Need last-minute gift ideas? Make these at home

By Kristen Wood, Food Drink Life

The holiday season is a whirlwind of decorating, feasting and gifts. If you miss someone on your gift list or wait too long to go shopping, a homemade present can be the secret to a perfect gift. Try these quick and easy gifts that are sure to impress.

Needing a last-minute gift can be a stressful moment in the midst of a busy holiday season. Getting to the store to find something personal may not be possible. Fortunately, you can make incredible gifts at home with a few simple items. With a bit of inspiration and the right wrapping, you can make a last-minute gift that looks like it was weeks in the making.

Why homemade gifts are perfect for last-minute giving

A great Christmas gift is personal and tailored to the tastes of the recipient. Since you are making it yourself, a homemade gift is easy to customize. The time and effort you put in – even for a quick, last-minute gift – give it a degree of thoughtfulness that store-bought gifts won’t have.

When you have limited time, making a gift also lets you avoid crowded stores at the busiest time of year. You may also save money since handmade items are often more affordable than store-bought gifts.

While DIY Christmas gifts can be a lengthy process for handmade items if you opt for more involved crafts, homemade does not necessarily mean difficult. There are dozens of simple homemade gifts that you can make in a few minutes. Whether you forgot to pick up a gift, have an unexpected guest at your party or want a fast but meaningful DIY gift for everyone on your list, make handmade gifts the solution this year.

Quick and easy gifts you can make at home

Anything you bake, craft or build for fun can be a DIY gift. Get creative with your skills and the items and ingredients you have around the house.

Focusing on baked goods or DIY beauty products is a good place to start if you are looking for inspiring gift ideas that you can pull together quickly. You can make many of these types of gifts with things you have on hand or are readily available at your local supermarket. Make them in a large batch and you’ll quickly have dozens of gifts ready to go. These are also consumable gifts, making them a great choice for coworkers, colleagues and acquaintances since almost everyone will love a present they can use.

On the other hand, if you know your recipient well, keepsakes or personalized knickknacks can be a great option. These can reflect shared history or draw on your knowledge of your recipient’s preferences for a touching gift.

Delicious homemade treats

Who doesn’t like food? Edible gifts are always a hit and they can be easy to make, depending on your recipe. Holiday treats like peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, caramel corn, chocolate fudge or spiced nuts bring the flavors of the season.

You can also make food gifts that your giftees can use all year long. Homemade spice blends are quick to whip up from the spices you have on hand. Infused olive oils, homemade granola, limoncello, marinated olives and other ingredients are perfect for home cooks. Because they are more versatile and long-lasting, your recipient can continue to enjoy their gift after the indulgence of the holidays is over.

Bath, skincare and hair care

A little pampering can be a welcome gift during a stressful holiday and homemade bath products are surprisingly easy to make. Customizing soaps and lotions with different scents and additions tailored to your recipient can also be fun.

For handmade soap, make a melt-and-pour soap. Unlike the time-consuming process of making soap from scratch, melt-and-pour soaps start from a soap base. Simply melt it down and add essential oils, exfoliants and special touches like glitter or dried flowers. The soap will harden and be ready to gift in only a few hours.

DIY foaming hand soap uses plain castile soap and essential oils of your choice. A foaming pump is all you need, and you can reuse one you have around the house on top of any container.

If you need a men’s last-minute gift, make homemade beard oil from jojoba oil and essential oil. The men in your life will appreciate the luxury and enjoy the beard oil well into the new year.

Personalized keepsakes and decor

For a quick keepsake, use photos you have on hand to make a small scrapbook or hand paint a picture frame. A hand-painted ornament is a seasonal holiday gift and is also a great way to get kids involved in the homemade gift process.

Hand-poured candles are easy to make at home if you can get wax and wicks. Simply melt the wax, mix in your favorite essential oils and pour the mixture into cute recycled containers for a quick and eco-friendly gift.

DIY kits

Embrace the homemade spirit with DIY kits. Mix cookie, pancake or mug cake ingredients into a jar, layering them for a fun presentation. Hot chocolate kits or, if your giftee is of age, cocktail kits are creative beverage ideas.

If you have any aspiring gardeners on your list, a mini herb or flower garden kit can provide seeds, a pot and instructions. Pick seeds from some of your favorite flowers and your recipient will be able to make bouquets when they bloom.

Creative packaging tips for your gifts

Although the gift itself is the most important part, don’t overlook the wrapping. Thoughtful wrapping with a festive touch elevates your gift from a quick DIY job to a present the recipient will be excited to open. Best of all, you can create beautiful wrapping from things you have around the house.

Try putting your gift in reusable containers like mason jars or decorative tins, especially if you are gifting food. For wrapping paper, you can repurpose old newspapers or use kraft paper for a rustic look.

You can also embellish your gift. Traditional bows and ribbons are always a good choice. For a homemade gift, add a handwritten gift tag or use a printed template for a more polished look. Adding some natural items, such as cinnamon sticks or pine twigs, will complete a picture-perfect wrapping job. Tie them on with ribbon or twine for extra charm.

Make this holiday season memorable with handmade gifts

If gift-giving comes down to the wire this year, don’t stress. Homemade gifts are a thoughtful option that your recipient will love. With a creative idea and some attractive wrapping, the people on your Christmas list will think you’ve had gifts planned for weeks.

Kristen Wood is a photographer, recipe developer, writer and creator of Schisandra and Bergamot, a botanical blog. She is also the author of “Vegetarian Family Cookbook,” “Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook” and “Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners.” Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Healthline, Martha Stewart, Yoga Journal, Willow and Sage Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, NBC and more.