19 Last Minute DIY Gifts for Procrastinators

It’s December already! Do you have all of your Christmas shopping done? Sigh, I wish I was one of those people! But for those of us who are procrastinators, here are 19 last minute DIY Christmas gifts that you can still get done before the big day.

 

I know, it always comes around at the same time, EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR. But yet I still always seem to find myself last minute Christmas shopping, scrambling through the crowds. And it never seems that I put in much thought in those gifts, either! And too many times I find I have to order the gift I was thinking of, and since I had procrastinated so long, there isn’t enough time for shipping! Enter last minute DIY gifts…..

Calling all procrastinators! Here are some quick last minute DIY gifts that you still have time to do!

 

1. Cinnamon Ornaments

Ok, this one might be a stretch calling it a DIY Christmas gift idea. But, you might be able to gift it as part of the gift tag on a larger gift??

These are so easy and smell divine! Your whole house will smell like cinnamon with the addition of a handful of these ornaments. Check out the recipe from Candy’s Farmhouse Pantry.

 

2. Flaxseed Heat Pads

Flaxseed heat pads are amazing. Have an achy neck? Sore feet? Cold hands? Just pop these in the microwave and you have nearly instant heat! I have made a few of these, and you don’t even have to use flax (I just think they’re better with flax). I have used dry rice instead for a more frugal option.

 

This post from An Oregon Cottage includes a video tutorial. Make sure you check it out! They whip together so quickly, and she even has free printable gift tags.

3. Peppermint Soap

Soap doesn’t have to be difficult! Yes, you do have to buy the soap base in order for it to be an easy project, but it’s still frugal! And did I mention easy?

With the soap base, you can add any of your favorite essential oils, but for Christmas we like peppermint. Check out this great tutorial from Happiness Is Homemade.

4. Peppermint Body Butter

Ahh, another peppermint creation! This one from Here Comes The Sun Blog is perfect for gift giving. It uses food and essential oils, so it’s great for those who have chemical sensitivities or objections.

This recipe is so easy, you can whip up a quick gift in literally minutes! Plus, you probably already have most of the ingredients already, so it would only cost you for the container. Talk about a win-win!

5. Essential Oil Room Sprays

I love essential oils! They are so beneficial, as well as smell nice! If you have a small collection of essential oils, why not try these recipes from By Oily Design? It’s got 6 recipes for some lovely Christmas-y scents, and she even has printable tags for them.

These will only take a few minutes, and each bottle only takes 5 drops of essential oils!

6. Easy Bath Bombs

Who doesn’t love a good bath bomb? These bath bombs from Red Ted Art are so easy, even kids can make them! What a perfect gift for your kids’ teachers! Plus, you can personalize them with your loved one’s favorite herb or scent (the one in the post is lavender).

7. Essential Oil Air Freshener

Yep, another essential oil product! These lovely little air fresheners from Little Yellow Wheelbarrow are made from Plaster of Paris, and scented with essential oils. The scent only lasts for a couple weeks, but you can easily drop more essential oils onto them once the scent fades. They are lovely, and you can make them in any shape that you have a mold for. So go buy a beautiful mold and some Plaster of Paris and make these today!

8. Scrabble Tile Coasters

If someone on your list needs some new coasters, why don’t you make these cute Scrabble tile coasters from Simply Darrling. You can personalize these to suit the giftee. Show off your creativity! I have seen some cute ones with coffee or beer themes. And even some with Christmas themes.

9. Fringed Flannel Throw

Here is another sweet blanket. If you just can’t do the arm knitted blanket, maybe try this one? This fringed flannel throw from Its Always Autumn only takes about an hour and some pretty basic sewing skills. Your loved one will enjoy cuddling up on the couch with this throw on their lap.

10. Personalized Coffee Mugs

I made these personalized coffee mugs a few years ago and they were really appreciated. In fact, my niece broke hers and was really upset about it! They can be as easy or as complicated as you want them to be.

 

This is a great tutorial from Laughs, Crafts and Photographs for Sharpie coffee mugs. So easy, and if done properly it the mug can be washed without fading. Just don’t put the mugs in the dishwasher!

11. Marble Dipped Mugs

My daughter and I made these a few years ago and they turned out lovely! This would be a nice gift for the coffee lover in the office. Just stick some candies or cookies in it and tie with a pretty ribbon. House Of Hipsters has a good tutorial on marbled mugs. So quick and easy, and you get different results every time!

12. Etched Wood Cutting Board

Design Mom has a very nice tutorial for an etched wood cutting board. Put your own personal touch on a pre-made item with etching or wood burning! If you’re not that artsy, you can use stencils to trace your design first. But I think the mistakes make it unique. Take the time to think about the person you’re giving it to, so you can personalize it to their taste. This makes

a quick, lovely gift out of something that would be rather ho-hum.

13. Arm Knit Infinity Scarf

If you like the idea of arm knitting from idea #1 but feel a little bit intimidated, you can try this DIY infinity scarf. This post from Cute DIY Ideas has a great tutorial for arm knitting this scarf in as little as a half hour. Surely someone on your list would enjoy a nice new scarf! You can totally customize this scarf, getting the colors and textures that your loved one will appreciate.

14. Personalized Photo Candles

If you have a great photo of your loved one that they would appreciate seeing more often, why not make a personalized photo candle? This post from It’s Always Autumn has a great tutorial for this easy, beautiful candle. It’s such a cheap Christmas gift idea that doesn’t seem “cheap”.

15. Photo Transfer On Wood

This is such a lovely photo transfer tutorial from Happy Deal Happy Day! You can take a special photo and transfer it right to a piece of wood for a sweet gift. I made boxes with photos all over it for a few loved ones several years ago and it was such a treasured gift. Special photos make a DIY Christmas gift that much better!

16. DIY Tiered Jewelry Tray

If you can find some lovely vintage plates at the thrift store, try making this easy tiered jewelry tray from Style Me Pretty. It’s such a thoughtful gift for your favorite jewelry lover, with a sweet vintage twist.

17. Photo Pendant

Here is a great tutorial on a DIY photo pendant from Saving With Sarah. You can make this darling pendant and fashion a piece of jewelry for a special someone. Maybe they can put it on their tiered jewelry tray from #17?

18. Polaroid-Inspired Mini Magnets

I think this would be the perfect gift for the moms in your life. Moms tend to love to haul out the photo albums to share their memories with everyone. But what if she could proudly display them on her fridge? These polaroid-inspired mini magnets from Sundae Sins would be such a thoughtful gift that she will treasure for years to come!

 

 

 

Whatever DIY gift you decide to give, remember it really is the thought that counts! DIY gifts don’t have to be considered “cheap”, and can be personalized to the person you are giving it to. How special is that?

I hope these ideas have helped you procrastinators figure out what to make for the special people on your list. Make sure you save these last minute DIY gifts to Pinterest! They will probably come in handy for other gift-giving occasions as well!