20+ Homemade Gift Ideas List For Pandemic Year 2020
This has been a crazy year! As I am looking forward to the Holidays I am considering how hard it will be to shop. Even ordering online is iffy, between items being out of stock and long shipping times, its a recipe of holiday anxiety.
This is where I get the idea to make gifts for everyone on my list. Well at least everyone within driving distance. There is still the shipping issue for anyone living far away.
1. Sweet Pepper & Onion Relish
https://www.daringgourmet.com/sweet-pepper-onion-relish-copycat-recipe/
This is great for any adult that loves food, and maybe a few teens as well. If you’ve never eaten sweet pepper and onion relish* then you’ve been missing out. Its great on hamburgers, hotdogs, your morning toast or English muffin, I even like it with cream cheese and crackers, YUM! I can’t believe I just found this stuff. I may not have made enough to give away …
If you don’t have any garden ingredients left, the great thing is that everything on this list she still be available at your grocery store.
*Don’t let the dark color of my jars deter you. I needed to make a few adjustments to use up my peppers, if you use the red bell peppers in the recipe you should get beautiful red relish pictured with the recipe.
2. Herb flavored Salt
Lots of other yummy goodness found on this site. Take a minute and look around. I bet you find other ideas. https://www.therisingspoon.com/2013/12/how-to-make-basil-salt-easy-diy-gourmet.html
Like this one: https://www.therisingspoon.com/2018/12/rosemary-orange-thyme-flavored-herb-salt.html
and this one (I know not a salt, but yum!): https://www.therisingspoon.com/2013/10/how-to-make-vanilla-sugar-ten-ways-to.html
3. Flavored Oils and Vinegars
Flavored oils only have 3-6 month shelf life, so make small bottles of 12 oz or less. You want to make enough that they can enjoy it more than once, but not so much that it goes bad before they can use it all. The good news is that you can use a variety of base oils so you probably have all the ingredients you need, or they are easy to get with your grocery order.
https://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/infused-avocado-or-olive-oil/
https://homemadewithmess.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/flavoured-olive-oils/
This one takes several weeks so plan ahead! https://clickamericana.com/topics/food-drink/diy-vinegar-recipes-16-flavored-homemade-vinegars-1910s
4. Flavored Nuts
How about a sampling of sweet and and savory nuts. I suggest that you try making a few different nuts and giving a bag or jar of each flavor as a set. Remember to only give this to one person per household.
https://www.sugarandsoul.co/gingerbread-candied-pecans/
https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2013/05/barbecue-roasted-mixed-nuts-story-of.html
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2014/12/mexican-spiced-chocolate-pecans-nuts-recipe.html
5. Ice Cream Toppings
Can be given with or without ice cream. I’d give this as a set of at least 2, but more is good too. I did this a few years ago and most of it was eaten that night. I could be wrong but that sounds like a win to me. You might consider gifting a set and bringing a set with the purpose of eating one set with you and having more for a future date.
I deliberately looked for recipes that can be water canned, this takes the pressure off the gift recipient to use it right away. This set makes a yummy trio.
Hot fudge – http://cottageinthemaking.blogspot.com/2012/04/safely-canning-chocolate-sauce-yes-you.html
Strawberry Syrup- https://creativehomemaking.com/recipes/strawberry-syrup/
Dairy Free Butterscotch Sauce –http://www.foodpreserving.org/2012/07/day-68-butterscotch-sauce.html
6. Junk Journal or Smash Journal
Do you have a surplus of fancy papers and cardstocks left over from the scrapbook craze of the early 2000’s? I sure do. Yeah, I still make cards to use it all up, and I have a 4th grader so I still do a tiny bit of scrapbooking, but at this rate I’ll still have paper when I die a good long time from now.
This is great for anyone on your list that likes to write. From elementary age kids to adults who love a bit of whimsy. There where a lot of examples to pick from but this one was my favorite.
https://the-paper-heart.com//2020/03/10/diy-smash-journal-book-from-unwanted-paper/
7. Bookmarks
Because sometimes a small thoughtful gift means more than anything else.
https://thegraphicsfairy.com/free-printable-bookmarks/
https://thegraphicsfairy.com/free-printable-bookmarks
10 bookmarks – https://www.craftydutchgirl.com/10-fun-diy-bookmarks/
8. Card Box Set
Do you love to make cards, or art, but don’t have enough people to mail them too? Make a bunch of cards and gift them as a set! For your art, scan it or photograph it, use a program like Adobe, or www.canva.com and turn that art (or your kids art-grandma’s really like that) into cards, aim for 10-20 cards per set.
https://thepamperedstamper.com/2017/05/turn-handmade-cards-precious-gift/
https://limedoodledesign.com/2011/03/card-folder-tutorial/
This one is an example that cards don’t have to be super technical or fancy to be beautiful.
https://www.djkardkreations.com/2017/01/hello-have-beautiful-day.html
9. Scripture Art/ Wall Art
Of course you can pick a verse that speaks to you, or you know is a favorite of your recipient and make your own. You can make it on cardstock, watercolor paper, or wood. When you make it yourself the possibilities are endless.
If your feeling crunched for time, or you love the idea but don’t feel confident in the execution, I have found an artist that offers lots of free printables. She also sales her prints so if you like her work bookmark her to support when you can.
https://www.hopeink.com/printables
10. Oil Diffusors
Who doesn’t want their house or car to smell great! Just remember to follow their tastes, …eer, smell preferences, some people love florals, and some don’t. Just something to keep in mind.
https://www.lemonslavenderandlaundry.com/diy-car-freshener/
https://thesweetestdigs.com/flower-reed-diffuser/
11. Book Bag
Bookbags are useful for so many things. Each of my kids has one for church, another one for the library, and my younger child has one that goes with us everywhere.
They aren’t just for kids, though. I have a stash of this bags too. I use them to carry my latest projects, the library, and general on the go bags. Even my husband keeps one folded up in his car for trips to the store.
https://lifeincolor.typepad.com/life_in_color/2007/11/easy-bookbag-tu.html
http://www.trashtocouture.com/2018/04/earth-day-diy-upcycled-jeans-tote-bag.html
12. Scarves
Knit, crochet, No sew fleece. I could have listed these out separately, but for my purposes a scarf is a scarf, and we both know that they come in so many variations, you’re sure to find one that meets your skills and your gift giving needs. Here are a few patterns and examples to get your creative juices flowing.
I used this one to make the ombre scarf pictured with cupcake yarn –https://ihooked.ca/the-gateway-chevron-scarf
https://www.skiptomylou.org/deep-pocket-scarf/
https://kniftyknittings.com/garter-rib-knit-scarf-free-pattern/
13. Blankets
Like scarves there are just so many options. I’m really loving this crochet in the round/star pattern.
http://www.lionbrand.comcollections/blanket-patterns/products/star-blanket-crochet
My kids have 2 layer no sew fleece blankets giving to them in years past that live on their beds.
https://www.loveourreallife.com/no-sew-fleece-blanket-tutorial/
There is not going to bed if that blanket is in the wash. Its a must have for all my kids no matter what age.
Here are a couple more links to get your creativity a kick start.
https://tlycblog.com/bradley-afghan-free-crochet-pattern/
https://learnknittingonline.com/give-a-mermaid-tail-knitting-pattern-a-go-free-knitting-patterns/
https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/easy-beautiful-diy-fleece-blankets.html
14. Hot Water Covers
For those that are always cold.
Knit- https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/polar-bear-hot-water-bottle-cover
Sew- https://happyinred.nl/hot-water-bottle-cover-sewing-pattern/
15. Hats/ Headbands
There are so many options available, I’m just going to highlight a few that caught my attention.
https://kirstenhollowaydesigns.com/2016/10/pattern-sugar-and-spice-slouch-hat.html
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quinn-fox-set
https://www.eweewe.com/blog/2019/11/5/tutorial-how-to-knit-the-hot-mess-headband
16. Bath Salts
I got hooked on bath salts a few years ago. If you haven’t tried them yet, take the time to make one for you and one as a gift. Have fun and get creative, but if you add anything like petals or tea leaves, add a muslin bag to put the salts in, no one wants the bath drain to clog.
https://www.yourbeautyblog.com/2018/07/diy-unicorn-fizzy-bath-salts-recipe.html
This one has several, take a moment and look around the site for the blend that you think would work best for your gift receipiant. –https://brendid.com/rosemary-chamomile-detox-bath
https://apumpkinandaprincess.com/bath-salts-ornaments/
17. Sugar Scrubs
https://www.therisingspoon.com/2014/03/homemade-lemon-sugar-scrub-recipe.html
https://www.theidearoom.net/peppermint-candy-cane-sugar-scrub
18. Lotions
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on store bought lotion? Not to mention the price point for the really good stuff? If the list of stuff you can’t pronounce isn’t enough maybe the cost savings would be, either way, making lotions is so easy you’ll want some for yourself as well!
https://foodfunfamily.com/diy-lotion-bars/2/
As you can see from my picture a batch of lotion doesn’t last long enough to photograph in my house.
https://modernhomesteadmama.com/whipped-body-butter-recipe/
19. Soap balls
https://hearthandvine.com/handmade-gifts-make-soap-balls/
These balls are so pretty I included them here, but not for actual use, perfect for the person that likes pretty things. Tip use a strong scent that they will like and it will act as a air freshener for awhile. Who doesn’t want a nice smelling bathroom?
https://www.savvyhomemade.com/pretty-little-soap-balls/
20. Pampered Feet
https://www.happy-mothering.com/homemade-foot-scrub-honey-lemon-drop/
https://beautyinthecrumbs.com/homemade-lotion/
21. Wood Bath Tray
While we are talking bath products, this is an awesome idea! – https://improvisedlife.com/2013/01/30/diy-wood-board-tub-traydesk/
https://her-happy-home.com/diy-bathtub-tray/
There are so many more ideas! If you want more then sign up for my newsletter and I’ll send you a free printable Gift Planner Page and 4 emails focusing on specific gift recommendations. Plus you’ll get access to my freebies library and a weekly email highlighting my books, crafts and more. Sign up below…
