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24 Christmas Present Ideas to Make at Home for Under $25

Christmas present ideas to make at home for under $25, from jar gifts and herb salt to scrubs, tea towels and a framed recipe, with who each gift suits.

By Jen · Published

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24 Christmas Present Ideas to Make at Home for Under $25
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Christmas present ideas do not have to cost much to feel special. I make a lot of my own gifts at the farmhouse, and the ones people talk about all year are the simple ones, a jar of something good, a recipe card in grandma’s handwriting, a stack of tea towels with a tiny gingerbread man on each.

Below are 24 Christmas present ideas you can make at home, most for well under $25. Each one has what it is, who it suits and a quick how to, so you can pick a few and finish them in an afternoon.

The ideas run from sweet treats and kitchen gifts to spa gifts and sewing projects. After the list you will find a guide to matching a gift to mom, dad, grandparents, neighbors and coworkers, then tips for wrapping them in farmhouse style and a short FAQ.

1. A salt dough ornament kit in a jar

A jar of salt dough mix with a star shaped tag beside a small gingerbread houseSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

This one is for the family with little kids, or for a grandma who bakes with her grandchildren. The jar holds the dry mix for salt dough, and a pretty tag tells them how to roll, cut and bake ornaments of their own.

Stir together 2 cups of flour and 1 cup of fine salt and pour it into a quart jar. On the tag, write to add about 1 cup of water, knead, roll the dough about a quarter inch thick, cut shapes, poke a hole for the string and bake at 250 degrees for two to three hours. It costs about $5 plus a cookie cutter tied to the lid.

2. Homemade holiday room spray

Four amber glass spray bottles of homemade holiday room spray held in two handsSave

Credit: Tidbits

A room spray is a gift almost anyone will use, and a set of two or three looks generous. Pick scents that say Christmas, like fir needle, sweet orange and a little clove.

In a 4 ounce glass spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons of vodka or witch hazel with about 20 drops of essential oil, then fill the rest with distilled water. Shake before every spray, and label the bottle with the scent and the date. Expect to spend about $10 for a set.

3. Soup mix in a jar

Six mason jars of layered dry soup mix with beans, lentils and herbs stacked in a pyramid with tagsSave

Credit: Wholefully

This is the gift for the busy friend who would love dinner handed to her. Layered beans, lentils, barley and dried herbs look like stained glass in a jar, and the whole thing costs only a few dollars.

Layer your dry ingredients in a clean jar with the heaviest on the bottom. Cook the recipe once in your own kitchen, then write the exact water or broth amount and simmer time on the tag. Each jar runs about $5 to $6.

4. A photo candle with a favorite family picture

A jar candle with a printed family photograph wrapped around the glass beside pine branches and string lightsSave

Credit: It’s Always Autumn

Grandparents love this one, and so do dads who say they do not want anything. A plain jar candle becomes a keepsake when you wrap a printed family photo around the glass.

Print a favorite photo on regular paper, then cover the printed side with clear packing tape and rub it flat. Soak it in water for a few minutes and rub the paper off with your fingers, and the picture stays on the tape. Press the tape onto a store bought jar candle and smooth it down.

Plan on about $8 to $12 for the candle and tape.

5. Marbled mugs

A stack of four white mugs with marbled swirls of gray, pink, blue and tealSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

Plain white mugs from the dollar store turn into something that looks like it came from a craft fair. Fill one with cocoa mix or tea bags and you have a gift for a neighbor or a coworker.

Fill a wide bowl with room temperature water, drip a few drops of nail polish onto the surface and swirl with a toothpick. Dip the lower part of the mug, lift it out slowly and let it dry.

Keep the color away from the rim, and tell the person to hand wash it. Budget about $6 to $10.

6. Handmade scrunchies

A stack of three handmade scrunchies in gray, pink and taupe fabric beside a sewing machineSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

Scrunchies are easy to sew and they make a good present for a teenage niece or a friend with long hair. A few scraps from the fabric bin are enough for a whole set.

Cut a strip of fabric about 4 by 22 inches. Sew the long edges together with the right sides facing, turn it right side out, thread a 9 inch piece of quarter inch elastic through and stitch the ends closed. Three scrunchies cost about $3.

7. A framed handwritten family recipe

A handwritten recipe card for chicken and dressing floating in a thin gold frameSave

Credit: Blesser House

If your mom or grandma has a stained recipe card in her own handwriting, this will make her cry. It is the most meaningful gift on this list, and it takes about ten minutes.

Scan or photograph the card, then print a copy on cream paper and put the copy in a floating frame so the original stays safe. A thin gold or wood frame from a thrift store works well, so most of these cost about $12 to $20.

8. A hidden money jar

A mason jar of red and green candy with a roll of cash tucked into the center under a plaid ribbonSave

Credit: Savvy Honey

Cash is a welcome gift for teens and young adults, and this makes it more fun to open. The bills hide in the middle of a jar of candy.

Roll a few bills tightly and set them upright in the center of a clean jar. Pour candy around them until they are covered and finish with a plaid ribbon on the lid. The jar and candy cost about $3, plus whatever you put inside.

9. Christmas simmer potpourri jars

A jar of fresh cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks and cloves with a printed Christmas potpourri instruction cardSave

Credit: Yellow Bliss Road

This gift fills the whole house with the smell of Christmas, and it suits a hostess or a neighbor. It is also pretty enough to sit on a kitchen counter.

Fill a jar with a cup of fresh cranberries, a sliced orange, two cinnamon sticks and a tablespoon of whole cloves. Add a tag that says to simmer it in a pot of water on low heat and top up the water as needed. Each jar costs about $8.

10. Brown sugar scrub

A small round tin of brown sugar scrub beside a white flower on a gray surfaceSave

Credit: The Honeycomb Home

A homemade scrub is a gift that feels like a spa day for moms, sisters and anyone who works hard. Brown sugar is gentle and smells like cookies.

Stir 1 cup of brown sugar with about 1/2 cup of melted coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Pack it into a small tin or jar and tell them to keep water out of the container. It costs about $5 to $7 for a few gifts.

11. Whipped peppermint hand scrub

A jar of whipped peppermint hand scrub with crushed candy canes and a small white spoonSave

Credit: A Beautiful Mess

Here is another good one for someone who is always washing dishes, tending animals or working in the garden. It leaves hands soft and smells cool and minty.

Whip 1/4 cup of softened coconut oil with a hand mixer until it looks fluffy, then stir in 1/2 cup of sugar and 3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Spoon it into a small jar and add a little spoon on top. Budget about $6.

12. Pumpkin pie spice mix in a jar

A small jar of pumpkin spice mix with a green tag and a measuring spoon beside spice jars and white pumpkinsSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

Bakers love a homemade spice blend, and it is a nice stocking stuffer for a mom or grandma. It also uses things you may already have in the cupboard.

Mix 3 tablespoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of nutmeg, 1 1/2 teaspoons of allspice and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cloves. Pour into a small jar and tie on a tag with a few ways to use it, like pies, pancakes and coffee. About $4 per jar.

13. Homemade pillow mist

A clear spray bottle of homemade pillow mist on a fluffy white rugSave

Credit: A Beautiful Mess

A lavender pillow mist is a sweet gift for a new mom, a tired friend or a sister who has trouble sleeping. It takes about two minutes to make.

In a spray bottle, combine 1/4 cup of distilled water, 1/4 cup of witch hazel and about 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake it up, add a label and tell them to give it a few sprays over the bedding before bed. It costs about $8.

14. Stamped tea towels

A white tea towel stamped with gingerbread men tied with a paper band beside a bottle of hand soapSave

Credit: Tidbits

Kitchen towels are always useful, and a stamped set looks charming wrapped with a bottle of hand soap. This is a nice gift for a new homeowner or a host.

Pour a little fabric paint onto a plate, press a cookie cutter into it and stamp it on a clean cotton towel. Let it dry, then press with a hot iron to set the paint. About $8 for a pair of towels and a small bottle of paint.

Striped cloth gift sacks tied with cinnamon sticks, a wooden spoon and red berriesSave

Credit: Celebrate Creativity

Give the baker in your life a head start. A cloth sack of cookie mix with a wooden spoon tucked in is a gift that looks like it came from a farmhouse kitchen.

Measure the dry ingredients of your favorite sugar cookie recipe into a muslin or striped fabric sack. Tie on a tag that lists the wet ingredients to add and the baking directions. Add a cinnamon stick and a small wooden spoon for about $6.

16. Snowman bark

White chocolate bark decorated with pretzel sticks, candy eyes and orange candy nosesSave

Credit: Creations by Kara

This is the easiest sweet gift for kids to help with, and it suits the neighbors and the class party. It is basically melted chocolate with silly faces.

Melt white chocolate or candy melts, spread it thin on parchment paper and decorate with pretzel stick arms, candy eyes and little orange candy noses before it sets. Break it into pieces and pack it in a bag or tin. Budget about $8 for a big batch.

17. Rosemary orange herb salt

A jar of coarse herb salt with orange zest, rosemary and thyme on a wooden boardSave

Credit: The Rising Spoon

Dads and home cooks both like a flavored salt for the grill or a roast chicken. This one looks beautiful in a jar and takes only minutes.

Mix 1 cup of coarse sea salt with the zest of one orange, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary and 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves. Let it air dry overnight, or warm it in a 200 degree oven until dry, then jar it.

Add a note to keep it in a cool cupboard. About $5.

18. A sewing kit in a mason jar

A mason jar filled with scissors, pink pin cushion, thread and notions with a tag that says a sewing kit for youSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

A small sewing kit is a good gift for a grandma, a college student or a first apartment. The jar keeps everything together, and it looks sweet on a shelf.

Fill a jar with a few spools of thread, small scissors, a pin cushion, safety pins, needles and a tape measure. Tie a tag around the neck. Shop the notions aisle and dollar store, and it comes to about $10 to $15.

19. Shake and pour pancake mix

A mason jar of pancake mix with a red Christmas label and a burlap bowSave

Credit: Skip To My Lou

A jar of pancake mix is a happy gift for a family that loves slow weekend mornings. The jar doubles as the shaker, so there is almost nothing to clean up.

Fill a jar with your favorite pancake dry mix and add a printed label that says how much water or milk to add. Tie a burlap bow around the lid and tuck in a small bottle of real maple syrup if you like. Plan on about $6 to $12.

20. A no sew blanket scarf

A woman wearing a white and black window pane blanket scarf with a frayed edgeSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

A big plaid scarf is a favorite gift for mom, a sister or a neighbor, and you do not have to sew a stitch. Cutting and fringing is all it takes.

Buy about a yard of soft flannel, square off the edges and cut a short fringe around all four sides. Wash and dry it once so the fringe frays softly. Fabric stores run sales in December, and it should cost about $10 to $15.

21. An office survival kit in a jar

A mason jar filled with sticky notes, pens, candy and a small figure with a tag that says office survival kitSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

This is a fun one for a coworker or a boss. A jar of small treats and supplies gets a smile and a spot on the desk.

Fill a jar with sticky notes, a good pen, gum or mints, a tea bag and a small candy bar, and add a tag. Dollar stores have most of it, so the total is about $8.

22. Reusable drawstring gift bags

Three gray linen drawstring bags with gold tie strings on a white wood backgroundSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

A drawstring bag holds a jar, a book or a bottle, and then the person can keep using it. It is a gift and the wrapping at the same time.

Cut a rectangle of linen or cotton, fold it in half, sew the sides leaving a channel at the top and thread a ribbon through. A yard of fabric makes several bags and costs about $6 to $10.

23. Christmas hot chocolate bombs

A chocolate hot cocoa bomb drizzled with red and green chocolate and sprinklesSave

Credit: On My Kids Plate

Hot chocolate bombs look fancy, and they are fun to make with kids. The person drops one in a mug of hot milk and the chocolate shell melts open.

Brush melted chocolate into a silicone sphere mold, chill, fill half the shells with cocoa mix and mini marshmallows and seal them with a warm plate. Drizzle with red and green candy melts for color. Four bombs cost about $10.

24. Christmas in a jar

A hand holding a small mason jar with a tiny Christmas tree and reindeer figure and white snowSave

Credit: Bellewood Cottage

A tiny winter scene in a jar is a sweet gift for a grandma or a child. It sits on a mantel and looks great with a string of lights behind it.

Glue a small tree and animal figure to the inside of the lid with strong craft glue, let it set, then fill the jar with a spoonful of Epsom salt or fake snow and screw the lid on. Small figures run about $2 to $5 apiece, so the whole jar costs about $8.

Christmas present ideas for mom, dad and everyone else

Not sure which one to make for whom? Here is how I would match them up.

  • Mom and grandma. The framed recipe (7), brown sugar scrub (10), pumpkin spice mix (12), stamped tea towels (14), sugar cookie mix (15) and the blanket scarf (20).
  • Dad and grandpa. The photo candle (4), rosemary orange herb salt (17) and the hot chocolate bombs (23), which most dads will not turn down.
  • Neighbors and hosts. The simmer potpourri (9), room spray (2), marbled mugs (5) and snowman bark (16).
  • Teens and young adults. The hidden money jar (8), scrunchies (6) and the sewing kit (18).
  • Coworkers. The office survival kit (21), soup mix (3) and the pancake mix (19).
  • Kids and grandkids. The salt dough kit (1), snowman bark (16) and Christmas in a jar (24).

How to wrap homemade gifts so they look farmhouse

Plain kraft paper and a piece of twine go with every one of these. Add a sprig of rosemary, a cinnamon stick or a small pinecone to the knot and you have a finished look for about a dollar.

Jars and tins need very little. A square of burlap or a scrap of plaid flannel under the lid, tied with a ribbon, is all it takes. A reusable drawstring bag (22) is a gift in itself.

Write a small tag for every food or beauty gift. List the ingredients, the date you made it and how long it keeps, because that is what people want to know.

Costs are my rough estimates as of October 2026 and change with where you shop, so check your own prices before you buy. Many of these use pantry staples, so the real cost can come in lower.

If you are decorating along with the gift making, our cheap Christmas mantel decor ideas and Christmas door decorating ideas have more budget friendly projects. For the group party, see our white elephant gift ideas, and for small store bought extras, try our stocking stuffer ideas for women. If you are cooking for the day, there is a menu in our Christmas Eve dinner ideas and a favorite in our Christmas cookies recipe.

FAQ

What are good Christmas present ideas under $25? Homemade jar gifts, flavored salts, spice mixes, scrubs and stamped tea towels all cost well under $25 and look thoughtful. Most of the ideas above cost between $3 and $12.

What is a good homemade Christmas present for mom? A framed handwritten recipe, a brown sugar scrub, stamped tea towels or a cozy blanket scarf are the ones moms and grandmas tend to love. Pick one that fits her taste and wrap it with a handwritten note.

How far ahead can I make these gifts? Dry mixes, scrubs, candles and fabric gifts can be made weeks ahead. Food gifts like bark and hot chocolate bombs are best made in the week before you give them. Put the date and storage instructions on every tag.

Are homemade scrubs and room sprays safe to give? Use skin safe essential oils at the amounts listed, keep them away from kids and pets, and label what is inside. If someone has allergies or sensitive skin, give them the food gifts or fabric gifts instead.

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