Gift giving is about the thought and should not be about the amount of money spent. If you are short on time (or cash) all you have to do is put a little bit of creativity or thought into your gift and you will be good to go. Here are some of my favorite DIY gift ideas that I have done for friends and family that were a big hit!

1. DIY Mason Jars: The possibilities are endless when it comes to DIY mason jars. The “mani-in-a- mason” is my favorite. You basically want to give them all the essentials for an at-home manicure.

What you will need: a clear mason jar, cotton balls, travel sized nail polish remover or pads, nail file, a nice hand cream and of course nail polish. I really enjoy Sinful Colors  for its $1.99 price, awesome color selection and great quality. You can purchase  the mason jars and the labels at a craft store.  I really like the chalk board style labels so that the jar can be reused.

2. Homemade Treats: Nothing says I care more than a homemade treat. I’ve made this bacon-peanut caramel popcorn for my bf twice already because he loved it that much! It is a slightly spicey, savory-sweet treat. It’s super easy to make and requires very basic cooking skills – I promise! You could also bake cookies or other types of popcorn and pack them in a mason jar to make it giftable!

3. Basket of Beer: A great idea for the beer lover in your life. Try your best to put together an assortment of 6 different bottles. It could be a mix of favorites plus new ones to try! You could  throw in a really cool beer stein glass too. Baskets can be found at a discount or craft store. Don’t forget to buy stuffing for the basket!

4. Movie Night in-a-Box: Going out to see a movie has become a luxury for many with how expensive ticket prices are so gifting tickets is always a nice idea. You could purchase a gift card to a theater or to Fandango and even Netflix has their own gift cards now. Add a few of their favorite snacks to a nice little box or bag and you’re done!

5. Photo Collage Initial: I’ve made these for both of my parents and spent just under $10 bucks for each. They both loved it so much and have them hanging in the bedroom.

What you will need: Wood Letter, Mod Podge Gloss, X-acto Knife, Scissors and photos.  I found the wooden letters at my local AC Moore and printed the photos from CVS.

What to do: Get lots of photos printed so that you have options since you will have to collage and move things around. You don’t need glue for this project. I used the mod podge to stick the photos to the letter as well as add a glossy finish. I applied the mod podge over the photos using my fingers and it came out fine. Once dried you can take your x-acto knife and trim the photos to fit to the shape of the wooden letter.

What’s a DIY gift you have given or received?

Happy Holidays!

~Nicole

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