Even though the Holidays can often be all hustle and bustle, it is nice to slow down focus on family and friends & just time together. Gift giving is part of all the fun but does NOT have to break the bank or be stressful. Let me share with you 10 DIY Christmas Gifts that would be perfect for a friend, coworker, teacher, neighbor or really for anyone. None of these gifts are too difficult and all are budget friendly.
Join me on YouTube as I put together these 10 DIY Christmas Gifts!
#1. Rosemary, Roasted Garlic & Lemon Infused Olive Oil
Infused oils and vinegars are such practical and BEAUTIFUL gifts. A rosemary & lemon infused olive oil is particularly festive because the rosemary sprig looks a lot like a pine bough.
What you will need to make Lemon Garlic Rosemary Infused Olive Oil
- 2 cups good quality olive oil
- 4-6 roasted garlic cloves
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 thin lemon slices
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
How to make it:
- Select a glass jar or bottle that can hold 2 cups of oil.
- Drop all dry ingredients into the gar/bottle.
- Place lemon slices inside the jar/bottle and press them up against the glass.
- Add in rosemary, making it stand upright best you can.
- Using a funnel pour olive oil into the jar/bottle. Tilt it on its side so the olive oil trickles in slowly & doesn’t disturb the ingredients inside. It will all settle anyway.
Ideas for using Infused Olive Oils
Store olive oil in a cool dark place or keep refrigerated. It is generally best to use within 2 weeks. This infused olive oil is amazing on salads with balsamic vinegar or with any chicken and fish dish.
Dressed up with a sweet little bow & tag this SUPER easy gift idea would be the perfect hostess gift or gift for any home cook on your list.
You could also make a beautiful loaf of No-Knead Sourdough, Artisan French or Traditional White Bread and use this a dipping oil. YUM!
#2. Cranberry Orange Sauce
It’s hard to imagine a holiday meal without cranberries. Cranberry sauce is such a delicious sweet/tart treat and the perfect accompaniment to a post-holiday turkey sandwich.
This recipe is sweet, tart and perfect for the Holidays. Spread on leftover turkey sandwich – YUM. The color is vibrant and makes an oh so gorgeous gift. Make sure to keep refrigerated!
This recipe is from my blogger friend Anja, with OurGabledHome.com She shared this Orange Cranberry Sauce recipe recently and was RIGHT. It is SUPER easy and dressed up a bit, I think a beautiful hand-made holiday gift.
What you Will Need:
- 3 cups cranberries (or 12 oz)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 TBSP orange zest either use a zester or cut the peel into thin strips
- 1/2 cup water
How to Make it:
- Cut the orange peel into very thin strip or use a zester.
- Add all the ingredients to a small pot and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Continue to simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, making sure it doesn’t boil over.
- After 5-10 mins when all the cranberries have popped and the sauce has thickened, carefully pour into a mason jar or other container.
- Let cool to room temperature. Store in refrigerator. Makes about 2 cups.
Get Anja’s Printable Recipe HERE
#3. Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie
I have been making this cookie for YEARS, nearly every Christmas. It was originally an Amish Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. I converted it to a CRAISIN oatmeal then took it over the top by adding WHITE CHOCOLATE. They are super moist & chewy and amazing flavor. I am eating one with coffee as I type!
The instant vanilla pudding mix in this cookie is unique and I believe it is what makes it so moist. It also makes it perfect for a Cookie in a Jar recipe. I halved my original recipe and converted it to this fun little DIY Christmas Gift.
This would be PERFECT for a friend, neighbor or even a child that loves to bake! Everything is there except for butter and an egg. So easy and beautiful too.
What you will need for Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies in a Jar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 of a 4 serving size Jell-O Instant Vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/2 Cups quick Cooking Oats
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/2 Cup White chocolate Chips
How to put it all together:
- Layer all ingredients in order given in a clean wide mouth quart sized mason jar.
- With your fingers, firmly press each layer flat & level as you go.
- Add a lid & attach baking instructions. See below:
Instructions for Baking:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Dump cookie mix into a bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup really soft butter and 1 egg.
- Mix until well combined – batter will be stiff. If it is too crumbly and won’t hold together, add a tablespoon or two of milk.
- Drop by teaspoon full onto a ungreased or parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inces apart.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
How about a DIY Christmas Gift for the chocolate lover?
My friend Dee at She Mams with Oils has this beautiful Brownie Mix in a Jar Recipe that would be perfect!
#4. Chocolate Mug Cake
I just love mug cakes. They are the perfect single serving, FAST, indulgent little treat. This chocolate mug cake is rich, chocolatey and super moist. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel really sends it over the top.
What you will need for Mug Cake:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 Tbsp Chocolate chips (Mini Chips work Great)
How to Make Mug Cake DIY Christmas Gift
- Whisk flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar and salt in small mixing bowl. (This would also be beautiful layered in a half pint jar.)
- Add this mix to glass jar, zip-top bag or other air tight storage container.
- Attach instructions for baking. See Below.
Instructions for Making a Mug Cake:
- Dump mix into a 14 oz coffee mug, add 1/4 cup milk and 2 Tbsp of melted butter. Stir well until all dry ingredients are well combined.
- Place mug in microwave and cook for 1 minute. Stop, check the cake and microwave for up to another 45 seconds depending on the microwave. Keep on eye on the cake. It will rise and begin to pull away from edges of mug when done. Stop the microwave if it looks like it is overflowing.
- Let cool in microwave for 2 minutes.
- Carefully remove mug from microwave with a pot holder.
- Top with fresh whipped cream!
#5. Holiday Mulling Spices
The smell, the warm spicy flavor. . . Mulled Wine or Mulled Cider if you prefer is a sweet treat that warms your belly and your heart. AND . . . it is absolutely stunningly GORGEOUS.
It couldn’t be easier than pouring a bottle of wine or cider in the crock pot or on the stove top, adding this package of mulling spices and letting it simmer away. If the flavor wasn’t good enough, the warm spicy aroma is divine. This would be the perfect special drink to sip on any Fall or Winter get-together.
I love to incorporate dried oranges and lemon into my mulling-spice recipe. Learn How to Dry Orange Slices from my friend Elizabeth from the Blog At Home on the Prairie.
What you will need for making Holiday Mulling Spices
- Dried slices of 1 lemon
- Dried slices of 1 Orange
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 1 (750 ml to 1000 ml) bottle dry red wine or apple cider
How to make it:
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Spread sugar out on parchment paper and dry in oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Place all ingredients in a jar, zip top bag or other air-tight container.
- Add tag with instructions. See below.
Instructions for Mulling Cider or Wine
- To make the mulled drink, combine Holiday Mulling Spice Packet with wine or cider in saucepan and simmer for 25 minutes then keep warm.
- Alternatively use a slow cooker: Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook low until wine comes to simmer. Turn setting to warm and ladle into glasses.
#6. Essential Oil Roller-Bottle| Christmas Memories Scent
Grounding and peaceful feelings are what everyone wants during the holiday’s especially in times of stress. This all natural Essential Oil Roller Bottle blend has oils specially selected to promote feelings of calm, peace and soothe your mood. The scent is mild, citrus, woodsy with a little warm spice thanks to cinnamon and clove. It just smells of Christmas.
This roller bottle is diluted with a carrier oil. My go-to carrier tends to be Fractionated Coconut oil but Sweet Almond, Grape-seed and Jojoba oils are all great selections. Because this is a diluted blend, it can be applied directly to the skin. Applying oils to “pulse points” like wrist, back of neck allows oils to filter to bloodstream quickly so you can reap the benefits quicker.
Oils like clove and cinnamon are considered “hot” oils so you would want to be sure to avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, face and sensitive areas. Read More about doTerra Hot Oils Here.
What you will need to make Christmas Memories Essential Oil Roller Bottle
- 1 empty 10ml Glass Roller Bottle
- Carrier oil (Jojoba, Fractionated Coconut oil, Sweet Almond or Grape-seed)
- 3 Drops Spruce Essential Oil (could substitute with an Fir essential oil as well)
- 1 Drop Cinnamon Essential Oil
- 1 Drop Clove Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Frankincense
How to make it:
- Add essential oils to the roller bottle.
- Top off roller bottle with carrier oil.
- Add a label.
- Apply to pulse points – neck, base of skull, wrists or palms, behind ears and inhale for an energizing boost during the holidays.
*Avoid eyes, face and sensitive areas. Wash hands after use.
#7. Chocolate Peppermint Stir Sticks
These Chocolate Peppermint stir sticks are so fast and easy to put together. Use a really good melting chocolate. The candy wafers (i.e. Candy Melt, CandyQuick) or the like make these sticks set up and keeps them from melting too easily.
What you will Need For Chocolate Peppermint Stir Sticks
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate (chips or chunks)
- 1/4 cup chocolate candy melt wafers
- 1 crushed candy cane
- 6 Popsicle or lollipop sticks
- Ice-cube tray
How to Make Stir Sticks
- Melt chocolate and candy wafers in a heat proof bowl. If using a microwave heat for 30 seconds, stop and stir then heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between until melted. You could also use double boiler method.
- Pour chocolate into icecube tray. Before too solid, sprinkle with crushed candycane.
- Let chocolate set slightly then add popcicle or lollipop sticks to the center of each cube.
- Set in fridge or pop in freezer to get completely solid.
- Remove from tray and package in airtight container or ziptop bag.
#8. Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Hot cocoa, specifically PEPPERMINT hot cocoa just FEELS like the Holidays. This recipe is sweet but not too sweet and makes the perfect amount for two large mugs or 3 small. This would be a great gift to encourage a little Holiday cuddling up.
What you need for DIY Christmas Gift: Peppermint Hot Cocoa
- Unsweetened cocoa Powder Milk- 1/2 cup
- Powder Milk – 1/2 Cup
- Powder Sugar – 1/2 Cup
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 Cup Crushed Candy-cane
- 1/4 Cup Marshmallow (optional)
How to put together Peppermint Hot Coca
- Layer ingredients starting with cocoa in a clean pint jar or clear cellophane bag.
- Attach an instruction tag to each jar or bag.
Instructions for Making Peppermint Hot Cocoa
- Add Peppermint Hot Cocoa mix to saucepan with 2 cups of water. Simmer low/med heat, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Pour into mugs – Makes 2-3 servings
#9. Trimming the Tree Beeswax Candle
The smell of a beeswax candle in itself is earthy and comforting. Adding Essential Oils with the aroma of the Holidays makes it even better. Cinnamon, Fir/Spruce, Clove and Wild Orange are all my go-to scents for the season.
What you will need to make DIY Christmas Gift: Beeswax Candle
- Clean repurposed container
- Organic beeswax
- candle wick (wood or cloth)
- Essential Oils for Trimming the Tree Scent: Cinnamon, Black Spruce or Doug fir, Clove, Wild Orange
- Pot to simmer water
- heatproof container to melt wax (quart canning jar or disposable foil container)
- candy thermometer
How to make a Beeswax Candle
- Turn stovetop heat to medium-low and bring pot of water to simmer.
- Place beeswax pellets in quart glass jar.
- Put jar inside simmering water and stir with wood stir stick. I like to put a metal cookie cutter on the bottom of the bot so my jar doesn’t touch bottom.
- Let beeswax liquify and reach a temp between 150-160 degrees F. Make sure you keep an eye on it and let come to proper temperature in order for it to pour properly.
- Remove wax from water with pot holder. BE CAREFUL. Add Essential Oils as desired. I recommend 30-40 drops per 8 oz of candle wax. Spruce, Pine, Wild Orange, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg are all wonderful oils to mix for this Christmas Scent.
- Prepare your wick by cutting it a few inches longer than the final length that you will need. Dip cotton wick in melted wax to saturate and stiffen. Let cool and position inside container. If using wood wick center it in container.
- Make sure wick is straight and centered.
- Pour the beeswax very slowly into the container until desired height.
- Let cool and solidify, trim wick.
#10. Holiday Aroma Stovetop Simmer Packet
A simmer packet is a collection of natural ingredients with amazing scent. Simmer on the stovetop to fill your home with all-natural aroma of the holiday season.
I love this gift because it smells amazing but also because it is very, very inexpensive and many of the ingredients – you may already have in your kitchen.
What you will need for DIY Christmas Gift: Simmer Packet
- 2-3 small bine boughs
- 1 orange
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Tbsp Whole Cloves
- Either 1 paper or cellophane bag
- 1 label with printed simmering instructions
How to put together a Simmer Packet
- Gather all ingredients as fresh as possible for maximum scent.
- Make sure all items are clean and dry.
- Place all items in bag and roll down top, secure with ribbon or tape.
- Place an instruction label on the front. See Below.
Instructions for using a Simmer Packet
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan until 3/4 full. Cover with water and place on medium-high heat until just boiling. Reduce heat and simmer. Continue to add water as needed and simmfor 1- 2 hours. May simmer longer or turn off, let cool and simmer next day as long as water level is kept full.
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Find How-To & Recipe Cards for all 10 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas Below:
Holiday Aroma Simmer Packet
A simmer packet is a potpourri collection of natural ingredients with amazing scents. Simmer on the stovetop to fill your home with all-natural aroma of the holiday season.
Materials
- 2-3 small pine boughs
- Peels of 1 orange
- 1 cup cranberries
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 Tbsp Whole Cloves
- 1 paper or cellophane bag
- 1 label with printed simmering instructions
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients as fresh as possible for maximum scent.
- Make sure all items are clean and dry.
- Place all items in bag and roll down top, secure with ribbon or tape.
- Keep packet refrigerated or in cool location for best results.
- Place an instruction label on the front. See Below.
Stovetop Simmering Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a mdedium saucepan until 3/4 full. Cover with water and place on medium-high heat until just boiling. Reduce heat and simmer. Continue to add water as needed and simmfor 1- 2 hours. May simmer longer or turn off, let cool and simmer next day as long as water level is kept full.
Chocolate Peppermint Stir Sticks
These Chocolate stir sticks are a sweet little accompaniment to hot cocoa or a cup of coffee. . . you could just eat then as is. They are super fast to make and beautiful as a gift.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate (chips or chunks)
- 1/4 cup chocolate candy melt wafers
- 1 crushed candy cane
- 6 Popsicle or lollipop sticks
- Ice-cube tray
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and candy wafers in a heat proof bowl. If using a microwave heat for 30 seconds, stop and stir then heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between until melted. You could also use double boiler method.
- Pour chocolate into icecube tray. Before to solid, sprinkle with crushed candycane.
- Let chocolate set slightly then add popcicle or lollipop sticks to the center of each cube.
- Set in fridge or pop in freezer to get completely solid.
- Remove from tray and package in airtight container or ziptop bag.
Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie in a Jar
This Oatmeal cookie recipe is soft and chewy. It is also a simple dump, stir and bake recipe. Creamy white chocolate and tart cranberries make these cookies just delicious. No more excuses NOT to make a cookie.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/8 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 of a 4 serving size Jell-O Instant Vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/2 Cups quick Cooking Oats
- 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/2 Cup White chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Layer all ingredients in a clean wide mouth quart sized mason jar.
Instructions for baking:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Dump cookie mix into a bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup soft butter and 1 egg.
- Mix until well combined - batter will be stiff. If too stiff to form a bowl add 1-2 tablespoons of milk
- Drop by teaspoon full onto a ungreased or parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inces apart.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Beeswax Candle| Xmas Tree Scent
Beeswax candles are wonderfl all natural way to add beauty and light scent to your home. Pine, cinnamon and wild orange combine for a fresh, warm aroma. Perfect for the Holidays.
Materials
- Clean repurposed container that will hold 8 oz wax (about 1 cup)
- pure beeswax pellets (8 oz)
- candle wick (wood or cotton)
- 30-40 drops of Essential Oil: Cinnamon, Black Spruce or Doug fir & Wild orange
Tools
- pot for boiling water
- candy thermometer
- Cookie cutter to elevate jar off bottom of pot
- quart glass jar
- wood stir stick
Instructions
- Turn stovetop heat to medium-low and bring to simmer.
- Place beeswax pellets in quart glass jar.
- Put jar inside simmering water and stir with wood stir stick.
- Let beeswax liquify and reach a temp between 150-160 degrees F. Make sure you keep an eye on it and let come to proper temperature in order for it to pour properly.
- Romove wax from water with pot holder. BE CAREFUL. Add Essential Oils as desired. I recommend 30-40 drops per 8 oz of candle wax. Spruce, Pine, Wild Orange, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg are all wonderful oils to mix for this Christmas Scent.
- Prepare your wick by cutting it a few inches longer than the final length that you will need. Dip cotton wick in melted wax to saturate and stiffen. Let cool and position inside container. If using wood wick center in container
- Make sure wick is straight and centered.
- Pour the beeswax very slowly into the container until desired height.
- Let cool and solidify, trim wick.
Holiday Mulled Wine or Cider
This sweet, tart beverage is warm and comforting. Cinnamon, clove & anise spice give this drink a wonderful flavor. This is a very festive & beautiful drink. If wine is not your thing, use a beautiful cider. Makes a nice gift. Cut the sugar amount in HALF if using cider rather than wine.
Ingredients
- Dried slices of 1 lemon
- Dried slices of 1 Orange
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (1/4 cup if mulling cider, not wine)
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 1 (750 ml) bottle dry red wine or cider
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
- Spread sugar out to dry in oven for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Place all ingredients in a jar or clear baggie.
- Add tag with instructions:
- Instructions for Mulling Wine or Cider:
- To make the mulled wine, combine mix and wine or cider in saucepan and simmer for 25 minutes. Keep warm for serving.
- Slow Cooker: Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook low until wine comes to simmer. Turn setting to warm and ladle into glasses.
Christmas Memories EO Roller Bottle
Essential oils are concentrated essence of plants. They naturally have properties that promote calm, peace and relaxation. Get all the warm aromas of the season without the toxins.
Materials
- Carrier oil (Jojoba, Fractionated Coconut oil, Sweet Almond or Grape-seed)
- 3 Drops Spruce or Fir Essential Oil
- 1 Drop Cinnamon Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil
- 1 Drop Clove
- 1 empty 10 ml glass roller bottle
Instructions
- Add essential oils to a 10 ml glass roller bottle.
- Top off roller bottle with carrier oil.
- Apply to base of skull, wrists or palms and inhale for an energizing boost during the holidays.
Notes
Avoid the eyes and wash hands after use.
Rosemary Lemon Infused Olive Oil
Rosemary, garlic, lemon infused olive oil makes a wonderful salad oil. Mix it with balsamic and salt and pepper and serve as an amazing dipping oil for fresh bread. Use on fish, chicken or seafood. So good. Keep cool, dark or refrigerated. Use within 2 weeks.
Ingredients
- 2 cups good quality olive oil
- 4-6 roasted garlic cloves
- 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 thin lemon slices
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Select a glass jar or bottle that can hold 2 cups of oil.
- Drop all dry ingredients into the gar/bottle.
- Place lemon slices inside the jar/bottle and press them up against the glass.
- Add in rosemary, making it stand upright best you can.
- Using a funnel pour olive oil into the jar/bottle. Tilt it on its side so the olive oil trickles in slowly & doesn't disturb the ingredients inside. It will all settle anyway.
Notes
Keep refrigerated. Use withing 2 weeks. This infused olive oil is amazing on salads with balsamic vinegar or with any chicken and fish dish.
You could also make a beautiful loaf of sourdough, french or white bread and use this a dipping oil. YUM!
This beautiful oil and a loaf of fresh bread would be an AMAZING hostess gift.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
This cocoa mix is rich and delicious. It layers beautiful and makes a wonderful gift.
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Powdered Milk
- 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1/2 Cup Powder Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 Cup Crushed Candy-cane
- 1/4 Cup Marshmallow
Instructions
- Layer ingredients starting with cocoa in a clean pint jar or clear cellophane bag.
Attach an instruction tag to each jar or bag.
When Ready to Make it:
- Simmer on stovetop in medium saucepan with 2 cups of water until melted and smooth.
- Pour into mugs - Makes 3 servings
Chocolate Mug Cake
This mug cake is fast and fun for a quick individual serving size. Satisfies the ooey, gooey chocolate craving and is such cute gift.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 Tbsp Chocolate chips (Mini Chips work Great)
Instructions
- Whisk flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, sugar and salt in small mixing bowl.
- Add this mix to glass jar, zip-top bag or other air tight storage container.
When ready to make a mug cake:
- Dump mix into a 14 oz coffee mug, add 1/4 cup milk and 2 Tbsp of melted butter. Stir well.
- Place mug in microwave and cook for 1 minute. Stop, check the cake and microwave for up to another 45 seconds depending on the microwave. Keep on eye on the cake. It will rise and begin to bul away from edges of mug when done. Stop the microwave if it looks like it is overflowing.
- Let cool in microwave for 2 minutes.
- Carefully remove mug from microwave with a pot holder.
- Top with fresh whipped cream!