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Awesome Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas (DIY)

December 23, 2022

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You're panicking. You only have today and tomorrow, yet you still haven't come up with any Christmas gift ideas. 

Don't worry! To help you out, we've put together a list of awesome last-minute Christmas gifts that your family and friends will be sure to love.

We're pretty sure most of you want to buy meaningful gifts online, and some would want to go the DIY route for an extra personalization. So what we did is we've divided this blog post into two parts: one for DIY gifts, and one for online finds (check it out here).

With this two part blog post, we're pretty sure you won't have any difficulty finding something great for your loved ones with this list!

1. Christmas Tea Trees

Are you looking for a fun and unique last-minute Christmas gift idea that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Christmas Tea Trees! These delightful DIY beauties are easy to make and will fit any budget. 

Start by gathering your materials: styrofoam cones, individually wrapped tea bags, a glue gun and glue sticks, small paper mache boxes or some kind of short, round cylinder for the “stump”, wooden stars or other star trinkets for embellishment, and (optional) some rice for weighing down boxes. Then, simply glue the tea bags to the cone in whatever pattern you like, and attach your stump and stars to the top of the tree. If using boxes, you can fill them with rice or other decorations to give them weight. 

The result is a festive holiday gift that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face! Tea trees are perfect for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, friends…anyone you’d like to give a special gift this season. Plus, they are so much fun to make that you may find yourself wanting to keep one for yourself!

2. Tin Can Lanterns

Tin can lanterns make an awesome last-minute Christmas gift idea that you can DIY! All you need are a few basic materials found around your house, and you can create a wonderful work of art. 

To begin, gather up some washed and dried tin cans from your recycling bin. You’ll also need an electric drill and drill bits for metal, acrylic paint, masking tape, jewellery wire, seed beads, glass beads, and battery tea lights. 

Start by painting your cans in festive holiday colors. Once dry, use the drill to punch holes into the cans in whatever design you choose. Then use the wire and beads to create patterns around the edges of the can. Once you’ve finished decorating your lanterns, place a battery tea light inside to complete your special gift! 

These unique tin can lanterns are sure to bring a sparkle of joy to your loved ones this Christmas.

3. Crochet Ear Warmers

Quick, easy to make, and fun to customize—crochet ear warmers make great last-minute Christmas gifts! All you need is a hook, some worsted weight yarn, and a few basic crochet stitches. Lion Brand Yarn Vanna’s Choice comes in a variety of neutral colors, perfect for these cozy ear warmers.

If you’ve ever worked with crochet before, you’ll need to know how to do a chain (ch) and half-double crochet (HDC). Once you have the basics down, the rest is a breeze. After fastening off your work, simply cinch and weave in the ends with a tapestry needle. For a special touch, consider adding some extra embellishments like buttons or appliqués.

These handmade ear warmers will make any recipient feel thought of and special this Christmas! With such easy instructions to follow, they’re perfect for any crocheting level — even if you’re just starting out. And best of all, these DIY ear warmers are sure to keep anyone warm and cozy this holiday season!

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4. Lip Balm Locket

The cold makes our lips kinda sad, so why not make a fun and festive lip balm locket for your loved ones this holiday season? All you need is a craft locket, a chain and jump ring to make a long necklace, beeswax pellets, coconut oil, cinnamon leaf essential oil, a double boiler or glass heat-proof bowl and saucepan and a pourable container with a spout.

To make the lip balm, simply melt together two tablespoons of beeswax pellets, one tablespoon of coconut oil (refined if you don’t want a coconut smell mixed in with your fragrance) and five drops of cinnamon leaf essential oil. You’ll want to make sure to use cinnamon leaf essential oil and not cinnamon bark oil as it can be irritating on the skin. Then pour the melted lip balm into your locket and wait for it to cool down before sealing it shut. Once the lip balm has solidified you can hang it around your neck with the chain and jump ring!

This makes for a great last-minute DIY Christmas gift that is sure to be appreciated by everyone on your list. Not only will they have something useful but also something that’s personalized just for them!

5. DIY Gift Cookie Mix in a Jar

Assorted and delicious ingredients make the perfect combination for a DIY cookie mix in a jar! Whether you’re looking for a last-minute Christmas gift or something to bring to a holiday gathering, this simple, yet thoughtful, gift idea is sure to be a hit. 

To create the cookie mix, start with a 1 quart smooth Ball jar and layer the ingredients, starting with flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Then add oats, m&ms, chocolate chips, brown sugar and white sugar. Top it off with chopped pecans for an extra special touch. 

Once all the ingredients are in the jar, simply attach a tag with instructions for making the cookies and you have an easy and unique gift that’s sure to impress! If you’re feeling extra generous this holiday season, you can even add a few more special touches like a festive ribbon or personalized label to your cookie mix in a jar.