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  4. 20 of Our Best Handmade Gifts for Her

20 of Our Best Handmade Gifts for Her

Updated October 12, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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trompe-loeil-earring-box-mld108866.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller

Finding the perfect gift for the woman who has it all is easier said than done. From elegant earrings to indulgent spa treatments, one of our favorite ideas is bound to become her most treasured present of the season.

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trompe-loeil-earring-box-mld108866.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller

Finding a gift for your sister, daughter, mother, or friend—especially when the recipient already seems to have it—all can be a daunting task. In our minds, the perfect gift is one that simultaneously shows her just how much you care while also speaking to one of her unique interests. If checking both of those boxes is important to you (as it should be), a handmade gift is one of the easiest ways to do so.

Not only is it infinitely more fun to give something you've made yourself, but handmade gifts can be made in big batches and are simple to personalize so that your recipient will know she was truly being thought of.

For the fashionista, consider these elegant tassel earrings, customized in your giftee's favorite colors, which take just a few minutes to make. You could also upgrade little bottles of nail polish in her go-to hues so that they look like a mini "bottle of bubbly." Stitch up a few of these pansy fabric flowers for a sweet homemade bouquet, or add them on as embellishments to other accessories from tote bags to headbands. Know a girl who's constantly on the go? Try our leather phone pouch with a handy carrying strap or a monogrammed, felt-lined sleeve to keep her tablet or e-readers safe and scratch-free.

And no DIY gift guide would be complete without our favorite homemade spa treatments—at the top of our list, we love this green tea and rose body scrub for a soothing exfoliation—which are the essentials for any at-home spa day. Whatever you choose to make, these handmade gift ideas are perfect for any lady in your life.

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Tassel Earrings

fringe tassel earrings
Credit: Chelsea Cavanaugh
Get the Tassel Earrings How-To

Tassels come in all kinds of colors, sizes, and styles—not unlike your unique friend! Pick a pair that best suits her personality, add a bit of hardware to turn them into statement accessories, and see them swish and sway with grace.

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Fabric Flowers

composed-corsages-048-md110947.jpg
Credit: James Ransom
Get the Fabric Flowers How-To

Stitch together a bouquet, fill up a cute basket, or add a few onto any handmade gift—however you decide to craft these fabric blossoms is sure to delight any giftee.

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Drawstring Jewelry Pouch

drawstring-jewelry-pouch-103309846
Credit: Lennart Weibull
Get the Drawstring Jewelry Pouch How-To

Perfect for her favorite rings and other shiny, little things, a drawstring pouch made from a bit of printed fabric is always a sweet and simple gift idea.

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Hoop Earrings

hoop-earrings-diy-103263012
Credit: Raymond Hom
Get the Hoop Earrings How-To

Simple to make and oh-so-chic, any lady in your life will adore these sophisticated hoop earrings. In fact, they might just become her new go-to pair.

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Grapefruit Lip Sugar Scrub

grapefruit lip sugar scrub
Credit: Anusha Rajeswaran
Get the Grapefruit Lip Sugar Scrub How-To

Give her another reason to pamper herself (and in style!) with a DIY lip sugar scrub that packs a refreshing citrus punch.

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Sewn Felt Slippers

felt-slippers-md107878.jpg
Credit: Juliana Sohn
Get the Sewn Felt Slippers How-To

Inspired by moccasins, each of these slip-ons is constructed from a single piece of felt, available in an array of colors. If you live where where winters are truly cold, so warm toes are the ultimate gift.

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Bath Fizzies

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Get the Bath Fizzies How-To

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

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Snowdrop Block-Printed Tea Towels

towels-md107878.jpg
Credit: Juliana Sohn
Get the Snowdrop Block-Print Templates

These towels use two of the most simple, versatile printmaking methods: block-making and stenciling. Combine these techniques for one-of-a-kind towels.

First, print the snowdrop block-print templates, then trace the flower template onto tracing paper with a graphite pencil. Place the marked side down on a carving block and rub the rounded handle of a linoleum cutter over the paper to transfer its design. Use a linoleum cutter with a V-shaped attachment to carve the design onto the block. Dip a roller in paint, blot on paper, then roll onto the block. Stamp the print onto the towel; repeat. This design can be staggered in a half-drop repeat or stamped in columns.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Crafts 12-by-12 Inch Cutting Mat, $20, amazon.com; Speedball Carving Block, $5, amazon.com; Martha Stewart Craft Knife, $10, amazon.com.

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Nail Polish "Bottles of Bubbly"

nail polish bottle bubbly party favors
Credit: Anusha Rajeswaran
Get the Nail Polish "Bottles of Bubbly" How-To

The only thing better than gifting nail polish in their favorite shade? Dressing up the mini bottles, of course! Talk about a celebration-worthy surprise.

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Dip-Dyed Candles

mld105367_0810_candles_v2.jpg
Credit: Dana Gallagher
Get the Dip-Dyed Candles How-To

Perfect for the minimalist who just wants to add a touch of color to their space. Simply dip the base of a candle in beeswax tinted with crayon shavings for a simple, but elegant gift.

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No-Knit Rosette Scarf

mld105326_1209_no_knit_scarf.jpg

It wouldn't be spin to describe this craft as ridiculously easy. Although in some ways that's exactly what you do with a Knitwit: spin (well, wrap) thread around a circular or square-shaped tool to create loopy rosettes. Rendered with luxurious yarns such as mohair, these florets look decidedly modern. It owes its diaphanous look to two strands of ultra-thin yarn—each a different shade of pink—used as one (wind them together around the tool once). Instead of linking the florets in straight rows, position the middle of groups of three off-center.

Shop Now: Knitwit, $45, walmart.com.

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Bubble Bath

homemade bubble bath in jar with ribbon accent
Credit: Anusha Rajeswaran
Get the Bubble Bath How-To

Who doesn't want an excuse to stay in for a DIY spa day? With this simple, homemade bubble bath—concocted from just three all-natural ingredients—she'll love lathering up to her happy place.

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Green Tea and Rose Sugar Scrub

green tea and rose sugar scrub
Credit: Anusha Rajeswaran
Get the Green Tea and Rose Sugar Scrub How-To

Now, she can make #SelfCareSunday everyday with this soothing and exfoliating sugar scrub which calls for just four ingredients. Pack it in a jar with a personalized label and a string of pretty ribbon for a special finish.

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Photo Canvas Cases

pouches-md109629.jpg

For the lady in your life that's always on the go, this sleek pouch holds her keys, phone, and other indispensables. Double-sided fusible webbing lets you attach a photo without sewing. Simply size your photo to fit on the pouch, keeping the finished image at least 1/4 inch from edge of pouch. Print on cotton, and remove the backing. Place a scrap fabric between iron and your printout, then iron the cotton to webbing. Cut the photo to desired size. Remove webbing's backing, and iron onto your canvas case. Let cool; spray with fabric protector.

Shop Now: Imagin8 Natural Canvas Pouch, $6, michaels.com; Fairfield Stick Double Sided Fusible Bonding Interfacing; $63.65, walmart.com.

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Bath Snowballs

mld104247_1208_snowballs.jpg
Get the Bath Snowballs How-To

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.

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Body Scrub

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Get the Body Scrub How-To

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.

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Seed Bead Bracelets

seed bead bracelets on figure
Credit: Pernille Loof
Get the Seed Bead Bracelets How-To

All you need are a handful of their favorite colored seed and glass beads, plus a bit of embroidery floss, to string together a stack of these charming arm accessories.

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Flower Vase Lid

brass flower vase lid
Credit: Raymond Hom
Get the Flower Vase Lid How-To

Because who couldn't use a few more flowers in their life? With this metal vase topper, your recipient will be even more eager to put fresh blooms on display.

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Kumihimo-Braided Bracelets and Lariats

woven bracelets and necklace
Credit: Chelsea Cavanaugh
Get the Kumihimo-Braided Bracelets and Lariats How-To

For an heirloom accessory, all you need to learn is a single skill: kumihimo (translation: "gathered threads"), which is an ancient Japanese braiding technique. The secret to these surprisingly simple projects is a kumihomo disk, a tool that keeps strands in place as you twist them into lariat necklaces or wrap bracelets.

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Dip-Dyed Shirt

mld105367_0810_tshirt_5331.jpg
Credit: Dana Gallagher
Get the Dip-Dyed Shirt How-To

Here's a great way to add a little extra something to any plain, long-sleeved tee: dye the sleeves and the bottom into a contrasting color for a stylish gift that's also fun to make.

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    1 of 21
    2 of 21 Tassel Earrings
    3 of 21 Fabric Flowers
    4 of 21 Drawstring Jewelry Pouch
    5 of 21 Hoop Earrings
    6 of 21 Grapefruit Lip Sugar Scrub
    7 of 21 Sewn Felt Slippers
    8 of 21 Bath Fizzies
    9 of 21 Snowdrop Block-Printed Tea Towels
    10 of 21 Nail Polish "Bottles of Bubbly"
    11 of 21 Dip-Dyed Candles
    12 of 21 No-Knit Rosette Scarf
    13 of 21 Bubble Bath
    14 of 21 Green Tea and Rose Sugar Scrub
    15 of 21 Photo Canvas Cases
    16 of 21 Bath Snowballs
    17 of 21 Body Scrub
    18 of 21 Seed Bead Bracelets
    19 of 21 Flower Vase Lid
    20 of 21 Kumihimo-Braided Bracelets and Lariats
    21 of 21 Dip-Dyed Shirt

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