Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t give great gifts! Here are 11 heartfelt, inexpensive, DIY ideas that can bring joy without breaking the bank.
Sewing Projects
Personal Towel Apron
My Mom gifted this to me and my sisters one year for Christmas, and I LOVE it. I wear it and use it multiple times every day. I loved it so much that I made one for my Mother-in-law too. I’m still a beginner at sewing, so if I could do it, you can do it too!
- Needs:
- 1 hand towel
- 1.5-2 yards fabric
- 1 spool thread and needle
- Pins or tape
- Measurements:
- 22”x22” skirt
- 31”x4” (2) ties
- 26”x5.5” waistband
- Simple Steps:
- You begin by hemming all along the skirt. Fold your ties in half “hot dog” style, then sew up your ties (inside out, then flip rightside out method), and set them aside. Place the towel on your skirt base, followed by your ties on the edges and waistband folding down over it all. Sew on the waistband with everything underneath, and you’re done!
Scrunchies
These have been so fun to make and give! I’ve used leftover fabric (including an old skirt with a hole, and a ruined shirt) to make these scrunchies. They’re cute and practical!
- Needs:
- Scrap Fabric
- Simple hair elastic or normal elastic
- Needle and thread
- Simple Steps:
- Cut your fabric 18-22” in length and 3.4-4” in width. Fold the fabric lengthwise around the elastic and sew it together. Flip fabric right-side-out, overlap the edges, and sew it shut.
- You can also make a child’s version by cutting the measurement in half.
Matching Ties
I was assigned my brother for Christmas one year and this idea came to my mind! I decided to make him a tie with a matching little dress for his daughter. I thrifted the fabric (I looked at the sheets, curtains, and table cloths for a textured fabric), and then thrifted a tie for the specialized internal pad. The final result turned out so cute!
- Needs (thrifted version):
- Tie (need for the specialized internal pad)
- Fabric (equivalent to ¾-1 yard)
- Needle and Thread
- Simple Steps:
- For the first one I used the thrifted tie as my pattern, but you can always find an easier pattern out there. I followed this youtube video by peekaboopatternshop to make the tie for my brother. (LINK)
T-shirt blanket (Easy Edition!)
My husband mentioned wanting one since he had so many t-shirts in his drawer, so I decided to surprise him with a finished blanket for his birthday. He loved it!
- Needs:
- Inexpensive, soft blanket (I got a full size blanket at walmart for about $15-17)
- T-shirts
- Needle and Thread
- Simple Steps:
- Find a square item to act as your cutting stencil. Cut your t-shirts into rectangles or squares.
- Lay your t-shirts into the pattern you want. This will determine the size of blanket to get. Starting with your first row, sew 2-3 t-shirts together at a time until all the t-shirts have a “partner.” Then sew those groups of t-shirts together. Do this row by row. Once the rows are complete, sew 2 rows together until all the rows are completed. Finish by sewing your final groups together.
- Lay your completed t-shirt compilation on top of your blanket, logo side facing down. Make sure the side of the blanket you want to cuddle with is touching the logo side of your t-shirts. Sew together leaving one edge or corner open to flip through. Flip right-side-out and sew the opening closed. Enjoy cuddling up together with memories!
Baby blanket
There are a few ways to do this. Recently I made a denim baby blanket for my friend, so I’ll share what I did.
- Needs:
- Old jeans
- Inexpensive soft blanket or fabric
- Needle and Thread
- Simple steps:
- Cut and sew together the jeans into squares as if you were doing a t-shirt blanket. Cut the blanket or fabric to the size of your denim square compilation. Sew it together as you would a t-shirt blanket. Flip right-side-out and finish the corner. End with a finishing decorative stitch around the edge of the blanket.
Burp Rags
- A friend first taught me how to make these and later gifted some to me, and I am a BIG fan! I recently made some for my own friend because I loved mine so much! The towel backing makes them especially absorbent and practical– great when burping a baby!
- Needs (for 2 burp rags):
- 2 hand towels or 1 bath towel
- 1 yard fabric
- Needle and thread
- Simple Steps:
- Reach out if you want a pattern! Cut your fabric and towels into the burp rag shape. Invert and sew together, leaving 1.5-2 inches open. Flip right-side-out and stitch up. Finish with a decorative stitch around the outside.
Printable Gifts
Personalized Family Proclamation
My Mom used to buy these when someone got married, and then my Dad and I decided to make one for her quite a few years ago. I recently gifted an updated version to her for her birthday (the original was over 10 years old). For these, I think Canva is the best!
- Needs:
- Picture (ie. family picture, engagements, bridals, etc)
- Canva (free account works!)
- Laptop or computer works best (personal opinion)
- Printer or somewhere to print (ex. Office Depot, Walmart, etc)
- Frame if desired
- Simple Steps:
- Open Canva and start a new project. If you know the size you want to print in the end, you can start a custom project with those specific measurements, otherwise you can do a flyer. Copy and Paste the Family Proclamation from churchofjesuschrist.org. Customize and play with fonts, sizes, borders, etc. Add the picture you want and “send it to the back”. Play with transparency as needed. You can also use some mirroring edits on the photo if you’re using a landscape image. Once you have it done, you can download and print.
Personalized Prints
You’ll see personalized prints all over Etsy (I love etsy), but the reality is you can do it yourself, especially if it’s to hang up on a wall. Once again, Canva is incredibly helpful for this project.
- Needs:
- Canva
- Printer or place to Print
- Example:
- A couple years ago we decided to make little pregnancy announcements for our Mom’s for Mother’s Day. We wanted something they could display year-round. So we made a “Grandma’s Growing Garden.”
We knew their “gardens” would continue to grow, so we wanted to gift something that could grow with them. Instead of putting names with the month’s flower, we put the month, got a frame on sale at Hobby Lobby, and bought some little looped screws, rings, and wooden circles. Now every time a new grandchild is born, they can add another little “flower” circle to their “garden”.
Other DIY Gifts
Cross-stitched Sweater
I haven’t personally made one yet, but I’ve received one as a gift, and I love it! One of my younger sisters just recently started cross-stitching, and she’s gifted me a sweater, and just made one for my mom for Mother’s Day. They are so cute, meaningful, and don’t break the bank!
- Needs:
- Inexpensive sweater
- Embroidery floss
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Simple Steps:
- Buy your sweater, get an idea, consider using dissolvable cross-stitch paper, draw your design (ex. “Mom,” a sheep, a logo, etc.), stitch away!
Magnets
I love seeing these in my home and the homes of family members. Draw a little sketch, print some pictures (cardstock works great), find special material, and craft away!
- Needs:
- Glass flat marbles, gems, or domed cabochons (can find on amazon)
- Your personalized image or pattern
- Modge podge
- Super glue or hot glue
- Small Round Magnets
- Scissors
- Simple Steps:
- If you’re doing pictures, print those out into the size you need. Cut your personalized touch into the shape of your gems. Use modge podge to connect your gem and image. Let it rest for the recommended time. Super Glue your personalized gem to the magnet. Enjoy your masterpiece!
Meaningful gifts don’t have to be expensive. And when it comes to gift giving, the ideas are endless! Comment what you’ve tried or what you want to do next!
