50 DIY Handmade Gift Ideas for ANYONE!

Hey there, besties! I know I’ve shared a ton of handmade gift ideas from over the years, but instead of making you sift through the 1,200 posts from my archives, I’m going to throw down 50 of my favorite handmade gift ideas right here to make it easy for you! Even if you don’t end up making one of these specific DIY gifts, maybe at least you’ll get some inspiration and try something new!

We’ve got everything from woodworking projects, to macramé, to sewing! There’s something for everyone! Be sure to tell me which one is your favorite in the comments below. 😉

Teardrop Bentwood Shelf

If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at steaming/bending wood, this DIY project might be for you! And wouldn’t this Bentwood Shelf look beautiful with any type of decor?!

Rainbow Colored Pencil Holder

This Rainbow Colored Pencil Holder would be the perfect DIY gift for any artist or kiddo that likes to color. Pair it with a sketch pad and you’ve got a brilliant handmade gift!

Barn Board Family Name Sign

In addition to Christmas gifting, this handmade family name sign would also be great as a wedding gift or housewarming gift. Who doesn’t love something personalized!

Make a Mug into a Planter!

If you’re a plant-mama yourself, you know that planters need a drainage hole! So I teach you how to drill a drainage hole in any ceramic mug to make it a mug planter for gifting a plant. This kind of handmade gift is wonderful for teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, etc!

Easy Drawstring Backpack

I’m not entirely proficient at sewing, so you shouldn’t be intimidated by this sewing tutorial if you aren’t either! Make this fabric drawstring backpack for that kiddo in your life. It’s so perfect for carrying things when you’re going on a hike or picnic or to the zoo!

Wooden Profile Plaque

Back to personalized gifts, this wooden profile plaque is about as personalized as it gets! In this tutorial, I teach you how to make this with your scroll saw. Can you believe how spikey Cypress’ hair was when she was little?!

DIY Cribbage Board

If you have a person in your life that loves games, this cribbage board tutorial is perfect! And it’s easier than you might think with the cribbage board template to help you with all those little holes.

EASY Hanging Planter

On a difficulty scale of 1-10, this hanging planter project would be a zero. Seriously! SO simple! And that plant-lover in your life will love this handmade gift idea.

Wall Sconce Vessels

I mean, I don’t even know what to call these, so Wall Sconce Vessels it is! You can use these as faces for flowers or plant propagations… or for storing paint brushes, colored pencils, and other crafting supplies. So many options!

Fabric Hot and Cold Packs

I think these are SUCH a good handmade gift idea. These Hot and Cold Packs get used almost daily around our house. We keep them in the freezer as ice packs (usually for bumps and bruises, but they also feel SO GOOD on a headache), but they can also be microwaved to use as a hot pack as well!

Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle

If you have a baby or toddler in your life, this Personalized Name Puzzle is such a cute DIY gift idea! AND a great excuse to rock the scroll saw. Think of all the different ways you could go with this project! You could make it any font, size, and color you want!

Wooden Topography Art

If you have a family member that owns an acreage or a decent-sized slab o’land, consider making them apiece of art inspired by the topography of their property! In this tutorial, I share exactly how to find the topography of any land, and how to make this beautiful/sentimental piece of art for someone you love.

Kids Coloring Tablet

When my kiddos were younger and still into coloring with crayons, these DIY Coloring Tablets I made for them came in handy OFTEN. I would keep them in my purse or diaper bag and pull them out whenever we were in a waiting room, at church, or needing something to do in the car. So much better than a tablet with a screen! And a very cute handmade gift idea as well.

Photo Transfer onto Wood

Have you ever tried transferring a photo to wood? This is a fun handmade gift idea and doesn’t cost much money at all!

Photo Transfer Tutorial - Handmade Gift Ideas

Wooden Nativity Handmade Gift Idea

I designed and made these Wooden Nativities for in-laws and aunts and uncles a few years ago, and they were loved by all! My daughter, Paisley, even made them for her Etsy shop one year, and made a killing! I share a step-by-step tutorial, as well as a free scroll saw template!

Wood and Velcro Paper Doll Set

I had this idea to make a Wooden Paper Doll for my twin daughters when they were young, and this was such a beloved toy in our house for so long! I even let them help me paint the clothes! Such a fun handmade gift idea for littles!

Wooden Logo Plaque

Make a Wooden Logo Plaque as a handmade gift, and it doesn’t have to be Chicago Bears! LOL! I made this with my sister-in-law as a gift for my brother, and it was so fun using painters tape as a stencil! It just wood and stain! I break down the how-to in this post. It’s surprisingly easy!

Toddler Carseat Poncho

I made this DIY Carseat Poncho for Cypress when she was just a tot, and I had NO IDEA it would go so viral! It’s basically a wearable blanket that’s so handy for 5-point harness seats because you don’t have to strap in a bulky coat (which isn’t safe, even if it WAS comfortable!). This is such a simple sewing tutorial. Anyone can do it!

Butterfly Silhouette Clock

HOW CUTE is this handmade Butterfly Silhouette Clock! If you have a butterfly-lover on your gift list this year, you’re in luck!

Handmade Wall-mounted Desk

This Wall-mounted Desk is one of my more brilliant ideas, and would also make a fantastic handmade gift idea! Honestly, it doesn’t have to be for kids either… it would be a great space-saving desk situation for anyone!

Test Tube Propagation Sculpture

For that plant lover in your life, consider this handmade gift! I design and made these Test Tube Propagation Sculptures using a thick slab of walnut and a test tube for propagating plants! I love functional art!

Family Silhouette Wooden Art

This is the ultimate personalized handmade gift idea! Make a Family Silhouette Wooden Artwork but cutting out each family member with a scroll saw! It’s easier than you might think! And I walk you through every step in this tutorial.

Epoxy Ocean Coasters

Have you dabbled in Epoxy before? These Epoxy Ocean Coasters are SO FUN to make. Isn’t it insane how much it truly looks like ocean waves? And who couldn’t use a new set of handmade coasters?!

Fabric-wrapped Bulletin Boards

As far as DIY projects go, this handmade gift idea is soooo beginner-friendly! And these Fabric-wrapped Bulletin Boards are the perfect gift for elementary aged kiddos all the way through college age! Those college students of yours can pin their parking tickets here! 😉

Skyline Etched Wine Glasses

Have you ever etched glass with etching paste before? It’s pretty darn easy and FUN! These Skyline Etched Wine Glasses can be made with the skyline of ANY city you want! This one is Chicago. 🙂

Botanical Trivets

Trivets can be a great handmade gift for anyone from your mother-in-law to your party host! This tutorial for Botanical Trivets is pretty simple if you have a basic understanding of how to use your scroll saw, AND I include free scroll saw templates for all these tropical leaves!

Collapsible Dollhouse Handmade Gift Ideas

If you have a little person in your life that loves playing with dolls (specifically 18″ dolls or American Girl Dolls), this collapsible dollhouse tutorial will be the perfect handmade gift! A few slabs of plywood and some piano hinges is all it takes!

Handmade Grimm’s Rainbow Knockoff

When my babes were teeny, I had my eyes set on getting them a Grimm’s Rainbow. But I simply couldn’t justify the cost… so I made my own! This got played with sooooo much, and it’s one of those heirloom toys that I will keep for future grandbabies!

Grimm Rainbow Knockoff - Handmade Gift Ideas

Circle Monogram Pallet Sign

This vibe may be a little too ‘farmhouse’ for you (it is for me), but you can go so many different ways with this Circle Monogram Pallet Sign! Change the font of the monogram, and/or do a solid color paint… or no paint at all! The possibilities are endless. I made this as a handmade gift for my mom for Mother’s Day one year, and she still has it hanging on her back deck area!

Teardrop-Shaped Hanging Planters

I’m sure it’s clear by now that I love making handmade planters. I even have a whole roundup of plant-related tutorials, if you’re interested! This particular teardrop-shaped hanging planter is made from recycled wooden bowls! Even though I made these 8 years ago, I’m still using them to this day! I currently have an asparagus fern in one, a Tradescantia in another, and a baltic blue pothos in another!

Handmade Gift Ideas for Teachers

If you’re specifically looking for handmade gift ideas for teachers, don’t get them a mug! What teacher wouldn’t love this little DIY potted plant that your kiddo can help make! I love that you can see the soil through the letters. Such a fun project!

Large Scale Resin Ocean Art

If you love the idea of a ocean resin project, but want to do something larger-scale, this Resin Ocean Art might be the handmade gift idea you’re looking for!

Unique Charcuterie Serving Tray

I love this Charcuterie Serving Tray we recently made, but I know it’s not a feasible project for many if you don’t have the good fortune of owning a CNC machine. Maybe we need to reopen o

Charcuterie Serving Tray - Handmade Gift Ideas

Wooden Egg Tray

Do you have a homesteading friend, or a friend that has chickens? Or a friend that eats eggs? Make this Wooden Egg Tray!

Easy Ombre Cutting Board

Of course this cutting board doesn’t HAVE to be ombre… we just had so many different speicies of wood that we were able to create this gradient look for our Easy Cutting Board tutorial! I feel like a handmade cutting board is a classic homemade gift idea.

Reverse-Stained Picture Frame

If you’re looking for a handmade gift idea that requires zero tools or skill, try this Reverse-Stained Picture Frame project! And you don’t have to do this exact starburst pattern either… make it your own!

Wooden and Acrylic Animal Banks

Did you have one of these wooden animal banks as a kid? I did! My grandpa made me a heart one, and it was such a treasure! Make one of the Wood and Acrylic Animal Banks (or any shape) for a kiddo in your life.

Wood and Acrylic Animal Banks - Handmade Gift Ideas

Test Tube Wall-mounted Propagation Station

Here’s another handmade gift idea for the houseplant fanatic in your life. This Test Tube Wall-mounted Propagation Station is a great, beginner-friendly woodworking project for you to tackle if you’re dipping your toes into power tools!

Test Tube Propagation Station - Handmade Gift Ideas

Cactus Coasters

Can you name a single person in your life that wouldn’t be overjoyed to receive Cactus Coasters?! Surely not! I love a novelty gift, and I also love functional art!

Wooden Name Plaques

These Wooden Name Plaques with arrow details are a beautiful and personalized gift… especially to put in a baby nursery or kiddo’s bedroom.

Wooden Name Plaque - Handmade Gift Ideas

Christmas Card Wreath

While you’re at it, make one of these Christmas Card Wreaths for yourself, because it’s the perfect way to display all those Christmas cards that flow in from friends and family!

Leaf Carved Shelf

Have you ever tried your hand at carving wood? It was my first time when I did this Leaf Carved Shelf, and I think it turned out pretty decent! Get our your jigsaw and your dremel and make this handmade gift idea ASAP!

‘Agate’ Layered Paper Jewelry

Simply glue layers of construction paper and sand into organic shapes to make these ‘Agate’ Layered Paper Jewelry! You can use any color combination you want!

Wine & Stemware Rack

Mmmmmm MMM I love the combo of stained wood and leather on this Wine and Stemware Rack. I think this is the perfect handmade gift idea for anyone that loves to enjoy a glass of wine from time to time. The personalizing is optional too!

Wine and Stemware Rack - Handmade Gift Ideas

Wall-Mounted Picture Plaque

Help Grandma get all those cluttery pictures of her fridge and onto this Wall-Mounted Picture Plaque! I have made these for every grandparent in our family, and it’s such a perfect gift idea for grandparents or anyone that loves to display snapshots of friends and family. OR wouldn’t this gift be cute for a teenager paired with a polaroid camera?!