the ultimate DIY Gift Guide
your anti-capitalist, pro-handmade guide to gifting this holiday season
Interrupting our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a massive DIY gift guide packed to the brim with ideas for really special, handmade gifts to make your loved ones this season. A few reminders / considerations before we get into it:
The essence of creativity is what you can do with what you have. If you find yourself with less resources (including time) than holiday’s past, what a beautiful!!!! opportunity to get really creative.
If you’re like us, it’s very easy to get in WAY over your head with ideas that far surpass your execution abilities. Try your best to be realistic about what you can accomplish, and set aside consistent, dedicated time daily or weekly to working on you projects!
I recently asked a friend who always makes the most beautiful and thoughtful handmade gifts for her loved ones what the secret was to actually making them in time. She suggested focusing on one creative medium, and exploring that in a new way for each person rather than trying to make a ton of really different things. I’m all for creative constraints, and will be taking her advice!
A few project ideas for all, and the rest for paid subscribers! We’re so happy you’re here whether you can financially support or not<3
We have also intentionally designed our December event calendar in the studio to support you in your DIY gift endeavors, so if you prefer to have all of the materials sourced for you, the time set aside and instruction provided, we’d love to make along with you :)
Ok let’s get into it!!!
If this year you can’t afford to buy your bestie tickets to see their fav artist in concert (or you cant even get your hands on them) maybe instead make them a gift ~inspired~ by their favorite album, song, or artist. We love this vintage beaded bracelet inspired by Adrienne Lenker’s Songs and Instrumentals Album. And let’s not forget one of the most romantic, free, gifts ever: a playlist. This is a great guide to making the perfect mix. Paired with a baked good? Maybe these homemade cosmic brownie trees? Perfection.
A sweet, free, little gift we love are these zines of unusual materials by annas.waves. Take them any direction you like using scrap materials you have around your house. You could doodle, write a story, or make memory collages within each page. Guaranteed to be cherished manyyyy years to come.
If you are on the same side of tik tok that we are, you may be overwhelmed by the clay gift ideas available to you. This clay coaster idea is effortless and easy to make in batches. You could also incorporate beads, stones, trinkets, etc! The perfect functional and customizable office Secret Santa gift.
A creative gift to inspire more creativity: source your own collage kits for the tactile loving people in your life, including photos of their favorite places, people, things to make it even more special! Search “collage cutouts” on Pinterest and put your favorites together into a printable sheet using their new collage feature. (Here’s one we made recently) You can also print out all different kinds of letters. These guest check sheets make a great addition, as well as mixed papers from your local craft/paper/art store, stickers, etc. Creative market has great digital collage packs also! If you live somewhere with a creative reuse center, you’ll be able to find so many great (sustainable) things to incorporate. We’re jealous of you.
Prefer a little more structure/guidance, but still want to hand make?