15 Easy DIY Gift Ideas You Can Build This Weekend
These beginner-friendly wooden DIY gift ideas are easy to make and perfect for creating thoughtful, unique handmade presents that impress.
There’s just something special about a handmade gift, isn’t there?
It’s like giving a little piece of yourself—your time, effort, and creativity—all wrapped up in something truly unique whether it’s a thoughtful decoration, a practical item, or something purely fun, handmade wooden gifts never fail to make an impression.
Recently, I got together with my friends Shara from Woodshop Diaries and Kati from Houseful of Handmade and shared new DIY wood gift projects every day this week, and today, I am bringing them all together in one place for you!
All of these are simple and beginner-friendly but you would never know it from how stunning and unique they look.
Useful DIY Gifts for the Kitchen
1. DIY Cutting Board Stand
A pile of cutting boards on your countertop doesn’t look pretty, and you want to be able to show off your collection. Build this DIY cutting board stand to keep them organized and within easy reach. All you need is scrap wood and a few tools to make it yourself! It makes a great gift!
2. DIY Bread Slicer
This DIY bread slicer cuts the perfect slice of bread every time. It’s an awesome gift idea for your favorite chef or hostess. It features guides for a slice of bread, Texas toast, and a bagel or buns. It’s a gift they will use over and over.
3. Wooden Salt and Pepper Shakers
Simple and modern, these DIY salt and pepper shakers will look great in your kitchen and on the dinner table. Made from scrap wood, they make a great gift for hostesses, house warmings, or a great holiday gift.
DIY Gifts for Kids
4. DIY Toddler Book Wagon
This little book wagon for toddlers was so easy and fun to build! They can take it anywhere in the house, and the front-facing book storage design will encourage reading. Built with pocket holes, it will withstand all the abuse your toddler can give it. Package it together with new books and give it as a gift.
5. Wooden 4 in a Row Game
Have you ever played Connect 4? If you have, then you will love this easy gift idea! This DIY version is sturdier than the plastic version, so it will last for years to come. You can even make it using scrap wood and a wood dowel for the playing pieces.
6. Wood Playing Card Holders
The perfect gift for kids with little fingers, these DIY card holders can be made in just a few minutes. They are sized to hold 10 cards with no overlap. Make game night a whole lot easier with this easy DIY gift idea.
Gift Ideas Made With Scrap Wood
7. DIY Book Stand
I love it when I get the chance to use wood from my scrap wood pile! This DIY book stand is a versatile piece and looks great on a coffee table but also on a bookshelf, in the kitchen for a cookbook, or anywhere you want to showcase a book. With two wood boards and a circular saw, this is a super easy and quick project to make.
8. Easy DIY Wood Trivets – 3 Ways
Like cutting boards, these DIY wood trivets make great hostesses, housewarming, or holiday gifts. They are easy to make with scrap wood, and Katie is giving you three different ways to make them.
9. Simple DIY Book Holder
Never misplace a bookmark again! With this DIY book holder, they can pick up reading right where they left off. The modern design is a great place to set a coffee mug and keep track of glasses, too! It can be used anywhere they like to curl up with a good book.
Gift Ideas for Guys
10. DIY Phone Amplifier
Learn how to make a passive phone amplifier. It’s passive because it doesn’t use any electricity or batteries. The amplifier naturally boosts the sound from the phone, making it louder. It makes a great gift and is easy to make using plywood.
11. DIY Catchall Desk Organizer
With spaces for glasses, a phone, keys, a notepad, and pens, this DIY gift idea is great for the guys in your life. They can organize their desktop or use it on a dresser or nightstand. Make it with scrapwood and finish with stain or paint.
12. Dice Tower With Tray
This DIY dice tower is great for game lovers! It contains the dice when rolled and folds up for safe storage. Made with project board, you can personalize it for your game player.
DIY Gifts for Her
13. Rotating Picture Frame
This DIY rotating picture frame may look difficult, but it isn’t. The frame turns on a simple dowel so there is a place for 2 pictures and you can easily swap out the pictures when you want to. It’s a great gift to give for weddings, baby showers, and holidays.
14. Simple Wood Craft Cart
This easy project makes a great DIY gift for any crafter. It features a drawer that can be opened from both and the X design of the shelves looks great and can hold supplies for knitting, crocheting, or macrame. It’s small mobile design makes easy to move around and store away when not in use.
15. Easy Modern Picture Frames
Modern and simple these DIY picture frames make a great gift for any occasion. They are made for 5X7 photos, but a 4X6 can be “floated” in them as well. You can use scrap 1X2 or 1X3 wood to make this easy DIY gift everyone will love.
More DIY Gift Ideas:
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
