How to Make Easy, DIY Handmade Holiday Gifts

The holiday season is fast approaching and - for those of us who celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice by communing with family and friends and exchanging gifts - the time for buying or making our holiday gifts has already begun. Handmade gifts are thoughtful and much more personal than store-bought presents, and are a great way to save money during this expensive time of year.

If you plan to make Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Winter Solstice gifts for your friends and family this year, the sooner you start, the better. Handmade gifts may seem more time consuming than grabbing pre-made presents at the mall, but with a little organization and planning, you will save money, gas and time completing your holiday gift giving list in the comfort of your own home.

Following are six fun, super easy DIY ideas that require almost no crafty skills whatsoever. With these easy handmade projects, even novice crafters will be able to make thoughtful, personalized handmade gifts for their friends and family this holiday season.

1. Loom Knit Hats - You don't have to know how to knit or crochet to make fabulous handmade knit hats. Stop by your local craft or fabric store and pick up a set of round looms (Knifty Knitter is a widely available, easy to use brand), some yarn and the 99 cent project book for loom knitting hats (published by Knifty Knitter). Even with no prior knitting knowledge, you will be loom knitting like a pro in no time.
2. Clay Dreidels - Create personalized, handmade dreidels out of clay for great, easy gifts for the Jewish children in your life. If you are completely clueless about working with clay, oytoys.com sells a kit for making clay dreidels that has everything you will need.
3. Bath Salts - Give the gift of a luxurious soak with this super easy DIY gift idea. Start with one cup of Epsom salts and one cup of sea salt then simply add drops of essential oil to reach the desired scent level. Stir the mixture and place in a decorative gift container. Canning jars or decorative bottles work great and can be decorated and personalized.
4. Bath Oil - Bath oil is easy to make and you can get really creative with the packaging to personalize this holiday gift even more. Simply select a pretty bottle, a carrier oil (like grapeseed oil, almond oil or even olive or soy oil) and a selection of essential oils and you are ready to go. Lavender, ylang ylang, rose, peppermint and bergamot are all popular essential oils for use in bath oil. In a mixing bowl, place enough carrier oil to fill the bottle you have selected and then begin to add essential oil a few drops at a time (until you reach your desired scent level), blend, then use a funnel to pour your homemade bath oil into your gift bottle.
5. Beaded Napkin Rings - With wire, pliers and beads (all from your local craft store) you can create beautiful, elegant beaded napkin rings to give as holiday gifts. A quick Google search will bring up lots of pages to help you quickly and inexpensively create this easy holiday gift idea, or you can pick up a wire beading book while you are at the craft store for lots more easy, DIY beaded projects. And, if you sew, you can even make napkins to go with them.
6. Decorative Light Switch Plate Covers - Give a gift that will bring a smile to their face every time they turn on the lights. Switchplate covers are inexpensive and can be hand painted or decorated with glue and buttons or beads to match the décor of the recipient.