'Tis the season to get crafty and spread the joy of giving with DIY Christmas gifts that won't break the bank! In a world filled with pricey store-bought presents, there's something special about whipping up heartfelt and personalized gifts. Whether you're a DIY pro or a first-time crafter, I've put together this guide of easy DIY gifts you can make for your loved ones.

The Christmas gift DIY’s included in this guide are:

1. Bookmark 
2. Art polaroid
3. Saddle stitch bound notebook
4. Bracelet gift
5. Affirmation cards

All the DIYs use a small amount of items, products usually found around the home.

1. Bookmark 

Requires:

• Paper/Card 
• Glue
• Printer or art materials such as a pencil/pen or paints

To make a bookmark first begin by cutting a rectangle out of paper or card, if you wish to use recyclable paper or card from a package, old wrapping paper, or previous Christmas cards, for example. 

Then, you can personalise the bookmark by either printing a design out and gluing it on top or by drawing/creating art on the bookmark. Glue these together using PVA, or a glue stick. If you don’t have glue you could also use sticky tape.

These bookmarks can look great, and there are tons of ways you can customise them.

Canva is a great online program to use where you can design bookmarks. I recommend opening an A4 sheet on Canva poster and then creating your bookmark on a rectangle. 

This A4 sheet can then be downloaded and printed. I used the free version of Canva to create the design below. 

2. Art polaroid/small art piece

Requires:

• A piece of card/paper
• Art supplies

A Polaroid photo drawing/design or a small art piece is a great gift. I created my small art pieces using YouTube tutorials from @WinterOri. I created mine with oil pastels but you could use other kinds of paint, colouring pencils, or another medium to create these small art pieces. One idea is turning them into fake polaroid pieces, in frames. You could even illustrate key significant memories or the person’s favourite things.

See the photo below for my small art piece designs.

3. Saddle stitch bound notebook

Requires:

• Paper/Card
• Thread/embroidery thread/ yarn /long ribbon
• Needle

The saddle stitch book binding method is easy enough, and there are several videos on YouTube, the one I followed was by @SeaLemon. You can saddle stitch bind together recycled packaging for the cover and repurposed pages to create an environmentally friendly alternative. I created my bound notebook and then used stamps to write the title. I then used a needle and thread to embroider a lazy daisy stitch onto the paper. You can learn more about the lazy daisy embroidery stitch on the YouTube channel @WendiGratz.

You could collage the cover or add stickers, illustrations and more.

See the photo below for an example of my own gift.

4. Bracelet gift 

Requires:

• Paper/card
• Thread/ribbon
• Charm/bead (you could even recycle one from an old necklace or bracelet you no longer wear)

I’m sure we’ve all seen the bracelet gifts going around on Etsy and Pinterest. You can actually create your own using thread tied with a charm and then a designed piece of paper for the backing. I’ve attached a digital example of the design I created. You can create a similar design on Canva. Remember the bracelet needs to be tucked into the smaller lines on the side of the paper so that it can hang on the paper so be sure to cut small slits in the side.

5. Affirmation cards

Requires:

• Paper/Card
• Printer or art materials.

Create small cards which can be stored in a drawstring bag, together with a piece of string or ribbon. It’s your choice how you present these cards. You can put affirmations on the cards for self-worth/confidence/mindfulness or you could come up with your own idea like reasons why you love the person you're gifting them to.

Customise the cards with collaging, paints, and other art materials.

Hopefully, this guide sparks some inspiration for you. Remember that the real charm of these gifts is in the personal touch you add to your creations. Here's to a festive season filled with creativity, and genuine giving. Happy crafting, and Merry Christmas!