13 Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts: Simple DIY Ideas for Thoughtful Gift Giving

The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, get creative, and make something truly special for the people you love. These easy homemade Christmas gifts are simple, beautiful, and full of that personal touch that store-bought gifts can’t match. Wrap them up and finish with a sprig of freshly cut pine or homemade dried orange slices for a charming, whimsical touch.

Homemade Christmas gift ideas including natural tallow soap topped with dried flowers, whipped tallow balm in jars, creamy tallow candles, and nourishing lip balm tubes — all easy DIY gifts made with simple ingredients from Idie’s Farm.

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Whether you’re sewing with fabric scraps, crafting natural tallow balms and cold process soap, or making DIY candles that fill the house with festive scents, these handmade gifts are a thoughtful way to share your creativity and show how much you care.

Each project includes a step-by-step tutorial, so you’ll have plenty of time to make several before Christmas — even if you’re new to sewing, soap making, or DIY skincare. These are useful gifts that friends and family will actually enjoy using all year long, and they’re full of simple festive charm that brings out the best of the Christmas spirit.

A Quick Look at These Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts

Beautiful finished bars of Bastille soap topped with dried flowers and tied with twine, ready for gifting.

1. Homemade Cold Process Bastille Soap Recipe for Beginners

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own bar soap, this gentle cold process soap recipe is the perfect place to start. Made with olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, it’s moisturizing and makes a lovely gift when wrapped with a simple flower card. Add a few drops of essential oils for a festive scent like peppermint or orange.

Finished homemade tallow lip balm tubes on a marble countertop, with a basket and purple flowers in the background.

2. Homemade Tallow Lip Balm Recipe (Nourishing & Long-Lasting)

This rich, natural lip balm is one of my favorite simple DIY Christmas gift ideas. It’s made with tallow, beeswax, and coconut oil — simple ingredients that nourish dry winter lips. Package in little tins or tubes and tie with a piece of twine for a thoughtful gesture that’s both practical and adorable.

Homemade whipped tallow balm for How to Make Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm (Diy Recipe).

3. How to Make Homemade Whipped Tallow Balm (DIY Recipe)

This creamy whipped balm feels luxurious and makes a great gift for anyone who loves natural skincare. It’s made from beef tallow and scented with essential oils, and has a light, whipped texture that melts into the skin. Perfect for special occasions, stocking stuffers, or even teacher gifts.

Homemade beef tallow candle in a mason jar labeled with lavender essential oil – clean-burning natural candle with a rustic and eco-friendly look.

4. How to Make Natural Candles From Beef Tallow

Candles are always a favorite gift, and this easy DIY candle tutorial shows how to use beef tallow to make long-burning, all-natural candles. They’re simple to customize with essential oils like cinnamon or clove, and they make a beautiful addition to any holiday party table or cozy evening at home.

Finished apron for Learn How to Sew an Egg Apron for Your Homestead.

5. Learn How to Sew an Egg Apron for Your Homestead

This one’s a hit with homesteaders and chicken keepers alike! A handmade egg apron makes a useful gift for any backyard chicken lover. It’s a fun sewing project that uses small pieces of fabric scraps, and you can adjust the size easily to fit any age or style.

Covered Bowls for Easy Tutorial on How to Sew Reusable Bowl Covers.

6. Easy Tutorial on How to Sew Reusable Bowl Covers

If you love giving eco-friendly handmade gifts, these reusable bowl covers are perfect. They’re quick to sew, washable, and come in handy for potlucks, picnics, and everyday kitchen use. This simple tutorial is great for beginners and adds a personal touch to any homemade food gift — like homemade turtle thumbprint cookies or homemade raspberry jam.

Bread baskets and banneton baskets with handmade white basket liners in them on a gray wood countertop.

7. How To Make An Easy DIY Basket Liner (Sew Tutorial)

This easy sewing project transforms any simple basket into a cozy holiday gift basket. Fill it with homemade soap and lip balm, or homemade foods in cute labeled jars like: homemade jams and cowboy candy! It’s an extra special way to wrap gifts that look beautiful under the Christmas tree.

🎄 Homemade Food Gifts for the Holidays

Nothing says homemade love quite like a jar of jam or fruit butter. These homemade foods are full of flavor, easy to make in advance, and perfect for holiday gifting. Add a ribbon, a sprig of pine, or a tag, and you’ll have a simple gift idea that’s both beautiful and delicious.

Canned peaches for Peached being blanched for Low Sugar Peach Jam (Easy Canning Recipe - No Pectin).

10. Low Sugar Peach Jam (Easy Canning Recipe - No Pectin)

For a simple gift idea that tastes like sunshine, this peach jam is a winner. It’s lightly sweetened and makes the perfect companion to sourdough biscuits, sourdough discard pancakes, or even in homemade thumbprint cookies. It’s also a great way to give a homemade food gift that feels thoughtful and wholesome.

Close-up of tomato jam being scooped from a mason jar, highlighting its chunky, jammy consistency.

11. The Best Tomato Jam Recipe

If you’ve never had tomato jam, this one will surprise you — it’s sweet, savory, and pairs perfectly over a slab of cream cheese with sourdough discard crackers or sourdough graham crackers. A small jar makes a unique homemade Christmas gift for food lovers. Add a ribbon and gift tag for a charming personal touch.

Homemade apple butter in jars for Best Homemade Old Fashioned Apple Butter Recipe.

12. Best Homemade Old-Fashioned Apple Butter Recipe

This slow-cooked apple butter fills your kitchen with cozy holiday aromas and makes a perfect gift for teachers, neighbors, or family members. The deep caramelized apple flavor and warm spices capture everything we love about the Christmas season in one simple jar. Place an adorable tag on it and add it to a basket with a homemade basket liner for that perfect holiday touch!

Homemade strawberry jam in a glass mason jar with spoon, surrounded by fresh strawberries, no pectin, small batch recipe.

13. Classic Homemade Strawberry Jam Without Pectin

This classic homemade strawberry jam is bursting with fresh, ripe berry flavor — no boxed pectin needed! Just strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice come together in a simple recipe that cooks down into a thick, sweet jam with a beautiful ruby-red color. It’s the perfect homemade food gift for the holiday season or any time of year, and a lovely way to preserve summer’s sweetness in a jar. Spoon it over sourdough discard rolls, swirl it into homemade yogurt, or tie it with a ribbon for a thoughtful present straight from your kitchen.

Why Make Homemade Christmas Gifts?

There’s something magical about giving a homemade gift that you crafted yourself. It’s more than just a present — it’s a thoughtful gesture that shows time, care, and love. These projects are all simple DIY Christmas gift ideas that don’t require fancy supplies or special skills.

Plus, you can customize scents, colors, and fabrics to match the personalities of your family members or best friends. It’s a great way to spend cozy evenings creating thoughtful presents that bring joy long after the wrapping paper is gone.

Tips for Making the Most of the Holiday Season

Start early. Handmade gifts take time to cure, cool, or set — so get started now to avoid last-minute stress.
Batch your gifts. Make a few bars of soap or candles at once; they store beautifully and save time.
Add festive details. Tie on gift tags, ribbons, or homemade dried orange slices for a charming Christmas season look.

FAQ: Easy Homemade Christmas Gifts

What are the easiest homemade Christmas gifts to make last-minute?

Tallow lip balm and reusable bowl covers are both quick to make and use ingredients or materials you probably already have. They’re great for a last-minute thoughtful present.

How far ahead should I make handmade gifts like soap or candles?

Soap needs to cure for 4–6 weeks, so start early in the festive season. Candles and balms can be made closer to Christmas since they set up quickly.

Can I make these gifts with my kids or teens?

Absolutely! These are fun DIY projects for young adults or families who want to make memories together. Just supervise when using lye or hot wax.

Bring Back the Joy of Handmade Giving

Making DIY gifts brings the warmth of the season into your home — from the scent of essential oils to the hum of your sewing machine. These projects are a great idea for anyone who wants to share a bit of heart and creativity this year.

So light a candle, turn on your favorite Christmas music, and enjoy crafting these easy homemade Christmas gifts — the kind that make everyone feel just a little more loved!