Top 10 DIY 2016 Gift Guide

Top 10 DIY 2016 Gift Guide

For your Christmas wish list, here are some practical items that surely won’t break anyone’s bank. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 DIY 2016 Gift Guide.

For this list, we’re focusing on the best Christmas gifts that you can make yourself and give to others.

#10: Abstract Diamond Print / Painting

So, you don’t need to be creatively blessed to make a strong artistic impression during the holidays. Whether you’re making it for a family member or a friend, a customized diamond painting allows you to flex your creative muscles, and this is certainly so when you approach things from an abstract point of view. Whether you end up giving a big canvas or a smaller print to as a gift, the final product will hopefully serve to strengthen an existing bond between the giver and the receiver, and maybe even find a permanent place in his or her home. And so, it’s a cost-effective way to connect, and something that could even be customized to fit the receiver’s personal brand of style.

#9: Terrariums

Few things are more pleasant than a vibrant and lively terrarium. Just the experience of finding that special container brings joy, and hey – it’s an easy way to liven up someone’s pad or office space. For this DIY project, you will need to wrangle up a bit of soil, a few rocks and charcoal. But from there, it’s all about creativity and floral design. Perhaps one terrarium is enough, but multiple containers provide for a more elaborate gift experience and possibly even something conceptual. Let’s be honest, some people need terrariums in their lives, and a DIY gift like this can easily bolster your floral Feng Shui.

#8: Mint Sugar Scrub

To concoct the ultimate scrub, you need coconut oil, oil extracts, a bit of sugar and a touch of personal care. For real, anybody can produce Mint Sugar Scrub on the cheap, and it’s one of those soothing DIY gifts that pays off for both parties involved. The decoration allows for plenty of personalized bedazzling, or maybe even something unexpected. Of course, the scrub itself can be used practically from day to day, but it’s really about the sentiment - from the initial coconut oil preparation to the ultimate exchange. Who knows, it may even inspire you to become a master of mint sugar scrub production.

#7: Chalkboard Serving Tray

If you love to get wild in the kitchen, then you’re likely familiar with those awkward glances when guests don’t know what’s in front of them. In that regard, having a DIY chalkboard serving tray makes perfect sense, especially if you truly respect culinary flair. Sure, the production itself can be extensive, but maybe not for somebody that takes pride in sanding, painting and putting on the ultimate finish. Like any DIY experience, the whole shebang would make for an entertaining YouTube video, too. It’s a gift that DIY aficionados will enjoy making and/or receiving, and one that will bring clarity to anyone’s kitchen vibe.

#6: Snow Globe Cookie Jar

Even if you’re a fully-grown adult, this gift can immediately take you back to the days of Christmas past. While making the Snow Globe Cookie Jar, you’ll undoubtedly have fun executing a specific holiday vision, whether it’s the holiday concept or more about the Christmas detail. It’s an ideal gift to make so that the receiver will have it around for those blustery, winter days, as it can enhance the domestic holiday vibe and keep the children happy. Well, at least if you’ve made sure the Christmas Santa and the complementary objects are properly glued in and not blowin’ all around.

#5: Framed Pressed Flowers

So, here’s a DIY gift that’s both elegant and exquisite, and it all begins by flattening some pretty flowers in a napkin. You’ll need to press the flowers inside a book for at least a week, and then it’s time for the big reveal – voila! While the frame selection will allow you to pinpoint different vibes and feels, the actual pressing is where it gets interesting. It’s an especially fitting gift for the young (and young-at-heart!) do-it-yourself-ers, as you’re sure to enjoy selecting and arranging the flowers. While it’s relatively simple in terms of the step-by-step process, it’s still a gift that can be infused with loads of passion and poignant design.

#4: Soap

Most people use soap daily – let’s hope so, at least – and many rely on the same ol’ brand. Yet, there’s a whole world of handmade soapmakers out there, and you can be one of them! This handmade gift can really spice up someone’s personal scent. The production itself requires practice and patience, but if you know somebody that loves him or her some DIY soap, then maybe it’s time for you to start researching and experimenting. There are so many herbs and oils you can use, and customized soap can represent an extension of your persona or that of the receiver. Whether you want to try something different, or you want the DIY challenge, the end result will – hopefully! - leave you both so fresh and so clean.

#3: Handmade Vintage Candles

Much like handmade soap, using this DIY product can have a calming effect in the receiver’s day-to-day life. It’s also a gift that you may enjoy putting together for a close friend who has inspired you with his or her chemistry and aesthetic interests. The process of making the candles will take some time, but the vintage vibe affords many angles when selecting the containers and establishing the overall spirit. For a more atmospheric feel, oils can be used to produce a specific scent – a nice final touch for anyone. For practical purposes, though, candles always look good in the home, and a collective theme will provide even more personality and panache.

#2: Cozy, Oversized Blanket

Since we all spend a good portion of our lives sleeping, comfort is everything when catching the ideal amount of Zs. In fact, you may know people who still have the same blankies they had as children, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, the cozy, oversized blanket comes in handy for both deep sleepers and those with serious nighttime struggles, and you most likely know someone that will LOVE a homemade and personalized gift like this. Regardless of whether it’s sewn or not sewn, you just can’t go wrong with crafting an old-timey flannel blanket or even something more timely. At the very least, with a gift like this, you’ll have ensured that your receiver won’t only have tiny blankets for his or her freezing guests.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Pretty Apron

Gift Wrap Caddy

Charming Bookmarks

#1: Customized Souvenir Boxes

While many of us hold onto memories in our minds, a customized souvenir box makes for a practical reminder. Yeah, the past can easily conjure up heavy emotions, especially during the holidays, whether it’s that trip overseas, a past relationship or a weekend getaway with the gals. But you can still thoroughly enjoy not only designing a customized box, but also filling it with shared memories, especially if it’s for a close friend or a family member. And so, it’s one of those sentimental holiday gifts that brings people together; one that may even lead to a few tears. But, it’s also something that will be treasured forever.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite DIY gift idea? For more crafty Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.