The gift-giving season is almost here, and it is never too early to start planning. Many people make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to shop for gifts only to realize that they can’t afford everyone on their list that they would like to buy a present for.

With some planning, you can make sure you include everyone you would like to on your list and dazzle them with your choice. But early planning doesn’t mean you spend more money; it means that you get creative. There are tons of gift ideas that you can make yourself if you are a little creative or handy.

These homemade gifts are often more meaningful to the recipient than anything you could buy in the store because you took the time to make it.

Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for gifts you can make yourself. And if you have a minute, check out some of these impressive Phoenix homes for sale for inspiration.

Sugar Scrub

Who doesn’t love a great sugar scrub? But let’s be honest, it is expensive to buy for gifts. Thankfully, sugar scrubs are ridiculously easy and cheap to make and usually take under 10 minutes to complete.

You can mix sugar, coconut oil, and essential oils of your choice with food coloring if you want to color your gift. There is a fantastic recipe here for a lemon and lavender scrub that you can use as your go-to gift.

Baked Goods

Presenting food as a gift is one of the earliest forms of gift-giving, and it is still relevant today. Get creative with your presentation! Some opt to go for an exciting cake stand that is filled with goodies and covered in cellophane.

Rustic mason jars make for a stunning display, especially if you go for different colored layers. Play with fabric under the lid and finish with an interesting pattern for the ribbon.

Baskets

You can purchase some inexpensive baskets at the dollar store or local thrift store to use for making gifts for friends and family. Making themed baskets is a great way to tailor the gift to the recipient and will show them that you care. Some fun ideas for baskets are coffee cravings basket, spa basket (include your homemade sugar scrub), snack attack and more. Get creative with your decorating and content.

Collage

Nothing is a more personal and thoughtful gift than a photo collage. There are so many surprising ways to build a photo collage; this is a place where you can get creative. Some opt for a rustic corkboard where you can pin up the various pictures and decorate around them.

If they are a lifelong friend or family member, you can create this like a timeline of your friendship or life together. Look for some cool inspiration on Pinterest for how to put these together. There are some fantastic ideas out there!