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Easy gift ideas you can make in 20 minutes or less.
Sometimes the best Christmas gifts are homemade. It's just the truth. There's something extra special about knowing that your gift was made by someone who cares about you; someone took the time to create the exact gift they think you would like. These easy gift ideas are our way of helping you create that feeling for other people this holiday.
Now...if you don't have the time or the energy...go buy something. Â Your family and friends will still feel loved. Â Promise. Â You don't need to try to be a superwoman (or man). Â You have enough going on, don't let making gifts be just one more stressor. Check out GIFT GUIDES to help make it easy.
But...if you like crafting gifts, or need to save a bit of money, these easy gift ideas are all fabulous ideas to get you started. Enjoy!
Easy gift ideas:
Sharpie Ornaments
These Sharpie ornaments are super simple and are a wonderful gift to give, particularly for someone in a new home or apartment at their first Christmas. These ornaments can be highly personalized, and are classic enough many will enjoy them.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. A small amount of artistic ability is necessary. Time: Each one takes about 5 minutes
This reindeer rootbeer is a wonderful and simple gift that is an "almost" craft. It's a perfect gift to make if you need a last minute gift but still want it to have some personality.
Difficulty Level: Super Beginner. So easy. Time: 5 minutes per bottle. A 6-pack takes about 30 minutes.
This diy cake stand is a great gift option because of how unique and simple it really is. We made a mini version, perfect for a cupcake, but you could use the same tutorial to make a full-sized cake stand. The key to this project is to find an interesting bowl for the cover. This is one of our easy gift ideas that you will pull out year-round when you are looking for a fabulous gift.
Difficulty Level: Beginner. Seriously, it's easy. You can do it. Time: about 20 minutes. But give it overnight to properly set.
Materials Needed:
bowl
small plate
small cup, egg cup, sundae dish, or candlestick
large bead or knob
[easyazon_link identifier="B0044SB3M8" locale="US"]E6000[/easyazon_link] or similarly strong clear, waterproof glue
We love this ring dish for a woman's present. It is even simpler to make than the cake stand, but has the possibility of being incredibly unique. Choose a figurine for the center of the dish that is special in some way for the person you are gifting this to.
Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate. Only because there is spray paint involved. Time: About 20 minutes. But give it time to dry and set.
These coasters will not be appreciated by everyone, but those who DO like them, will absolutely love them. They take something old and boring and turn it into a useful and fun gift.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate. We just think that anything using superglue can't be classified as beginner. On principle. Time: About 45 minutes. It just takes a bit of time to braid and wind.
Materials Needed:
old t-shirts
tape
superglue (or something similar)
Click here for the tutorial.
Coffee Filter Tea Bags
A little box of these homemade tea bags would be absolutely delightful! Use delicious loose leaf tea to make personalized bags you know they would love.
I would tuck these into a small box with a tea cup and note for an utterly charming and personal gift.
Difficulty Level: Easy. Â It's not hard at all. But some people simply struggle to fold :). Time: About 1 minute per bag.
This garden-in-a-box is a ton of fun, and someone in your life is sure to appreciate it. This is another customizable gift, where you can choose to either create your own fun box or buy one that is already pretty. And you can decide which herbs need to be included, or maybe even small flowers instead. Your choice.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate. This craft is filled with very simple steps, but there are a few more than we generally like. We love the result, though! Time: It depends. If you are creating your box, add more time. If you have to go shopping for dirt and herbs, add more time. Otherwise, it should be ready in less than 20 minutes.
Materials Needed:
craft box
paints (if you are using a plain box and decorating it)
wooden circles (available at a craft store)
small plastic cups
potting soil
herb seeds
Click here for the tutorial.
Gilded Bookends
This craft is one of our favorite easy gift ideas because it can be as masculine or feminine as you choose, which makes it one of the few crafts we have that actually works as a gift for men. We also love how unexpected this gift would be; it is fun to surprise people sometimes!
Difficulty Level: Intermediate Time: About 20 minutes. Give it overnight to dry and set.
Materials Needed:
[easyazon_link identifier="B003W0AAJG" locale="US"]gilding[/easyazon_link] (available at craft stores)
4 blocks of wood (the size you want for your bookends)
2 dollar store animals (make sure they look cool on bookends)
This is one of those easy gift ideas that actually isn't even a craft. It's just repurposing something...but in a way that everyone will absolutely adore. Take a squat mason jar and turn it into a super cute cupcake holder. That's it!
Difficulty Level: Super duper beginner. Time: 2 minutes. The more you decorate, the more time it will take.
Lives in Minnesota with her husband, 2 kids, and 2 dogs. Loves coffee, cocktails, books, paddleboarding, and gardening. Oldest of 10 kids, grew up in MN, spent years and years in WI, die-hard Viking fan.
Author of Creative Gift Ideas: 52 Unique Gift Sets for under $20 available on Amazon.
As seen in Better Homes & Gardens, Country Living, Woman's Day, All You, Oprah Magazine, Parents Magazine, Huffington Post, Good Housekeeping, Cottages & Bungalows, Stillwater Gazette, and many more.
Speaker at Pinner's Conference, Activate Conference, SOFABU On the Road, Mentored Retreat, and more.
2 thoughts on “Easy gift ideas you can make in 20 minutes or less.”
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Hi There!! Remember when I asked if you were still posting?? Well that's because I haven't received a post since you announced you'd written a book. I don't know why or how I was dropped. Do you have something against Mid-easterners??I hope not -- I don't mind you're Minnesotans. I mean after all, someone has to live in the frozen tundra. So -- do I need to subscribe again?? If this happened to me could it have happened to others?? Miss seeing your posts.
Haha; we wish we could hate you mid-easterners for your warm weather. But you make it impossible. We'll re-add you to the subscription list. I don't know what happened...but yes, it's possible it has happened to others. We have no real way of knowing. But we'll be sure you see them again so you can leave us more great comments!
Hi There!! Remember when I asked if you were still posting?? Well that's because I haven't received a post since you announced you'd written a book. I don't know why or how I was dropped. Do you have something against Mid-easterners??I hope not -- I don't mind you're Minnesotans. I mean after all, someone has to live in the frozen tundra. So -- do I need to subscribe again?? If this happened to me could it have happened to others?? Miss seeing your posts.
Haha; we wish we could hate you mid-easterners for your warm weather. But you make it impossible. We'll re-add you to the subscription list. I don't know what happened...but yes, it's possible it has happened to others. We have no real way of knowing. But we'll be sure you see them again so you can leave us more great comments!