• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Money-Saving Shopping Tips
  • Frugal Ideas
  • Best Time To Do Everything
  • Free & Fun Stuff
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Money Saving Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

Home » Jobs & Money » Homemade Gifts Make Gift Giving Easy & Saves You Money – 5 Gift Ideas To Get You Started

Homemade Gifts Make Gift Giving Easy & Saves You Money – 5 Gift Ideas To Get You Started

Pin
Share
Tweet

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.


Oh how I love making homemade gifts! Some gifts can be expensive to buy but cheap to make.

You can drain your bank account when it comes to Christmas shopping or other gift-giving times. Are you tired of shopping online and want to save money?

Decorating pottery is a great way to give a homemade gift.

Gifts don’t have to be costly, especially when you make or finish them yourself!

One of my favorite homemade gifts started with me buying an old cigar box and refinishing it for a keepsake box that I recently gifted to my parents — they use it as an eyeglass and safe-keeping box.

You might remember I love furniture recycling as well! Making homemade gifts serves 3 purposes for me:

  1. I get in touch with my creative side and it’s cathartic for me.
  2. I always have gifts on hand if I’m invited to a dinner or seeing a friend.
  3. I save money when buying gifts because mostly what I gift is homemade.

Here are some ideas for cheap, simple presents you can make or finish off at home.

 

#1 – Make Decorative Crockery

Mugs, plates and other crockery can be bought cheaply in plain white form. Wholesale batches, direct from the factory or suppliers, are usually an especially good value.

These plates are .99 each and I can make personalized homemade gifts out of them!

 

With little extra expense, you can paint and decorate your cups, saucers, mugs, plates and dishes as you wish.

You’ll need oil-based paint pens, acrylic paints with accompanying brushes, or possibly other paint types, depending on the substance of your items.

TIP: Find A Paint Your Own Pottery Studio Near You

Many times I’ll shop at Goodwill or other thrift and consignment shops for pieces of pottery that are already painted and I will strip them or paint over the designs with chalk paint and customize them.

 

#2 – Create Fancy Plant Pots

If you have some spare plant pots, why not put them to use? After cleaning them out thoroughly, you can paint them in tones of your choice, decorating them afterwards with a fine brush or pen.

Flower pots that are hand painted are also great homemade gifts.

Acrylic paints are recommended for most kinds of flower pots. Acrylic and chalk paints are staples in my craft room since they are so versatile and I use them to create everything I make.

Your finished creations will look great indoors or out, as recipients will discover, and can serve as knick-knack storage or actual planters.

 

#3 – Create Personalized Signs On All Types Of Wood

This is by far my niche and my favorite hobby right now — and my friends and family love my creations. Living in Lancaster County Pennsylvania I have access to a lot of really cool pieces of barnwood.

Get out and grab ideas for homemade gifts like me.

You don’t have to live here though or use barnwood to make great gifts. Any type of wood will work.

I also buy paintings and word sayings on wood (even when I don’t like them at all!) and I paint over them with messages that are meaningful to me.

I collect a lot of ideas along the way when shopping and then I make my own versions at home.

 

#4 – Crochet Some Knitwear

Are you a keen knitter? If so, get knitting for your friends and family.

Homemade gifts like knit scarves and sweaters are very popular!

If, on the other hand, you’re new to knitting, go for simple items to start with, such as scarves and socks, using online instructions to help you.

If you enjoy the activity, you might like to join a knitting group, where you’ll probably pick up all the tips you need from your new knitting pals.

 

#5 – Burn CDs Of Your Favorite Music

Are you a Mozart in the making, or a secret jazz artist? Or do you and your family like to sing in harmony around the piano on a winter’s night?

homemade-gifts-cds

There are many closet musicians in the world who never get seen or heard, so if you’re one of them, break the mold by recording your melodies on disc for music-loving friends.

Your mom and dad will cherish a copy, too, no doubt.

Once you start making your gifts, you won’t want to stop — nor will your lucky recipients. You’ll probably think up many more ideas as you go, and your homemade gifts will soon be well known among your friends and relatives.

Many times I enjoy some craft pieces I’ve made by displaying them and just “shop” at home for that perfect gift when a gift-giving occasion comes along — or when I just want to give a “just because” gift.

 

More Homemade Gift Resources For You

In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are some additional resources to help you save money this holiday:

  • The Cheapest & Best Places To Shop Online For Craft Supplies
  • 10 DIY Craft Essentials To Have On Hand
  • Homemade Gift Ideas That Guys Will Like
  • More Than 25 Homemade Gifts That Grandparents Will Love
  • Gifts That No One Really Wants At Christmas
Aimee
Aimee

I’m a health nut, a frugal mom, a dog lover, a DIYer, and a gadget girl. Personally, as a post-divorce, working single mom on a budget I have a lot of experiences that I enjoy sharing so others can learn from the things I wish I knew earlier! Professionally, I’ve worked full-time in a variety of marketing, sales, and editing jobs. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as Managing Editor at The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Frugal Ideas, Jobs & Money Tagged With: Consignment And Thrift Stores, Frugal Tips, Gifts, Personalize Things

Primary Sidebar

About Us

LynnetteAlways on the lookout for a good bargain, I consider myself a frugal person -- but not cheap. And not afraid to spend money on the things that matter. I like to share good deals with others when I find them. One of my favorite ways to save money is to reuse items in ways other than their intended purpose -- so I write a lot about outside-the-box ideas that most people wouldn't think of! When I'm not saving money or looking for good deals, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

AndreaI have been a certified tightwad striving for financial freedom since I became pregnant with my first child -- and I decided to find a way to stay home with him full-time. I enjoy sharing my personal experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future -- which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

Andrea: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Air Travel Appliances Banking Issues Bartering And Trading Birthdays Black Friday Books Budgeting For A Specific Purpose Cameras Charities Christmas Cleaning And Decluttering Clothing And Shoes Computers Consignment And Thrift Stores Costco Coupons Credit Cards And Gift Cards Cyber Monday Digital Photos Faxes and Faxing Free Stuff Frugal Tips Gas And Car Costs Gifts Green And Energy-Saving Tips Grocery Shopping Home Buying Insurance Kids Laundry Savings Membership Clubs Money Making Ideas Office Items And Housewares Online Shopping Party Tips Personal Care Products Personalize Things Phone Popular Stores Restaurants Sam's Club Tips For Small Business Owners Today's Economy TV And Movies

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap