DIY Family Christmas Gifts: 15 Handmade Presents Everyone at Home Can Share That Look Store Bought
DIY family Christmas gifts are the smartest way to stretch a tight holiday budget this year, because one handmade present can delight an entire household instead of four or five separate ones. Think game night crates, giant block towers, cozy blankets and kits everyone builds together on Christmas morning. Searches for DIY family Christmas gifts have climbed fast on Google Trends over the past month, and it is easy to see why. These projects use plain wood, fabric, jars and paint, and most of them come together in a single afternoon. Better still, they get used long after the wrapping paper is gone, which is the real test of a good gift. Below you will find 15 shared presents, each with a short story, a supply list and simple steps to follow..
Game Night Crate for DIY Family Christmas Gifts
Picture the family gathered around the tree, lifting the lid on one big crate that holds a full evening of fun. A homemade game board, a soft plaid blanket and a few jars of cocoa mix turn into a ready made game night. It is one of those DIY family Christmas gifts that feels generous without costing much, and you can fill it with things you already make well. Tuck in a note that promises the first game night is on you, and pack the crate with themed gift basket ideas in mind..
You will need: a wooden crate, a homemade game board, a fleece throw, 3 glass jars of cocoa mix, a small painted sign, pine sprigs, kraft paper.
How to make it: 1. Sand the crate and brush on a light coat of stain. 2. Line the bottom with crinkle paper or pine sprigs. 3. Stand the game board at the back, then add the blanket and jars in front. 4. Tie a ribbon around the crate and add a handwritten game night invite.
Custom Photo Jigsaw Puzzle
Few things get a household talking like a puzzle made from its own photo. Print a favorite picture from the summer, glue it to chipboard and cut it into chunky pieces that little hands can manage. Everyone spends the holiday break hunting for the dog’s ear or grandpa’s hat, and the finished picture can be sealed and framed. If you love photo keepsake gifts, this one is a natural next step, and it costs only a few dollars to make.
You will need: a large photo print, chipboard or thin craft board, decoupage medium, a foam brush, a craft knife, a cutting mat, a pencil, a small box.
How to make it: 1. Brush decoupage medium on the board and smooth the photo on top. 2. Seal the front with two thin coats and let it dry overnight. 3. Draw wavy puzzle lines on the back with a pencil. 4. Cut along the lines with a sharp craft knife on a mat. 5. Pack the pieces in a small decorated box.
Giant Tumbling Block Tower
A tower of chunky wood blocks becomes the star of every family visit, from Christmas afternoon to summer cookouts. Cut a few cheap 2×4 boards into equal pieces, sand the edges and paint the ends in red and green. Kids love the crash, adults love the strategy, and nobody needs batteries. This is one of those DIY family Christmas gifts that works for every age at the same time. For more weekend builds, browse these cheap 2×4 builds that use the same lumber.
You will need: six 8 foot 2×4 boards, a miter saw, sandpaper in 80 and 120 grit, acrylic paint, a small brush, clear wood sealer, a canvas bag for storage.
How to make it: 1. Cut 54 blocks, each 10.5 inches long. 2. Sand every edge and corner smooth. 3. Paint the block ends in holiday colors and let them dry. 4. Brush on a clear sealer. 5. Stack the blocks in rows of three, turning each row the opposite way.
Wooden Tic Tac Toe Tray, an Easy Pick for DIY Family Christmas Gifts
A tic tac toe tray sits happily on the coffee table all winter and gets played every time someone walks by. Use a shallow wooden tray with nine sections, then cut X shapes and hearts from thin craft wood instead of plain Os. Leave the wood natural or paint the pieces in two colors so teams are easy to spot. It looks like a boutique find, and it pairs well with these easy wooden gifts if you want to make a matching set.
You will need: a wooden tray with 9 compartments, thin craft plywood, a scroll saw or craft knife, sandpaper, wood glue, acrylic paint, clear sealer.
How to make it: 1. Trace 5 X shapes and 5 hearts on the craft plywood. 2. Cut them out and sand the edges smooth. 3. Glue two layers together for thicker pieces if you like. 4. Paint or seal the pieces and the tray. 5. Store the pieces inside the tray grid.
Hand Stamped Popcorn Bowl Set
Movie night is a tradition in so many homes, so give the family a matching set of bowls that make it feel special. Plain white ceramic bowls from the dollar store come alive with stamped stars and polka dots in porcelain paint. Add a wooden tray, a bag of kernels and a list of holiday films to watch together. Set it all out with a few cozy movie night touches and you have one of the coziest DIY family Christmas gifts, used every Friday night.
You will need: 4 plain white ceramic bowls, porcelain paint in red, a pencil eraser, a small star stamp, a wooden tray, popcorn kernels, a ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Wash the bowls and wipe them with rubbing alcohol. 2. Dab the paint on the star stamp and press it around each bowl. 3. Add polka dots with a pencil eraser. 4. Let the paint cure for 24 hours. 5. Bake the bowls following the paint label, then let them cool in the oven.
Layered Brownie Mix Jar
Baking together is one of the best parts of the season, and a brownie mix jar invites the family into the kitchen. Layer flour, cocoa, sugar, chopped pecans and chocolate chunks in a clean glass jar so the stripes show through. Write the baking steps on a tag and tie it on with twine. Among DIY family Christmas gifts this is the cheapest, and it disappears the fastest. You will find plenty more fillings in these gifts in a jar if you want to make a few for relatives.
You will need: a 1 quart glass jar, 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup cocoa, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup chocolate chunks, a funnel, twine, a gift tag.
How to make it: 1. Use a funnel to add the flour, then tap the jar to level it. 2. Add the cocoa, sugar, pecans and chocolate in layers. 3. Close the lid tightly. 4. Write the baking steps on the tag, such as adding 2 eggs and 1/2 cup melted butter. 5. Tie the tag on with twine.
Painted Wood Name Sign Among the Best DIY Family Christmas Gifts
A painted plank sign with the family name gives a home a little personality all year long. Use reclaimed boards or new pine, whitewash them for a farmhouse look and paint the name in a simple script. Add a red heart or holly sprigs so it feels festive without being only for December. Hang it above the sofa or by the door, the way you would with these hand painted door signs. Pencil the letters first so the spacing comes out even.
You will need: 3 pine boards about 24 inches long, 2 wood strips for the back, wood glue, small nails, white chalk paint, red and green acrylic paint, a liner brush, jute rope.
How to make it: 1. Lay the boards side by side and glue the strips across the back. 2. Brush on white paint and sand lightly for a worn look. 3. Pencil the family name and a heart in the center. 4. Paint the letters and heart with a liner brush. 5. Staple a jute rope hanger to the back.
Backyard Bean Bag Toss Boards
A set of bean bag toss boards keeps the family outside long after the turkey is gone. Build two plain plywood boards, cut a round opening near the top and paint them in plaid or team colors. Sew eight simple bags filled with dried corn or plastic pellets. The game works in the yard, the garage or even a long hallway. If someone in your life loves building, these classic woodworking projects are a great follow up for the new year.
You will need: two 2 by 4 foot plywood panels, 1×4 boards for frames, wood glue, a jigsaw, a 6 inch circle template, paint, duck cloth fabric, dried corn or plastic pellets.
How to make it: 1. Frame each plywood panel with 1×4 boards. 2. Mark a 6 inch circle 9 inches from the top and cut it out with a jigsaw. 3. Add short back legs so the boards tilt up. 4. Sand and paint the boards. 5. Sew 6 inch fabric bags, fill them and stitch them closed.
Felt Board Story Set
Younger children can spend hours on a felt board, and grandparents love joining in the storytelling. Cover a thin board with gray felt and frame it with simple wood trim. Cut a snowman, trees, a little house, a sled and stars from colored felt, and the pieces will stick right onto the board. Every family member can add a scene, which makes DIY family Christmas gifts like this feel shared. Find more cozy ideas in these handmade felt crafts to grow the set.
You will need: a 16 by 20 inch board, gray felt, wood trim, wood glue, colored felt sheets, sharp fabric scissors, fabric glue, paper templates, a zip pouch.
How to make it: 1. Glue the gray felt over the board and trim the edges. 2. Attach wood trim around the sides. 3. Trace templates onto colored felt and cut out the shapes. 4. Glue on small details like snowman buttons and doors. 5. Store the pieces in a zip pouch.
Photo Memory Book as One of the Sweetest DIY Family Christmas Gifts
A memory book filled with instant photos turns ordinary days into a keepsake the family will reach for again and again. Gather pictures from the year, from birthdays to backyard campouts, and give each page a short caption. Leave a few blank pages at the end so new memories can be added next year. Kids enjoy flipping through it, and it travels easily to grandma’s house. For more ideas along these lines, look through these sentimental keepsakes that people hold onto.
You will need: a blank kraft paper album, printed instant style photos, photo corners, a fine pen, washi tape, stickers, a ribbon.
How to make it: 1. Sort the photos by month or by event. 2. Lay out each page before attaching anything. 3. Fix photos with corners or washi tape. 4. Write a short caption under each picture. 5. Tie the finished book with a ribbon.
No Sew Fleece Tie Blanket
A fleece tie blanket big enough for the couch means nobody fights over the throw during movie night. Two layers of fleece, a pair of scissors and an hour of knotting is all it takes, and kids can help tie the fringe. Buffalo check looks right at home in a cozy living room and hides wear well. Make it extra large so the family can share it, and look through these no sew fleece designs for more patterns and sizes.
You will need: 2 yards of printed fleece, 2 yards of solid fleece, sharp fabric scissors, a ruler, a cutting mat, a rotary cutter if you have one.
How to make it: 1. Stack the two fleece pieces with wrong sides together. 2. Cut a 4 inch square from each corner. 3. Cut 1 inch wide strips, 4 inches deep, all around the edges. 4. Tie each top strip to the strip below with a double knot. 5. Fluff the blanket and fold it with a ribbon.
Breakfast in Bed Tray
Every family deserves a slow holiday morning, and a breakfast tray makes it official. Build a tray from an old cabinet door or a wide board, add handles and fill it with mugs, a pancake mix jar and a homemade coupon book for breakfast in bed. Take turns spoiling each other through the new year. It is a cheerful idea that pairs nicely with these handmade gifts for Mom if you want to treat one person first.
You will need: a cabinet door or a 1×12 board, 2 cabinet handles, short bolts, a drill, sandpaper, paint or stain, clear sealer, felt pads.
How to make it: 1. Sand the door or board until smooth. 2. Paint or stain it and let it dry. 3. Drill openings at each end and attach the handles with bolts. 4. Brush on two coats of sealer so spills wipe clean. 5. Stick felt pads under the corners.
Wall Ring Toss Game for DIY Family Christmas Gifts
A ring toss board hangs on the wall and turns any room into a game room in seconds. Paint a round board in red, green and white bands, then twist in cup hooks and give each hook a point value. Rope rings are easy to make and soft enough for little players. It is one of those DIY family Christmas gifts that gets played every time cousins visit. Grandparents and kids can paint the board together, much like these crafts with grandkids.
You will need: an 18 inch round wood board, acrylic paint, painter’s tape, 9 brass cup hooks, a pencil, 1/2 inch rope, hot glue, sawtooth hanger.
How to make it: 1. Paint the board in bands, using tape for clean lines. 2. Mark nine evenly spaced spots in a grid. 3. Twist the cup hooks into each spot. 4. Form rope into 5 inch rings and glue the ends together. 5. Attach the hanger on the back.
Build Together Bird Feeder Kit
Some of the best presents are projects, and a bird feeder kit gives the family something to build together on Christmas morning. Cut the pieces ahead of time, sand them and pack them with nails, a small hammer and a bag of seed. Once it is hung outside, everyone can watch for cardinals and finches all winter. Kids love naming the regular visitors. For more designs to try later, browse these easy bird feeders that work in any yard.
You will need: untreated pine boards, a saw, sandpaper, small galvanized nails, a kid sized hammer, wood glue, twine, bird seed, a small box.
How to make it: 1. Cut a base, two sides, a back and two roof panels. 2. Sand every piece smooth. 3. Pack the pieces, nails and hammer in a box with simple steps. 4. On Christmas morning, glue and nail the sides to the base, then add the roof. 5. Hang it with twine and fill it with seed.
Wood Slice Dominoes to Finish Your DIY Family Christmas Gifts
A set of wood slice dominoes feels rustic and charming, and it slips easily into a stocking. The game has been played for centuries, and its long history makes it fun to share with kids. Paint black dots on birch slices, seal them and tuck the set in a canvas bag. It rounds out your list of DIY family Christmas gifts with something small but loved. For more rustic ideas, see these wood slice crafts.
You will need: 28 birch wood slices about 3 inches wide, a pencil, a ruler, black acrylic paint, a dotting tool or pencil eraser, clear sealer, a canvas drawstring bag.
How to make it: 1. Sand the faces of the slices smooth. 2. Pencil a center line across each slice. 3. Dot each half with 0 to 6 dots so you have a full double six set. 4. Let the paint dry, then seal both sides. 5. Pack the set in a drawstring bag.
