Unique and Affordable Gift Ideas 2018!

Hey guys! It's December now which means that it is officially socially acceptable to start immersing yourself in all things Holiday related. This means hot coco, Christmas trees, lots of tinsel, and buying gifts, of course.

Personally, I love giving my loved ones gifts. There is something special about getting someone something that they would never buy for themselves but that makes them so happy. Unfortunately, I can't always shower my family with the gifts I would like to, due to one reason: I don't have money. As a teenager there's very few ways to make money consistently. This can sometimes make getting all my family members gifts seem like a daunting task (but it doesn't have to be!).

In order to solve this problem, I usually turn to DIYs. I know some of you skeptics out there may be thinking "Isn't making gifts for people like for 5 year olds?" Well I can assure you that the gift ideas below are sure to please more than just your mom who, lets face it, would love if you handed them a mediocre drawing of a festive penguin. So if you are open to getting a little crafty and creative, keep on reading for some DIY gifts that will please your wallet and your family!

Gift 1: Marble Jewelry Dish

I think we all know that person who has asked us to help them untie the impossible knot in their necklace. This gift goes out to all those who sacrificed their sanity and tried to untie the dreaded knot.

Not only will this gift solve the problem of tangled jewelry, it is super affordable and easy to make. Plus you can customize the colors you use!

From A Beautiful Mess!

From Lia Griffith

Gift 2: Animal Jars

Ok, but how cute are these jars!? I'm not a person to get excited about, ya know, jars but these have me looking around for anything that I can use as an excuse to make these.

This is another super practical and customization gift. You can choose the animal, color, and size of the jar to perfectly fit the person you're gifting it to!

Get the full tutorial on ThreeLittleMonkeysStudio!

Gift 4: Creative Pillows

Pillows are seriously so easy to DIY and there's sooooo many creative and adorable designs out there!

I personally love making pillows because 1) I don't have to sew (hot glue gun to the rescue) and 2) I can get the materials from the thrift store (large t-shirts are so easy to find and use for fabric!)

Find the cookie and 44 others on DIY Projects For Teens!

Learn how to make the Poptarts from Aww Sam!

Gift 4: Yarn Wall Hanging

Not only are wall hanging such a trendy and fun addition to any space, they require very few materials as well! There are endless types of wall hangings and ways to make one but I linked some very simple yet cute examples below!

One of the awesome things about making wall hangings is that when they're crafted well, they look super similar to ones that would sell for $50 or more, depending on how elaborate you wanna get.

From Burkatron

From LaLaLovely

Gift 5: Custom Pins

I'm a huge fan of pins because they are super customizable and are a great way to express your interests, plus they look super cute on backpacks and jackets!

I have posted a tutorial of my own explaining how I prefer to make these pins but there are many different techniques!

Full tutorial here!

Gift 6: Polaroid Magnets

You can never go wrong with incorporating memories into your gift! These little magnets are a super great gift for anyone in your life, especially those that you may not see often, give them these little memories to remember.

From Popsugar

Gift 7: Floral Letter

As you've probably noticed from the other gifts on this list, I feel that personalized gifts are the best. These letters are super cute and can be modified to cost even less money than in the tutorial below! Instead of using wood letters you can reuse old cardboard boxes to cut out the letter! Plus, the flowers can be easily found in the dollar store! This gift is by far the most affordable and it is super cute!

From Momtastic

Gift 8: Unique Candles

I've seen so many unique DIY candles on Pinterest but this one really stuck out to me. I thought this would be an amazing gift idea for someone who likes to beach and needs a little relaxation.

If you live near the beach, going there and gathering shells would be a super cost effective option and would make the gift one-of-a-kind!

From Burkatron

Gift 9: Dinosaur Planters

This gift is super unique and aesthetic. Urban Outfitters sold something like these a while ago!

Don't worry if your friend doesn't have a green thumb, you can always use fake plants or air plants (which only require spritzing of water). I actually recommend those plants over potted ones because potted plants can be a tad difficult to water in these little planters. But which ever you choose, this gift is sure to impress!

P.S. Check your local thrift stores for these toy animals!

From MaggieoverbyStudios

Gift 10: Holiday Bark

No one can resist smiling when you hand them a box of chocolates. That is why holiday bark is the perfect gift idea. You can add their favorite topping, make it in large batches, and package it in cute ways! Chocolate really is everyone's best friend.

From TheSweetestOccasion

Thank you for reading until the end guys! I hope you got some ideas or at least inspiration!

Just remember that the holidays are not about material objects. This month is truly about taking time to spend with the ones in your life you love most and showing gratitude. Whether that be through gifts or just a simple smile and kind words. Express your love however you can, they will always appreciate it.

P.S. here's a little shout out to Casey and Sara :)