Simple gift ideas that can work all year
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Trying to find just the right gift for friends, family and more? Adding personalized labels, tags and fabric transfers to an inexpensive gift can make a thoughtful present that won’t break the bank. We’ve put together 12 easy DIY Christmas gifts to help you get through the holidays for less. Just grab a few simple items, add a personalized tag or label, and you’re good to go without spending a lot.
We’ve included some of our free holiday templates for inspiration, as well as the DIY and custom-printed Avery products we used to create these easy gift ideas. And with a few simple tweaks, these gifts can be given year-round.
1. Mulling Spices
Mulling spices like cinnamon, allspice and cloves are a fantastic way to kick up the flavor in wine and cider and are the perfect DIY gifts for party hostesses, neighbors and friends.
We used square tags to create this look. You can personalize any style gift tag with your own messaging and add the instructions on the back of the tag.
2. Special Seasonings
Have that special BBQ rub your husband swears by or a special homemade salt or seasoning you love. Put it in a jar and tie it with a bow and you have a gift everyone will appreciate having in their pantry.
We used a Mason jar, some red twine and a personalized kraft brown round label on the lid for this tasty gift.
3. Baking Staples
Fabric transfers are great for shirts but you can also iron them onto small canvas bags to create this awesome gift of baking essentials. White flour sacks will work great too. It just depends on if you want a rustic, organic look or a rich, clean feel.
We used our iron-on fabric transfers to make this fun kit of baking essentials.
4. Cookie Cutters
Cookie cutters, spatulas, holiday dish towels, and even a festive oven mitt make an inexpensive gift for the bakers in your gifting circle. They also make an awesome party favor for holiday parties.
Just attach a fun personalized tag and you’re done. We use a scallop tag with this simple snowflake design.
5. Cookie Dough
Is it even Christmas without cookies? Give everyone the gift of sugar with a roll of your very own, homemade cookie dough. Again, if times are tight like they are for most right now, try some store-bought dough wrapped up and personalized.
We used white wrapping paper, ribbon and a rectangle label for this look. Be sure to include baking instructions for homemade cookies.
6. Cinnamon Rolls
Whether you have your own recipe or buy a tin from the store, cinnamon rolls are a delicious treat that everyone will enjoy during the holidays.
For our canned rolls, we added a simple ribbon and tag. If you home bake your rolls, you can do the same thing with a brown bakery box.
7. Cookie Decorating Kit
A cookie decorating kit immediately looks fun as soon as you open the box and is a great DIY Christmas gift for the whole family. Include cookies, frosting, sprinkles, gumdrops and more.
We used fun little scalloped tags on the individual items and printed the instructions on a full-sheet label we adhered to the inside lid.
8. Cookie Baking Kit
Expand the gift of cookie dough to include cookie cutters and toppings to create a gorgeous cookie baking kit. These sets are fun for everyone and can be the start of a beautiful holiday tradition.
We used banner tags to label each item. Make sure to include any instructions that might be needed.
9. Pineapples
Pineapples are a symbol of warm welcomes and hospitality and can make the perfect hostess gift.
Just add a festive Hawaiian holiday tag and some ribbon for an easy inexpensive gift. We used our banner tags to create this fun look.
10. Snacks
Try as we might, we can’t survive on cookies alone. That’s why jars of snack mix can be the perfect Christmas gifts for coworkers, teachers or kids to give them that extra handful of energy when they need it.
We used a mason jar, ribbon and a personalized banner tag for this easy gift idea.
11. Jams & Jellies
Homemade preserves hold a lot of love but a store-bought jar of gourmet jam is also a lovely gift. It’s a perfect item to pull from the cupboard and serve with toast on Christmas morning or to make jam-filled cookies for friends and family.
We just added an oval label and a sweet bow to create this sweet treat.
12. Pancake Mix
Wrap up the dry ingredients for a pancake mix, such as all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda and add a whisk or spatula for a tidy pancake starter kit everyone will love on a holiday morning.
We used our pretty scalloped tags with some beautiful plaid ribbon for this easy idea.
No matter what you decide to give this holiday season, know that the recipient will appreciate the thought more than anything else. We all know times are tough for most right now and a simple gesture of a small gift or card is all it can take to make someone’s day.
Happy gifting!