DIY Gift Ideas from the Heart

DIY Gifts from the Heart

Nov 22 2024

Handmade with Love: Sustainable DIY Gift Ideas

There’s nothing quite like a handmade gift. It’s personal, thoughtful, and filled with love. Plus, creating gifts can be a gift to yourself—a chance to slow down and enjoy the process.

Whether it’s baking, crafting, or repurposing items, here are my favorite sustainable DIY gift ideas that your loved ones will cherish.

“Salt is to food what soul is to the body.” - Amit Kalantri

FINISHING SALTS

Fancy salts are simple to make and endlessly customizable. Buy salt in bulk and infuse it with pantry staples or seasonal flavors.

Favorite combos:

• Lemon + thyme

• Orange + rosemary

• Port wine + rosemary

• Jalapeño + lime

Package them in small jars with a handwritten label for an elegant touch.Process: Choose your salt:

Opt for a coarse sea salt or kosher salt to create large, visible flakes. 

• Prepare your flavorings: Dry your herbs or spices completely, then finely chop or grind them if necessary. If using any kind of liquid mix with salt, spread out on baking dish and dehydrate in the over, 200° F for an hour or so.

• Combine ingredients: Add the salt to your chosen flavorings in a food processor or mortar and pestle, and pulse until combined, avoiding over-processing which can turn the salt into a fine powder. If you want a flakier salt, simply mix well.

• Adjust flavor: Taste the mixture and adjust as needed to reach your desired flavor level. 

• Store properly: Transfer the finished salt to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. Small glass jars work great!

BAKE IT!

“Baking  is LOVE made EDIBLE!”  I don’t know who said it but it’s the truth!

Over the years, I’ve perfected two gluten free biscotti recipes that everyone loves—even those without dietary restrictions! My go-to flavors are apple cider and eggnog. Package them in a jar, wrap in a tea towel, or place on a thrifted serving tray for a charming presentation. You can make cookies too, use a family recipe or simply a favorite recipe! My newest go to - Ted Lasso Shortbread. YUM!

THE ORIGINAL BISCOTTI RECIPE. My alterations: GF King Arthur flour, vanilla bean paste for whiskey, and use pumpkin pie spice (x2) instead of nutmeg, and skip the glaze.

Handcrafted ornaments will become heirloom keepsakes.

DIY Ornaments

There are so many ways you can make ornaments but I love this idea from my friend Jenni. It’s thrifty and smart by using what you have on hand, and super easy, cute and fun! If you have fabric scraps, put them to good use! Create one-of-a-kind Christmas ornaments using glass bulb bases, fabric pieces, and mod podge. For the full tutorial, check out Nollie + Bean.

“True Friendship is a Plant of Slow Growth” George Washington

Plant Babies

Propagate your indoor plants and gift little green friends to others! Use upcycled jars or thrifted pots for a thoughtful and sustainable present.

Popular House Plants and How to Propagate:Snake PlantCut a leaf into sections with clean pruning sheers. Make angled cuts so the bottom ends come to a point in the center (think chevron shape!). Dip bottom ends in rooting powder or honey; insert in moist potting soil. New plants will form to sides of leaf sections.

Pothos Take a cutting of your pothos. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut off a piece of plant from the end of the original plant. Just make sure every section retains a few leaves and nodes, which is where the leaf attaches to the stem. Place the cuttings in water. Change the water every few days so microbes don’t affect growth. Pot your rooted cutting. When they’re a few inches long, place your newly-rooted plant in fresh potting soil.

Succulents Take a plump “leaf” from the base of a healthy plant. Allow the leaf to callous over by placing in a warm area for a few days. Place the leaf on top of fresh soil. Spritz the cutting when soil is dry. New roots and leaves will develop in a few weeks.

“One of the things that attracts me to vintage and antique things is they have stories, and even if I don't know the stories, I make them up.” Mary Kay Andrews

Thrifted Treasures

Thrifting is the ultimate sustainable gift hack. Look for vintage glassware (think coupe glasses or serving trays) and pair them with your homemade treats or charcuterie setup for a gift that’s both functional and beautiful.

Handmade gifts aren’t just about saving money—they show thoughtfulness and care while helping reduce waste. They’re sustainable, creative, and truly one-of-a-kind.