The holidays are just around the corner, and many people are taking to the stores to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, then one great way to exercise your creativity and have fun is to build gifts for your friends and family! Few things show care and consideration like a handmade gift.
DIY Holiday Gift Ideas
There are thousands of DIY Holiday gift ideas, all available with just a few mouse clicks. Here are just a few of those ideas!
Build a Beverage Cooler
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
If you’ve got a friend or family member with a sense of humor, then consider converting an old or basic cooler into a pirate chest cooler!
In most cases, all you need to do is build a frame for an existing cooler. What you do beyond that is up to your imagination!
DIY Advent Calendar
Skill level: Intermediate to Expert
Advent calendars are an old tradition celebrated in many homes this season. It’s easy to buy one at the store. It’s a little more work to build one, but it will become an instant family heirloom.
There are many ways to make an Advent calendar for December, from using felt and string, wood, or revamping vintage medicine cabinets. All you really need is a centralized backdrop with 24 places for you to put toys, chocolate, stocking stuffers, or even wine or beer.
Expert builders may want to consider building a custom calendar from scratch, and include carvings or other flourishes for a personal touch.
If using wood or metal, finish your DIY Advent calendar with paint. You can include your kids on this part of the project!
DIY Planter Box
Skill level: Beginner
A quick internet search will yield hundreds – if not thousands – of results for DIY planter boxes, and for good reason. Planter boxes can be made in dozens of shapes and sizes, and are easy to customize to fit a specific space.
You can use reclaimed wood, just about any type of wood from the hardware store, and even palettes*. Find basic planter building instructions here.
Once your planter is finished, you can either gift it as-is or fill it with plants.
Planting herbs for tea is a great wintertime idea, as it’s cold and flu season and a hot cup of tea is always soothing! These herbs include:
- Lemon verbena
- Mint
- Lavender
- Stevia
- German Chamomile
Plant herbs which compliment turkey, chicken, or winter roasts if your gardener is also a home chef. These herbs include:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Oregano
*It’s important to note! If you’re using a palette, make sure that it has not been chemically treated. Chemicals in the wood can easily leech into the soil and make your herbs and veggies unsafe to eat. You can find the treatment indicator code on the side of any pallet. If your pallet does not have a treatment code, that means it is most likely a ‘national pallet’ used for domestic transportation, and has most likely not been treated.
Build an Old-Timey Wooden Wagon
Skill Level: Beginner to Expert
A ‘little red wagon’ is a part of many people’s fondest childhood memories. This old-timey wooden wagon is sure to bring hours of fun and lasting memories to your own youngsters.
Best of all, you can easily customize this plan. Add larger wheels for older children, place cushions in the base, and paint the outside as desired.
Once the children are too big to fit inside, they have a keepsake for years to come. This wagon is also usable for plants, blankets and pillow storage, firewood storage, and more!
Bookshelf
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
A simple DIY bookshelf is perfect for a weekend project this December. More advanced woodworkers can change up the style, adding personalized touches or paint work. There is no limit to what you can do with a custom bookshelf!
Northside Tool Rental
Northside Tool Rental is your place to visit for all types of saws, drills and hammers for your wintertime project. Don’t work in the cold! We even have a portable patio heater for days when the temperature drops.
And don’t forget – smooth out rough woodwork with a high-powered sander so your gift recipient doesn’t get splinters!
The malls will be busy this holiday season, so instead of fighting the crowds, build gifts for your friends and family!