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In recent years, gift-giving has become somewhat of a commercialized process that feels more like an obligation than a joyful Christmas tradition. This is especially true when it comes to finding appropriate Christmas presents for colleagues, as the choices often seem generic and impersonal.
That is why a lot of people are now opting for homemade gifts, as they are more thoughtful, creative and fun to receive.
So, if you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at our DIY Christmas gift ideas that your coworkers are guaranteed to love.
1. Christmas cookie box
Baked goods are always a safe option when it comes to homemade gifts. From meringues to gingerbread cookies to Austrian Linzer biscuits, you can compile a box full of goodies for your coworkers.
Choose between three to five recipes to make sure there is enough variety, and don’t forget to add some festive touches such as candy canes and ribbons to decorate the exterior of the box.
2. Homemade infused liquors
Don’t let their fancy exterior deceive you; liquors make a fantastic DIY Christmas present. Not only are they quite easy to make, but they are highly customizable, too!
The options are endless; you could go for cranberry, orange and cinnamon whiskey, or vanilla bean and strawberry vodka, or come up with your own combo. All you need to do is put your ingredients in a clean jar with an airtight lid and let them infuse for a few days.
3. Hot cocoa mix in a jar
This is an inexpensive gift idea that will be a definite crowd-pleaser.
To assemble, you’ll need hot cocoa powder, sugar canes, mini marshmallows, powdered milk and some mason jars*. Once ready, decorate your jars with ornamental ribbons, dried orange slices, cranberry ornaments, or whatever else you have on hand.
4. Festive chocolate bark
The beauty of chocolate bark is that you can use anything you want; from sprinkles to jelly beans and crushed candy canes to pretzels to dried fruit. The process is also fairly easy, and the final product makes a beautiful and fun DIY gift.
After melting the chocolate and sprinkling your favorite ingredients on top, allow it to cool in the fridge and then break the “bark” into pieces before transferring them to a gift container.
5. Handmade Christmas tree ornaments
Jacob Fox via Better Homes & Gardens
Another thoughtful gift idea that your coworker will love is a collection of handmade ornaments.
You could create them using different materials like clay, wood, paper or felt, depending on your preferred method and style. Once ready, put them in a nice box that can also be used for later storage.
6. Illustrated calendar
If you’re any good with a paintbrush, a handmade calendar could make a great gift.
Choose a theme for the entire calendar, such as flowers, fruits, sports or animals, and illustrate a different item for each month. Use watercolor paper* to ensure the paint doesn’t leak through, and tie everything together with some twine or ribbon.
7. Candleholders
Handmade candle holders can be a lovely gift for Christmastime. You can use either airdry or polymer clay to make them, and use spray acrylic sealer* for a polished finish. Make sure to combine the finished product with a bundle of candle sticks to complete your gift!
8. Holiday room sprays
Tidbits & Company
This is a simple yet unique gift idea that will make the gift receiver’s home smell like Christmas. You’ll need some spray bottles*, essential oils, filtered water and either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. As for scents, you can be as creative as you want when creating your mixtures!
9. Beeswax candles
Another fragrant holiday gift you could opt for is beeswax candles.
The process involves mixing melted beeswax* with coconut oil and the essential oils of your choice. You’ll then need to glue some wicks at the bottom of heat-proof jars and pour in the mixture. This might take some practice, but the end result makes it worth it.
10. Handprinted tote bags
If your colleague is known for their ever-growing tote bag collection, then they’ll appreciate this gift from their Secret Santa.
To make your prints, you can use leaves, flowers, fruit, or anything else that could act as a stamp. Some paintbrushes, acrylic paint and a paint roller* will also be necessary for this festive DIY project.
11. Crochet book sleeve
Purls & Top Knots
For the office bookworm who is always carrying around their current read, a crochet book sleeve is a must. There are numerous patterns out there, but this envelope-shaped book sleeve is pretty adorable. That said, it’s good to keep the gift receiver in mind when deciding on a design.
12. Pressed plants photo frame
This is a simple but elegant choice for a gift.
Place the pressed flowers, leaves and stems along with your chosen photo within a glass photo frame*, and voilà, your present is ready!
If you don’t have any pressed flowers* on hand, then you could either buy them or make them yourself — it’s fairly easy to do, and it only takes a couple of weeks for them to be ready for use.
13. Christmas stovetop potpourri
When assembling potpourri, the choices of herbs and ingredients you could include are endless. For example, you could use cinnamon, cloves, dried citrus, dehydrated apples and rosemary, among other things.
Depending on how much effort you want to put into the process, you can buy dehydrated fruit* or make your own using an oven.
14. Macrame plant hanger
For the plant lovers in your office, these handmade plant hangers are the perfect holiday gift.
Using a macrame cord*, the plant hangers are made by using some basic knots that are then knotted in different patterns. While it may seem complicated, this is an easy project if you’re a beginner to this craft.
15. Peppermint sugar scrub
Who doesn’t love some pampering? This peppermint sugar scrub is both festive and easy to make. All you will need is sugar, coconut oil and peppermint essential oil*. When it comes to presentation, you could print your own label and place it on the scrub’s container.
This could be part of an at-home spa gift basket you could put together for your colleague, featuring bath bombs, body lotion and other goodies.
16. Glühwein kit
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to drink mulled wine.
To put together your Glühwein kit, get a nice-looking basket, a bottle of red wine, a small bottle of cognac or orange liquor, a jar of honey, and a bag of mulling spices such as cinnamon, clove, dried orange, cardamom and star anise.
As for the basket, you can customize it to your liking to give it a festive look!
17. Terrarium
Another Christmas gift idea for your green-fingered colleague is a handmade terrarium.
You can build it using either an open or closed glass container* by adding small stones, horticultural charcoal, soil, moss and the plants of your choice. To give the terrarium a whimsical touch, you could also add some figurines of animals, fairies, snowmen, or whatever else floats your boat!
18. Jarred spice blends
These seasoning blends are the perfect homemade gift. Plus, they’re both budget-friendly and practical! You’ll need small glass jars and a variety of spices — depending on what’s already in your pantry. Don’t forget to label each container with what spices are inside!
19. Glass tile coasters
You can’t go wrong with a nice coaster set. To make, get yourself some glass mosaic tile sheets, plaster, hot glue and precut wood squares*. Once ready, tie your coasters together with some baker’s twine or ribbon before gifting them to your colleague.
You can also opt for crochet, clay or felt, if you want to create more elaborate coaster designs.
20. Brownie mix in a jar
Here’s another fun homemade gift that is easy to put together.
If your coworkers is known for having a sweet tooth, they’ll be just a jar away from a fresh tray of brownies at home. Layer all dry ingredients needed for the brownie recipe within a mason jar, seal, and then decorate with some ribbons, dried fruit and candy canes.
Final thoughts
Homemade gifts certainly put you in the Christmas spirit, as they take effort and planning to make. Even more so, they show your gift-receiver that some thought has been put into their present, which they will surely appreciate even more.
To make sure that your gift will be a hit, keep in mind your colleague’s interests, and pick something that you know they’d like. With our list of DIY gift ideas, you’ll never be short of options!
Got any more ideas? Let us know in the comments section below.