Top 10 DIY Christmas gift ideas

The cost of living has really sky-rocketed these past few years, and buying Christmas gifts for loved ones has become a luxury many can’t afford.

We have compiled a list of innovative, inexpensive ideas for DIY Christmas gifts, where you can use your initiative and change the ideas to suit your pocket.

1. Personalised coasters

Steps:

1. Print the photos you wish to use on photo paper. Cut to the recommended size.
2. Apply glue to photo with a sponge and stick the picture to the tile.
3. Apply two layers of glue over the picture with a paint brush.
4. Spray the tiles with an acrylic coating, and repeat once after 15 minutes.
5. Cut out a piece of felt and stick to the back of coaster.

2. Artsy chalkboard mugs

Steps:

1. Tape the mug, cutting out shape with a knife.
2. Trace the inside of your shape with a marker and peel off the tape.
3. Apply several thin, even coats of chalkboard paint with a paint brush.
4. Use a damp paper towel to clean up any paint. Allow the mug to dry for 24 hours.
5. Place the mug in an oven, then turn on the temperature to 150 degrees Celsius. Once the temperature reaches 150, leave in for 35 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

3. Planter box herb garden

4. Festive stencil jar

Steps:

1. Cut out the picture you want to use from a piece of paper and stick it flush onto the jar.
2. Spray paint the entire jar, taping the areas you don’t want coloured.
3. Allow to dry and remove stencil. Fill the jar with flowers, cookies, or anything you wish to gift.

5. Customised cellphone covers

1. Choose a pattern and cut out a template from paper, making a stencil.
2. Tape the sides of the phone cover to prevent adhesive from spreading.
3. Lightly spray adhesive onto case and place your template over.
4. Spray lightly with adhesive once more.
5. Remove the template and sprinkle glitter onto the case. Tap off excess glitter. Spray layer of clear acrylic sealer. Peel off tape.

6. Old T-shirt scarf

7. Paper-plate cookie pack

8. Homemade playdough for the little ones

Steps:

1. Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.
2. Remove from heat and add flour.
3. Stir, then knead until smooth. The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don’t have it on hand.
4. Store this dough in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.

9. Candy sleighs 

10. Scrapbooking cards

For all those crafty scrapbookers out there, this DIY gift idea requires no introduction or instructions, so here are some artsy greeting card ideas to get those creative juices flowing.