DIY Gift Ideas

Homemade gifts cost little and mean a lot when they are specific to the person. None of these need special craft skills.

12 ideas to start from

Coupon book of favours

Handmade coupons for a breakfast in bed, a movie of their choice or a car wash; cheap and personal.

Under $20homemade

Homemade cookie jar with the recipe card

Bake their favourite, and include the handwritten recipe so the gift can be repeated.

Under $20homemade

Voice-memo story jar

Record short stories or memories as audio notes and gather them behind QR codes on slips of paper in a jar.

Under $20homemade

Graduation memory box

A keepsake box with photos, tickets and notes from family marking the milestone.

Under $25homemade

A day off their chores

Take over the tasks they usually do for a day, and say so in a card.

Under $20homemade

Breakfast in bed plus a handwritten card

Time and effort beat money; especially for Mother's and Father's Day.

Under $20homemade

Stargazing night kit

A blanket, flask and a star chart app suggestion for a night under the sky.

$25–50homemade

Recorded family history interview

Sit down with a grandparent, record their stories and turn them into a keepsake for the family.

Under $20homemade

Handwritten gratitude list

Write out specific things you appreciate about them; many people keep it for years.

Under $20homemade

Letter to open later

A set of sealed letters labelled "open when you're stressed", "open on your birthday" and so on.

Under $20homemade

Pet-sitting or dog-walking offer

A written promise to walk or feed their pet while they travel is worth more than an object.

Under $20homemade

Knitted scarf or beanie

Warm, soft and easy to size; handmade versions become family heirlooms.

Under $25practical

Make it personal

Lists are a starting point. Tell the generator one or two things about this particular person and get ideas no list would include.

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Tips for choosing

  • Choose something personal over something crafty.
  • Give yourself one evening to make it, and one for mistakes.
  • Good packaging lifts a homemade gift a lot.

New to this? Our guide to choosing a gift explains why recipients and givers judge gifts differently.

Questions

What are easy DIY gifts for adults?

Letters to open later, a recipe book, baked goods with a recipe card, a coupon book or a recorded family interview.

Are homemade gifts appreciated?

Usually yes, when they are personal. Studies on gift giving suggest recipients value thoughtfulness and effort.