DIY Gifts that Don’t Look Homemade (For Everyone!)

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Looking for a do-it-yourself present that looks more expensive than it is? Check out these 30+ DIY gifts that don’t look homemade. Get easy gift ideas for all of your family members!

30+DIY Gift Ideas that Look Expensive

Giving someone a homemade gift can result in a hug and true appreciation or a polite “Thank you” and an awkward look. If you know someone well, you maybe already know if they will really appreciate a handmade gift. However, that isn’t always the case. So why give a DIY gift?

  • Reason #1: it is less expensive.
  • Reason #2: it shows you really thought about the gift and spent time in creating it for the receiver.

So what is a DIYer to do? Give a gift that looks like you purchased it in a local boutique or specialty store. Etsy is a good place for inspiration. It is full of homemade products that don’t really look homemade.

Or, you can check out my list below of over 30 homemade gifts that look more expensive than they really are. Bonus? You can go right to each site and get a tutorial to complete the gift!

DIY Gift Ideas

If you like homemade gift ideas, this is your list! There is a DIY project for every member of the family here . . . get great ideas for Christmas, birthday, Mother's Day, anniversaries, and more.

1

Fruit Stamped Tea Towels

Use a fun fruit stamping technique to decorate some plain tea towels. These make great gifts for any homeowner and they are so easy – even a kid can make them!

2

Resin Cutting Board

Photo Credit: Plaid Crafts

A cutting board can function as both a useful kitchen tool and a piece of décor! Learn how to make a resin cutting board with epoxy casting resin and acrylic paint. Such a beautiful gift idea!

3

Clay Ring Dish

Make a cute little clay ring dish with hand painted accents! These darling dishes are a pretty personalized gift for any woman in your life, and are so easy to make.

4

Race Car Mugs

These sports car inspired painted mugs make great gifts for guys! They are very easy to paint and very inexpensive to make – you just need a few supplies.

5

Leather + Flannel Scarf

Photo Credit: www.deliacreates.com

I love the snaps and leather edge on this scarf! It only requires a bit of sewing and can be worn as an infinity scarf (as shown) or unsnapped and hanging down.

See all of our DIY scarves.

6

Embroidered Coasters

These embroidered coasters have a cute fruit theme that would go well with the fruit stamped tea towels earlier on this list! Use cork and this easy tutorial to make them.

See all of our DIY coasters.

7

Bloody Mary Gift Set

Photo Credit: almostmakesperfect.com

Get a bloody Mary recipe and labels to make a bloody Mary gift set! Use cute containers and the simple free printable labels to make it look like a store-bought gift.

8

Gold Foil Notebooks

Use gold foil, Mod Podge, papers, and embellishments to create the cutest personalized notebooks ever – keep these minis in your pocket!

9

Marbled Mugs

Learn how to make the coolest nail polish mugs ever - on a budget! Learn the dos and don'ts for making the mugs, and get tips for washing.

See all of our DIY mugs.

10

Tie Zip Bags

Photo Credit: www.polkadotchair.com

Learn how to make these DIY necktie zip pouches from old ties. They make great handmade gifts for men, husbands, or anyone else that might like a masculine silk print.

Get all of our Father's Day gifts.

11

Bread and Cheese Board

Photo Credit: www.prettyhandygirl.com

Learn how to make a walnut wood cheese board with a marble inlay that keeps cheese cool! Perfect gift idea for someone who just bought or moved into a new home.

12

Punch Needle Pillow

Photo Credit: sarahmaker.com

Learn how to make a punch needle pillow that looks like it comes from an expensive store. There are a bunch of punch needle tutorials for you to try on this site.

See all of our DIY pillows.

13

Quilted Pot Holder

Learn how to make a pot holder, and quilt it, using your fave fabric and this easy tutorial! You don’t even need a pattern for this DIY pot holder.

See all of our beginner sewing projects.

14

Colorful Tea Towel

Use fabric markers on this DIY tea towel to make a unique gift personalized with color! This is adult coloring with a twist, and so easy.

15

How to Make Scented Candles from Scratch

Photo Credit: food52.com

Get easy to follow step-by-step instructions and scent recipes for homemade candles. From choosing the container to burning them properly, this is a definitive candle-making guide.

Learn what you need to make candles.

16

Bath Salts

This DIY bath salt recipe is perfect for gifts! Use any essential oils that you like to make this aromatherapy treat in a jar. The added spoons and twine make them look like something you purchased in a spa store.

17

Fire Starter Kit

Photo Credit: themerrythought.com

Know someone who has a fireplace or who likes to go camping? This DIY fire starter kit is a great DIY gift idea they will definitely use!

18

Perpetual Calendar

Photo Credit: Steve Carrell

Create a DIY perpetual calendar using this free watercolor printable! It’s easy to make with Mod Podge and a few other basic supplies.

19

Cactus Ring Holder

Photo Credit: littleredwindow.com

When I first saw this I thought that it would definitely be something I might see in an Anthropologie! Such a cute little clay ring holder, and I love the polka dots.

20

Beer Caddy

This wooden DIY beer caddy is easy to make! Grab the plans here; it's a perfect gift idea for any beer lover in your life.

See all of our easy woodworking projects (great for gifts!).

21

Travel Pillow

Photo Credit: hellocreativefamily.com

Do you know someone who travels often? Make them this sloth travel pillow in 20 minutes using a Cricut (or you could use iron-on transfer paper). There is also a tutorial for making a sloth sleep mask.

22

Chalk Paint Mason Jars with Succulents

Photo Credit: Courtney Sanchez

This painted mason jar is the perfect gift for plant ladies (or lads!). Add some succulents for a perfect display. And again, you can easily customize the colors.

23

Swinging Heart Photo Locket

Photo Credit: abeautifulmess.com

With a few basic jewelry supplies and a printer you can make an updated version of a classic locket necklace.

24

Etched Wooden Utensils

Photo Credit: www.thewhimsicalwife.com

These unique and personalized etched wooden spoons would make the perfect addition to any master cook's kitchen. Sketch a design, wood burn it in, and you’re done.

25

Clothespin Trivets

Learn how to make clothespin trivets with a few simple supplies! These are easy and high heat resistant so you can use them with hot pots. A couple of these along with the quilted pot holder earlier on this list would be a great gift.

See all of our clothespin crafts.

26

Teacup Candles

Photo Credit: www.budgetsavvydiva.com

My mom has a large teacup collection that she treasures, handed down from her grandmother. This teacup candle is so simple to make, and would make a very special gift for a tea or teacup lover.

27

Gone Fishing Sign

Learn how to make this wooden fishing sign - perfect gift for the angler in the family! This is such an easy project.

28

Mickey Mouse Rope Basket

Photo Credit: dollarcrafter.com

This super easy DIY Mickey Mouse rope basket comes together fast and only uses a couple items from a dollar store! Great gift for the Disney lover in your life.

29

Song Lyric Wall Art

Are there any song lyrics that are special to you and your recipient? Learn how to make this art using felt and a simple wood frame. This is so easy and perfect decor for a variety of styles.

30

Coffee Soap

Photo Credit: athomeontheprairie.com

Get this melt and pour soap recipe and wrap each bar in a label you print out. Stack them and secure with twine so they look professional.

Learn what supplies you need to make soap.

31

Cross Stitch Pillow

Learn how to cross stitch a pillow cover the easy way - also comes with a free printable cross stitch pattern. Great gift for a best friend or sibling!

We also have an even simpler pom pom pillow if you'd like to check out a no sew version, too.

32

Map Tile Coasters

Photo Credit: modpodgerocksblog.com

One of the most fun and easy Mod Podge craft ideas is DIY tile coasters. These ceramic coasters are great for home decor, wedding favors, or a unique gift!

33

Fleece Blanket

Photo Credit: newlywedsurvival.com

Make a warm fleece blanket without having to know how to sew! Bonus? This version doesn't have bulky knots that some fleece blankets have.

34

Hand Embroidery Magnets

If you love the look of delicate stitches, these hand embroidery magnets are perfect for you. The floral pattern is so pretty!

35

EASY Salt Dough Ornaments That Last Forever

Photo Credit: Linda Smith

These are great for Christmas gifts, but you can make them for any time of year! They last forever, you can paint any colors you like . . . and they're easy.


Did you like these do-it-yourself gifts that look more expensive than they are? Then you’ll love these other great ideas:

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