15 Easy DIY Christmas Gifts to Make in November
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The air is crisp, the days are short, and your hands are itching to create something meaningful. This is the perfect time to make heartfelt gifts that carry warmth far beyond any store-bought item.
Each of these projects uses simple materials and clear techniques. You don’t need a craft room or years of experience—just a little time and the desire to give something truly special.
1. Peppermint Bath Salts
Fragrant, fizzy bath salts that dissolve stress and fill the bathroom with winter cheer. The bright pink swirls make this gift feel festive and luxurious.
Materials Needed
- 2 cups Epsom salt
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup citric acid
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil
- Red mica powder (food-safe if preferred)
- Silicone mold tray (for small spheres or cubes)
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Parchment-lined tray
How to Make It
- In a bowl, whisk together Epsom salt, baking soda, and citric acid until evenly blended.
- In a separate small container, mix peppermint oil, coconut oil, and a few drops of red mica to form a pink paste.
- Slowly add the oil mixture to the dry ingredients, whisking constantly to avoid early fizzing.
- Press the damp mixture firmly into silicone molds and let sit uncovered for 24 hours to harden.
- Pop out the bath salts and place on a parchment-lined tray to dry another 12 hours before gifting.
2. Cinnamon Apple Candle
A soy candle that smells like spiced apples simmering on the stove. The natural cinnamon sticks wrapped around the jar add rustic charm.
Materials Needed
- 8 oz clear glass tumbler
- 7 oz soy wax flakes
- 1 pre-wicked cotton wick
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 medium cinnamon sticks
- Hot glue gun
- Double boiler setup
- Chopstick or pencil
How to Make It
- Melt soy wax in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring occasionally until fully liquid.
- Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and food coloring if using, then let cool one minute.
- Pour wax into the tumbler, center the wick, and secure it with the chopstick across the top.
- Glue two cinnamon sticks vertically to the outside of the jar once the wax has set halfway.
- Let cure for 48 hours before trimming the wick to 1/4 inch.
3. Knit Hat with Pom-Pom
A soft, slouchy hat in warm wool that fits most adults. The handmade pom-pom on top gives it a playful finish.
Materials Needed
- 100 yards bulky weight yarn (acrylic or wool blend)
- Size 10 knitting needles
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Pom-pom maker (3-inch size) or cardboard template
- Ruler
How to Make It
- Cast on 60 stitches loosely using the long-tail method.
- Knit every row in garter stitch until the piece measures 10 inches from cast-on edge.
- Bind off all stitches loosely and weave in the ends with a yarn needle.
- Use the pom-pom maker to create a full 3-inch pom-pom from the same yarn.
- Attach the pom-pom to the crown with strong knots and trim the edges evenly.
4. Maple Walnut Sugar Scrub
A rich exfoliant made with real maple syrup and crushed walnuts. It leaves skin smooth and carries the scent of autumn woods.
Materials Needed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1/4 cup finely ground walnuts
- 5 drops vanilla essential oil
- 8 oz amber glass jar with lid
- Mixing spoon
- Funnel
How to Make It
- In a bowl, combine sugar, maple syrup, and coconut oil, stirring until smooth.
- Add ground walnuts and vanilla oil, mixing thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Use a funnel to transfer the scrub into the glass jar without spilling.
- Seal the jar and label with contents and date. Use within 6 weeks.
- Include a note: 'Gently massage onto damp skin, then rinse.'
5. Stamped Gift Tags
Rustic kraft tags printed with hand-carved rubber stamps. Each one feels personal and matches any wrapping style.
Materials Needed
- Sheet of unbleached kraft cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches)
- Rubber carving block (2 x 3 inches)
- Linoleum carving tools (set of 5)
- Pencil
- Black archival ink pad
- Hole punch
- Natural twine (6 feet)
- Craft knife
- Cutting mat
How to Make It
- Draw a simple design like a pine tree or snowflake lightly on the rubber block.
- Use the carving tools to cut away the negative space around and inside the design.
- Press the carved stamp firmly onto the ink pad, then stamp onto cardstock sheets.
- Cut individual tags measuring 2 x 3 inches using the craft knife and cutting mat.
- Punch a hole in the top and thread with a 6-inch piece of twine.
6. Lavender Linen Spray
A light mist that freshens pillows and drawers with calming lavender. The glass spray bottle makes it feel boutique-worthy.
Materials Needed
- 8 oz glass spray bottle with fine mist nozzle
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 1/4 cup distilled water
- 15 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops chamomile essential oil
- Small funnel
- Measuring cup
How to Make It
- Using the funnel, pour witch hazel into the glass bottle.
- Add distilled water and both essential oils.
- Screw on the spray nozzle and shake gently to mix.
- Label the bottle with ingredients and a sprig of dried lavender tied to the neck.
- Shake before each use and spray on linens from 6 inches away.
7. Braided Leather Keychain
A sleek keychain woven from genuine leather strips. It’s durable, handsome, and ages beautifully with daily use.
Materials Needed
- Three leather strips (each 12 inches long, 1/4 inch wide)
- Key ring (1 inch diameter)
- Leather hole punch
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Burnishing tool or spoon
How to Make It
- Line up the three leather strips and fold them in half lengthwise.
- Use the hole punch to make a hole at the folded end large enough for the key ring.
- Begin a three-strand braid from the hole down to the ends, keeping tension even.
- Once braided, trim the ends evenly and burnish them with the spoon to seal.
- Open the key ring and slide it through the loop at the top.
8. Vanilla Bean Room Diffuser
A passive diffuser that fills a room with warm vanilla and orange. The reeds slowly draw up the oil for steady fragrance.
Materials Needed
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1/3 cup fractionated coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons orange essential oil
- 8 oz decorative glass bottle with narrow neck
- 7 reed diffuser sticks
- Small knife
- Measuring cup
How to Make It
- Slice the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the glass bottle.
- Add the fractionated coconut oil and orange essential oil to the bottle.
- Swirl gently to mix—do not shake to avoid foaming.
- Insert all seven reed sticks and let them soak for 24 hours.
- Flip the reeds weekly to refresh the scent.
9. Cross-Stitch Ornament
A tiny stitched star mounted in a wooden hoop. It works as a tree ornament or year-round wall charm.
Materials Needed
- 4-inch wooden embroidery hoop
- White Aida cloth (6×6 inch square)
- Size 24 tapestry needle
- Red embroidery floss (6 strands)
- Green embroidery floss (6 strands)
- Scissors
- Fabric glue
How to Make It
- Center the Aida cloth in the hoop and tighten the screw to stretch it taut.
- Thread the needle with red floss and stitch a five-pointed star using backstitch.
- Switch to green floss and stitch a small stem below the star.
- Trim excess fabric to 1 inch beyond the hoop and fold it inward.
- Secure the folded edge with fabric glue and let dry 2 hours.
10. Spiced Cocoa Mix
Rich cocoa layered with crushed peppermint and chili flakes. Just add hot milk for a bold, cozy drink.
Materials Needed
- 1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried peppermint candy (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 8 oz clear mason jar
- Small funnel
- Mixing bowl
- Wire whisk
- Twine and tag
How to Make It
- In a bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and powdered sugar until lump-free.
- Stir in crushed peppermint and chili powder with a spoon.
- Use the funnel to pour the mix into the mason jar.
- Wipe the rim clean and seal with the lid.
- Tie twine around the neck and attach a tag with brewing instructions.
11. Pressed Flower Bookmark
Delicate wildflowers sealed under clear vinyl tape. The bookmark bends without cracking and keeps colors vibrant.
Materials Needed
- Assorted small pressed flowers (dried for 7 days)
- 1 sheet white cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches)
- Clear self-adhesive laminating sheets (8.5 x 11 inches)
- Craft scissors
- Ruler
- Bone folder
- Pencil
How to Make It
- Cut the cardstock into a 2 x 7 inch rectangle using the ruler and scissors.
- Arrange flowers along one long edge, leaving a border.
- Peel the backing from the laminating sheet and carefully cover the bookmark.
- Use the bone folder to smooth out air bubbles from the center outward.
- Trim the edges flush and round the corners slightly.
12. Hand-Carved Wooden Spoon
A simple beechwood spoon shaped with chisels and sanded smooth. It’s perfect for stirring soups or gifting with jam.
Materials Needed
- Beechwood blank (8 inches long, 1.5 inches thick)
- Wood carving knife
- Detail gouge chisel
- Medium and fine sandpaper (150 and 220 grit)
- Mineral oil
- Soft cloth
- Carving bench or clamp
How to Make It
- Secure the wood blank in a clamp and rough out the spoon shape with the carving knife.
- Use the gouge chisel to hollow the bowl section, working from the center outward.
- Sand the entire spoon with 150 grit paper, then 220 for a silky finish.
- Wipe away dust and apply mineral oil generously with a cloth.
- Let soak overnight, then buff off excess oil.
13. Quilted Coaster Set
Four padded coasters in festive cotton prints. The quilted layer prevents condensation rings on tables.
Materials Needed
- Fat quarter red cotton fabric
- Fat quarter green cotton fabric
- 1 sheet low-loft batting (18 x 18 inches)
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Ruler
- Sewing machine
- All-purpose thread
- Iron
How to Make It
- Cut two 4.5-inch squares each from red and green fabric, and four from batting.
- Layer a green square, batting, and red square right sides together.
- Pin and stitch 1/4 inch from the edge, leaving a 2-inch gap on one side.
- Clip corners, turn right side out, and press flat.
- Topstitch 1/8 inch around the edge to close the gap and finish.
14. Citrus Peel Fire Starters
Dried orange peels stuffed with melted beeswax and dried rosemary. They light easily and scent the fireplace.
Materials Needed
- 6 large orange peels (halved, held cup-shape)
- 1 cup beeswax pellets
- Double boiler
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- Baking rack
- Parchment paper
- Small spoon
How to Make It
- Place peels on a parchment-lined rack and dry at room temperature for 48 hours.
- Melt beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat.
- Stir rosemary into the melted wax, then spoon it into each peel until 3/4 full.
- Let cool upright for 3 hours until solid.
- Wrap each in tissue paper or place in a small box.
15. Felted Wool Ornaments
Tiny wool balls transformed into ornaments using wet felting. The texture is soft and holds color beautifully.
Materials Needed
- Raw merino wool roving (red, white, green)
- Bubble wrap (12 x 12 inches)
- Rubber bands
- Dish soap
- Hot water
- Plastic netting
- Tweezers
- Embroidery floss (green)
- Needle
How to Make It
- Pull small amounts of wool and shape into tight balls, securing layers in different colors.
- Wrap each ball in plastic netting and secure with rubber bands.
- Roll the bundle in soapy hot water on bubble wrap for 10 minutes, applying firm pressure.
- Unwrap, rinse in cool water, and reshape if needed.
- Thread green floss through with a needle to make a hanger.
You’ve got everything you need to start today. Pick one project that speaks to you and gather the supplies before the season gets busy.
