130 Easy Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas on a Budget 2024

Everyone loves a meaningful Christmas ornament and these cuties will certainly get people talking!

To make: Cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide by 5 inches long. Use decorative scissors, either scallop or pinking, along the long sides. Fold the fabric in half along the short side and cut out a 1-inch-deep by 1/2-inch-wide piece (this will create the handle of the carrier).

Cut two 2-inch pieces from a 1/4-inch dowel. Wrap the cut tails of the fabric around the dowel, holding it in place with hot-glue and leaving part of the cut part open.

Stack about 6 cinnamon sticks in a triangle shape, securing them together with hot-glue. Place the cinnamon bundle in the center of the carrier (you can glue it to the fabric, if desired), and pull the fabric up around the bundle. Tie the handles together with pieces of blue leather cord or twine.

SHOP CINNAMON STICKS

Make a dozen of these cute Washi tape tree cards and stack them in a box for gifting. Maybe you’ll get one back as a thank you note!

To make: Cut pieces of washi tape and attach it to a plain gift card so that it’s shaped like a trees. Hot-glue a tiny piece of tinsel to the top of the tree to create the tree topper. If using as a gift tag, punch a small hole in one corner and tie to gift with twine.

SHOP WASHI TAPE

Enlist the kids to help make cute yard trees for their teachers and grandparents. Note – use a kid safe glue gun or assist them with that part of the project.

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SHOP YARN

This cute-as-can-be bow garland is a great gift for a friend or family member who loves all things Christmas. They can use it to decorate their tree, the sideboard, a headboard, or even around the door.

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SHOP RIBBON

Decor that keeps on giving year after year. These paper and pipe cleaner candles will never burn down!

To make: Cut a piece of paper into a rectangle. Roll into a tube, overlapping the edge slightly, and glue it closed with hot-glue. Trace the circumference of one of the open ends on a different, but corresponding color, paper. Cut out the circle about ¼ inch larger than what’s traced. Cut notches from the edge of the paper to the traced circle all the way around. Place the circle on one end of the open tube and glue notches to the tube with hot-glue. Cut drips from the same paper as the top and attach to the tube with hot-glue. Shape yellow and red pipe cleaners into flames, twisting the ends together. Poke a hole in the top piece of paper and insert the flame.

This is a great craft for those who don’t consider themselves, well, crafty. Cardboard, twine, and something for the nose—you probably already have this stuff laying around the house!

To make: Cut a piece of cardboard into a 2-inch-wide by 2 1/2-inch-tall triangle. Wrap twine around cardboard, holding it in place with dabs of hot-glue, until fully covered. Glue a loop of the same twine from the point of the hat for hanging.

SHOP TWINE

These paper stars are displayed in Waldorf schools to help brighten the space, and they are also a symbol of the Waldorf philosophy of education, which focuses on engaging the head, heart, and hands of children. Use to adorn wrapped presents or make them the present!

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Make one for everyone on your guest list this year!

To make: Cut block letter shapes from pieces of cardboard. Wrap letters in twine, holding it in place with dabs of hot-glue.

SHOP TWINE

Kind of a gag gift, but kind of not! This DIY wreath sweater will be a hit with the loved one who can’t get enough of the holidays 24/7.

To make: Cut leaves from several different shades of green felt. Attach leaves across the top, shoulders, and arms of a white sweater with hot-glue. Attach an oversize red bow at the neck with hot-glued

SHOP FELT

This simple to make memory game will be a hit with the toddlers and young kids in your life. Made from recycled cardboard and stickers it’ll come together in a snap!

To make: Cut nine 3-inch squares from a cardboard box. Attach gingham paper to one side of the cardboard squares with double-stick tape or spray adhesive. Attach stickers to the back of each piece of cardboard, making sure there are three sets of two matching stickers.

SHOP GINGHAM PAPER

Have the kids help craft these simple Kraft paper greeting cards. Once you have a stack, pile them up in a gift box with a bow tied around it for gifting. The recipient can use them next year to send seasons greetings.

To make: Cut cards from brown Kraft paper. Use pinking shears to cut decorative edges, if desired. Dip the tips of your fingers in red, then white paint and dab on the front of the card making a candy cane shape. Once dry hot glue a small bow to each candy cane.

SHOP KRAFT PAPER

Want a fun gift that kids can use to decorate their rooms then look no further than these sweet mini craft stick Christmas trees. Alternatively, kids can make them to give to their friends and teachers!

To make: Shape craft sticks into a tree shape, cutting them to size as desired. Glue the sticks together using hot-glue. Paint the trees with green acrylic paint. Once dry, wrap trees with rickrack and decorate with mini ornaments, buttons, and painted wood craft bobbles.

SHOP CRAFT STICKS

No one will guess that these lovely ornaments are made from a lowly Mason Jar screw lids. Since they are cheap to make and come together so quickly gift a few to each recipient!

To make: Wrap a Mason jar screw lid in green twine or yarn, holding it in place with dabs of hot-glue. Once fully covered, add miniature holiday decorations and bows. Tie a loop of ribbon around each lid for hanging.

SHOP SCREW LIDS

For the gal or guy in your life who loves a DIY project, this easy to make gift will help them keep tools in order and ready at hand.

To make: Fold a 13- by 19-inch place mat in half along the long side. Sew the outside edges together with a sewing machine. Sew several tall compartments for holding tools. Attach a long length of twill tape to the top of each side of the tool belt for tying around the waist. Add a twill tape loop for holding a hammer, if desired.

SHOP PLACE MATS

This card is so large and substantial it might not require a gift to go along with it!

To make: Cut a large piece of kraft paper and fold it into a card (you can also make the design on the paper, then use the paper to wrap a present). Dip the tip of a scrub brush in green acrylic print and dab on the paper, creating the wreath; allow to dry. Clean the brush (or use a second one) and dip the tip in white acrylic paint. Gently add “snow” to the wreath. Use red acrylic paint and a round-tipped paintbrush to add ornaments. Once dry, add a bow and greeting.

For the friend or family member who loves to really twirl it up for the holiday this gift is next to none. All you need to do is nestle bottlebrush trees (you may need to snip off the bases) in brass candle sticks, holding them in place a dab of museum wax.

SHOP BOTTLEBRUSH TREES

Nothing says Christmas more than a house that smells like warming spices. And this gift of a tiny mason jar filled with cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, whole cloves, and start anise will certainly deliver. Wrap a ribbon with a piece of rosemary tucked underneath to make it even more special.

SHOP MASON JARS

Not only will these ornaments make the recipient smile but because of the dried oranges they will also make their house smell good!

To make: Paint face on dried orange slices with off-white acrylic paint. Once dry, use black acrylic paint to add eyes and a nose. Attach whiskers, cut from faux pine branches, on either side of the nose with hot-glue. Cut ears from another dried orange slice and glue to the back of the ornament. Glue a loop of twine between the ears for hanging.

SHOP DRIED ORANGE SLICES