Handmade Gifts for Her

Shopping for a sister, daughter, or friend who has everything can be quite a challenge, especially when trying to stay within your holiday budget. The solution to both dilemmas is handcrafting your own thoughtful gifts. Here are our favorite ideas; we're certain there's something for everyone on your list.

Use sleek silhouettes to turn a modest bag into an artful gift.

Handmade pillows that show off details made from three types of wool are a charming and meaningful gift.

Glue a paillette flower to a sequin-trimmed headband for a holiday gift that shines.

Attach sequin-wrapped wooden beads to stud posts and chains from a jewelry-supply store for a flashy holiday gift.

Add a pop of color to your recipient's outfit with a simple-to-sew fabric clutch.

Make a feminine necklace that mixes crystal, smoky quartz, iolite, and other translucent beads;

Follow our step-by-step instructions to make an ultrathick and cozy cowl.

Use luxurious yarns, such as mohair, to make a modern flurry of rosettes for a loved one.

Make a fashionable fringed scarf from merino roving for a Christmas gift that lasts all winter long.

Knit carry-all or eyeglass cases for friends and family for a gift that blends elegance and function.

For the bag lover on your list, use our cherry branch clip-art to give a tote bag a modern, screen-printed look.

 Needle-felt yarn along the length or width of blue, gray, and cream scarves to create a beautiful striped accessory that evokes the look of men's suiting.

Craft a flower garden from downy mohair that blooms on a cardigan. Each floret takes 10 minutes to make -- winding four times around the tool -- so you can update a top for a family member or friend in less than an hour.

At first glance, this clutch looks a vintage find from an antique store or exclusive boutique, but in fact, is a gift made by you!

Presenting these festive bath cubes in a decorative jar turns a luxurious spa gift into charming bathroom decor as well.

This striped apron is a comfortable and festive gift for anyone who loves to bake.

A gift so simple and luxurious, you might be tempted to make one for yourself!

Jewelry fashioned from family photos is sure to charm any mother or grandmother.

Antique teacups that have lost their saucers still make sweet gifts when fitted with candles.

This smart accessory makes a warm and stylish gift.

A quick dye gives inexpensive, unfinished wooden beads a casual, weathered look. These monochromatic necklaces, strung on leather cord, can be worn solo or piled on for effect.

It's easy to find plain, reasonably priced ceramic pieces at home goods stores; applying dot-painted designs transforms them into meaningful gifts. Add a friend's monogram or favorite motif, or design a pretty pattern yourself. For an elegant presentation, tie a stack of flower-covered plates with a ribbon.

A knit hat is comfortable, cozy, and surprisingly easy to make.

These coasters were inspired by snowflakes and make a beautiful gift when bundled with ribbon or presented in a pretty box.

Spa-inspired presents, including these handmade lip balms, can be created from basic kitchen ingredients and craft materials.

This gift looks like it took a lot of time and effort, but these beads are strung onto silk cord that comes with a needle on one end for easy threading.

A collection of winter-themed pillar candles or softly scented votive candles is a gift that will make any hostess beam.

These fragrant spheres for the bath (we scented ours with peppermint oil) are made by packing Epsom salts into a plastic mold; the "snowballs" can be tinted any color.

For a festive holiday table re-create snowflakes in glitter, which won't melt away, on a sheer organza tablecloth overlay -- a great gift for a friend or hostess.

These easy-to-make business-card cases are great Christmas presents for your mother, sister, or best friend.

Homemade slippers make a heartwarming (and foot-warming) gift. Felt is the ideal fabric to work with, since it won't unravel when cut.

There's more than one way to wear a pair of jeans. With a length of denim, the perfect tote bag is a few stitches away.

Making a planner costs far less than buying the finished product, and you can use surprising colors and details that you won't find in a store.

Turn glass candleholders into stylish accessories by dressing them in decorative fabric.

A hand-knit scarf makes a thoughtful, heartfelt gift.

You need only four ingredients to make these moisturizing exfoliants. The base can be made from either Epsom salts or sugar, depending on whether you want a large or fine grain.

Nothing soothes the soul like a good long soak, especially with a heady infusion of calming scents.

Large and small pieces of felted-wool sweaters can create a variety of attractive pouches: A hot-water-bottle cover, an eyeglass case, a tiny stocking, and even an MP3 player.