10 easy & creative DIY Christmas gifts that they’ll love
30th Nov 2023
A handmade Christmas gift often means so much more than an off-the-shelf trinket.
If you’re not scared of a little DIY, you can craft a truly unique present that’ll be extra special for the person receiving it.
Here are our favourite fun and meaningful DIY Christmas gift ideas:
1. Handcrafted Jewellery Charms
Handmade jewellery is personalised and stylish, giving you a place to explore your creativity and create a wonderful Christmas gift for a special someone.
- Tools Needed: Wire cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Jewellery wire, beads, clasps
- Instructions:
- Cut a length of jewellery wire using wire cutters.
- Use parallel pliers to bend the wire into desired shapes (e.g. hearts, stars).
- Thread beads onto the wire for decoration.
- Use wire cutters to trim any excess wire.
- Attach clasps at the ends using the pliers to secure them, completing your necklace or bracelet.
2. Festive Ornament Creations
Gift these ornaments to add some festive cheer, get creative with different shapes, sizes, and colours! They’re perfect as tree decorations and holiday keepsakes.
- Tools Needed: Wire cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Coloured craft wire, ribbon
- Instructions:
- Cut lengths of craft wire using wire cutters.
- Use parallel pliers to twist and shape the wire into festive shapes (e.g. stars, trees, angels).
- Create a small loop at the top of the shape.
- Cut a length of ribbon and thread it through the loop, tying it for hanging.
3. Artistic DIY Picture Frames
A creative way to frame cherished memories from friends and family. You can personalise these to reflect the image you use, for example adding a quote or a funny comment.
- Tools Needed: Wire cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these), Straight Edge (we recommend these)
- Materials: Picture frames, thin wire, small beads or charms
- Instructions:
- Remove the glass from a picture frame.
- Use wire cutters to cut a piece of wire long enough to span the frame.
- With parallel pliers, twist the wire into a decorative design (e.g., words, shapes).
- Use the straight edge for precise bends and angles.
- Attach the wire art to the frame using a glue gun.
- Reassemble the frame.
4. Handcrafted Bookmarks
Perfect for the avid reader, you can make them smile each time they open or close their book, with a unique bookmark. Pair them with a new book for the perfect Christmas gift.
- Tools Needed: Straight Edge (we recommend these), Wire Cutters (we recommend these)
- Materials: Cardstock, decorative paper, thin wire, beads
- Instructions:
- Cut cardstock into a bookmark shape using a straight edge for precision.
- Decorate with paper and personal designs.
- Use wire cutters to cut a small piece of wire.
- Twist wire into a decorative shape or letter.
- Attach the wire design to the top of the bookmark.
5. Chic Keychains
A simple gift that’s very functional. Help them keep a hold of keys that often go missing, or put a smile on their face every time they go to start the car. Get creative with designs to reflect who you’re giving them to.
- Tools Needed: Wire cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Thick wire, key rings, charms or beads
- Instructions:
- Cut a piece of thick wire.
- Use parallel pliers to wrap the wire around the key ring several times.
- Add beads or charms for decoration.
- Use wire cutters to trim any excess wire.
6. Wire Photo Holders
A cute and slightly less formal way of displaying photos, ideal as a desk ornament. Print off photos of your favourite shared memories to customise the holder.
- Tools Needed: Wire Cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Thick wire, small wooden blocks, paint or markers
- Instructions:
- Drill a hole into the wooden block the same size as the wire.
- Decorate the block to match the theme you’re after.
- Cut a length of wire, roughly 6-8 inches in length.
- Use parallel pliers to twist the wire into a spiral at one end (which is where the photo will rest) and a base to insert into the wooden block at the other.
- Insert the wire into the block.
7. Customized Metal Bookmarks
For a more sophisticated bookmark that’s super simple to make, and one that can be made unique through extra decorations if you desire. They’re really durable too.
- Tools Needed: Straight Edge (we recommend these), craft knife or metal cutters, metal hole punch (we recommend these)
- Materials: Thin metal sheet, sandpaper, ribbon
- Instructions:
- Cut the metal sheet into a bookmark shape using the straight edge and knife/cutters.
- Smooth the edges with sandpaper.
- Punch a hole at the top.
- Thread a ribbon through the hole.
8. Decorative Wire Napkin Rings
Add personality to their dining table, with unique napkin rings that can be personalised to their taste and dining room colour scheme. Perfect for someone who loves to host.
- Tools Needed: Wire Cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Thick wire, beads, ribbon
- Instructions:
- Cut lengths of thick wire.
- Use parallel pliers to bend the wire into ring shapes.
- Decorate with beads, twisting additional wire to secure them.
- Optionally, tie a ribbon for extra decoration.
9. Personalised Garden Markers
For the gardener who has it all, add a bit of personality to their garden tags so that they can label their favourites with something more durable this growing season. Make them a large collection to reduce their reliance on plastic tags.
- Tools Needed: Wire Cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Thick wire, small metal tags (pre-drilled with holes), permanent marker
- Instructions:
- Cut lengths of wire (roughly 12-15 inches should give them enough height to be seen easily).
- Use parallel pliers to create a loop at one end and a spike at the other (which will be inserted into the soil).
- Write plant names on metal tags with a permanent marker (or leave blank)
- Attach tags to the looped end of the wire.
10. Handcrafted Lampshade
Upgrade their home décor with a vibrant and interesting lampshade that’s bound to put a smile on their face. You could use a Christmas theme for a seasonal lampshade, or pick something more subtle for one they’ll love all year round.
- Tools Needed: Wire Cutters, Parallel Pliers (we recommend these)
- Materials: Wire frame (old lampshade frame), coloured wires, beads
- Instructions:
- Remove fabric from an old lampshade frame.
- Wrap coloured wires around the frame creatively.
- Use wire cutters to trim any excess wire.
- Decorate it with beads as desired.
Conclusion
We hope those DIY gift ideas have inspired you to craft something yourself this Christmas.
If you have any ideas you’d like to add to this list, we’d love to hear from you.
This post was brought to you by Maun, experts in tools since 1944.
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