DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: 16 Cheap Handmade Ideas They Will Actually Keep

DIY Christmas gifts for friends are the kind of presents people tuck away and keep for years. A store bought candle gets used up and forgotten, but a mug you painted or a jar full of inside jokes ends up on a shelf where they see it every day. Friends do not need anything fancy. They want to feel known. That is why handmade gifts are having a big moment right now, and searches for them have jumped on Google Trends this season. The good news is that most of these ideas cost a few dollars each and can be made at the kitchen table in one cozy evening. Put on some music, gather your supplies and make a little stack of gifts for the people who make your life better..

DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends, All on One Table

Look at how much love fits on one small table. Herb oil bottles, a painted mug, a jar of bath salts, a tea towel, a little succulent, clay keychains and a set of coasters. Not one of these cost more than a few dollars to make, yet together they look like a boutique gift shop. The trick is to pick two or three ideas and make them in batches, so every friend gets something special without you spending every night crafting. Which one would you make first..

You will need: a clear table, a few basic craft supplies, ribbon or twine, kraft paper tags, and a list of the friends you want to surprise.

How to make it: 1. Pick two or three ideas from this list that suit your friends. 2. Buy supplies in bulk so each gift costs less. 3. Set up an assembly line and make them all in one evening.

Herb Infused Olive Oil Bottles

This is one of the most loved food gifts online, and it is so easy. Fill pretty glass bottles with good olive oil, then drop in dried rosemary, dried chili and a few peppercorns. Use only dried herbs, since fresh ones can spoil, and tell your friend to keep it in the fridge and use it within a few weeks. Tie twine around the neck and add a small tag with ideas like bread dipping or roasted veggies. Your foodie friends will be so happy. Who in your group loves to cook?

You will need: clean glass bottles with corks or caps, olive oil, dried rosemary, dried chili, peppercorns, jute twine, kraft tags.

How to make it: 1. Drop the dried herbs and spices into each clean, dry bottle. 2. Fill with olive oil using a funnel. 3. Seal, tie on twine and a tag with simple use ideas.

DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: A Painted Mug With Cocoa Mix

A plain white mug from the dollar store turns into a keepsake with a few dots and snowflakes. Use oil based paint pens made for ceramics, then follow the drying steps on the pen. Fill the mug with a little bag of homemade cocoa mix and mini marshmallows, and tie a red bow on top. It is cozy, cheap and personal, which is exactly what DIY Christmas gifts for friends should be. You can even paint their initial on the side. Would your best friend use this every morning?

You will need: plain white ceramic mugs, ceramic paint pens, cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, mini marshmallows, small cellophane bags, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the mug with rubbing alcohol and draw simple snowflakes and dots. 2. Let it dry and set it as the pen package says. 3. Fill a bag with cocoa mix and marshmallows and tuck it inside.

Friendship Photo Ornament

Print a favorite photo of the two of you, or your friend’s dog, and slip it into a clear flat ornament. Add a line of glitter around the edge and tie a velvet bow at the top. Every year when they hang it on the tree, they will think of you and that funny day you shared. Of all the DIY Christmas gifts for friends who live far away, this one is a big hit. You can print small photos cheaply at most pharmacies. What photo would you choose for your best friend?

You will need: clear flat plastic ornaments, small printed photos, craft glue, fine glitter, red velvet ribbon, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Trim the photo into a circle that fits inside the ornament. 2. Roll it gently and slide it in, then flatten it out. 3. Glue glitter around the rim and tie on the ribbon.

Mini Succulent in a Painted Pot

Succulents are the perfect gift for friends who say they kill every plant. They need very little water and a sunny window. Buy small succulents from the garden center and paint tiny terracotta pots in cheerful colors with stripes and polka dots. A little red bow makes it look festive. This is a great gift for coworkers and neighbors too, since it brightens a desk all winter. Paint a whole tray of pots at once and you are done in an hour. Do you know someone who needs a little green in their life?

You will need: small terracotta pots, acrylic paint, small brushes, clear sealer, cactus soil, small succulents, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Paint the pots, add dots with the end of a brush, and let them dry. 2. Seal them with clear spray outdoors. 3. Plant the succulent in cactus soil and tie on a bow.

Custom Recipe Tea Towel

Do you have a recipe your friends always ask for? Write it on a plain cotton tea towel with a fabric marker, in your own handwriting. Trace a printed copy underneath if you are nervous about neat lines. Iron it to set the ink, following the marker directions. Fold it, tie it with baker twine and add a sprig of pine. Your friend gets the recipe and a sweet reminder of you every time they bake. It is also a beautiful way to share a family recipe from a grandma. Which recipe would you write down?

You will need: plain cotton tea towels, a fine tip fabric marker, a printed recipe to trace, an iron (adult help), baker twine.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the towel, then tape it flat over the printed recipe. 2. Trace the words with the fabric marker. 3. Iron to set the ink and fold with twine.

DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: Bath Salt Jars

Bath salts look like they came from a spa, but they take about ten minutes to make. Mix Epsom salt with a little coarse sea salt, then add a few drops of food coloring to make soft pink and lavender layers. A sprinkle of dried lavender on top makes it extra pretty. Pour them into jars and tie on a satin ribbon. This is one of those DIY Christmas gifts for friends that feels like a treat, perfect for the friend who works too hard. Who do you know who deserves a slow, quiet bath?

You will need: Epsom salt, coarse sea salt, food coloring, dried lavender buds, glass jars with lids, satin ribbon, small tags.

How to make it: 1. Split the salt into bowls and stir a drop of color into each. 2. Spoon the colors into the jar in layers. 3. Top with dried lavender, close the lid and add a ribbon.

Decoupage Coaster Set

Plain white tiles from the hardware store cost less than a dollar each, and a pretty paper napkin turns them into a holiday coaster set. Separate the top printed layer of the napkin, smooth it onto the tile with decoupage glue and seal it well. Stick felt or cork dots on the back so they do not scratch the table. If you love this idea, our napkin decoupage ideas have many more ways to use pretty napkins. A set of four looks great tied with ribbon. Which napkin pattern would your friend love?

You will need: white ceramic tiles, holiday paper napkins, decoupage glue, a foam brush, clear waterproof sealer, cork or felt dots.

How to make it: 1. Peel off the printed napkin layer and cut it to fit the tile. 2. Brush on glue, lay the napkin down and smooth it gently. 3. Add several coats of sealer and stick cork dots on the back.

Simple Chunky Knit Scarf

If you know even the most basic knit stitch, you can make this scarf. Chunky yarn and big needles mean it grows fast, often in one or two movie nights. A simple garter stitch, which is knitting every row, gives it a soft, squishy texture. Add a fringe at each end and wrap it with a kraft paper band. It feels like a hug every time your friend wears it. If you do not knit yet, this is the best first project to learn on. Do you have a friend who is always cold?

You will need: two balls of super chunky yarn, large knitting needles, scissors, a yarn needle, kraft paper.

How to make it: 1. Cast on about 15 stitches. 2. Knit every row until the scarf is as long as you like, then bind off. 3. Cut yarn pieces and knot them along each end for fringe.

Embroidered Initial Bookmark

For your friends who always have a book on the go, a stitched bookmark is a sweet and personal gift. Cut a strip of stiff felt, draw their initial with chalk and stitch over it with bright embroidery thread. A simple chain stitch or back stitch works well. Add a little tassel at the top and you are done. It takes about half an hour and costs pennies. Pair it with a used paperback you think they will love. What book would you tuck it into?

You will need: stiff felt, embroidery thread, an embroidery needle, chalk, scissors, a small tassel or extra thread.

How to make it: 1. Cut the felt into a strip about 2 by 7 inches. 2. Draw the initial with chalk and stitch over it. 3. Sew or glue a small tassel to the top.

DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: Movie Night Popcorn Bucket

This gift is all about time together. Fill a striped paper popcorn bucket with popcorn kernels or a bag of popped popcorn, then add boxes of candy, a cozy throw and a couple of drinks. Wrap the whole bundle in cellophane with a big bow. Add a note that says the next movie night is on you. It is one of those DIY Christmas gifts for friends that turns into a fun plan. You can find popcorn buckets at the dollar store. Which movie would you watch together first?

You will need: a paper popcorn bucket, popcorn, boxed candy, a fleece throw, small drinks, a basket, cellophane, a big bow.

How to make it: 1. Set the throw in the basket as a base. 2. Fill the bucket with popcorn and tuck in the candy and drinks. 3. Wrap it all in cellophane and tie a bow on top.

Pressed Flower Heart Frame

Pressed flowers make a gentle, pretty gift that feels very thoughtful. If you pressed flowers over the summer, now is the time to use them. If not, many craft stores sell packs of pressed blooms. Arrange them in a heart shape on cardstock, glue them down with tiny dots of glue, and set them in a small frame. It looks like art from a boutique. This one is lovely for a friend who loves the garden. Do you still have flowers pressed in an old book somewhere?

You will need: a small picture frame with glass, cardstock, pressed flowers and ferns, tweezers, clear craft glue.

How to make it: 1. Cut the cardstock to fit the frame. 2. Use tweezers to arrange the flowers in a heart. 3. Glue them down with tiny dots and close the frame.

Painted Snowflake Glass Pair

Two clear tumblers and a bit of glass paint make a cheerful pair for a friend who loves to host. Paint simple snowflakes and little trees, then let them cure as the paint bottle says. Many glass paints can be set in the oven, so ask an adult to help with that step. Keep the paint away from the rim where lips touch. Tie the pair together with ribbon and your friend has a set to toast with all season. Who would you raise a glass with this year?

You will need: clear glass tumblers, glass paint or paint pens, a fine brush, rubbing alcohol, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol. 2. Paint snowflakes and trees below the rim. 3. Cure the paint as directed and tie the pair with ribbon.

DIY Christmas Gifts for Friends: Clay Keychains

Air dry clay needs no oven, which makes this a great craft for a group of friends or teens. Roll the clay flat, cut out hearts, stars and little trees with cookie cutters, and poke a hole at the top with a straw. Once dry, paint them in bright colors and brush on a glossy sealer. Add a key ring and they are ready. These little DIY Christmas gifts for friends are cheap enough to make a whole batch. You could even match one to each friend. Which shape would you give to who?

You will need: air dry clay, mini cookie cutters, a straw, acrylic paint, small brushes, gloss sealer, brass key rings.

How to make it: 1. Roll the clay flat and cut out shapes. 2. Poke a hole with a straw and let them dry fully. 3. Paint, seal and add the key rings.

Inside Joke Memory Jar

This might be the gift that makes your friend cry happy tears. Write down funny memories, inside jokes, kind words and little dreams for the year ahead on small slips of colorful paper. Roll each one up and tie it with string, then fill a big jar. Your friend can pull out one a day whenever they need a smile. It costs almost nothing, yet of all the DIY Christmas gifts for friends, it is the one people keep forever. Ask a few other friends to add notes too. What memory would you write first?

You will need: a large glass jar with a lid, colorful paper, a pen, thin string or baker twine, ribbon, a tag.

How to make it: 1. Cut the paper into small strips. 2. Write one memory or note on each and roll it up with string. 3. Fill the jar and tie a ribbon around the lid.

Cozy Sock and Cocoa Bundle

Sometimes the best gift is simply cozy. Roll up a pair of fuzzy holiday socks, add a mug with a little bag of cocoa mix and a candy cane, and set it all in a small basket with crinkle paper. Tie a big bow on the handle. It takes ten minutes and still looks like a real gift basket. This is a perfect last minute idea when you need a few extra DIY Christmas gifts for friends who drop by. Who on your list would love a cozy night in?

You will need: fuzzy socks, a mug, homemade cocoa mix in a small bag, candy canes, a small basket, crinkle paper, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Fill the basket with crinkle paper. 2. Tuck in the rolled socks and the mug with cocoa. 3. Add a candy cane and tie a bow on the handle.