Cheap And Easy DIY Gift Ideas

Have you noticed how handmade goods are much more expensive than machine-made goods? Or the way your parents framed that stick figure you drew in the first grade as if it is high art? It’s not that the handmade quilt is made from better materials than the machine-made quilt, it’s that someone spent time and effort making that quilt by hand. And the same goes for your stick figure. Your parents cherished the sentimental value. So why not take this approach to the field of gift-giving? Instead of another gift card for your mom on her birthday, try making her something by hand that she will cherish for years. Here are some DIY gift ideas that are creative and inexpensive.

DIY Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatchers originated from Native Americans who used them as totems to protect the sleeping ­– usually children – from nightmares. And now you can find these dreamcatchers in curio shops and home décor stores all over the country. But have you ever thought about making one yourself? Whether you’d like to make something intricate or keep it simple, a dreamcatcher is a unique and thoughtful gift idea. Plus, the time and effort you put into weaving the dreamcatcher will make it that much more valuable to the recipient!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• A metal or wood hoop that can be found in the yarn and crocheting aisles of your local Michaels. The size of the hoop depends on how large you want the dreamcatcher to be. Or you can make the hoop yourself using metal wire.
• Ribbon to wrap around the metal or wood frame.
• String that you’ll use to weave the geometrical pattern within the frame.
• Lastly, you can tie feathers, beads, or both, to the bottom of the dreamcatcher.

If you need some inspiration, here’s a tutorial you can follow while making your dreamcatcher.  

DIY Mini Bath Bombs 

There’s nothing better than a warm, soothing bath when you’re tired after a long week at work, or sore from yesterday’s workout. It’s the cure-all for all of your physical and emotional ailments. And bath bombs make taking a bath that much more aromatic and relaxing. So the next time you need to get a gift for your hardworking coworker or friend, make them some DIY bath bombs instead. They’re both cheap and easy to make.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• measuring cup, bowl, and whisk
• baking soda
• citric acid
• water-free witch hazel (in a spray bottle)
• colorant
• fragrance oil
• mini muffin pan
• wax paper

First, you will pour one cup of baking soda into a bowl, and then add half a cup of citric acid. Once these are mixed together, you’ll add your fragrance of choice and a small amount of colorant. Then pour some Witch Hazel into a spray bottle and spray the mixture a few times until it starts to clump together. Once your mixture is ready, add it to your muffin pan, and pack it into the mold as tightly as you can. This is what holds the bath bombs together, so add as much force as possible. Let the mixture sit for ten minutes and then turn them over onto wax paper. Let them dry for a few hours or even overnight if you live in a more humid environment.

DIY Mason Jar Kits

Another easy and inexpensive gift idea is to assemble spa or food kits in large mason jars. For example, you can buy the ingredients for oatmeal raisin cookies, separate the ingredients into individual packaging and then place them into the jar. Or let’s say you made the DIY bath bombs above. You can fill a mason jar with a few bath bombs and maybe even add in some homemade bath scrub or soap.