Homemade Gifts by Type

There are so many different crafts you can do! There's something for everyone to start making, from paper mache, cooking, painting and computer designing. Have a look through our ideas.

Food Gifts

These will always go down well, but try and be really creative with what sort of thing you create. How about a cake mix in a glass jar where you can see each ingredient? Make sure it's packaged really nicely, so that it looks expensive and classy.

Gift Baskets

A great way to give a personalised food gift without worrying about burning anything or taking too much time out of your busy life. Think of foods that the person really likes, and make sure you add them into the basket. Add some ribbon and sparkly sprinkles and watch their delighted face when they open their gift!

Gift Coupon

A clever way of giving your time, rather than your money (time is usually more precious, don;t you think?) is to give homemade gift coupons. They could say on them: 'This coupon entitles you to one 3 course homecooked meal' or 'Use this voucher to get me to hire a DVD and eat popcorn with you'. Be as creative as you want.

Kitchen Gifts

Things that you can make in the kitchen and for the kitchen will always be useful, delicious and fun to create. Buy a wooden spoon and personalise it by carving a special saying or word in it, or buy a cheap jar, decorate it and fill it with their favorite dried fruit.

You could even theme the kitchen gifts, for example, you could choose polka dot patterned items or three things that you need for breakfast time. Perhaps you could use some fabric paint to create and print a tea towel design.

Photo Gift

A fantastic way to put a smile on anyone's face is to give them a photo gift, whether that's a mini album, scrapbook or a custom homemade photo frame.

You could even try to paint a version of their favorite photograph or painting, by using a small canvas and colored acrylic paints, but only do this if you've actually painted before! However there are companies who can reproduce photos into make your own or sew your own kits which could be fun!

Sewing Gifts

Cushions, tea towels and aprons are all easy sewing projects, that you can really personalise, and are very useful in other people's homes. Get some cheap fabric, some invisible thread and some fabric paints and away you go.

Jewellery

There are loads of different things you could make with different beads and chains, go to your local craft store or bead shop to find ideas and inspiration for your designs. Homemade earrings and necklaces are the best, and are simple to make.

Card Making

Giving your own cards is not always cheaper, but it certainly does require more thought and time. You can get really creative with colors and stamps, and instead of spending all your time trying to find the perfect shop-bought card, make your own homemade card instead.

Soap and Spa

Making your own soap isn't difficult, it's fun to create, and is a very useful present for anybody, just wrap it up in a bit of raffia, attach a dried flower and present it in a fabulous box with a personalized sticker. Even make up your own brand, to help it look professional.