updated on Creative Time

Your 2024 Handmade Holiday Gift Guide

image of 2 woven fabric ornament stars on a cream colored background, styled with a ball of green string, a pair of scissors, and a colorful pile of fabric, to introduce handmade holiday gift ideas

Handmade gifts always add an unmatched magic to the holiday season. DIY not only gives you the opportunity to make personalized gifts that your loved ones can’t find anywhere else, but it also gives you a moment to slow down and relax into a craft during an often stressful time. One could say that any of the classes on Creativebug could be turned into wonderful presents. With over a thousand classes to choose from, we decided to highlight some of our projects from 2024 for you. These handmade holiday gift ideas range from unique gift cards, to small sewing projects, to knitting up a cozy sweater.

New & Upcoming Classes for Holiday Gift Inspiration

  1. For a small embroidery project that is easy to bring on your daily adventures, check out the recording of our recent live class with Blair Stocker of Wise Craft Handmade. She shows you how to make ornaments on gingham fabric with chicken scratch embroidery. For a more in-depth look at chicken scratch, Blair also has a daily practice. 2 images of hand embroidered chicken scratch fabric holiday ornaments in shapes like stars, trees, and gift boxes
  2. Play with air-dry clay and make these adorable mushroom ornaments with Cindy Willingham. This class is live on November 27th. image of mushroom ornaments made with air dry clay in various shades of cream and brown hanging from a small branch
  3. On December 4th, learn how to make a colorful woven fabric star ornament with Faith Hale. Start gathering your fabric scraps now, because this project is as fun to construct as it is to receive. PLUS, there is absolutely no sewing involved (except for the hanging string).image of two woven fabric star ornaments in colorful fabrics on a plain surface next to scissors and pieces of fabric
  4. Give the gift of organization. We can always use a little more! Corrie Beth Hogg shows you how to make a simple paper maché tray for trinkets and treasures. You probably already have most of the supplies in your house: cardboard, paper, glue, masking tape, and some paint. This class is live on December 11th.image of handmade paper maché tray in blue and white with sunglasses and a bracelet on it, styled on a wooden table with some potted plants

Gifts to Sew or Embroider

  1. Author, illustrator, and maker Sanae Ishida designs useful items brimming with personality. Keep your loved ones safe from drafty rooms with a Scrappy Bear Draft Stopper.image of a handmade stuffed bear that is used to stop drafts under doors
  2. Whip up an easy and luxurious sleep mask.image of 4 handmade sleep masks in soft grays and browns on a pink background
  3. Send someone some ultra comfort with a handmade, rice-filled heating pad.image of several handsewn heating pads in various shapes like clouds, a moon, hearts, and one long heating pad to go around the shoulders
  4. If you know someone who also likes to hand-sew or embroider, Rebecca Ringquist shows you how to make an embroidered Pin Cushion and Needle Case. Fill them with pre-threaded needles as an extra helpful touch.image of a hand embroidered needle case and pin cushion
  5. Stitch up a joyful and unique wreath with Rebecca All-Seasons Embroidered Wreath. This fun project uses TWO embroidery hoops.image of an embroidered wreath in a hoop next to similar versions that are out of the hoop
  6. If you have a little more time to make your hand-sewn gifts this year, you could make someone special a gorgeous quilt. Faith Hale’s Puff Quilt is so squishy and charming! You could stick with a smaller size for a fabulous seat cushion or perhaps even a pillow case. Courtney Cerruti also wrote a blog post about how to use a gridded fabric as a time-saving hack.image of two photos of hand sewn puff quilts. on the left, a pair of arms holding a tea cup while cuddling a puff quilt. on the right, a small square puff quilt on a wooden table.
  7. Blair Stocker also has a class on how to sew a Roman Stripe Quilt. And while her stocking class went live last year, we can’t but help but mention her dazzling Stash-Busting Stocking.images of a folded quilt on a table with various strips of fabric in a rainbow of colors

Gifts to Knit or Crochet

Expert knit and crochet pattern designer Tian Connaughton debuted three new sweater classes this year, two of which are perfect for cold weather. While these might be more intermediate projects, you can’t deny how special it would be gift a handmade sweater.

  1. The Harrison Sweater has a modular design and a crocheted basketweave texture.image of a dark blue crocheted sweater on a light bacgkround next to some yarn and a crochet hook
  2. The Freeport Cardigan is a timeless, knitted cabled sweater with an elongated collar that drapes behind you like a cozy capelet.image of a grey, hand knit cardigant with a cabled texture on a white table top

Unique Gift Card and Gift Wrap Ideas

  1. You can use this Folded Paper Lotus Flower as gift toppers or ornaments. Mia Semingson of Two Hands Paperie also shows you how to write secret messages and intentions within the petals of the flowers, which is a fun idea for the New Year as well.image of a folded paper lotus flower in colorful papers on a pink background
  2. Make a cute zine with any theme to suit your gift recipient with Bel Mills and Love Note Zine with Marbled Papers. We always love when the card or tag is also a gift itself!image of a small, handmade zine in shades of blue, red and pink, with lots of heart shapes in the theme of love
  3. Bel’s project above shows you a simple marbling method with shaving cream. If you want to further explore marbling with paint, you can make mesmerizing patterns on gift cards and handmade wrapping paper Mercedes Rex. She guides you through creating a multitude of marbled patterns in Creativity Through Marbling: A Daily Practice. If you want more of an introduction to marbling, check out her Creativity Through Marbling: An Introduction.image of lots of overlapping papers covered in colorful swirls of painted marbling
  4. While you have your marbling supplies out, try your hand at making a stunning silk scarf with Marbling Finished Goods.image of a lightly twisted silk scarf that has been decorated with a marbled paint design
  5. Design unique gift cards and gift tags with beautiful watercolor designs – and no drying time! Sanae Ishida’s daily practice, Watercolor Painting in Procreate, introduces you to digital watercolor art. Sanae also designed a collection of distinctive Procreate brushes and templates, meticulously crafted to authentically replicate the watercolor aesthetic. image of a wreath that was digitally painted with watercolor using Procreate

Keep in mind that these are ONLY from classes that we released in 2024. There is so much more inspiration to explore here on Creativebug. Check out the 121 DIY and Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas that we compiled last year!

And you can always give the gift of creating with a Creativebug subscription.

Don’t forget to tag us @creativebug #creativebug with all your holiday makes!