Money is tight for many families. I feel it too. The good news is that gifts do not need to cost a lot to mean a lot. Cheap DIY gifts can be beautiful, personal, and fun to make. In this guide I share beginner projects you can finish in an afternoon for under $20 in supplies. I also show easy wins for cheap DIY decor, cheap Christmas decorations DIY, and cheap DIY kitchen decor so your home looks festive on a budget.
Many people are moving to homemade ideas because of rising costs. One national report found 68% of Americans are likely to make a handmade or DIY gift during the holidays. Another study shows about one in five plan DIY gifts to save money, which still adds up to millions of presents.
At Trusti ASG, we focus on simple steps and small wins. If you want more help with planning and saving while you craft, see our guide Budget-Friendly Crafting: Make More, Spend Less.
Why DIY Gifts Work When Money Is Tight
Homemade presents tell a story. You choose the colors, the scent, or the message. You control the budget. If you are doing DIY home projects on a budget, think of gift making as a small home budget project. You can reuse jars, scrap wood, fabric leftovers, and pantry items. If you like quick tasks, our 30 to 60 minute craft ideas will help you finish fast.
I use short steps and clear tools. Each project below costs about $5 to $20, depending on what you have on hand.
Tutorial 1: Cozy Jar Candles
Why it is a great gift: candles feel warm and special, and you can make them for a few dollars each by reusing glass jars.
Supplies: small bag of soy wax, wicks, a few jars, and a kitchen thermometer.
Steps: melt wax, add fragrance, set the wick, and pour into jars. A simple starter guide from The Spruce Crafts walks you through every step.
Make it yours: pick a winter scent, tie on a simple tag, and add a note. This is one of my favorite inexpensive gift ideas.
Cost tip: buy a 1 lb wax bag and a 10-pack of wicks. You will make several candles for under $20 if you reuse jars.
Tutorial 2: DIY Photo Frames From Cardboard
Why it is a great gift: photos carry memories. Frames made from sturdy cereal boxes or chipboard are low cost and look amazing with paper or paint.
Supplies: clean cardboard, ruler, craft knife, glue, paint or paper.
Steps: cut the frame shape, add a liner, decorate, and glue a back stand. See a clear, step-by-step how-to on Instructables.
Make it yours: add a stitched border with embroidery floss for a touch of sewing. This keeps the look handmade and fits our niche of crafting and sewing.
Cost tip: use scraps from your craft bin. A frame can cost almost nothing.
Tutorial 3: Edible Treats in a Jar
Why it is a great gift: everyone loves cookies. Layer dry ingredients in a mason jar, add a recipe card, and tie ribbon on top. This is an easy Christmas gift craft that kids can help with.
Try these recipes:
• M&M Cookie Mix in a Jar with printable directions.
• Classic Cookies-in-a-Jar ideas and storage tips from Allrecipes.
Cost tip: jars can be thrifted or reused from your pantry. One batch of dry goods often fills two to three gifts for well under $20.
Sewing Friendly Gift: Stamped or Sewn Tea Towels
Tea towels are fast, useful, and very budget friendly. They also double as cheap DIY kitchen decor.
Two ways to make them:
• Stamp or stencil store-bought flour sack towels with fabric paint.
• Sew simple towels from cotton or linen and add a ribbon loop.
Make it yours: stamp a name, a simple pattern, or tiny hearts. Wrap around a loaf of bread or cookies. Perfect handmade presents that look like they came from a boutique.
More Cheap DIY Gifts Under $20
• Fabric coasters made from scraps. Beginners finish a set in under 30 minutes
• Sugar scrub or hot cocoa kits packaged in small jars. Great for cheap Christmas gifts DIY.
• Printed quote art in your DIY cardboard frame.
• No-sew fleece blanket for a fast winter win.
Use these ideas when you need cheap DIY gifts for Christmas or birthdays. They are quick to batch so you can make many at once.
Bonus: Cheap Christmas Decorations DIY
If you also want your space to feel festive, try easy Christmas gift crafts that double as decor. These projects are simple, child friendly, and low cost.
Salt dough ornaments: mix flour, salt, and water, cut with cookie cutters, bake, and paint.
Dried orange garland: slice oranges, bake low and slow, and string with twine. Use on the mantel, windows, or tree.
Paper snowflakes: classic paper and scissors craft that looks magical as a window curtain.
These decorations fit right in with cheap DIY decor and make your home cozy without big spending. Real Simple and Better Homes & Gardens share more ideas for doing the holidays on a tight budget.
Keep Costs Low: Smart Shopping and Reuse
• Shop your home first. Jars, ribbon, and cardboard are free.
• Buy in small packs. A little wax, a few wicks, and one small bottle of fragrance go far for candles.
• Batch your work. Cut, paint, or pour in groups. Our batch-crafting guide shows how to save time and finish more gifts.
• Plan your list. A tiny plan prevents overspending. See our budget-saving craft tips to stretch supplies and reduce waste.
Free Heartfelt DIY Gifts Under $20 Planner
Download the free, easy-to-use template in the link below to make life a little easier for you as you start your fast crafting journey:
Will People Like Handmade Gifts?
Yes. Surveys show many of us are open to secondhand and handmade choices. In one report, most people said they are likely to make or give a DIY gift, and other studies show many plan to buy fewer gifts and pick lower cost options to handle tight budgets. That supports the move to presents handmade with care.
If you want more quick projects for handmade Christmas presents, explore our fast projects round-up and small space tips on Trusti ASG.
Final Thoughts
When I make cheap DIY gifts, I feel fullfilled. I can control color, scent, and message. I can also stay on budget. Try one tutorial today and build a small stash of handmade presents for Christmas and other occasions. If you want even more ideas for cheap DIY gifts, cheap Christmas gifts DIY, or inexpensive gift ideas, bookmark this post and explore our beginner guides on Trusti ASG.
