Are you looking at sustainable and low-waste gift ideas this Christmas? Why not get your creative hat on and consider some handmade pressies.
And if you have little ones at home, get them involved!
Here are 8 handmade gift ideas to help you get started.
1. DIY Cookie jars
These are seriously so simple and a great go-to handmade gift idea. All you need is 1 or 2 empty glass jars (repurposed condiment jars work a treat!) and the cookie ingredients.
Once you have all the ingredients, you simply layer them inside the jar & then print off the cookie recipe instructions and walla - the present is done.
You can decorate the jar with some twine & tie a gift card around the top.
We’ve used this gift idea quite a few times and my daughter loves it!
Check out this cookie-jar recipe & feel free to re-create your own.
2. Backed goods/Christmas cookies
If you’re a baker then this one is obviously right up your alley way. If you’re not, just do a search online, find some Christmas inspired recipes and bake away!
Here are 28 Christmas cookie recipe ideas to get you started.
Gingerbread cookies are always a great go to - but you could opt for white Christmas (a personal favourite), or chocolate fudge perhaps.
I’m not much of a baker myself, but my daughter and I did make some pretty tasty gingerbread over the weekend which she handed out to her kindy friends. They were a hit!
3. A photo board/Photo book
This is an especially great and thoughtful gift idea for the grandparents. You could buy a photo board or even make one yourself.
Or, find some string and some wooden pegs and hang them inside a photo frame.
You could even make your own photo book. Find a nice scrap book or journal, print off your favourite photos and make a little story book yourself.
4. Coffee body scrub
Coffee body scrubs are so simple to make - you'll most likely have the ingredients at home.
Another great way to repurpose used glass jars!
So if you have any coffee lovers in the family this is a great low-waste gift idea for them.
Here's a super simple recipe to try.
5. Homemade bath bombs
These are a super fun gift and completely zero-waste gift idea. You can be as creative with them as you wish.
All you need is:
Baking soda
Citric acid
Corn starch
Witch hazel or water
Essential oil
Epson salts
Natural colourants
Moulds
Once you get the hang of making these ones - you'll find that bath bombs are such a great and fun low-waste gift idea!
Here's a non toxic bath bomb recipe you could try.
6. Handmade Soaps
Handmade soaps are another great sustainable gift idea. Although they may be a little trickier than the bath bombs as you may need to search a little harder for the ingredients.
But once you have all you need just find a recipe that you like and give them a go.
Here's a simple recipe for you to try.
7. Crochet & knitted items
Crochet and knitting are not part of my skillset. However, for those of you who do have the skills, then there are endless gift ideas here.
Clothes, scarves, crochet toys, coasters, cloths, bags, blankets, decorations the list goes on.
If you haven't tried crocheting but would like to give it a go - here's a great website with lots of tips and tricks.
8. Planter pots with cuttings
Who doesn't love another plant to add to their collection? Ok maybe not everyone..but in general plants are always a great sustainable and low-waste gift idea.
This idea involves not just the plant, but also repurposed jars or tins. Next time you get to the bottom of a jar of condiments (or an aluminium tin works well too) keep the jar for this little DIY gift idea.
All you need to do is sit the jar in hot water & peel the label off. If it’s a tricky label then mix some oil with bicarb, pop it on the label, wait a few hours and then scrub off.
Fill the jar with soil/some pebbles and your favourite plant cuttings. You can also decorate the jar with some twine or twigs to fancy it up a little.
Merry Christmas!
I hope this list of 9 handmade Christmas Gift ideas has inspired you to give a gift that's thoughtful AND Planet-friendly.
Do you have your own handmade gift-giving ideas? We'd love to hear them in the to the comments below.
For more sustainable Christmas gift ideas check out our article- 10 Planet-Friendly Christmas Gif ideas
And here's how you can wrap without the waste - Christmas Gift Wrapping Without the Waste