5 Homemade Gifts That Feel Personal, Beautiful, and Actually Doable This Holiday Season

Every year, the holidays get louder. More ads. More pressure. More perfectly curated wish lists. And every year, I find myself craving the opposite: quiet moments, intentional choices, gifts that really mean something.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how easily we slip into consuming instead of connecting, and how often the best gifts aren’tbought, they’re made. Or remembered.

Because in the end, we don’t hold onto the things, we hold onto the moments. The way someone laughed. The way a room smelled. The way a photograph lets us step back into a version of ourselves we’d almost forgotten.

So this season, if you’re feeling that tug toward simplicity and meaning, here are five homemade gifts that carry heart, history, and a little bit of magic.

1. Herbal Bath Salts

A gift that says: Slow down. Take a breath. Take care of yourself.

What you’ll need:

• Epsom salts

• Sea salt or Himalayan pink salt

• Dried herbs (lavender, chamomile, rose petals, rosemary. Choose your vibe)

• A few drops of essential oil (optional)

• A glass jar with a lid

How to make them:

1. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of Epsom salts with ½ cup of your secondary salt.

2. Stir in 2–3 tablespoons of dried herbs.

3. Add 3–6 drops of essential oil for scent, but keep it light.

4. Mix well and spoon into a clean jar.

5. Add a tag or ribbon, and maybe a note encouraging them to take time for themselves.

This craft feels luxurious but is wildly easy, and every time they use it, they'll think of you.

2. Beeswax Candles

Soft light. Warm glow. The coziest gift in the world.

What you’ll need:

• Beeswax pellets

• Cotton candle wicks

• A heat-safe container (a reused jelly jar or thrifted vessel works great)

• A double boiler or heat-proof bowl over a pot

Steps:

1. Melt the beeswax over low heat using a double boiler.

2. While it melts, place your wick in the jar and tape or tie it upright so it stays centered.

3. When the wax is fully melted, pour it carefully into the jar.

4. Allow to cool completely (a few hours).

5. Trim the wick to about ¼ inch.

Beeswax smells naturally sweet—no fragrances needed—and these candles burn clean and golden.

3. Air-Dried Clay Ornaments

Minimal, earthy, and perfect for kids or adults to make.

What you’ll need:

• Air-dry clay

• Rolling pin

• Cookie cutters or a cup for simple circles

• A straw

• Twine or ribbon

How to make them:

1. Roll out the clay about ¼ inch thick.

2. Use cookie cutters or a cup to shape ornaments.

3. Use a straw to poke a hole near the top for hanging.

4. Add texture with stamps, leaves, or fabric scraps pressed into the clay.

5. Let them dry for 24–48 hours.

6. Thread twine or ribbon through the holes.

These turn out beautifully simple, and they look like something you'd buy from a tiny boutique in a mountain town.

4. Painted Picture Frames

The gift of art and the memory that goes inside it.

You’ll need:

• Inexpensive or thrifted frames

• Acrylic paint

• Brushes, painter’s tape, or stencils

• A printed photo (or leave it empty for them to fill!)

Steps:

1. Lightly sand the frame if needed.

2. Paint it in solid colors, color-blocked sections, or hand-painted designs.

3. Let dry completely.

4. Seal with a clear coat for extra durability.

5. Add a photo, a poem, or a handwritten note to tuck inside.

This gift feels deeply personal—especially if you choose a photo that means something to both of you.

5. Homemade Vanilla Extract

It takes time, but that’s part of the beauty.

You’ll need:

• 3–5 vanilla beans

• 1 cup vodka (or rum for a sweeter flavor)

• A small glass bottle

Steps:

1. Slice the beans lengthwise to expose the seeds.

2. Place them in the bottle and pour in the vodka.

3. Seal tightly and shake.

4. Let it sit for at least 6 weeks (6 months is better), shaking it occasionally.

This is the kind of gift that feels like a secret family recipe — rich, thoughtful, and slow.

We hear a lot this time of year about buying more, doing more, and having more. But when we slow down and look back on the holidays that meant the most, it wasn’t the gadgets or the trendy gifts that stayed with us. It was the feeling. The people. The stories we lived together.

That’s why I love homemade gifts—they’re the opposite of rushed. They whisper instead of shout. They say: I made this with you in mind.

And that ties into something that matters deeply to me: memories are the real gifts. They’re the pieces of our lives we’llpass down long after the boxes and bows are gone.

Which is why …

Photographs Make the Most Meaningful Gifts

A photograph is a piece of time you don’t have to hold in your hands to keep. It’s a gift that becomes more valuable every year. Whether it’s framed art for a parent, prints for grandparents, or a session gifted to someone you love, photos carry memory, emotion, and legacy in a way nothing store-bought can.

If you’re looking for a gift that feels personal, timeless, and full of heart this season, I’d love to help you create something beautiful.

Reach out to book a session or order a gift card, and let’s give the gift of memory this year.