20 Last Minute DIY Gift Ideas

     

     

    A homemade gift is always better than something you can buy at the store! Especially for someone who has everything or is hard to buy for. Even if it’s something as simple as personalizing a coffee mug, monogramming a casserole dish, or making a fun candy bouquet! Most of these DIY gift ideas are relatively easy and can be done last minute, while a few may take a little bit of planning, but they are all simple enough for just about anyone to do (no crocheting or sewing here).

    Whether you’re looking for something special for mom, a boyfriend, your best friend, or your favorite teacher, I think you’ll find something you like!

    Monogrammed Sharpie Mug

    This is something you could make for less than a dollar, assuming you have a few oil-based Sharpies on hand. You really could customize it however you’d like but I’m digging the idea of using stickers and then using your pen around them. Once you pull them off it looks really impressive!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Fun Photo Bookmarks

    These custom photo bookmarks would be perfect for the grandparents! And just think of how much fun the photo shoot would be? This tutorial also comes with instructions on how to make the colorful tassels.

    Click here for the instructions.

    DIY Bath Bombs

    Had I known you can make these in a mini-muffin pan, I would have made them a long, long time ago! I take more baths than showers these days. If you like working in the kitchen, this might be the perfect gift idea for you. Once they’re finished, package them up in mason jars with a pretty ribbon.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Photo Collage Monogram

    Mod Podge — A crafty girl’s best friend! Use it to make one of these clever picture monograms. You can buy the wooden letters from just about any craft store. I think this would look nice on a bookshelf or mantel. What a great idea for your bestie!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Candy Bouquet

    A bouquet of candy is the perfect gift for someone who is hard to shop for! Who doesn’t love candy, right? I like this idea for a teenager, or perhaps for dad.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Custom Stepping Stone

    A custom stepping stone (could even do something a little more simple by carving initials or doing handprints) would make for a nice house warming gift. The grandparents would love this, too!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Gift In A Cup

    Who couldn’t use an on-the-go insulated cup?! Fill it up with some of their favorite goodies (gift cards, drink packets, lip gloss, nail polish, candy, or anything else that will fit) and you’ve got a gift that works for just about anyone!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Photo Pendants or Magnets

    They are actually really cheap (less than $2.50 each), and you could put a magnet on the back as an alternative to the pendant just in case they are not the necklace-wearing type.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Pull-Out Photo Album

    A great alternative to your traditional photo album! You can buy those little wooden boxes online, but they are also available at craft stores like Hobby Lobby. The rest is made with card stock and photos. I would call it a “memory box”. This makes the perfect holiday gift.

    Click here for the instructions.

    DIY Glitter Cup

    Wondering how in the world she did that? It’s a double-walled cup! Don’t worry, you won’t be drinking the glitter. Starbucks sells them, but you can also find them at most department and home stores. I’ll bet you could also do this with photos. Hmmm…

    Click here for the instructions.

    DIY Personalized Casserole Dish (or wine glass…)

    I’ve been fascinated by etching cream lately. With what it does to glass, I would be afraid to get that stuff on my hands! It’s amazing. Customize a casserole dish, wine glass, or anything else glass with a personalized monogram. If you have a computer and a printer, you can just find the font you like and print it out in the size you need for the stencil.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Homemade Body Butter

    With just 3 ingredients you can make a homemade body butter that doubles as shaving cream and lip balm. It’s all natural, too! In the winter months, I can never get enough moisture; I would love to receive this as a gift. You could even make a little tag with the recipe and instructions in case they want to make their own once they run out.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Homemade Soap

    It’s easier than it looks! Turns out you can buy soap base that melts in the microwave, then you can add a few other ingredients to your liking (fragrance oil, coffee beans, etc.) and then pour the melted mixture into soap molds. How fun!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Easy Monogrammed Soap Bottle

    That monogram is actually on the inside of the bottle. It’s printed on transparent overhead paper and then interested into the bottle. Clever! The idea Room has a free printable for this, too. Go check it out!

    DIY Mason Jar Candles

    If you like melting stuff, this project is for you! I pretty much dig anything that has to do with mason jars, and I’ve always got a candle burning (I think I might keep Bath & Body Works in business these days). I would love to start making candles, and this might just be a fun way to start. What a fabulous gift idea, too! I love the burlap top and cute gift tag.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Custom Scrabble Coasters

    It turns out you don’t have to buy a dozen Scrabble games to do this project; You can buy a pack of 100 tiles for less than $5 on Amazon. This opens up so many possibilities! I love the way these Scrabble Tile coasters turned out, and you can customize them with different words. Maybe even use blank tiles (or the back) to make spaces in between words to write a message.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Homemade Sugar Scrub

    I can only imagine how good this must smell! I have this weird obsession with anything coconut; I’d probably end up eating it. But that’s ok because it’s actually edible and all natural. The instructions are easy and include those cute little labels for you to print out.

    Click here for the instructions.

    Photo Tile Coasters

    I’ve never seen this technique before, but I like it! I’ve always got nail polish on hand, and I have those same tiles left over from my parent’s bathroom renovation. I like how the photos don’t transfer perfectly, too. It gives them more of a vintage look and feel.

    Click here for the instructions.

    DIY S’mores Kit

    This is a super easy last-minute gift, and just about everyone loves s’mores, right? I like how this was put together with Teddy Grahams; makes it even cuter. Make a custom tag that says something like “Happy Holidays and many s’more!” maybe attach a pretty ribbon, and you’re set!

    Click here for the instructions.

    Framed Scrabble Tiles

    I just plain like the idea of using scrabble tiles, I guess they are my new obsession next to wine corks. You could frame them with a quote, family names, or anything else you’d like. Such a neat gift idea!

    Click here for the instructions.

     

    Let us know which projects you end up crafting and send us a photo to info@hectv.org!