A DIY gift shows you took the time and effort to make something truly extraordinary. From coasters to blankets to magnets, there are plenty of creative DIY gifts for everyone—including best friends, grandmothers, parents, and party hosts. We’ve collected unique DIY gift ideas that will inspire you to start creating. Keep in mind that the best gifts are both personalized and practical. Whether you’re celebrating special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, baby showers, or graduations, personalized gifts are a fantastic way to let someone special know you’re thinking of them.
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Note your favorite tutorials and try them out the next opportunity you have to give special gifts or Christmas gifts. Start creating your perfect DIY project now:
1. Photo Book
A photo book is the ultimate DIY gift. Completely versatile from cover to cover, you can make your photo bookabout anything. Custom photo books made online with Shutterfly are easier to organize and create than a physical scrapbook. For new parents, create ababy photo bookfilled with touching family moments. If you’re a newlywed surprise your partner with awedding photo book filled with your favorite memories. If it’s for your bestie, utilize their Instagram account for a book filled with their favorite snaps for a unique gift they will cherish for years to come.
Want a DIY gift but are short on time? Let Shutterfly’s pros design your photo book in less than 24 hours with our Make My Book service. A Shutterfly designer will select your best photos, create your one-of-a-kind photo book in only *24 hours and will email you when it’s ready. Once we have completed your personalized photo book, you will be able to preview and make additional changes if desired before ordering.
*On April 19-20, 2023, the Make My Book Service will add an additional two days to the turnaround time.
2. Photo Mugs
Pack a double pick me up with a personalized mug. For the college grad gearing up for their first job or your nephew who loves hot chocolate, pair a mug with a photo that will make them smile. Complete the gift with a recipe for your favorite hot beverage or a gift card to a local coffee shop. Turn up the fun with color changing photo mugs that will wow your recipient.
3. Custom Cheese Board
Have a friend who loves to host dinner parties? Make a custom cheese board! The cook in your life will love showing their skills on their very own personalized wood cutting board. Budding chef in your kitchen? A custom cutting board engraved with their initials is a wonderful way to encourage their new hobby, and they will beam with pride each time they use this DIY gift designed by you.
4. Photo Puzzles
Puzzles can make a perfect DIY gift for any age—from your niece in elementary school to your grandfather. With the ability to design your custom puzzle you can make it extra special by adding a photo of the last family reunion, their favorite vacation spot or a goofy photo of you. These are the perfect gifts for loved ones of any age and your recipient will treasure this keepsake they can use time and time again.
5. DIY Tote Bags
Sew a tote bag for carrying books, magazines or crafts. Choose fabric that matches the style of the person you’re gifting it to. Personalized totes are an environmentally-friendly way to get your groceries—but they have many more uses besides shopping! Upload a favorite photo of theirs or add their monogram to make this DIY gift uniquely theirs.
6. Playing Cards
Another timeless pastime, playing cards are perfect for the Poker champ or the casual game night. Pick a photo that matches the spirit of their favorite game, like a playful photo for ‘Go Fish’ lovers or a serene landscape for nights of Texas Hold’em.
7. DIY Birthstone Bracelet
Construct a custom bracelet that’s easy, cute, and customizable. Find birthstone beads to incorporate into the jewelry for a personal touch. You can also add more than one photo charm and an initial or birthstone charm.
8. Photo Blanket
To keep cozy on cold winter nights or on hand for an impromptu picnic, these photo blankets are a unique DIY gift. For families, you can make is a collage of action shots from the kid’s favorite sports. Or try it for the college grad by decorating it with photos from Greek life or your study abroad trip.
9. Reusable Shopping Bag
Whether you’re eco-conscious or looking for a way to upgrade your grocery store shopping, these reusable shopping bags make gifting easy. Turn your DIY bag into a personalized gift basket by including a gift card to a local delicatessen, homemade jams and unique snacks.
10. Personalized Christmas Ornaments
A Christmas ornament makes a wonderful DIY gift for the holidays. This year, design a one-of-a-kind ornament as a DIY Christmas gift for your friends and family members. Add a photo of a special memory that makes them smile like a family vacation, a snapshot of their pet, or a wedding day portrait. Shutterfly offers a range of unique Christmas ornament styles perfect for every recipient from metal and glass to glitter, light-up, and more. Personalized Christmas ornaments make incredible keepsakes that they’ll hold on to for years to come.
11. Decorative Farmhouse Sign
Personalized wall art for kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms makes for truly creative gifts. Add a photo of your last family outing as a gentle reminder of how much you love spending time with them. Or add a motivational quote to get them geared up every Monday. Our collection of decorative farmhouse signs make a thoughtful gift for housewarming parties, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.
12. Personalized Notebook
For a friend who loves to write and jot down memories, design a personalized journal or notebook that they’ll keep close to their heart. Add words and phrases to the cover that will inspire them.
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13. Magnet
Have a friend or family member who is always in the kitchen? Gift your favorite gourmand with a personalized photo magnet. Include a photo from a recent foodie event, like the neighborhood BBQ they hosted last summer or your annual Thanksgiving feast. Pair your gift with recipe cards or a custom spice blend.
14. DIY Quote Pillow
Customize a pillow to fit the style of the person you are gifting it to. Choose a quote that’s uplifting and add photos for a personal touch. Whether your giftee is a decorating pro or needs a little help, a personalized pillow is an easy DIY gift to brighten up a space.
15. Travel Drinkware
Shutterfly’s custom water bottles and travel tumblers are as stylish as they are helpful. Give photo water bottles or tumblers as unique DIY gifts your recipient can take with them to work, the gym, airport, and anywhere else. With a personalized travel tumbler or water bottle, they can stay hydrated throughout the day, plus they’re eco-friendly. It’s easy to customize drinkware with Shutterfly that can wonderfully showcase their favorite photos and memories to take with them everywhere they go.
16. Photo Collage
Create a photo collage handmade gift for someone special in your life. With Shutterfly, you can upload and print photos in a range of sizes. A DIY photo collage made of photo prints is the perfect way to wow your loved one. With the Shutterfly app you can get unlimited free 4×4 and 4×6 photo prints that come in the highest quality. This incredible homemade gift showcasing your recipient’s most cherished memories is a gift they will never forget.
17. Custom Calendar
Our personalized calendars are great gifts for anybody who needs help organizing their time.. Our collection of easel, desk, and wall calendars are a practical and fun way to brighten someone’s home office space or to keep you on top of your schedule. They come in numerous styles, and you can customize them in any way you like. Upload a funny photo or write a custom message on each month so they’ll smile each time they flip the page.
18. Keepsake Box
Does your recipient have a piece of jewelry or item they just can’t live without? When looking for a thoughtful DIY gift, capture a special memory by turning it into a keepsake box. A keepsake box is a beautiful gift you can use to store your most meaningful mementos and relive those memories every day. Designing your loved one a keepsake box with a special photo or message on the tile lid will make a lasting impression. They’ll love the look and feel of the box and smile every time they open it.
19. Mouse Pads
Work doesn’t have to be all about the 9 to 5. Make a moment they’ll enjoy by personalizing a mouse pad for the professional in your life. Include a photo of their favorite vacation spot or your last family outing. They’ll be reminded of how much you appreciate their hard work.
20. Custom Smartphone Case
For the mom obsessed with her kids, a proud pet owner, or a travel junkie — a custom iPhone case or Samsung Galaxy case with their favorite photo is the perfect gift. Give your recipient a way to keep their phone safe and a sweet gift that’ll always remind them of their favorite memories.
21. Candles
Personalized candles are one of our most popular birthday gifts for everyone in your life, especially for those who like to indulge in elegant scents during their downtime. Choose from our ceramic or glass candle options and upload a photo or message to make it extra special for your loved one. These candles are also great gift ideas for Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
22. DIY Cookbook
From grandma’s lasagna to mom’s apple pie, every family has recipes that bring you back to the kitchen in an instant. Pass these special moments on to future generations with a custom cookbook for an excellent personalized gift. Our recipe book style features a variety of layouts that make it easy to copy and paste recipes and show off mouthwatering photos of your favorite dishes.
23. Custom Wall Art
Design custom wall art as a one-of-a-kind photo gift for your loved ones. Whether you create prints scans of your own artwork, upload photos of treasured memories, or use Shutterfly’s Art Library — your recipient will be wowed by your unique design. With wall art options like custom canvas prints, photo tiles, framed prints, and more you can create DIY gifts that double as home decor.
24. Photo Keychain
Deck out your friend’s keys with a personalized keychain that suits their style. With Shutterfly, you can easily create customized keychains to match the unique personality of your family and friends. Photo keychains make it easy for your recipient to keep track of their keys while showing off photos of their favorite people, places, and things. Perfect as DIY Christmas gifts or birthday gifts, custom keychains will make your recipient smile as soon as they open this unique keepsake.
25. Photo Coasters
Want to gift a collection of images in a truly unique way? Add a new photo to each custom coaster so they can always catch a glimpse of their grandkids, pet, or favorite travel destination as they kick back with a cup of coffee or their favorite drinkware. These easy DIY gift ideas are perfect for friends, family members, and coworkers.
Wrapping Up on DIY Gifts
These creative DIY gift ideas will be sure to put a smile on your loved one’s faces. Something as simple as a photo mug with a favorite snapshot from a trip or outdoor adventure will go a long way. Explore and create additional personalized gifts with Shutterfly’s wide range of gifts for everyone.
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