5 Crafty Holiday Gift Ideas for Family and Friends

This time of year is stressful for many people. Instead of cherishing the holidays, we’re stressed out about the preparations. We’re looking forward to the food and the family, but not the high costs of gifts and decorations. The holidays should be cheerful and special!

These craft ideas are not only finance friendly, but stress-relieving. Putting these gifts together will not only put you at ease (they’ll easily fit within your holiday budget), but your friends and family with love them even more because they were made by you! Which ones will you create?

1. The Infinity Scarf

Knitting is easy to learn if you don’t already know how and you’ll find the repetitive movement of your fingers quite relaxing. If the task seems tedious to you, you can always multi-task by watching your favorite show at the same time. Infinity scarves are the latest twist to the traditional scarf and look great paired with sweaters and boots for the upcoming winter season.

I’ve found that 16 stitches wide is the best width, but you’re welcome to experiment with skinnier or wider widths. The thicker the knitting needles, the chunkier the scarf will be. A package of yarn on sale costs you as little as $2.50. Three feet long is the perfect length to loop the scarf twice around your neck once the ends of the finished scarf are stitched together. The project takes about three hours to complete. Pick out your loved one’s favorite color and keep them warm for the holidays!

2. Printed Photos

The sentimentality of printed photos has not been lost. A single printed photo costs as little as nineteen cents and that’s without the holiday deals that are already popping up. Free your trapped photos from your computer or phone and present them in a beautiful album.

If you want to get more creative, websites like Shutterfly and My Publisher offer beautiful templates for their customized, bound albums. Whether you print out pictures of your kids or pictures from you latest vacation, the album is going to sit on your loved one’s coffee table forever.

3. Cookies in a Jar

You probably already have the ingredients for delicious cookies in your cupboards. Pick out your favorite cookie recipe, measure the ingredients accordingly and present them in a pretty jar. Tie a bow and a card around the top of the jar for the perfect gift. That way, all your friend needs to do is add the wet ingredients to the jar mixture to create the dough!

Don’t feel like doing cookies? Try making brownies, cake, muffins, or even popcorn for a special treat to enjoy after the Christmas chaos.

4. Wall Art

Don’t get scared at the word “art” if you’re not creative. The first step is to pick a medium: watercolors, pastels, pencil, paper or even fabric, etc. Do a detailed design, a nature scene, or challenge yourself with a replica or portrait. Then pick the perfect frame to go with it. Every time the receiver of your gift sees the picture on their wall, they’ll think of you! If they can’t tell what it is, just tell them it’s abstract (ha) . . . .

5. Custom Stationary

Supplies for this gift include paper, a stamp, a stamp pad and envelopes. Card stock can get expensive, but look for some on sale or purchase decorated packaged paper at an office store or even the dollar store. What makes this gift special is the stamp and colored ink you chose. Then you get to pick where to place the stamp on the paper and the envelope; the stamp looks especially classy on the flap of the envelopes.

Again, there are websites available for this project, but it can get spendy and handmade gifts are priceless, right? They can continue to give after you’ve given them stationary by sending snail mail. A letter from a friend amongst the bills and advertisements always makes someone’s day.

It may seem a little early to prepare for Christmas, but it will sneak up on us because we know it! Embrace the holiday season and manage potential stress by making these great gifts.

What are some other great holiday gift ideas you can give to family and friends? Leave a comment!