Everyone knows that the best gifts are the ones that come from the heart; and what better way to show someone you care than by handcrafting them something? There are so many different DIY present ideas you can pick from, so you’ll be sure to find the perfect idea for the person, occasion and season. What’s more, crafting allows you endless opportunities for personalisation, so you never need to feel restricted to the basic version!

1 Find the Perfect Idea and Get Started

To start the perfect craft project, you first need to think carefully about what you want to make and how much time you have. Some projects can be wrapped up in a couple of hours while others are a bonafide labour of love. It’s important also to pick an idea which works to your strengths: do you love to sew or are more of a draughtsman? Here, we take a look at a few of our favourite crafting project ideas which will appeal to all skill levels and make for the perfect present.

2 Knitted Blanket or Quilt

Knitting a blanket may seem like a lot of work but in fact, it can be incredibly easy! Arm knitting is an option that is blowing up in popularity, rewarding you with enormous cosy blankets in a delightfully chunky knit without needing needles! The first step is simply finding a giant yarn in the right colour and texture for the blanket you want to make. Follow this simple guide for a step-by-step breakdown on how to make your blanket. Alternatively, you can approach the bigger task of creating a quilt, which while requiring many more hours of loving work, it will allow many more options for personalisation.

3 Pampering Soap Set

For the people in your life who are perhaps under a little more pressure than usual and in need of down-time, what could be better than the gift of relaxation? Putting together a pampering set of homemade soaps is a great way to show you care. Not only are the soaps made with all-natural ingredients, but you can add scents to them that you think will be particularly appreciated. Lavender, peppermint, lemon and jasmine are all wonderfully calming, while stronger base notes of grapefruit, patchouli and frankincense will give your soaps a greater richness and depth. Adding rough textured ingredients such as oats or salt will also make it a fantastic exfoliator.

4 Your Own Mini-books

Create your very own mini-books as gifts, home decorations, or even wedding favours. Whether the text is something you’ve written yourself or that of a friend or family member, you can have it printed in high-quality format and craft a beautiful, personalised cover. Depending on the length of the text you want to use, you could choose to use a company like print24’s book printing service or opt to scribe it yourself using special calligraphy pens.

5 Hand Decorated Ornaments

If you have a skill for drawing and pattern making, then this could be the gift option for you! In a previous project, we had a look at the amazing things you can do with Pilot Pintor pens. But it doesn’t stop at pebble painting: give your friends a fully self-design set of tea cups, photo frame or even musical instrument.

6 Baked Goods

Ok, so baking doesn’t necessarily constitute crafting – but is there really anything better than receiving a box full of beautifully decorated cupcakes or perfectly cooked cookies? Homemade food gifts demonstrate not only your skill in the kitchen, but can be perfectly tailored to the occasion either through the flavours you use or decoration. For instance, a piped message can be added to the top for birthdays or simply add someone’s name. During holiday seasons like Christmas, you can really go to town. Not only find recipes full of all the ingredients you associate with that time of year, but get creative with your decorations: a Santa hat here and some reindeer ears there never go amiss!