Get Creative With These 10 DIY Gifts

By Jessi Stickel on July 27, 2015

Whether you’re helping celebrate a birthday, anniversary, wedding, Christmas, or even just saying “Thanks,” you typically have to think of a gift to give a friend or loved one. Gift giving can be really tough, as it feels like things are just too expensive or you have no clue what to buy.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) has become very popular the last few years, with sites like Pinterest to give us fun and interesting ideas.

Here are some unique do-it-yourself gifts that your friends, family and others will actually use without breaking the bank!

1. Candy Cake

A candy cake is a great gift when you have little to spend and have no idea what to buy. All you need to know is their favorite candies (or just do a variety) and you’re all set. Using round paper mache boxes (Michaels) for the base, and taping or hot gluing the candy to it makes for the perfect gift they will be able to share and enjoy.

2. Water Color Canvas

Even if you have absolutely no artistic ability you can make this look like a store-bought piece of art. You need a canvas (any size), various colors of permanent markers, rubbing alcohol and a straw for this project.

First you scribble the different colors of markers in different sections. Next, you put the straw in the rubbing alcohol to drip on the colored canvas. This causes the colors to run and creates the water color effect. This water color canvas works for any holiday, birthday, or just because gift.

3. Summer by the Pool

This DIY gift is a cute little summer gift to give your neighbor or kid’s teacher. All you need is a beach towel, sunscreen, and a gossip or fashion magazine. This is great when you don’t know what to get someone and also a gift that will actually get used. It’s the perfect way to kick off summer all wrapped in a bow.

4. Gel Candles

For all you crafters out there, this is the DIY gift for you to make. Although, this one may take a bit of time, it is so worth it in the end. You can make just one or several candles with different themes and colors to give as a birthday, wedding, or even Christmas gift.

Find a material list and detailed instructions here.

5. Flower Initial

If you need a personalized gift to give a young girl, this DIY decor is perfect without overpaying for a similar product from a retail store. You will need a wooden letter, artificial flowers, and a hot glue gun for this project (all found at a local craft store).

After cutting down the flowers, you just hot glue them to the letter and you’re done: a beautiful gift she’ll love to hang in her room.

6. Keyboard Message

A keyboard message is a unique and sentimental gift to give anyone. Create this piece of art by recycling old computer keyboards (found at thrift stores/yard sales) and hot gluing the desired keys inside a shadow box frame. The best part about this DIY craft is that you can really personalize it with the message.

You can make them say something emotional like “I love you” or something generic like “Never stop dreaming.”

7. CD Framed Mirror

This DIY also recycles something old. Take all those old CD’s you never listen to anymore and make this decorative mirror. Cut up some old CD’s into different shapes, then hot glue them to a framed mirror.

This gift is great for someone who just got their first apartment or house, or that just loves new wall decor.

8. Travel Shadow Box

If you need a wedding gift or know a frequent traveler this is the gift to give. When you’re going to a wedding of course you have to come carrying a gift. Newlyweds probably get at least double of every gift they get, so being unique is important especially if you know the couple well.

A shadow box frame with the name of their honeymoon destination inside would be such an amazing gift that they would use and cherish forever. If someone is going on a trip for their birthday this would also be a great gift.

9. Body Scrub

DIY body scrub is a fun and cheap gift to create. It is great to give your girlfriends, mother, or even grandmother and will mean so much more because it is homemade by you.

Find out how to make honey citrus body scrub here.

10. Etched Mason Jars

Personalize etched mason jars are another unique gift to give someone. This gift is perfect for anyone, male or female. Giving mason jars with their initials or last name is something they will love and use all the time. The materials for this project include mason jars, letter stickers, and etching cream (Michaels). For more detailed instructions for etching glasses go here.

Never be that person that brings a boring and usual gift again and just do it yourself!

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format