As birthdays and holidays race up on me this year, I’ve found myself pondering a question.
How do we give gifts that are actually meaningful?
So many of the items we get and give as gifts are really just more junk and clutter in the end. Most of us don’t really need one more thing.
And when nobody needs stuff, what do you give them?
Well, this post is an attempt to answer that question, at least in part.
Because handmade gifts are meaningful. They convey more love than something you just saw at the store and bought.
And these handmade gifts?
They’re not the crappy ones you find in wannabe TikTok videos (you know the ones I mean).
They’re the ones that stick with people because they’re filled with love—and they’re actually useful.
They’re the ones people will secretly hope to be given again and again (if you pick the right ones for the person—that is the one caveat).
So, let’s take a look and see what you can find for your family and friends to help them know that you genuinely care.
Custom Spice Blends
I think this would be such a fun gift to give or receive.
I personally like to make homemade taco seasoning, and it would be simple to mix up a batch and gift it in little jars like this.
You could also do custom Italian blends, meat rubs, curry powder, or even creole seasoning.
DIY Pet Accessories
Sometimes the best way to tell someone you love them is by showing that you care about their pet.
(It’s funny but true. You know the people I’m talking about.)
There are a lot of options for DIY pet accessories out there, but here are a few ideas:
- A cat tree (I got this from a reddit thread)
- Braided dog toys
- Cardboard toys for hamsters, rats, or mice (just research what materials are safe)
- Homemade dog treats
Make whatever you gift specific for the person and the animal by using their favorite colors or patterns in the toy.
A Cutting Board
My husband looked into making cutting boards for a business a few years back.
And, while he didn’t end up doing it, we did learn a ton about DIY-ing cutting boards and other wooden kitchen utensils.
(FYI my husband carved me a serving spoon this last year and I adore it.)
But basically, we realized that it doesn’t actually take that much skill to make a nice-looking cutting board or charcuterie board. Though, you can complicate it if you want.
But if you have some basic tools, you can do it! And it’ll make a gift that the receiver will likely treasure for years to come.
This is a great article to start with if you’re interested.
A Curated Self-Care Basket
Maybe you’re not much of a crafter, but you still want to make something unique and sort-of homemade.
Well, this might be the gift for you.
Because even though the components aren’t purely shaped by your hands, they are put together with your love, and the receiver has to appreciate that.
See this article for tons of self-care basket ideas.
Crocheted Book Cover
This is a more unique gift that would work well if given on a special book like a journal or particularly meaningful novel.
You can pick colors that the receiver likes and maybe even add extra touches like buttons or tassels.
I think this pattern looks pretty doable, and I love that it has a handle as well!
A Snuggie
My grandma made me a snuggie when I was a teenager. I loved it then, and it means even more to me now.
I can’t tell you the number of books I’ve read and essays or articles I’ve written cozied up in that thing.
If someone you love is always cold or likes to wrap up in robes or blankets, this may be the gift for them.
Pre-Cooked Dinners
Some people just don’t want more stuff, period. And if they’re like that, they’ll likely appreciate pre-made dinners (which are useful but not permanent).
Make freezable dinners or bag mixes that they can add simple ingredients to. It’ll save them a lot of time, and they’ll feel your love each time they make one!
Crochet Stuffed Animals
This is a classic handmade gift, but it’s classic for a reason. This would be perfect for if you have a family member who’s young and still likes to snuggle stuffies.
(Adults may enjoy them too, but you need to be mindful of their decor preferences when you do it. They might not have anywhere in their house that matches it.)
The options out there for crochet animals are pretty endless, so you shouldn’t have too much of a problem finding a pattern your special person would enjoy.
Bath Soak Blends
Have you ever made custom bath soak blends?
I’m not saying you have to, but I do think they’d make a great self-care gift.
See this article for some great recipe ideas and package them in the ball jars from up above.
There are even some blends on there for sore muscles and pain relief, which could be a cool gift for anyone who’s older or athletic.
Unique Potholders
There are dozens of ways to make potholders out there. One of my favorite ways to do it as a child was with a potholder weaving kit.
But you can also quilt them, sew them from old towels and jeans, crochet them, or even fuse fabric using heat n’ bond (for lighter duty ones).
The options are pretty much endless, and you can have fun personalizing it for your recipient.
Beeswax Food Wraps
If you’re not familiar with these, they’re basically an eco-friendly plastic wrap alternative.
But if you buy one online from one of the reputable sellers, they’re *pretty* expensive.
Making your own is a bit of work, but it turns out it’s pretty doable and affordable! These are some instructions that I found online that I plan to try out myself.
I think anyone who’s a little more natural-minded would consider these an excellent gift.
A Personalized Cooking Apron
My grandma used to sew aprons as gifts for various family members, and they’re still treasured today.
There are tons of adorable patterns online to choose from, and they’re also relatively flat, which makes them much easier to sew than actual clothing.
This pattern is free and has a super cute pocket and ruffle:
A Recorded Time Capsule
If you want to give something meaningful to someone who already has “everything” in stuff, this is a great idea.
Make audio recordings or videos of various friends and family members sharing what they love about the giftee.
Then, put it together into a playlist or mini film and gift it to them as a USB drive or as a QR code that links to it online.
They’ll feel extra special, and it’ll be a really neat thing to look back on down the road.
An Embroidered Outline Hoodie
This gift idea was inspired by a video I watched on YouTube about a TikTok business that sold these.
However, you can make your own. You can do an outline of a photo like on these sweatshirts, or you can do other shapes and text.
I would be over the moon if someone gifted me a sweatshirt like this!
Personalized Fridge Magnets
If you want something simple that allows you to express your creativity, magnets are a great option for a handmade gift.
There are tons of ways to make magnets out there. I’ve seen gorgeous ones made with poured resin, and I’ve also seen simple ones made with acrylic kits off amazon (like this one).
Use pictures, quotes, your artsy photos, drawings, and more to make magnets that are totally unique!
Soap in Their Favorite Scent
Handmade soap is an age-old gift, but how about you make it a bit fancier with dried add-ins and their favorite scent?
Make it luxurious (and have fun) so that they can feel extra-special and pampered.
Clothing Made to Fit
This isn’t a handmade gift for the faint of heart, but if you can pull it off, your giftee would feel so special!
I’d recommend working with the recipient so you can get their measurements and have their input on the pattern.
Then, make it without them seeing it (maybe do a blindfolded try-on) and gift the completed article to them when it’s finished.
A Crochet or Tie Blanket
I made a friend a tie blanket when I was about 11 years old, and she still used it years later!
Making blankets (whether by crochet or tie) is fun because it’s easy to get into a sort of zen-relaxation mode while you do it.
But the end product is useful and something they enjoy for years to come.
Leatherbound Traveler’s Journal
This sounds complicated, but it’s not nearly as hard as you might think. I found TONS of DIY tutorials on YouTube for these, and I really want to try making one now!
I liked the look of this tutorial, though you will need to buy some supplies. I would estimate the total end cost to be around $80, but you would reduce it a lot by making multiple.
(For example, the leather gromets set is about $17, but it could be used on dozens and dozens of journals.)
Jam or Fruit Butter (In Their Favorite Flavor)
This might sound basic, but it gets appreciated over and over as it’s eaten!
I know people who make big batches of jam or fruit butter annually to gift. And, their recipients look forward to it every year.
If you just want to make it for one person, try doing a few that use fruits enjoy a lot. Maybe gift them in a little basket with a card and some bows.
A Phone or Tablet Stand
This is a present that leaves a lot of flexibility for creativity.
I would be excited about a wood version (like the one in the video below), but you could also do ones using metal, wire and beads, recycled containers, and much, much more.
The options are pretty much endless.
Plus, how many of us would be grateful to have a nice-looking phone stand in the kitchen? I would be! I’m always propping my phone up against the milk.
Keychains That Match Their Interests
Keychains might be simple, but they’re fun when they match what you like!
YouTube has tons of tutorials for keychains with characters, words, sports items, travel landmarks and more. I’m sure you could figure out one that would suit your giftee perfectly and make them feel extra special.
Earrings in Their Favorite Color
One of our favorite handmade gifts to make as kids in my family was earrings. My mom still has several pairs. And, they’ve aged pretty well!
Plus, they’re fairly simple to make and easy to customize. You don’t have to be limited to a couple of beads on a wire!
I’ve seen woven earrings, earrings made with recycled plastic, earrings with sewn decorations on them, and much, much more.
A Personalized Christmas Stocking
This is what my mom chose to gift my husband and I our first Christmas, and I’ll cherish them for years to come.
With each additional child she’s made one more matching stocking (we’re at five now), and I love the reminder each year of her love.
Something about them feels nostalgic, kind-of like with our next gift idea.
Childhood Treats
Do you remember the little treats your mom made on special occasions that still make your mouth water when you think about them?
If you have a long-time friend or family member that shares your history of childhood treats, this is a great gift for them.
Make a basket or a tray with a variety of special candies or desserts from your shared past. Add notes or photos to bring on the feels.
It’ll be moving, AND they’ll have fun eating the treats 🙂
The Best Gift is Your Love (Cheesy But True!)
Well, we made it through! And at the risk of sounding cliche, I want to end this article with a reminder: your care is what matters most to the people you love.
Yes, stuff is nice, but you being there for them is what matters more.
Your calls, your check-ins, your “I love you” on a Monday afternoon—those are the little building blocks to your relationships that let people know you care.
So, choose meaningful gifts—of course—but don’t forget that people truly know you love them from the little things you do.
(It’s like that song from the movie Enchanted! You know, the one where she sings, “That’s how she knows that you love her?”)
Anyway, I hope you can be the kind of person who shows up for people consistently. I want to be that kind of person too.
Now, get out there, and have a good day! I wish you the best in your gift-making!
And don’t forget to share your favorite ideas for meaningful homemade gifts down below 🙂
