Ooooh, I am all over this idea – I love making Christmas gifts for everyone every year! So happy to see you join up with us at #FridayFrivolity each week – I picked you for my feature!
Woohoo! Always to be featured at one of my favorite parties. 🙂
All these presents are wonderful specially those heating pad, My mom made this kind of heating pads for all of my siblings one year for Christmas. I always love to use it after a long day when my feet are achy and I just can’t walk or stand anymore.