Intentional and thoughtful store-bought gifts sure are special, but there really is nothing quite like a homemade gift from the heart.
Even more so, these eco-friendly homemade holiday gifts are perfectly tailored to your loved ones’ hobbies and interests.
We have gathered up over 25 of our favorite sustainably DIY gift ideas to please anyone and everyone on your Christmas list and holiday lists!
The Best Sustainable DIY Christmas Gifts, in a pinch…
- Most Unique Handmade Christmas Gift: Hanging Herbs/Plants
- Best Homemade Edible Christmas Gift: Shortbread Cookies
- Best Homemade Natural Beauty Christmas Gift: DIY Lip Balm
- Best Personalized DIY Christmas Gift: DIY Painting
- Most Thoughtful DIY Christmas Gift: Scrapbook
The holiday season is upon us, and that means a heck of a lot of useless gifts, waste, plastic, returns, and debt.
Seriously, did you know that Americans spent around $15.2 billion on unwanted holiday gifts?
Those who don’t throw away their unwanted presents choose to return them back to the store. However, that comes with its own environmental tax.
27% to 33% of people are expected to make a return before the end of January, which contributes to the 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide that’s caused by the transportation of returns each year. Yikes!
Not to fear, we at SKL have got you covered, and this gift guide is going to take you on the journey of our absolute favorite way to gift:
Doing It Ourselves!
Sustainable DIY gifts for the holiday season are a wonderful way to pour all your love into creating the perfectly imperfect gift for your friends, family, and loved ones.
Choosing to opt for eco-friendly DIY gifts over store-bought is an all-around win. Saving money, choosing the materials, making the gift super personal, unlike anything at the shops, and mindful creativity are just some of the perks of DIY gift giving.
In order to save the most money, we highly recommend using materials you already own, finding materials secondhand, looking in buy-nothing groups, or asking friends and family to dig through their attics and storage space!
So, without further ado, here are the most creative and sustainable homemade Christmas gift ideas in 2024.
What are the best DIY gifts for friends?
The best DIY gifts for friends include scrapbooks, DIY framed photos, homemade baked goods, DIY beauty recipes, and a super thoughtful homemade card! Of course, you can take your DIY gift-giving for friends to endless heights and creations.
What are the best DIY gifts for mom and dad?
The best DIY gifts for parents include the love calendar, DIY framed photos, scrapbooks, photo books, and pretty much anything thoughtful and sentimental!
What are the easiest DIY gifts to make?
Some of the easiest DIY gifts to make include DIY framed photos, propagated plants, hanging herbs, DIY sugar scrub, DIY lip balm, and DIY cleaning sprays. So many easy gifts in the DIY world!
25 Best DIY Holiday Gift Ideas That Anyone Would Love
1. DIY Calendar of Love
Either purchase a calendar with their favorite things (i.e., cats, dogs, flowers, etc) or create your own calendar at your local photo shop.
Once you have the calendar, start to fill in the days. This can be as simple as adding birthdays, memories that you share (don’t forget that FB memories can help so much with this!!), future plans, or… this beautiful idea…
Listen to your heart and tell the future. Add love notes to days when you think your friend may need an extra pick me up.
Tell him or her how much you love them, how they deserve love and light….how you miss them when you are not around.
2. Homemade Bath Salts
When it comes to the best sustainable DIY Christmas gifts, bath salts are a super useful and easy idea for everyone on your checklist.
The blend of soothing Epsom salts and fragrant essential oils will help melt away stress and ease tired muscles, making every bath a rejuvenating experience.
The result? A well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle.
Homemade Bath Salt Tutorials:
3. Pressed Flowers
Next up is one of the most universally loved sustainable DIY gifts – pressed flowers.
This super creative and thoughtful present allows your giftee to preserve the fleeting beauty of blossoms in delicate, framed arrangements.
Pressed flowers can easily bring a touch of nature’s vibrant colors and gentle grace into any space. Plus, they are inherently eco-friendly.
Pressed Flowers Tutorials:
4. DIY Body Scrub
Walk into any beauty shop, and you will most likely see containers of body scrub for sale for anywhere from 10 bucks to 25 bucks.
The ingredient list is long and a tad confusing. But guess what?! You can make your very own sugar scrub with just three ingredients!
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
- 5 vitamin E capsules
- A couple of drops of essential oils if you wish
Simply add all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. For the capsules, simply open and squeeze into the mixture. Pour the body scrub into small glass jars and gift away!
DIY Body Srcub Tutorials:
5. Hanging Herbs/Plants
I was scrolling through Etsy a few weeks ago, looking for some inspiration on my new craft obsession of macrame wall hangings, when I saw this idea.
Hanging eucalyptus leaves hung from a branch and then hung in the shower or just in the bathroom.
Every time steam hits the leaves, the entire room smells like a rainforest dream! Is that not a gorgeous idea?!
All you need are some eucalyptus leaves, a stick, and some string. Take a look at the Etsy shop here to check out the final product.
Hanging Herb/Plant Gifts Tutorials:
6. DIY Clay Gifts
Have a bit more time on your hands than the average last-minute holiday shopper? Then let’s get some clay and have some fun!
The options are endless with DIY clay gifts – no roller or expensive setup required.
You can pinch-pot your way to epic jewelry bowls, mugs, and super fun creations like animals, hearts, and more!
Check out some tutorials below to get started on this super fun and creative way to gift give.
DIY Clay Gift Tutorials:
7. Homemade Snow Globes
When we think of easy DIY holiday gift ideas, snow globes might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
However, you can shake up some holiday magic easily by following one of the many online tutorials.
These snow globes capture the joy and spirit of the holiday season, adding a touch of whimsy and charm to their home decor.
It’s a personalized, eco-friendly DIY gift idea that brings out the inner child in us all and spreads holiday cheer with every shake!
Homemade Snow Globe Tutorials:
8. Homemade Sourdough Starter
I was gifted some sourdough starter earlier this year by a visitor, and it has truly been a gift that never stops giving.
One good sourdough starter can last years and years and create endless bread recipes that not only taste amazing but also help to aid in proper gut health!
Homemade Sourdough Recipes:
9. Homemade Macrame
Speaking of macrame wall hanging addictions! One of these wall hangings would make a gorgeous gift for anyone.
You can purchase a macrame wall-hanging kit, OR you can simply head to your local craft store and load up on macrame cord.
From there, just head to YouTube and look through the hundreds of tutorials!
I have made three off of YouTube so far and love every single one. This is really a beautiful gift.
Homemade Macrame Tutorials:
10. Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are the perfect eco-friendly homemade holiday gifts for family and friends.
Handcrafted with care, these delicious treats will definitely show the dedication and love you put into making something special for your giftee.
Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or shared with friends, it’s totally up to them.
Shortbread Cookie Recipes:
11. DIY Homemade Candles
When we think of white elephant sustainable DIY gifts, candles instantly come to mind – and for a pretty good reason.
Crafting a candle from scratch allows you to infuse it with scents that evoke comfort and calmness, tailored to their preferences.
Lavender? Cinnamon? Vanilla? There are dozens of scents that can channel that warmth, serenity, and thoughtfulness we all need in our lives.
Homemade Candle Tutorials:
12. DIY Lip Balm
Another fantastic DIY beauty gift! Simply follow the directions and then use adorable zero-waste lip gloss containers like these.
- 1 tsp candelilla wax
- 6 tsp organic coconut oil
- 2 tsp organic unrefined shea butter
- 10-15 drops of essential oils like peppermint, vanilla, etc.
Melt all of the ingredients (except essential oils) together in a double boiler on low heat. Mix well with a spoon, and then add in the essential oils.
Immediately pour the lip balm into the containers. If the balm begins to harden too soon, just melt again on low. Let cool for a few hours until fully solidified.
These will last about one year. Enjoy!
DIY Lip Balm Tutorials:
13. Knitted Blanket
Granted, this is one of the trickiest sustainable homemade Christmas gifts, but if you do possess the skill, your friends are in for a cozy treat!
There’s something incredibly special about a hand-knitted blanket. Whether draped over a couch or wrapped around shoulders, it will bring a touch of handmade charm to their home.
Plus, since it’s a heirloom piece, maybe the next generation will adore snuggling up in it as well.
Knitted Blanket Tutorials:
14. Homemade Bath Bombs
Treat your loved ones to a spa-like experience with DIY bath bombs.
They are great eco-friendly DIY gifts for everyone who enjoys end-of-day pampering sessions.
As the bath bomb fizzes and releases enchanting scents, it helps us unwind, destress, and soak away the cares of the day.
These self-care picks can even double as stocking stuffers – just saying!
Homemade Bath Bombs Tutorials:
15. Scrapbook
We all know what a scrapbook is, but when was the last time you actually made one?
Scrapbooking is a dying art, and we are ready to bring it back in full force!
Check out super simple tutorials below, gather some memories and photos, and get to photo booking!
Scrapbook & Photobook Tutorials:
16. Homemade Jam & Jelly
When was the last time you had some proper homemade jam or jelly?!
It’s probably been far too long, but I’m sure you remember exactly how amazing it tasted and how much you loved the adorable homemade quirkiness that comes with homemade items.
The jar. Maybe a little tag on it. The perfectly imperfect chunks of fruit. It’s just magic.
Whether you want to make raspberry jam, marmalade, or extra sugar-filled jelly – your recipient will fall in love!
17. Personalized Key Rings
On the hunt for sustainable DIY gift ideas that will certainly get plenty of use?
Handcrafted key rings are more than just practical accessories—they’re tiny, personalized keepsakes.
We’ve gathered some quick and simple macrame wristlet keychain tutorials and a few fantastic beaded options for you below. All you have to do is pick the right colors.
Homemade Keyring Tutorials:
18. Bohemian Rope Baskets
I love this DIY holiday gift so much because I had no idea one could make a rope basket so easily!
I’m all about easy DIY gifts, especially when it’s so aesthetically pleasing and on point.
Take a look at some tutorial videos below to create your very own bohemian rope baskets for anyone on your gift-giving list!
Homemade Basket Tutorials:
19. DIY Painting
What I love most about this gift is that no matter how it turns out, it is still a beautiful work of art.
I am absolutely NOT a good painter, but the very first painting that I ever did of a monstera plant is now hanging on my wall right behind my head as I write this and I love her! I think I love her more because of how awful (yet beautiful) she is!
What do you need? Paint, sturdy paper, 1-2 paint brushes, and a muse. I like to paint the plants around my house but feel free to use Google!
P.S. This is the paint set that I have (I have had it for years now and have made well over 20 different gifts from it!)
20. Old School Mixed Tape or Playlist
Remember the days of mixed tapes and CDs that your loved one would play on repeat, over and over, just thinking of you (or vice versa)?
How about we take that amazing gift idea and make it work for 2024 and beyond?!
Today, we are gifted with endless songs and apps that can create playlists with the simple click of a button.
You can add your recipient’s name as the playlist title and gift it via a link or QR code!
21. Homemade Body Mist
Homemade body mists are some of the most practical, sustainable DIY Christmas gifts because they allow you to blend fragrances that match your personality and style.
It’s a refreshing way for them to carry a little moment of pampering throughout their day.
The light mist will leave a subtle, pleasant scent, offering a delightful pick-me-up whenever needed.
Homemade Body Mist Tutorials:
22. DIY Plants
What? How the hee-haw-sally does this work!?
Did you know that if you snip off a leaf from a big plant and then add that cutting to water it will (usually) grow roots?!
Here’s how it works:
- Find the plant you wish to cut from. PLEASE, I beg of you…do not cut from a plant that does not belong to you. If you would like a cutting from a special plant, you must ask permission. Our plant mamas and papas truly do love our plants!
- Find the root node on your plant or vine. If you are unsure, ask someone to help you!
- Carefully cut just below the node with a clean, sharp knife or scissors. About 1/4″ below the node.
- Place the cutting in a clean glass of room-temperature water.
- Switch the water every 3-5 days.
- Watch the roots grow. This can take weeks or even months.
- Once the roots have reached 5 inches, add to the soil!
23. Morning Ritual Kit
A small jar of matcha green tea, some non-toxic soy candles, your favorite essential oil blend, a list of beautiful affirmations, and a small gratitude journal all wrapped up nicely in a vintage scarf to fend off the early morning chills.
How lovely does this sound?! I just thought of it. Woohoo!
P.S. An extra perk would be a nice note in the journal telling your friend why he/she means so much to you!
24. Handmade Jewelry
What’s a more thoughtful and one-of-a-kind DIY holiday gift idea than handmade jewelry?
Whether it’s a necklace, bracelet, or earrings, every time they wear it, they’ll be reminded of you!
But first, you have to understand the recipient’s style, preferences, and any specific jewelry they like.
Pay attention to the types of jewelry they typically wear, whether it’s classic, minimalist, bohemian, or statement pieces.
You can also incorporate personalization into the piece, such as initials, birthstones, or symbols that hold special meaning for the giftee!
Homemade Jewelry Tutorials:
25. DIY Store Bought Kits
Do you have a DIY enthusiast in your life who can’t stop brainstorming on their next project? Then, it’s about time to add some DIY kits to your checklist.
There’s something for every taste! Soap-making kits, coaster kits, aromatherapy oil kits – you name it, Uncommon Goods has it!
Some options even arrive in giftable boxes cushioned with eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable wood fibers. So pretty!
Our Favorites from Uncommon Goods:
This was your full guide to the best sustainable DIY gifts!
This eco-friendly DIY gift guide could have gone in so many different directions – there really is no cap on what someone could make at home if they wanted to.
However, we decided to keep it as budget-friendly, minimal, practical, and useful as possible. We sure hope you loved it!
Do you have any more ideas for homemade and sustainable DIY gift ideas? Leave them in the comments!
Looking for more thoughtful content from SKL? Check these out:
The post 25 Super Unique & Sustainable DIY Christmas Gifts appeared first on Sustainably Kind Living.