Here are some last minute DIY Christmas gifts to use as stocking stuffers, presents, neighbourly gestures, or white elephant exchangers.

Prayer box

Here's what you'll need: 

  • old altoids container
  • fabric or fancy paper
  • mod Podge or clear glue 
  • ribbon to trim the container, optional
  • small notepad or stack of paper 
  • small pen or pencil to fit inside the container

"When your mind starts to wander, and your soul just can't rest, put your prayers down on paper. Then let God do the rest."

A perfect item to stash in your purse or stocking! 

 

Candy sleigh

Here's what you'll need: 

  • two candy canes to use as sleigh runners 
  • ribbon to tie it all together 
  • one large, wider chocolate bar for the bottom (kit kat recommended, but optional)
  • smaller presents, gift cards, candies to stack on top of eachother
  • a shiny bow to place at the top, optional

 

Clear ornaments with special decor inside 

Here's what you'll need: 

  • clear ornaments from a craft store
  • glitter, sand, fuzzy cotton 
  • feathers, fuzzballs, rope, strands of paper, bath salts, hot cocoa mix, whatever you like 

A unique set of ornaments for the unique friend or family member on your list.

(One year I did this with clay pieces of a snowman and pretended he melted, then put Olaf's quote on it! - Amber Rae)

 

Handmade soaps or candles 

Here's what you'll need: 

  • soap or wax 
  • stencils/Shapes 
  • scents, optional
  • colorant or food coloring, optional (could use black to make it like lumps of coal!)
  • flower petals or lego pieces for decor, optional 

A great recipe would to use honey and oats in your soap. Both have great healing qualities and textures. When it's homemade, it makes a much greater impact. Sea shells make great little tea lights. 

 

DIY lotion

Here's what you'll need: 

  • a small jar, (smaller mason jar preferred) 
  • coconut oil
  • vitamin E oil, optional for enhanced skin care 
  • shea butter
  • essential oil, optional 
  • decorative flower petals, optional

You can even make this for the pups too! Just add beeswax and olive oil. 

 

Marble dipped mugs

Here's what you'll need: 

  • disposable deep tray, 9x9 preferred 
  • water
  • nail polish color(s) of choice
  • mug of choice 

Fill the tray with water, drip in your bottle of nail polish, then dip. You could also do this for ornaments and other glass goods. Write with a sharpie, then bake in the oven at 350 F for 30 minutes. Stick your mug in the oven while its heating up so that no cracks happen in the glass. 

 

Bath Bombs

Here's what you'll need: 

  • baking soda
  • epsom salts
  • water
  • essential oils, optional
  • olive oil 
  • food coloring
  • bowl, whisk, jar 
  • bath bomb mold 

Mix your dry ingredients, mix liquid ingredients separately, slowly mix them all together, then pack the mix into your bath bomb mold. Work quickly to keep it all from drying out. Sparkles and glitter are optional. 

 

Personalized cutting board or picture

Here's what you'll need: 

  • wood 
  • wax paper or photo 
  • printer if using wax paper, make sure your picture is printed backwards
  • mod podge if not using wax paper 

Rub wax paper printed image onto the piece of wood, or rub mod podge onto the wood then add your picture. You could even do this for coaster tiles, lamp vases, and other endless ideas. 

 

Stitch a map route, then frame it

Here's what you'll need: 

  • frame
  • map piece
  • needle and thread

 

Recipe in a jar 

Here's what you'll need: 

  • jar
  • recipe dry ingredients of choice
  • ribbon, optional

Great for brownies, cookies, muffins, cupcakes, hot cocoa mix, whatever you would like. 

 

Terrarium in a jar

Here's what you'll need: 

  • jar
  • stones to line the base
  • a few inches of potting soil 
  • small plants 
  • decorations, optional
  • instructions to keep in direct sunlight and water sparingly if soil is dry

 

Coffee or Hot Chocolate Stirring Spoons

Here's what you'll need: 

  • plastic spoons
  • chocolate
  • sprinkles, marshmallows, skor bits, etc. 

 

Homemade seasoning mix

Here's what you'll need: 

  • small beakers, shakers, or vials
  • spices of choice 

Include all in a little box wrapped with ribbon for added unique touch. (Ideas: Chipotle limesalt, coffee paprika salt)