18 Homemade Holiday Gift Exchange Ideas

Gift exchanges are a big part of the holiday season. Do you draw names for a family gift exchange? Or maybe there’s a secret Santa exchange at work or a white elephant exchange with friends to buy for. Coming up with fun and clever gift exchange ideas can be tough. It’s hard to be original when there’s so many occasions and people to buy for. One way to be original is to consider making a few homemade gifts for your exchanges this year. We’ve collected 18 of our favorite gift exchange ideas. Most of the ideas consist of DIY-ing and crafting but we picked a few finished gift ideas for those who prefer to buy instead of DIY. Click on the images below to find the full tutorials and websites where these gifts can be found.

18 Homemade Gift Exchange Ideas:

Quick Manicure Sets from Crafts Unleashed.
Approximate cost to DIY: $4.00 per Set

Coloring Books for Adults from ConsumerCrafts.
Cost to buy: $2.97 – $7.97

Snowman and Santa Mason Jar Gift Exchange Ideas from Crafts Unleashed.
(Fill mason jars with candy, treats, a gift card or any other small gift.)
Approximate cost to DIY: $7.00 – $9.00

Coffee Lovers Gift Basket from Happy Go Lucky.
Approximate cost to DIY: $35.00

Holiday Sock Gift Exchange Ideas from Purex.
(Each participant in the gift exchange buys a pair of Christmas socks and fills with gifts. Ideas can include candy, gift cards, a bottle of wine, small gadgets, soaps and lotions.)
Approximate cost to DIY: You can set a dollar amount that everyone should stick to.

Heart String Art Decor from Crafts Unleashed.
Approximate cost to DIY: $12.00

Portable Colored Pencil Sketch Folio Set from ConsumerCrafts.
Cost to buy: $9.47

DIY Guess Who Game from Almost Makes Perfect.
(Perfect for family gift exchanges! Use photos of all your family members.)
Approximate cost to DIY: $40.00 – or less if you have the basic supplies on hand.

DIY Scrapbook Calendar from ConsumerCrafts. Finished Calendar page from Kiwi Lane.
Cost to buy: $6.00 – plus cost of paper/embellishments/stickers to scrapbook calendar.

DIY Mason Jar Cocktail Gift Exchange Ideas from Something Turquoise.
Approximate cost to DIY: $5.00

Recipe Binder Gift Exchange Ideas from ConsumerCrafts.
(As a part of your gift, fill the binder with special family recipes.)
Cost to buy: $10.00 – $13.97

DIY Stenciled Pallet Wood Sign from Weekend Craft.
(If you don’t have a Silhouette Cameo machine, store bought stencils will also work.)
Approximate cost to DIY: $15.00 – depending on what supplies you already have.

Easy Loom Knit Boot Cuffs from Crafts Unleashed.
Approximate cost to DIY: $22.00 – This includes the cost of the knitting loom kit.

Sweet and Savory Compound Butter Gifts from I Heart Naptime.
(Participants in the exchange each bring a different flavored butter. Serve with specialty breads, crackers and muffins. Great alternative from a typical cookie exchange.)
Approximate cost to DIY: Less than $3.00 per butter flavor.

DIY Burlap Wine Bags from Leigh Laurel Studios.
Design Your Own Wine Bags from ConsumerCrafts.
(You can use printed burlap to sew your wine bags or add paint, buttons, ribbon and more to ready-to-decorate jute bags.)
Cost to buy: $2.47 for finished jute bag plus cost of embellishments and bottle of wine.

DIY Felt Owl Ornaments from Crafts Unleashed.
(Great idea for Christmas ornament gift exchange ideas.)
Approximate cost to DIY: $4.00 or less – Or you may have all of the supplies on hand!

DIY Christmas Potpourri in a Jar from Marci Coombs.
Approximate cost to DIY: $4.00 per jar

Homemade Pine Soap from Crafts Unleashed.
Approximate cost to DIY: $6.00 per gift (Around 3 pieces of soap.)

We hope you’ve gotten a few winning ideas for all of your gift exchanges this holiday season. Or perhaps we’ve inspired you to start some new gift exchange traditions with your loved ones this year!

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