Looking for birthday gift ideas for your family, neighbors, or your child’s teacher that won’t leave your wallet crying?
Trust me, I’ve totally been there, racing through Target aisles the night before a party, grabbing whatever looks decent, and spending more than I planned on something that may end up in someone else’s re-gifting pile.
After my oldest started getting invited to what felt like every single birthday party (why are kids’ birthdays all crammed into winter?!), I knew I had to start thinking outside the gift bag.
So I started putting together a list of go-to DIY gift ideas, cute, easy, budget-friendly, and most importantly, thoughtful.
These gifts may cost just a few bucks to make, but they look like something you’d find in a boutique.
The best part?
You probably already have half the supplies at home.
And if not, a quick stop at Walmart or the dollar store will get you everything you need without the stress (or price tag) of another last-minute store run.
Custom Photo Memory Box
This one’s perfect for best friends or family members. You’ll need a basic wooden box from the craft store (usually around $5) and some Mod Podge.
Grab some meaningful photos, ticket stubs, or little mementos that remind you of your time together.
Just arrange everything how you want it on the box, then seal it all down with the Mod Podge.
I made one of these for my sister last year with pictures from our old dance recitals and she literally cried when she opened it.
The whole thing costs less than $10 and looks like something from Anthropologie.
Homemade Bath Bombs
These are totally addictive to make and everyone loves them.
You’ll need baking soda, citric acid (find it on Amazon), and some essential oils.
Mix everything together with a tiny bit of water and press into plastic ornament molds.
The trick is not getting the mixture too wet or they’ll start fizzing before they’re done.
You can make like 6 bath bombs for the price of one from Lush.
Add some dried flower petals on top to make them look fancy.
Personalized Recipe Box
This gift is literally perfect for anyone who loves cooking or just moved into their first place.
Hit up the craft store for a cute wooden recipe box and some decorative cards.
Write down your favorite family recipes, the ones that always get requested at potlucks.
I started doing this after my mother in law gate-kept her famous chocolate chip cookie recipe for years (like, why though?).
Make it extra special by adding some family stories or memories with each recipe.
Custom Spotify Playlist Artwork
This one’s super easy but looks crazy expensive when it’s done.
Create a meaningful playlist on Spotify, then design some artwork that represents the songs.
You can use watercolors, markers, or even just cool paper collages.
Frame it in a simple black frame from Target (they’re always like $10).
Add a QR code on the back that links to the playlist.
Pressed Flower Phone Case
Grab a clear phone case from Five Below or Amazon.
Press some pretty flowers (or buy them already pressed from the craft store if you’re impatient like me).
Arrange them between the phone case layers with some clear-drying glue.
These look exactly like those $50 cases from trendy Instagram brands.
Works best with smaller flowers and ferns.
Personalized Herb Garden Kit
Get some small terracotta pots from the dollar store.
Paint them with cute patterns or the recipient’s name.
Add some potting soil and herb seeds.
Make cute plant markers from popsicle sticks.
Package it all up in a dollar store basket with some basic care instructions.
Customized Coffee Mug
You need a plain white mug and some oil-based Sharpie markers.
Draw whatever design you want – inside jokes work great here.
Let me tell you, the time I made one for my husband with our wifi password on it was genius.
Bake it in the oven to make it dishwasher safe.
The whole thing costs maybe $5 but looks totally professional.
Friendship Bracelet Set
Remember making these at summer camp? They’re totally back.
Buy some embroidery floss in colors they love.
Look up some patterns on Pinterest (the chevron one is actually super easy).
Make a set of 3-4 in coordinating colors.
Present them on a cute cardboard holder you can decorate.
Custom Printed Tea Towels
Get plain white tea towels from Target’s Dollar Spot.
Use fabric paint and some simple stamps or stencils.
You can even use stuff from your kitchen like potato stamps or leaves.
Make a set of 2-3 with coordinating patterns.
These look just like the ones from Anthropologie that cost $20 each.
Homemade Body Scrub
Mix brown sugar or sea salt with coconut oil and some essential oils.
Package it in a mason jar (which you probably have laying around anyway).
Add a cute label and some ribbon.
This costs like $3 to make and looks totally spa-worthy.
Personalized Bookmark Set
Watercolor paper makes the fanciest bookmarks ever.
Paint simple patterns or use stamps.
Add tassels made from embroidery floss.
Makes a perfect gift for your bookworm friends.
Package them with their favorite tea for extra points.
Movie Night Gift Basket
Grab a cheap basket from the dollar store and spray paint it if it’s ugly.
Add microwave popcorn, candy, and some hot chocolate packets.
The secret is making custom popcorn seasoning blends in little jars.
Mix different spices like ranch powder, cinnamon sugar, or my family’s fave – nutritional yeast with garlic powder.
Put everything in the basket with a cozy $5 throw blanket from Walmart.
Decorated Ring Dish
Air-dry clay is seriously the easiest thing to work with.
Roll it out, shape it into a small dish, and let it dry overnight.
Paint it with acrylic paint and add some gold touches.
These look exactly like the ones from West Elm that cost $25.
You can make like 4 of these with one pack of clay that costs $6.
Personalized Wall Calendar
Buy a pack of thick cardstock and some good markers.
Create 12 monthly calendar pages with fun doodles or watercolors.
Add important dates like birthdays and inside jokes.
The other day my daughter found one I made years ago and still remembered all the silly drawings.
Bind it together with those gold binder clips from Target’s office section.
Custom Painted Plant Pot
Terracotta pots are literally the cheapest things at the garden center.
Paint them with acrylic paint in fun patterns or solid colors.
Add some metallic details if you’re feeling fancy.
Don’t forget to seal them with clear spray paint so they last outside.
Fill with a cheap succulent from Home Depot and you’re done.
Memory Jar
Get a mason jar and decorate the lid with scrapbook paper.
Write down funny memories, inside jokes, or reasons why you love them on little paper slips.
Fold them up and fill the jar.
This one made my best friend ugly cry at her birthday brunch.
You can even get other friends to contribute memories to make it extra special.
The best part about these DIY gifts is that they actually mean something, unlike another random Target gift card or Amazon purchase.
The key is starting a few days ahead (learned that one the hard way after trying to make bath bombs at midnight).
And remember, it’s totally fine if they’re not perfect… that’s what makes them special, right?
