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DIY Gifts/Crafts For Holiday Fun On A Budget

Jessa Kimble Student Contributor, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

The holiday season is here and if you’re like me you may be struggling to afford gifts for all the people in your life, especially as college students. But you’re in luck because I’m sharing the college girls guide to all things DIY gifts and crafts that you can make this holiday season that are perfect for yourself or gifting those you love. As a sentimental girl myself I personally love a homemade gift even more than something store bought and I think the intention and time spent on making a gift for someone you love makes holiday gifting so much more fun and stress free. 

Starting off strong with a fun craft that has so many options: homemade ornaments. I did this as a DIY gift in middle school and I think there are so many different kinds of ornaments that you can make. These are also perfect to easily be turned into car decor or even bag charms for any of your friends who may not have a Christmas tree. I myself am planning to make the felted ornaments with beads this season, but you could also make your own clay ornaments by combining baking soda and cornstarch. 

If you don’t have the supplies available to you to sew or make ornaments another easy craft that can be done using materials almost everyone has on hand is: making holiday cards. This one is super fun and another super customizable craft depending on the types of materials that you have. From basic pencils and pens to markers, or even pulling out that watercolor set you can truly create some super cute and unique cards for your loved ones this holiday season. I think this would also make for a great gift if you made your friends their own card sets of cards, like thank you cards, that they could use throughout the year to send to others. 

Maybe traditional crafting isn’t your thing, try something a little more basic: baking. While it is not your traditional craft, I consider having talent in the kitchen a craft in and of itself. Again, another craft that gives room for many options. You could pick your favorite cookie recipes and make your friends cookie gift boxes, or maybe you’re into bread making and want to gift your favorite people a fresh loaf of bread of bread to pair with soup during the chilly months. There are endless gift opportunities with food and can even be as simple as mixing up some hot cocoa and making hot chocolate kits for all your loved ones to sip on this holiday season. 

The options are truly endless for DIY gifting this season and if none of these are your thing spend some time exploring TikTok and even Pinterest and you’re bound to find the perfect DIY gift ideas for all your friends and family this season. Best of luck on your DIY adventures! 

XOXO Jessa 

Jessa Kimble

Illinois '26

Hi! I am a senior majoring in social work. In my free time I love reading, baking, hanging out with family and friends, going to cute coffee shops to get coffee or matcha, I absolutely love crafting and journaling, and I love being outside and going on hot girl walks! I love scrolling on Pinterest and creating cute Pinterest boards to help inspire me and my creativity. I love going shopping and getting to explore my own fashion and am a huge believer of “I feel good if I like my outfit.” I love hosting dinner parties and planning fun social activities with my friends.