The Ultimate List of DIY Gifts for Beginners: Simple and Fun Ideas

Okay, real talk—have you ever needed a gift like… yesterday and found yourself spiraling through overpriced online shops thinking, “Why is everything either £2 or £200?” Yeah, same. That’s exactly why I fell in love with DIY gifts. They’re personal, budget-friendly, and IMO way more meaningful than grabbing another generic mug from the nearest supermarket.

DIY gifts are a versatile option because you can make something special for almost anyone, no matter their tastes or interests.

Plus, when you make something yourself, you get that smug little moment of pride when someone asks, “Where did you buy this?” and you can casually drop, “Oh, I made it :)”

So if you’ve ever wanted to try DIY gifts but felt overwhelmed or unsure where to start—you’re in the right place. I’ll walk you through simple, fun, beginner-friendly DIY gift ideas that are perfect for everyone on your list, from friends to family, and don’t require a craft room, fancy tools, or the patience of a saint. You only need a few basic craft supplies to get started.

Let’s jump in, friend. The holiday season is the perfect time to try making your own gifts and share something truly meaningful.

Why DIY Gifts Are Perfect for Beginners

They’re Surprisingly Easy (I Promise)

I used to believe DIY gifts required Pinterest-mom levels of talent, but there are so many easy DIY options that beginners can make. Spoiler: they don’t. Once you try one project and realise, “Oh, wait, I can do this,” suddenly the whole craft world opens up.

They’re Budget-Friendly but Don’t Look Cheap

Ever noticed how a homemade sugar scrub looks like something you’d find in a boutique spa? With just a few supplies, you can create impressive gifts that are both thoughtful and affordable. You can spend £5 on ingredients and end up with a gift that FEELS like it cost £25.

They’re Personal Without Getting Too Mushy

DIY gifts let you hit that sweet spot of “I care” without slipping into “I love you more than life itself,” which can, you know, scare people off.

A handmade present can become a special gift that stands out from store-bought options.

DIY Gifts to Start With (No Experience Needed)

1. Homemade Bath & Body Gifts

These top every beginner list because they’re quick, customizable, and look fancy with basically zero effort. Ever wondered why people go wild for things in tiny jars? Mystery of life.

DIY Ideas to Try:

• Lavender Sugar Scrub Mix sugar, coconut oil, and a few drops of lavender essential oil. You can easily follow a simple recipe to make it. Boom—spa day in a jar.

• Homemade Bath Salts Epsom salt + fragrance oil + food colouring (optional) = gift that looks like rainbow magic.

• Handmade Soap Bars Melt-and-pour kits exist for a reason. They’re foolproof and perfect for beginners.

Why People Love It:

Everyone has skin, everyone loves feeling pampered, and everyone likes things that smell good. Simple math.

These bath and body gifts are suitable for practically anyone, making them a safe choice for any occasion.

2. Edible DIY Gifts (AKA The Way to Anyone’s Heart)

Look, if you tell me someone doesn’t enjoy receiving snacks, I simply won’t believe you.

Homemade desserts are always a hit as DIY gifts, offering a personal touch and delicious variety.

Easy-Peasy Options:

• Mason Jar Cookie Kits Layer dry cookie ingredients in a jar. Add ribbon. Add label. Accept praise. You can follow a basic cookie recipe to prepare the mix.

• Homemade Chocolate Bark Melt chocolate, throw toppings on it like sprinkles, nuts, or edible glitter. Break it up once it hardens.

• Mini Loaves (Banana, Lemon, Cinnamon—Your Choice)Wrap in parchment, tie a string, pretend you’re a professional baker. Use a simple loaf recipe for your chosen flavor.

Why This Works:

Edible gifts feel thoughtful, look cute, and they never linger in someone’s house collecting dust.

They are a great gift option for any occasion.

3. DIY Gifts You Can Sew (Yes, Even If You’re a Beginner)

Before you panic—no, you don’t need to sew something intense. You don’t need a sewing machine for these projects, but if you have one, it can make things easier and help your creations look more polished. I’m not asking you to recreate a Bridgerton ball gown.

Simple Sewing Projects That Look Pro:

• Tote Bags Straight lines. Straight lines. That’s it.

• Scrunchies Pretty much the easiest sewing project on the planet.

• Cozy Hand Warmers Sew two squares together, fill with rice, microwave for 20 seconds—done.

• Basic Beanie A simple, cozy winter accessory that’s perfect for beginners. Personalize your basic beanie with DIY embellishments like pom-poms for a handmade gift.

Personal Tip:

I once made scrunchies for three friends and one said, “You should start a business.” Did I consider it? Yes. Did I? Absolutely not. But still flattering.

Handmade sewn gifts like these are also perfect for a family member, making your present even more thoughtful and personal.

4. Cute DIY Decor Gifts

These gifts win every time because they feel personal without being too intimate. Painting is a fun way to personalize decor gifts, allowing you to create unique, hand-painted items for any occasion. Great for coworkers, friends, or that relative you love but don’t know very well.

Ideas to Try:

• Hand-Painted Plant Pots Add a succulent for extra points.

• Personalized Candles Just print a label or decorate the jar. Presenting your candle in a pretty container makes the gift extra special.

• Framed Quotes or Prints This works even if you only know how to use Canva (FYI, Canva is basically magic for beginners).

Why They Work:

They brighten any space and feel boutique-level cute.

These decor items also make a cute gift for any occasion.

5. DIY Gifts for Him (That Aren’t Boring)

Stop giving socks. I’m begging. These gifts are practical as well as thoughtful, making them useful for everyday needs.

Beginner-Friendly Options:

• DIY Beard Oil Mix jojoba oil + argan oil + cedarwood essential oil. Easy.

• “Open When” Letter Set Emotional, but in a controlled and creative way.

• Handmade Keychain Leather, clay, resin—you choose.

• Upcycled Old Sweater Accessory Repurpose an old sweater into a cozy hot water bottle cover or handmade accessory for a sustainable, personal touch.

Bonus Tip:

If you’re looking for DIY gifts for boyfriend, homemade chocolate bark and a personalized photo frame combo = chef’s kiss.

These thoughtful gifts are also perfect for a loved one, making them feel truly appreciated.

6. Handmade Gifts for Your Best Friend

Because your best friend deserves more than a last-minute gift card, right? These ideas make for a thoughtful gift your best friend will cherish.

Cute Ideas:

• Matching Bracelets Make them using beads, string, or even embroidery floss. Add initials, names, or special dates to turn them into a personalized gift.

• Memory Jar Fill it with notes, memories, quotes, song lyrics… guaranteed to make them tear up.

• DIY Spa Set Combine bath salts, a face mask, and a candle. Package it in a little box for full aesthetic points.

Why They Love It:

Best friends appreciate effort. And drama. Mostly effort though.

A handmade present can be the perfect gift for your best friend.

7. DIY Gift Sets (The Easiest Way to Look Like You Tried Hard)

If you want a gift that screams “I put so much thought into this” while actually being super easy, gift sets are your new best friend.

A DIY gift set is a creative gift idea that looks impressive and can be customized for any occasion.

Themes to Try:

• Self-Care Set Soap + bath salts + lip balm.

• Baking Set Cookie jar mix + spatula + oven mitt.

• Movie Night Set Popcorn + snacks + cozy socks.

These are just a few great ideas to get you started.

Pro Hack:

Package everything in a cute basket or box. Presentation is half the magic.

For an extra festive touch, consider adding small ornaments—like salt dough shapes, geode pieces, or mini plant hangers—to your gift set.

8. Eco-Friendly DIY Gifts

Sometimes it feels good to treat the planet while treating someone else. Creating eco-friendly gifts is both rewarding and good for the planet.

Beginner Eco-Friendly Ideas:

• Reusable Makeup Remover Pads Sew circles of soft fabric.

• Upcycled Candle Jars Clean old jars and reuse them for new candles.

• Seed Paper Cards Yes, cards that literally grow flowers.

• Salt Dough Ornaments or Keepsakes Make ornaments or photo frames from salt dough for a simple, nostalgic, and eco-friendly DIY gift, perfect for the holiday season.

Ever Wondered Why This Works?

People love feeling ethical without doing too much work. ;)

Homemade gifts are especially meaningful when they're also eco-friendly.

9. DIY Jewelry for Absolute Beginners

Jewelry sounds advanced, but spoiler: it’s not.

Jewelry is also one of the most popular handmade gift ideas for beginners, offering a variety of easy and creative projects you can make at home.

Beginner-Friendly Jewelry Ideas:

• Clay Earrings
  Roll, shape, bake—add hardware. Super trendy.

• Beaded Bracelets
  String and go.

• Wire-Wrapped Rings
  Looks fancy. Isn’t.

Once you’ve tried these, there are plenty of other projects you can explore to expand your jewelry-making skills.

Personal Note:

My first pair of clay earrings looked… questionable. But my second pair? Honestly cute. Stick with it.

Making jewelry is a fun project for beginners.

Tools & Supplies Every Beginner Should Have

Before you start your project, grab these basic supplies to make crafting easy and stress-free.

To avoid mid-craft meltdowns, keep these basics on hand:

Craft Essentials:

These are the most useful craft supplies for beginners:

• Hot Glue Gun (your new best friend)

• Scissors

• Ribbon & Twine

• Mason Jars

• Essential Oils

• Paint & Brushes

• Fabric Scraps

• Cute Packaging Supplies

Why These Matter:

You can make 90% of beginner DIY gifts with these items. No joke.

These supplies are also featured in some of the most popular posts about DIY gifts.

Common Beginner Questions (AKA Things We’ve All Wondered Before)

What is the best DIY gift?

The best DIY gift is a thoughtful homemade gift that feels personal without taking you five years to make. I always recommend something like homemade soap, a cookie mix jar, or a little DIY spa set. These gifts look fancy, smell amazing, and don’t require advanced crafting skills. Plus, who doesn’t love something that screams, “I made this just for you… and no, it didn’t take all day”?

What is the most common gift to give?

Honestly? Food. People LOVE edible gifts. Christmas is a time when edible and handmade gifts are especially popular. Cookies, chocolate bark, brownies—if it’s sweet and fits in a jar, it’s a winner. Candles and photo frames also rank pretty high because they work for literally anyone. If you’re ever unsure, stick to the classics. Nobody complains about receiving snacks. Ever.

What do you get a DIY enthusiast?

A DIY lover wants supplies, not finished products. Think cute jars, craft tools, paints, stickers, essential oils, or anything they can use in future projects. If they love sewing, get fabric. If they love baking, get fancy sprinkles or molds. Trust me, gifting a crafter more craft stuff feels like handing them a ticket to Disneyland.

DIY enthusiasts also love making gifts for family as well as friends, so consider supplies that can be used for family-themed projects or keepsakes.

How to make a small handmade gift?

Start simple. You only need one or two materials to make something adorable. Try:

• A sachet stuffed with dried lavender

• A tiny jar of sugar scrub

• A mini candle

• A clay trinket dish

Small gifts pack a big punch, especially when you present them in cute packaging. Most of these take under 15 minutes—AKA perfect for procrastinators like me. These small projects are also great for a kid to make or receive.

Conclusion

DIY gifts don’t need to look Pinterest-perfect. They don’t need to take all weekend. They don’t need advanced skills or a craft room that looks like a sunshine-filled Instagram feed.

You just need simple materials, a bit of creativity, and the willingness to try something new. And honestly? You might surprise yourself with how good your creations look.

So next time you need a gift—skip the shops and make something fun instead. Your wallet will thank you, your friends will love it, and you’ll get that “OMG you made this?!” moment we all secretly live for ;)

If you want more ideas, need help picking a project, or want beginner shopping lists, just let me know—I’ve got loads more where that came from! For even more inspiration, be sure to check out our other gift guides for curated ideas for every occasion.