We love looking for easy last-minute DIY holiday gifts each year that show our friends we care, but not all of us are gifted crafters who can knit a pair of mittens while watching a Christmas movie, or eke out the time for a complex 40-step DIY tutorial while trying to you know, have a life.
So, we've searched for some easy least-minute DIY holiday gifts all from crafts that we know we actually can make.
Are you still shopping? Yeah, we are too. Here are quick links to all of our holiday gift guides this year! May the shipping deadlines and the local store opening hours be ever in your favor.
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Wonderful last-minute DIY gifts that make for some very thoughtful gifting
01
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Homemade Stovetop Simmer Potpourri...6 Ways
Make a big batch of delicious-smelling DIY Christmas stovetop potpourris to hand out throughout the holidays, using any one of six wonderful recipe options from Country Hill Cottage. I love the variety of choices using all kinds of dried and spices you may already have on hand (or she has links to purchase). She also provides great ideas for packaging them; don't miss the free printable labels you can affix for gifting to make them look just a little more pro.
Helpful Supplies
- Set of mason jars
- Pretty velvet ribbon
- Dried fruit slices in bulk (See her site for more ideas)
- Cheesecloth bags, as an alternative to mason jars
02
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Sugar Spice Body Scrubs
03
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Handmade Photo Ornaments
Photo ornaments are always a fun gift for family, and we love this fun iPhone photo ornamental twist that Elba at Live Colorful created for Chica Circle. The site isn't fully functional now, but you can still follow along with the text tutorial on the site. Don't want to deal with modeling clay? Cheat and use a heavy card stock instead.
Or an easier cheat -- stop by a local card store or craft store and find a photo ornament frame. Tuck yours inside and..instant gift!
Helpful Supplies
- Air-dry modeling clay
- Mod Podge (we found a set that includes brushes)
- Craft roller
04
Last-minute DIY Gifts for friends: Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Mason Jars
05
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Easy Homemade Succulent Planters
06
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: A cCever Book-Filled Ornament
07More Ideas for a Literary Lover's Ornament
$15
08
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Home-Baked treats
Every side is a winner on these hard-to-resist homemade peanut butter dreidels from Oh Nuts. Of course, you can make these chocolate dreidels with any kind of nut butter or seed butter, if allergies are an issue and you want to be sure everyone can partake. But the Organic Peanut Butter from Oh Nuts -- amazing.
Helpful Supplies
- Hanukkah tissue paper
- Hanukkah food gift boxes
10
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Easy Wooden Coasters
11
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Easy Sharpie Personalized Mugs
These four easy DIY Sharpie mugs designs from Jennifer Maker are one of our all-time favorite last-minute DIY gifts from the kids to the parents and grandparents, teachers, sitters, tutors, coaches, and even friends. Just tuck in a pack of hot cocoa. Don't miss all her tips to make sure your design lasts a long, long time.
Helpful Supplies
- This mugs and markers set!
- Modern letter stickers are a big help
12
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Essential Oil Bath and Body Gifts
13
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: Handmade Trinket Dishes
14Last-Minute DIY Gifts for friends: Holiday Pillar Candles, No Wax-Pouring Necessary
$6
15
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: All the Cookie Balls!
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: DIY Morse Code Bracelets
These DIY morse code message bracelets from the site Honestly WTF are a cool way to remind friends, teens, or pretty much anyone in your life that you love them, without big I LOVE YOU beads. Add a personal note translating the morse code message on the bracelet, and it will be your little secret.
Helpful Supplies
- Silk beading cord with needle ends (for easy threading!)
- Glass seed bead set (on sale!)
We see these everywhere and turns out they're so easy to make! A tutorial from The Crafting Chicks shows how you can DIY hair elastics in a big batch in a really short time. If you're giving to family, pair them with a cool vintage heirloom case or tin that you want to pass on. If you're giving them are for a child's friend or teacher, consider adding a gift card for a mani/pedi. (Image above: Minted)
16
Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Friends: DIY Embroidered Ornament
How fun is this DIY après ski sweater from François et Moi (whose tutorial is very helpful!). Use iron-on letters to spell out any message for your BFF --an inside joke, an inspirational message, or maybe the destination for this year's girls' trip! Liz's daughter even used this idea to make a funy tee for her grandfather, and he wears it every chance he gets.
Helpful Supplies
- Inexpensive iron-on letters (this shop has a great selection)
- Comfy sweatshirts (these are 50% off, under $10!)
See our entire Holiday Gift Guide for lots of gifts for anyone on your list!