With a couple of weeks before Christmas Day, there is still time to make your own gifts this year. We’ve always enjoyed adding a personal touch to our gift giving, and this year is no different! Our tastes have changed over time. Originally, the kids made or featured in a lot of our Christmas and thank you cards. They are still keen to get involved now that they are teens. Handmade gifts aren’t just presents—they’re memories wrapped with love. With Christmas just around the corner, why not create something truly personal?
Five personalised gifts to make this year
Wall calendars
Last year, I had a lot of fun making a personalised calendar for my mum. Although she is a grandmother to five children and a great-grandmother to three, I made her a calendar featuring our little pup. She loves the dog just as much as her family and was overjoyed to find photos of her favourite dog on each page. I also enjoyed the process of looking through my photos, choosing the best ones, and designing the finished calendar. I noticed my mum has kept it too, so she can admire the photos!
Pocket candle
Some of the best gift ideas are often the simplest, such as a photo book or calendar. I love looking at photos, and once upcycled a vintage tin to make a little pocket candle and added a favourite photo to the inside lid. I keep it on the mantlepiece as it is one of my favourite photos of my parents when they were younger.
Personalised chocolate wrappers
It has never been easier to create your own personalised gifts, and I’ve previously used my smart cutting machine to create small, personalised gifts for the teens, from personalised chocolate wrappers to Christmas decorations. I can’t tell you what a lifesaver this machine has been when you have a child with an unusual name!
Although the machine and accessories require an initial expense, it is easy to use and fun to make gifts for others, and a sound investment. If you don’t have access to a cutting machine, you can buy printable templates online for chocolate wrappers.
Resin letters
How about making a resin letter decoration as a gift? My son loved the wooden letter decoration we made for his room. We bought the wooden letter and sourced spare Lego pieces and figures to make a fun personalised gift for him. Then we filled the letter with resin, which held the Lego pieces in place. He’s always loved Lego, and it was fun to try a new craft and make something personal to him.
Scrabble sign
We upcycle a lot and have even used Scrabble tiles to craft gifts with. Charity shops always have a spare Scrabble set and you can use the tiles in so many crafts. A few years ago, I made my sister a sign spelling out the word FIFTY for her fiftieth birthday. I’m not sure she loved the constant reminder of that particular milestone, but it was a wonderful way to reuse the letter tiles.
Personalised gifts aren’t just thoughtful—they create lasting memories. When you take the time to make something unique, it shows care and creativity that store-bought items can’t match.
Handmade gifts often become treasured keepsakes because they reflect the recipient’s personality and your effort. Plus, crafting can be a fun way to involve the whole family, especially during the festive season. Whether it’s upcycling old items or experimenting with new materials, the process is just as rewarding as the final result. So, gather your supplies, put on some Christmas music, and enjoy making gifts that truly come from the heart!
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Which of these ideas would you like to try? Share your creations in the comments!
