Looking for a do-it-yourself present that looks more expensive than it is? Check out these 30+ DIY gifts that don’t look homemade. Get easy gift ideas for all of your family members!
Giving someone a homemade gift can result in a hug and true appreciation or a polite “Thank you” and an awkward look. If you know someone well, you maybe already know if they will really appreciate a handmade gift. However, that isn’t always the case. So why give a DIY gift?
- Reason #1: it is less expensive.
- Reason #2: it shows you really thought about the gift and spent time in creating it for the receiver.
So what is a DIYer to do? Give a gift that looks like you purchased it in a local boutique or specialty store. Etsy is a good place for inspiration. It is full of homemade products that don’t really look homemade.
Or, you can check out my list below of over 30 homemade gifts that look more expensive than they really are. Bonus? You can go right to each site and get a tutorial to complete the gift!
1
Fruit Stamped Tea Towels
Use a fun fruit stamping technique to decorate some plain tea towels. These make great gifts for any homeowner and they are so easy – even a kid can make them!
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2
Plaid Crafts
Resin Cutting Board
A cutting board can function as both a useful kitchen tool and a piece of décor! Learn how to make a resin cutting board with epoxy casting resin and acrylic paint. Such a beautiful gift idea!
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3
Clay Ring Dish
Make a cute little clay ring dish with hand painted accents! These darling dishes are a pretty personalized gift for any woman in your life, and are so easy to make.
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4
Race Car Mugs
These sports car inspired painted mugs make great gifts for guys! They are very easy to paint and very inexpensive to make – you just need a few supplies.
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5
www.deliacreates.com
Leather + Flannel Scarf
I love the snaps and leather edge on this scarf! It only requires a bit of sewing and can be worn as an infinity scarf (as shown) or unsnapped and hanging down.See all of our DIY scarves.
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6
Embroidered Coasters
These embroidered coasters have a cute fruit theme that would go well with the fruit stamped tea towels earlier on this list! Use cork and this easy tutorial to make them.See all of our DIY coasters.
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7
almostmakesperfect.com
Bloody Mary Gift Set
Get a bloody Mary recipe and labels to make a bloody Mary gift set! Use cute containers and the simple free printable labels to make it look like a store-bought gift.
Get Tutorial + Free Printable
8
Gold Foil Notebooks
Use gold foil, Mod Podge, papers, and embellishments to create the cutest personalized notebooks ever – keep these minis in your pocket!
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9
Marbled Mugs
Learn how to make the coolest nail polish mugs ever – on a budget! Learn the dos and don'ts for making the mugs, and get tips for washing.See all of our DIY mugs.
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10
www.polkadotchair.com
Tie Zip Bags
Learn how to make these DIY necktie zip pouches from old ties. They make great handmade gifts for men, husbands, or anyone else that might like a masculine silk print.Get all of our Father's Day gifts.
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11
www.prettyhandygirl.com
Bread and Cheese Board
Learn how to make a walnut wood cheese board with a marble inlay that keeps cheese cool! Perfect gift idea for someone who just bought or moved into a new home.
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12
sarahmaker.com
Punch Needle Pillow
Learn how to make a punch needle pillow that looks like it comes from an expensive store. There are a bunch of punch needle tutorials for you to try on this site.See all of our DIY pillows.
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13
Quilted Pot Holder
Learn how to make a pot holder, and quilt it, using your fave fabric and this easy tutorial! You don’t even need a pattern for this DIY pot holder.See all of our beginner sewing projects.
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14
Colorful Tea Towel
Use fabric markers on this DIY tea towel to make a unique gift personalized with color! This is adult coloring with a twist, and so easy.
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15
food52.com
How to Make Scented Candles from Scratch
Get easy to follow step-by-step instructions and scent recipes for homemade candles. From choosing the container to burning them properly, this is a definitive candle-making guide.
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16
Bath Salts
This DIY bath salt recipe is perfect for gifts! Use any essential oils that you like to make this aromatherapy treat in a jar. The added spoons and twine make them look like something you purchased in a spa store.
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17
themerrythought.com
Fire Starter Kit
Know someone who has a fireplace or who likes to go camping? This DIY fire starter kit is a great DIY gift idea they will definitely use!
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18
Steve Carrell
Perpetual Calendar
Create a DIY perpetual calendar using this free watercolor printable! It’s easy to make with Mod Podge and a few other basic supplies.
Get Tutorial + Free Printable
19
littleredwindow.com
Cactus Ring Holder
When I first saw this I thought that it would definitely be something I might see in an Anthropologie! Such a cute little clay ring holder, and I love the polka dots.
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20
Beer Caddy
This wooden DIY beer caddy is easy to make! Grab the plans here; it's a perfect gift idea for any beer lover in your life.See all of our easy woodworking projects (great for gifts!).
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21
hellocreativefamily.com
Travel Pillow
Do you know someone who travels often? Make them this sloth travel pillow in 20 minutes using a Cricut (or you could use iron-on transfer paper). There is also a tutorial for making a sloth sleep mask.
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22
Courtney Sanchez
Chalk Paint Mason Jars with Succulents
This painted mason jar is the perfect gift for plant ladies (or lads!). Add some succulents for a perfect display. And again, you can easily customize the colors.
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23
abeautifulmess.com
Swinging Heart Photo Locket
With a few basic jewelry supplies and a printer you can make an updated version of a classic locket necklace.
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24
Clothespin Trivets
Learn how to make clothespin trivets with a few simple supplies! These are easy and high heat resistant so you can use them with hot pots. A couple of these along with the quilted pot holder earlier on this list would be a great gift.See all of our clothespin crafts.
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25
www.budgetsavvydiva.com
Teacup Candles
My mom has a large teacup collection that she treasures, handed down from her grandmother. This teacup candle is so simple to make, and would make a very special gift for a tea or teacup lover.
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26
Gone Fishing Sign
Learn how to make this wooden fishing sign – perfect gift for the angler in the family! This is such an easy project.
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27
dollarcrafter.com
Mickey Mouse Rope Basket
This super easy DIY Mickey Mouse rope basket comes together fast and only uses a couple items from a dollar store! Great gift for the Disney lover in your life.
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28
Song Lyric Wall Art
Are there any song lyrics that are special to you and your recipient? Learn how to make this art using felt and a simple wood frame. This is so easy and perfect decor for a variety of styles.
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29
athomeontheprairie.com
Coffee Soap
Get this melt and pour soap recipe and wrap each bar in a label you print out. Stack them and secure with twine so they look professional.
Get the Recipe
30
Cross Stitch Pillow
Learn how to cross stitch a pillow cover the easy way – also comes with a free printable cross stitch pattern. Great gift for a best friend or sibling!We also have an even simpler pom pom pillow if you'd like to check out a no sew version, too.
Get Tutorial + Free Pattern
31
modpodgerocksblog.com
Map Tile Coasters
One of the most fun and easy Mod Podge craft ideas is DIY tile coasters. These ceramic coasters are great for home decor, party favors, or a unique gift!
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32
newlywedsurvival.com
Fleece Blanket
Make a warm fleece blanket without having to know how to sew! Bonus? This version doesn't have bulky knots that some fleece blankets have.
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33
Hand Embroidery Magnets
If you love the look of delicate stitches, these hand embroidery magnets are perfect for you. The floral pattern is so pretty!
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34
Linda Smith
EASY Salt Dough Ornaments That Last Forever
These are great for Christmas gifts, but you can make them for any time of year! They last forever, you can paint any colors you like . . . and they're easy.
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Did you like these do-it-yourself gifts that look more expensive than they are? Then you’ll love these other great ideas: