Meaningful DIY Gifts Make a Difference
Giving meaningful DIY gifts will touch your loved ones deeply and nourish your soul at the same time. So, stop buying more over-priced stuff that nobody really needs anyway, and think about what would make a difference to your loved ones.
As we’re wrapped in sparkling lights and festive songs this holiday season, the act of giving should take center stage. But in the commercialism-focused world we’re in we quickly get lost in the rush to buy and check items off our gift lists, and we lose sight of what truly matters. This year let’s return to the heart of the holiday spirit by giving meaningful DIY gifts (you buy less, and think more) that carry deeper sentiments, are kinder to our planet, and touch the soul rather than just the surface.
Don’t forget…
Being creative and having hobbies is essential for our well-being. And doing good things for others nourishes our souls.
So, spending your time creating or curating a meaningful gift instead of standing in line at the shopping mall is just as good for you as your loved one who will receive it!
This post contains affiliate links, through which I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only link products I personally use or recommend for ideas. I’m grateful for any purchase you make, so thank you!
The Essence of Authentic Gift-Giving
Authentic gifts are more than objects; they’re extensions of our understanding and love for the receiver. They symbolize a connection, a memory, or even a shared dream.
When you give a gift that is truly meaningful to the recipient, the benefits are even better – they foster stronger relationships, show genuine care, and often become cherished keepsakes.
These gifts are truly treasured and remembered. Moreover, they defy the disposable ‘stuff’ culture that’s become all too common, offering a more sustainable and mindful approach to celebrating.
Once you have this mindset, you’ll make note of things you hear and observe all year long and not pass up opportunities to grab an item for someone – no matter what time of year it is.
Gift bundles are one of my favorite things to give, and they are so easy to make – you just need a theme.
You can customize it any way you want, and even find things 2nd hand (excellent condition is a must) including an appropriate ‘vessel’ to hold everything.
It doesn’t need to be a basket… think of something that goes with the theme. It could be a pail, crate, bag, basket, planter, or anything unique that you find in your travels.
And don’t be afraid to mix new with 2nd hand, or re-gifted items – it adds to the uniqueness and sustainability of the gift. There are certain things you just need to buy new – obviously food, but also things like workout items, candles, and bath products.
We all need to be mindful of how much stuff already exists in the world, how much goes into landfills, and how much continues to be manufactured. And do any of us really need any more stuff?
Remember… the more stuff you own, the more stuff owns you!
15 Ideas for Heartfelt Gift-Giving
These thoughtful and meaningful DIY gifts get you away from the commercial noise, and embrace the beauty of simplicity and intention:
1. Wellness Gift Basket
Of course, one of the best gifts you can give a loved one is a wellness basket to enhance their journey of health, wellness, and living their best life ever!
Tailor it to what they like and where they’re at with their well-being, but there are so many ways you can put this together.
Try introducing them to one or two wellness activities that you already do and love, such as meditation or yoga. There are plenty of great books, videos, and apps available to help (maybe you already own some you can pass on?), and you will know from experience the best tools to give.
Not only will you be the best advocate they can have, but you could also have a great friend to take to your yoga class!
Here are some basic wellness items you might consider creating a gift with – and don’t forget yourself!
Note: Some things such as Yoga equipment are better to be given new, but books are great if you can find them used and in great condition.
2. Refinish a Wooden Bowl or Serving Platter
This is one of my favorite projects to do, and it’s so much easier than you’d think.
Simply find a wooden bowl or tray at a 2nd-hand or thrift store and refinish it.
Wood becomes just like new when you clean and refinish it, and pieces that you think nobody would want are transformed into something beautiful when brought back to life.
See my post on Refinish 2nd-Hand Wood into Meaningful Gifts for the steps and supplies to do this. Not only do you give meaningful DIY gifts, but you save something from the landfills!
3. Shadow Box Display with Cherished Mementos
In this digital age our memories often live in the cloud. So, it’s important to treasure the physical mementos we have from our friends and family who may be gone.
Putting these trinkets, letters, or pictures in a shadow box to hang on the wall creates a window into the past. If you have pieces of family history that are meaningful, yet you don’t know what to do with them, this is a great option and such a special gift!
Add a heartfelt message expressing what that person means to you, or a story about the history of the item to make it even more meaningful. Below is a link to a display case, and a book if you want more ideas and how to’s.
How to Make a Shadow Box Collage
4. Homemade Treats in a Gift Basket
If you love to bake and have friends who love to eat, then a gift basket filled with homemade goodies and some thoughtful supplies is a gift they’re sure to remember.
Maybe there’s a favorite cookie they already have of yours – wrap up a batch and include the recipe, along with a bag of coffee or tea. Or find a fancy plate and jar at a 2nd hand store and bake some bread and make jam or flavored butter.
Wrap the bread on the plate and jam in the jar with some colored cellophane and add to a basket. Round it out with a specialty coffee or spiced tea mix, and anything else you know they would love.
There are so many options when it comes to creating a gift basket full of yummy treats and such. It really comes down to what the recipient’s tastes are.
Start with that and think of things that will pare well with it. You can always add a bottle of dessert wine or a port. Or include some books or movies to enjoy while eating your treats.
Giving simple gifts, yet something you know they love is the essence of the holiday season. And meaningful DIY gifts full of delicious homemade treats may be devoured quickly but won’t be forgotten soon!
5. Herb Garden Planter
For the gardener / chef in your life, starting an herb garden would take their cooking to the next level.
Most herbs grow well indoors or outdoors (depending on where you live and the seasons), so best to make it small enough to be movable. Instead of putting this gift in a basket, it would go well in an herb planter.
If this is a new adventure for the recipient, include a journal planner in your gift. I know I always get excited about starting something new if I have a beautiful, blank planner in front of me just waiting to be filled out!
Below are some links to give you ideas and help get you started, but the sky’s the limit on this one! Other than the seeds, you could certainly find things with a petite history for this gift.
6. Tea and Book Lover’s Gift Basket
For someone who loves to curl up with a good book and cup of tea, start your basket off with a beautiful vintage teacup and saucer (and these are super easy to find in 2nd-hand and vintage stores).
Add a couple books you know they would like (maybe something about wellness), specialty tea, cookies or biscuits, and some honey.
If the gift is for someone you know needs to take some ‘me time’ to relax, add in a tea strainer, loose-leaf tea, and a book all about tea.
The links below might help you out. You know they won’t be able to wait too long before diving into this treasure and taking the time to relax!
Organic Self-Care Tea Assortment
7. Craft Basket to Start a New Hobby
Has someone you know expressed a desire to start a new hobby?
Or is there someone who could benefit from tapping into their creative gene (yes, we all have them, and creativity is important as we get older)?
Maybe they’ve admired your craftwork and wish they could do that.
A gift basket that gives someone all the materials they need to get started is a wonderful gift for a loved one’s well-being.
Assemble the materials you need to get started, and if it’s something you do include some teaching time to get her started. This could be anything like knitting, embroidery, crochet, painting, or woodworking.
Starter kits are available for just about anything creative. You can also add a best-selling book about being creative, link is below.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
8. Music to Soothe the Soul
If they’re a music lover (or want to embrace music more) curate a selection of music that might include a playlist of songs that recount shared memories (remember those mixed tapes?). Or give tunes you think they’ll love, vintage albums you’ve found, concert tickets, or a subscription to a music streaming service.
Music should be an important part of everyone’s life, so if you have a loved one who is missing out on the benefits of music, this could be a life-changing gift! Links to the most popular music streaming services are listed below.
9. A Book of Memories to Cherish
If you have a lot of history with a loved one that has been documented with pictures over the years, or family members who would love to have family history documented, creating a memory book is one of the best gifts you can give.
There are several places online where you can design the pages yourself with pictures you upload, then add dates and captions, digital decorations, or even better – the full stories behind the pictures.
If you have souvenirs and mementos from your experiences together you can take pictures of them and add those – just like creating a scrapbook like we used to do! A gift full of personal history is one of the most meaningful you can give!
When it comes to creating custom photo books, there are several reputable online services known for their quality and customization options. Here are a few that stand out:
Online Photo Book Services
- Artifact Uprising: Offers high-quality photo books with a variety of vintage-inspired covers and thick, premium paper options. Their editorial-style layouts give a nod to classic book design.
- Shutterfly: Known for a wide range of customization options, Shutterfly allows you to design your photo book to have a vintage look through various templates and backgrounds.
- Mixbook: With an easy-to-use online editor, Mixbook offers creative control over your photo book with themes that can match a vintage aesthetic, including options for paper finishes that can mimic a bygone era.
- Snapfish: This service provides a plethora of design templates, including vintage and retro styles, allowing for a high level of customization.
- Blurb: Blurb’s book-making tools cater to professionals and amateurs alike, offering a range of vintage-looking templates and high-quality paper choices.
- Milk Books: They provide beautifully crafted photo books with timeless appeal, offering premium materials that can give a vintage look to your photo collections.
Before choosing a service, consider the specific style you are aiming for, as well as the quality of the paper and printing, the binding options, and the user-friendliness of the book design tools.
It’s also a good idea to read customer reviews and perhaps order a sample if available to ensure the final product meets your expectations.
10. Aromatherapy Basket
Aromatherapy is the art of using plant extracts to heal and enhance the human spirit.
It’s not just for the spas and meditation rooms – it can do wonders for your wellbeing in your own home.
The sense of smell is so powerful that you can actually change your physiology just by thinking about a specific aroma.
A whiff of lavender can calm you; a hint of peppermint can perk you up; and the smell of fresh rain outdoors is nature’s own chill-pill.
For any of your loved ones who want their home to smell good, this aromatherapy basket takes it a step further and also gives tranquility and calmness.
Among the many things you can add to this basket are essential oils, a diffuser, scented soy candles, roll-on bottles, bath bombs or salts, and a guidebook. Several ideas are below. Add some calming tea and your meaningful DIY gifts recipient will be feeling tranquil and calm in no time!
Authentic Aromatherapy Handbook
Sometimes all it takes is finding one thing and then you can build a gift around that. It’s not uncommon to find a nice, gently used diffuser in perfect working condition at a thrift store or garage sale. Many of the gifts I’ve given started that way.
So, start stopping at those 2nd-hand stores and garage sales whenever you go by and have a few minutes. You never know what you’ll find and what meaningful DIY gifts you can create out of it!
11. Turn a Photo into a Piece of Artwork
Create a piece of art that reflects their personality or a cherished memory. It’s so easy now to take a digital photograph and turn it into an illustration, watercolor painting, or a bright graphic (you don’t even need art skills!).
You can even take several pictures of the recipient’s pets, family, and favorite places (or your shared experiences) and create a one-of-a-kind montage that looks like a piece of commissioned artwork!
This is another one of the most meaningful DIY gifts you can give because you make it from something so personal to the recipient.
Online Photo Editor Options
- BeFunky: Their “Artsy” section provides you with a range of painting styles, from watercolor to oil painting effects, allowing for easy conversion of photos into artworks.
- Prisma: This app uses AI technology to apply a variety of artistic styles to your photos. Which can make them look like famous paintings or unique artworks.
- DeepArt: Utilizes deep learning algorithms to turn your photos into artworks. You can choose from a variety of styles or even upload your own style reference.
- Brushstroke: This app converts your photos into paintings with just a few taps. And offers a variety of painting styles and the ability to fine-tune the results.
- Glaze: Provides a selection of painting presets to apply to your photos, creating a hand-painted look.
- PicsArt: Features a range of artistic filters, including ones that mimic painting techniques, and provides tools for further customization.
- Dreamscope: Offers a wide array of artistic filters, including painting effects that are applied using neural networks.
- FotoSketcher: A freeware program that converts your photos into art automatically by applying a painting filter of your choice.
These online tools and apps vary in their approach. Some use filter presets, while others take sophisticated AI algorithms to render photos in artistic styles.
Most of these services offer a free version with basic functionality, with the option to upgrade for more features or to remove watermarks.
Always check the privacy policy and terms of service, especially if you’re working with personal photos, to understand how your data will be used.
12. Restored Vintage Treasure
Sometimes when you’re out and about you find something that you know one of your friends would love. Even if it’s not in perfect condition, you taking the time to restore or upcycle a treasure for someone is really a meaningful gift.
Whether it’s a piece of furniture or a vintage item that holds a lot of meaning, there are so many ways to restore it and give it new life and purpose.
So don’t be afraid to grab something when you find it if it’s perfect for a loved one. It gives you time to figure out how you’ll fix it up.
It’s so much more gratifying to give a gift you spent more time than money on, knowing it’s something they will cherish.
And who knows, you may find yourself a new hobby in restoring and flipping vintage decor and furniture!
13. Zero-Waste Sustainable Starter Kit
For your loved one who wants to go green, help them get started with a gift basket of reusable and sustainable items. Include things like bamboo utensils and towels, a solar charger, and laundry soap sheets.
It may seem very utilitarian for a gift, but for the right person who wants an eco-friendlier lifestyle it is one of the more meaningful DIY gifts you can give!
You can create your own bundle of items or get a zero-waste starter kit with sustainable and eco-friendly products to help eliminate single-use plastics.
It’s the gift that’s not only good for the environment but also good for the recipient’s wellness – doing good things for the planet also does good things for our health!
This is something that more people definitely need to be doing, so I’ve added several links below with ideas for both starter kits and individual items. Here’s to going GREEN!!
Guide to Green Living Every Day
Simply Living Well: A Guide to Creating a Natural, Low-Waste Home
14. A Personalized Recipe Book
In a world that often feels too fast-paced, what stands out more than a gift that invites us to slow down, savor, and create?
A personalized recipe book is a collection of more than just recipes. It’s a treasury of flavors, memories, and traditions that can be passed down through generations.
It’s one of the meaningful DIY gifts that encourages the creation of new memories while savoring the old. And with each added recipe, each splattered page, and each handwritten note in the margins this living document grows.
How to Create
- Gather family favorite recipes, dishes from friends, and any recipes that mean something special to the recipient. Don’t forget to include where the recipes came from and the stories behind them. This is what makes this book so special.
- Spend some time organizing the recipes into categories and create a design that reflects the recipient’s style.
- Include photos of finished dishes, notes about recipe origins, or why they’re significant to you and the recipient. If you have old hand-written recipes that are difficult to read (or maybe you’ve updated it a little) use an updated version in the book. Then use the original hand-written recipe as the background on the page. See my post on how to Create a Family Recipe Binder for more ideas like this and specific steps.
- Ensure that it’s printed on high-quality, durable paper because the intent is for this book to last for years to come. Decide if you want a lay-flat design for easy use in the kitchen. Or maybe a binder that you can continue to add more pages to is more important.
- There are a few online resources where you can do this all digitally and create a personalized recipe book:
- Shutterfly: Offers customizable templates for creating professional-looking recipe books.
- Blurb: A platform that provides creative freedom to design and publish custom cookbooks.
- CreateMyCookbook: A user-friendly service specifically for making personal cookbooks.
- You can also create the pages yourself through an online platform such as Canva, then print and laminate them. This allows you to put the pages in a ring binder and continue adding to it over the years. Laminating the pages will protect them from kitchen messes, but still lets you to make notes using erasable markers.
15. The Gift of Time
One of the simplest, yet profound and authentic presents you can offer is the gift of your time.
This is especially meaningful if you have elderly loved ones who probably already have all the material things they want. And the one thing they value more than any other is time, because once spent, it can never be replenished.
It’s not just about being present; it’s about being present mindfully, engaging with the other person fully, without distractions, and making precious memories.
Offer a day of your company to do whatever the recipient loves. Help with a project that’s important to them or plan a day out together doing something they love. Or simply sit down for a heart-to-heart conversation over a home-cooked meal.
Memories created by spending quality time remain etched in the heart forever. Unlike physical gifts that may fade or be forgotten. In this digital age everyone is connected but not necessarily engaged. Choosing to actively disconnect from the world to connect with someone special is a deeply touching gesture and one of the most meaningful DIY gifts you can give.
The True Gift: Connection, Consciousness, and Wellness
By choosing to give meaningful DIY gifts, we do more than just hand over a present. We offer a piece of ourselves. We’re showing that we’ve listened, we understand, we care, and we know what will touch your soul. Not only do we care about ourselves and our loved ones, but also the planet we live on. And our actions speak that loudly. This holiday season let’s redefine gift-giving. Let’s turn it into an expression of genuine connection and conscious consideration, both for our loved ones and our world.
It’s Your Turn!
Do you have a favorite way to give gifts that involves more than a trip to the mall?
What was a memorable and meaningful gift you received that you still remember to this day?
Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear all about it!
I feel like this is an important question to tackle. Giving a meaningful and valuable gift makes the gift giving extra special. Also, the receiver feels very happy about your thoughtfulness. Awesome read!
Thank you, Hari, for your feedback! This is one thing I wish would become more common. It certainly would be good for all of us!