More than 40 Simple Handmade Gift Ideas

 

We are down to just a few short weeks until Christmas. About this time each year I feel like I’ve run out of ideas for gifts. I just spent yesterday brainstorming with friends as to what to buy for my 15 year old son (suggestions welcomed, he has nothing on his list). If you’re like me, time can be short but ambitions can be large. I always want to make gifts for my family and friends but many times run out of time.

I’ve been blogging since 2008 and in that time have accumulated quite the library of projects. I spent the weekend sorting through the hundreds of tutorials on this site to find over 40 projects that I think are great handmade gift ideas. All of them are “afternoon” projects, none will take more than a day, and all use a minimum amount of materials. Most are free, and a few are paid patterns.

I’ve broken down the list into parts for you… Gifts you can sew, including gift ideas to sew for your friends, kids and the guys in your life. I’ve also included another list of non sewn gifts that you can easily craft in an afternoon.

Enjoy!

Sewing Projects:

For Friends:

 

1. June Bag

2. Derby Tote – makes a great tote for school, work or church.

3. Monogrammed Cork Clutch

4. Embroidered Zip Pouch Tutorial

5. Ear Buds Case

6. Padded Lens Case

7. Bow Front Clutch

8. Fold Over Clutch

9. Seersucker and Leather Fold Over Clutch

10. Leather Trimmed Zip Pouch

11. Laptop Sleeve

12. Monogrammed Leather Zip Pouch

13. Mickey Mouse Zip Pouch

14. Winter Wool Scarf

15. Fabric Bucket

16. Padded Storage Bins

17. Bow Tie Bracelets

18. Pom Pom Clutch

19. Embellished Dish Towel

20. Embellished Zip Pouch

21. Cosmetic Bag

For Kids:

22. Bunny Zip Cases

23. Custom Pillowcase

24. Reading Pillow

25. Baby Doll Receiving Blanket

26. Padded Storage Bins (make it out of children’s novelty fabric to create cute storage for legos or hot wheels)

27. Crayon Folder

28. Ruby Lou Bag

29. Personalized Canvas Tote Bags

30. Easy Peasy Fleece Blanket

For Guys:

31. Necktie Zip Pouch

32. Wool iPad Case

 

33. Travel Dopp Bag

 

Craft/DIY Projects:

34. Snow Globe Gingerbread Houses

35. Christmas Mason Jars

36. Cookies in a Jar

37. Cooking Mason Jar

38. Sewing Mason Jar

39. Monster Gift Card Holders

40. Gingerbread Man Craft Kit

41. Polka Dot Hat Boxes

42. DIY Hogwarts House Notebooks

43. Kids Journals

44. Silver Chalkboard Platter

45. Monogrammed Yeti

46. Decorated Quilt Rulers