Deal Hunters Share DIY Christmas Gift Ideas To Save This Festive Season

The festive season is here, and many people are looking for affordable yet meaningful ways to show they care. LatestDeals.co.uk forum members have shared their top tips for creating homemade Christmas gifts, offering both charm and savings. Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, has reviewed these ideas, providing expert insights to make your DIY gifting even easier and more budget-friendly.

1) Homemade Christmas Crackers

User Swimmer94 recommends crafting personalised Christmas crackers. “My favourite is making Christmas crackers for the family. They are really easy to make and don't need to look perfect. They can also include the usual hat, joke and a gift but it is something that is usable or desirable,” they suggest.

Tom Church agrees: “This is such a fun and affordable way to add a personal touch to your table. You can find cracker kits online for as little as £3 for six at stores like Hobbycraft or The Works. Fill them with miniature gifts like chocolates or mini toiletries for under £1 each.”

2) Crafty Keepsakes for Grandparents

mudgesheila50 shared heartfelt tips from a year of tight budgeting: “1st came a needlecase made from some of the felt (one Gran was an outworker for a leather glove maker's). Fold the felt in half, some decorative stitch around the edges (straight stitch when very young). A piece of cotton fabric folded & placed inside the felt (old sheets were used) to stick the needles into. On the front, a bow made from the ribbon and just stitched in place so it keeps the felt folded.”

Tom highlights the nostalgic value of such gifts: “Grandparents love keepsakes made by hand. You can buy felt sheets for under £5 in craft stores like The Range or Hobbycraft. Add small embellishments to make them unique.”

3) DIY Calendars for Grandparents

mudgesheila50 also recommends making calendars using cereal box cardboard and ribbon. “Calendars for the Granddads ... Using the cardboard from the cereal boxes stick 2 pieces together to make it stiff, make sure you have 1 side that is blank... Stick it onto the card, punch 2 holes at the top and put some ribbon through, and tie it to make a hanger. The finishing touch is the small calendar that you stick using tape, to the bottom of your picture .”

Tom adds, “This is an affordable and creative way to involve children in gift-making.”

4) Lavender Bags with a Twist

mudgesheila50Mudgesheila50 also shared a no-sew idea: “Lavender bags made using scraps of materials, teatowel bought from 99p shop, ribbon and lavender collected from the garden. No sewing needed on this one!”

Tom notes, “This is brilliant for those who want quick and easy DIYs. If you don’t have lavender, you can use potpourri or even dried herbs for a fragrant touch.”

5) Ancestral Stories as Gifts

LD member Glitterandgold plans to gift a book of family ancestry: “After researching my dad's ancestry for a few years. I've written a short book detailing all I've learnt. I'm hoping to have it finished in time for Christmas, to give to my siblings.”

Tom calls this idea priceless: “Printing a small booklet online can cost as little as £5. Sites like Snapfish often run promotions where you can get discounts on photo books or printing.”

6) Personalised Gift Cracker Fillings

5onya suggested filling homemade crackers with tailored gifts: “When I made crackers once I put different gifts in for particular people with small name cards on, then liquor chocolates for the adults and chocolate coins for the kids.”

Tom suggests sourcing the items on a budget: “Supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl sell liquor chocolates for under £3 a box. Check stores like Poundland for affordable mini gifts.”

7) Photo Montages for Loved Ones

hspexy shared their go-to: “Yes, I tend to try and give something more personalised, so photo-based gifts, or crafty gifts. A montage of the previous year is often a heart warmer.”

Tom advises, “Use free online tools like Canva to create beautiful montages. Print them affordably at Boots or Tesco Photo, with prices starting at 5p per print.”

Tom Church’s Top Tips for Affordable DIY Gifts:

1) Shop Discount Stores: Stores like The Works and Hobbycraft have fantastic craft supplies.

2) Plan Ahead: Gather materials during sales. For example, buy discounted ribbon or wrapping paper in January for next Christmas.

3) Personalise Thoughtfully: Add family photos or inside jokes to your gifts for maximum sentimental value.

4) Use Cashback Sites: When purchasing supplies online, use cashback sites to save even more.

5) Follow Video Tutorials: Platforms like YouTube have step-by-step guides for nearly every craft idea.

Tom Church says, “DIY gifts are perfect for combining affordability with thoughtfulness. They’re a joy to make and receive, proving that saving money doesn’t mean skimping on sentiment.” For more money-saving tips, visit LatestDeals.co.uk.

Whether you’re crafting lavender bags or writing family histories, these ideas promise a Christmas that’s as meaningful as it is budget-friendly. Happy gifting!