So, You Want to Make Your Gifts

18 crafty, edible, and budget-friendly ideas to combat holiday shopping. Plus, a fool-proof recipe.

The gift guide floodgates have officially burst open. Whether you’re scrolling Substack, TikTok, Instagram, or braving your inbox, you’ve likely been bombarded with curated lists and niche guides. Now, don’t get me wrong—I love a good gift guide, but I just don’t plan on buying gifts this year.

Why? Well, it’s a mix of things. For one, we have the classic unemployment combo: plenty of time, not a lot of funds (though everyone is seemingly on a budget these days). But more than that, I want to reconnect with the joy of making. Growing up in a creative family that cherished handmade gifts above anything store-bought, I learned early on that the most meaningful gifts are ones you can’t buy.

On top of that, my relationship with consumption has shifted. I feel increasingly desensitized to “stuff” and crave deeper connections and experiences. Now more than ever, I aim to buy slowly and consciously to make meaningful purchases. Unfortunately, the reality is: shopping small isn’t always financially feasible. So, this holiday season, I’m rolling up my sleeves and making gifts instead.

Spoilers ahead for close friends and family—this is the only time I will tell you to stop reading!!

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Not to brag, but I have a pretty stellar gift-giving reputation (ok, that was a full brag). I’ll drop subtle hints and quietly gather intel in the weeks leading up to birthdays or holidays. Sometimes mood boards are even involved. This year, I’m channeling that same meticulous energy into homemade gifts and sharing my list with all of you!

A few notes before we dive in: This round-up celebrates craft and creativity while challenging traditional DIY aesthetics and encouraging personal style. In the spirit of ethical consumption, I’ve aimed for sustainability through secondhand finds and natural materials. Ideas in each section (food, drink, style, then home) are organized by what I think requires the most effort—whether it’s time, money, or skill. I’m hoping most are approachable regardless of your level of craftiness or culinary aptitude. That said, as someone with stashes of various art supplies from hobbies past, thrift finds tucked away, and a well-stocked kitchen, the initial investment may vary. Lastly, the comments section is open for brainstorming, tips, and cheering each other on through the DIY journey.

Here’s to finding inspiration for someone or everyone on your list!

From Scratch

Food is a shared love language among my friends, making it a top-tier gift anytime. Deliciousness is a given, so for this special occasion, try incorporating visually striking ingredients or techniques. And don’t forget about the packaging—whether you add handmade details to an ordinary jar, give that Danish cookie tin a makeover, or find an extra-special vintage vessel. These finishing touches take your gifts to the next level (and are a big part of the fun!).

• Spice or Tea Blend: A seemingly simple gift that can be incredibly thoughtful when you tailor it to someone’s specific cooking habits, taste, or lifestyle. Plus it’s a great way to share your secret recipe without actually giving it away.

• Hot Sauce: If you have a spicy lover in your life, you know there is no such thing as having too many hot sauces. One of my all-time favorites hails from my mom, notorious for her no-recipe style cooking, and is only three ingredients (I’m going to test the “recipe” before sharing). Hot sauce recipes range in simplicity, the ingredients are often easily accessible, and there’s lots of room to play, so definitely worth giving it a try! I’d love to find a cool vintage glass bottle for gifting this.

• Preserved Lemons: When life gives you lemons, preserve them. They add a burst of brightness and saltiness to any dish, particularly pasta and salad dressings. This is a true pantry meal hero, and a real lifesaver when you realize mid-cooking that the lemons in your fridge are rock-hard (it’s been weeks oops). To make this all you need are lemons (I always get organic when skins are consumed), kosher salt, and time. Zhush it up with herbs or spices. The preservation process removes any bitterness and leaves you with something utterly delicious—and surprisingly rewarding for how easy it is.

• Pickled Vegetables: Long live the pickle supremacy! Poke around your local farmer’s market for seasonal gems, though this time of year you may need to pick up certain ingredients from the grocery store. Try pickling something unexpected (green beans, fruit!). Go sour or sweet. Add whole spices, herbs, chilies, whatever your heart desires. For even more fun, use a shape cutter to create cute flowers and stars. The ones above are by the ever-talented Jamie Rothenberg of

  jamie’s food diary
  and @foodjars.

• Holiday Cookies: A classic for a reason. In theory, I’m all for the more the merrier, but will I bake several kinds of cookies? Probably not. That’s what cookie swaps are for—attend a locally organized event or host one for your friends! Besides, there are other ways to wow. I might take a less conventional route and try baking quilted cookies a la @lauren_dozier. P.S. Cookie tins make for great ornament storage till next year.

Boozy Delights

• Infused Spirit: This simple process takes cocktails from classic to crafted. Pick up their favorite spirit and add flavor enhancers like citrus, spices, aromatics, etc. Personally, I prefer using dried over anything fresh. Some crowd favorites to try:

  • Old Fashioned: whiskey + dried orange, cinnamon, clove

  • Margarita: tequila + dried pineapple, citrus, chili

• Coquito: I instantly fell in love with this sweet, coconutty drink and its warming spices after first trying it years ago in Miami for Christmas. Ever since coquito has become my holiday staple (eggnog who?). It’s always a crowd-pleaser and doubles as an amazing host gift when those endless holiday parties come around. Find the recipe at the end of the article.

• Homemade Liqueur: Having a digestif while sobremesa-ing is the perfect end to an evening—now imagine sipping something homemade! I’m eager to try crafting my own concoction after enjoying homemade liqueurs (walnut, cherry, limoncello) enough times while traveling. This helped to dispel the intimidation I once felt—much like the barrier to bread making, which I now bake weekly. I’ve newly adopted the philosophy that if it’s something people have made for ages, then I can make it too! However, I won’t judge you for choosing a simple coffee liqueur over a twenty-eight ingredient amaro. Wherever you land, definitely factor time into the process. If you’re ready to dive into the deep end, check out these books:

  • Slow Drinks, by Danny Childs

  • Amaro, by Brad Thomas Parsons

Custom-core Style

The beauty of creating something custom is the ability to craft a story, especially when personalizing with a very special someone in mind. Adapt these ideas to your style, and skillset, and don’t underestimate the power of small details. Major bonus points for integrating items or themes with sentimental value in your piece.

• Upcycled Shirt: There’s a whole wide world of embroidery techniques and applications. I found endless inspiration scrolling Pinterest. Take a maximalist or minimalist approach, use fabric paint or embroidery, source secondhand, or breathe new life into something you already own.

• Charms & Chains: Gather your trinkets, beads, and left-over ribbon from your bow era and make it into a key chain, phone lanyard, bag charm (having a big moment right now), or all of the above. If you’re not a collector of miscellaneous things, visit a flea market, thrift shop, or Etsy to source unique goodies. This one really shines with mixed materials and the tactile quality—my tip: cool hardware. I fashioned ceramic beads and ribbon into a phone lanyard and was overwhelmed with compliments (and inquiries).

• Knitwear: Once I figure out how to use my Sentro knitting machine, all the girlies are getting extra-long skinny scarves. In the meantime, I’ll be working on smaller projects, like neckties and triangle scarves, while envying folks making bonnets and balaclavas.

  • If knitting is way out of your wheelhouse, try adding small stitch details to an existing piece.

    

• Jewelry: Specifically picto-charms, inspired by the incredible Haricot Vert universe. A simple pendant is probably more feasible than their intricate dangles (pictured above). Hopefully, I’m not wildly underestimating the difficulty/supplies necessary to make this a reality, cause I’m dreaming of throwing a picto-charm party this holiday season. Otherwise, expect earrings made from found shells and glass beads from me.

Handcrafted Treasures

• Upcycled Picture Frame: Grab an old frame and the medium of your choice: paint, papier-mâché, mosaic supplies, dried beans (yes, beans are an option). The possibilities are endless—you can even get creative with the matting. Finish it off with your favorite photo together or, for the more artistically inclined, a piece of your artwork.

• Bottle Carrier: Happy to report that there are several methods to execute this one: crochet, macrame, felt, sewn, or my personal fav, repurposing button down. The first two are great for an everyday water bottle holder. Sneak a pét-nat in there and you have the best host gift.

• Pot Holder: This project may transport you to an elementary school project, but this time around we’re elevating it with color, pattern, and material. Typically made on a mini loom, these kits are relatively inexpensive but you could diy a frame or choose to knit instead. A hanging loop adds functionality but also allows it to be a decorative piece.

• Embroidered Napkins: Personalize a set of table linens with their favorite foods, drinks, or places through images or text. You can also take a more ornate route, decorating with shapes or stitch detailing.

• Stuffed Toy: This one’s niche and might only resonate with my cute-loving besties, but hear me out: it’s so perfectly weird. Make your own little creature or food character out of repurposed textiles (old tees, fabric scraps, etc.)—it’s sure to delight your friend who loves kitschy homewares (or Sonny Angels).

• Apron: I recently unlocked a newfound appreciation for aprons after Gohar World altered my perception of them with this chic metallic number. I’m fixated on aprons as a canvas and excited by the opportunity for material, shape, color play, and the unexpected. Even with my little to no sewing skills, it still seems easy enough, especially a cafe-style half apron. This is what I have in mind: secondhand textiles, patchwork play, star-shaped pocket.

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Coquito

• 2 cans coconut cream

• 1 can coconut milk

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

• 1 can evaporated milk

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp nutmeg — freshly grinding the whole spice is my secret!

• 1 tbsp ginger powder

• 1/2 tsp whole cloves, 5-8 pieces (see note)

• 2 cups (475ml) white rum — I use Bacardi silver; adjust booziness to your taste

Blend all the ingredients (or shake vigorously), then pour into bottles or jars, leaving a bit of space at the top. Refrigerate and shake well before serving. Enjoy within 4–6 weeks.

Note: If you’re dividing the mixture into multiple bottles, hold off on adding the cloves until the end so you can distribute them evenly—this ensures the flavor is balanced across each bottle.

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Though I’ll be cooking/crafting up a storm until Christmas, I might still create resources for those who’d rather buy their presents. Because let’s face it, there’s some really good stuff out there—plus, I enjoy curating these things for you. What can I say, some habits are hard to break.