Have you ever found yourself in a position where you can’t give a gift to a special someone or loved one? The reasons may vary, but the biggest reason is that many people are not financially available to give gifts to their loved ones. Here are some ideas for various gifts you can give or even make this Christmas on a budget!
DIY Gift Ideas
If you want to be more creative and handmade for Christmas this year, I’ve got you covered with some creative DIY (do it yourself) gift ideas.
Gifts
Step-by-step tutorial
Handmade Jewelry: make some bracelets or necklaces
Materials Needed:
-Beads (various sizes or colors)
-Stringing material (any kind)
-Clasps
-Crimp beads (this will secure beading wire)
-Scissors
You can also buy any bracelet/necklace kit with the materials given.
Visual tutorials:
Elastic Bead Bracelet By Bead Spider
Thread Bracelet By Yarninova
Make knitted scarves, hats, mittens, etc.
Materials Needed:
-Yarn
-Knitting needles (the size for your yarn)
-Scissors
-Tapestry needle
Visual Tutorial:
Knitting a Scarf by Erica Arndt
Knitting Mittens by Megan Brightwood
Handmade bath bombs
Materials Needed:
-Baking soda (1 cup)
-Citric acid (½ cup)
-Epsom salt (½ cup)
-Cornstarch (½ cup)
-Water (2 ½ tablespoons)
-Essential oils (10-15 drops)
Food coloring (optional)
-Coconut oil or almond oil (2 ½ tablespoons)
-Mixing bowls
-Whisk
-Bath bomb molds
Visual Tutorial:
Making Bath Bombs by Recipes by Carina
Make a scrapbook or photo album of memories spent with the person
Materials Needed:
-Scrapbook album or blank notebook
-Photos
-Decorative papers
-Pens, markers, colors
-Glue or double-sided tape
-Stickers, washi tape
-Scissors
Have a theme for your scrapbook.
Gather every item that you want to put, anything memorable.
Cut, Glue, and decorate to your liking!
Add some journaling to make it even more meaningful!
Handmade candles
Material Needed:
-Wax (soy, beeswax, or paraffin)
-Candle wicks
-Fragrance oils (optional)
-Dye (optional)
-Double boiler or microwave-safe container
-Stirring utensil
-Candle molds or containers
-Thermometer
Melt the wax in a double boiler or a microwave-safe container. Make sure it is fully melted.
Use a thermometer to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for your wax.
Add fragrance oils and dye to the melted wax (optional)
Carefully pour the melted wax into the mold or container you’re using. Make sure to leave some space at the top
Dip the wick into the melted wax, then place it in the center of your candle mold or container.
Let the candle harden. This takes some hours.
Once the candle is completely cooled, you can trim the wick. You can trim it ¼ inch above the candle’s surface.
Custom-made snow globe
Materials Needed:
-A clear glass or plastic container with a secure lid
-A small object of your choice to place inside the globe
-Waterproof glue
-Distilled water
-Glitter or fake snow
-Stickers, paint, or anything to customize your snow globe (optional)
Using the waterproof glue, you will attach the figurine/object to the inside of the lid.
Then let it dry, after that fill the container with distilled water, leaving a little space at the top.
Add a pinch of glitter or fake snow for that special effect.
Seal the lid with the figurine/object onto the container tightly
BOOM! You now have a snow globe. You may continue to add customizations to your liking.
A personalized calendar
Materials Needed:
-Photos
-Calendar Template (find a template on sites like Canva, make sure it’s printable)
-Printer and paper
-Any binding materials like a hole punch and ribbon
Have a template and photos chosen
Print your calendar
Start assembling your calendar by making holes with the hole punch and putting the ribbon through it, which will keep your calendar attached
Add any extra decorations like special dates or put stickers all over it. Do anything to make it personalized to your liking.
Handmade gift ornaments
Materials Needed:
-Clear plastic or glass balls
-Acrylic paint
-Brushes
-Glue
-Glitter
-Ribbons and bows
-hook or string
Begin by painting the outside of the clear balls with the acrylic paint.
Create cute or thoughtful designs, and then let the paint dry.
Add some glitter inside the clear balls.
Close the balls once internal decorations are done
You can glue ribbons and bows around them to give it an extra look
Make sure to let everything dry before hanging
Make sure to add a hook or string to hang on the Christmas tree.
Sweet bag with the person’s favorite desserts.
Either bake these desserts yourself or buy them. Whichever best benefits you and then pack the sweets up in a cute baggy, which will be sealed with a ribbon.
Handmade magnets: Use photos or fun designs
Materials Needed:
-Small flat objects
-Magnets (these can be found at any craft store)
-Strong glue (like hot glue)
-Items to decorate your magnet (stickers, glitter, or paint)
Get your base and decorate it however you’d like
Attach the magnet by gluing both the base and the magnet. Make sure they’re attached securely.
Let your magnet dry
Then, test out your new magnet!
Affordable Gift Ideas
If you’re not very good at making crafts and you want an easy but thoughtful gift for Christmas. Some are listed below that you can get cheaply at stores.
Some warm fuzzy socks.
Cute coffee mugs.
Good-smelling candles.
Reusable water bottles.
Movie night kit: a movie with snacks/candies.
Christmas popcorn tins
Gift cards
A potted plant
A blanket
Self Care Essentials
In Conclusion
Christmas is a special time of year when we spend the most on our families and friends, but showing your gratitude for someone doesn’t always mean spending a lot of money on them but instead giving/making a thoughtful gift that resonates with them. Ultimately, we must give what we can get, but that doesn’t stop it from being thoughtful or memorable. Therefore, I hope these lists of crafts/gifts can help everyone know what to get this year for their loved ones.