10 gift ideas perfect for the DIY enthusiast in your life
Makers love to create, whether it's a hobby they already enjoy or something new to learn.
Credit:
DIY Gift Sets / Cute Farms
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Crafting and DIY are super popular among everyone from kids to grandparents, making it easy to find a thoughtful gift for virtually anyone on your list who loves to make.
There’s something almost magical about making something with your own hands. Knitting has been made cool again in recent years, even appearing as random “yarn bomb” art displays in communities across the country. Hand-built furniture is an artform thanks to the likes of Nick Offerman. And there’s nothing hipper than brewing your own beer.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you have at least one creative type in your life, someone who would love to receive a DIY kit or a set of tools that allows them to further pursue their creative endeavors. These artistic gifts fit the bill, and they’re all under $50.
1. A bells-and-whistles art set for budding painters
Pencils and pastels and paintbrushes, oh my!
Artistic children would revel in this giant, 131-piece art set, featuring pastels, brushes, watercolors, and more. It all comes in a handy, portable case for easy storage when art time is over. For under $20, you really can’t go wrong giving this to any youngster who loves to create art.
Get the Darice 131-Piece Deluxe Art Seton Amazon for $19.94
2. A woodburning kit to make classic craft creations
This old-school hobby is a classic way to express yourself.
Woodburning is one of those crafts that was a summer camp staple for many of us growing up. But it recently has experienced a newfound popularity, and this kit has all the essentials for a trip down memory lane. It comes with a pen, four tips, two wood plaques, patterns, and more. The sound and smell will be nostalgic.
Get the Walnut Hollow Deluxe Woodburning Kit on Amazon for $28.27
3. A lip balm kit to prevent chapped lips all winter
Natural, organic, and just in time to soothe chapped winter lips.
Buying (and subsequently losing) lip balm again and again can get expensive. Your gift recipient can save some money (and enjoy doing it) with this lip balm kit, which contains natural, organic ingredients like essential oils and shea and coconut butters, along with tubes, jars, and labels—everything needed to become a lip-care magician.
Get the DIY Lip Balm Kit on Amazon for $39.95
4. A mustard-making kit that’s positively gourmet
Like you needed an excuse to eat more sandwiches and charcuterie.
Yes, you can go to that niche grocery store and buy that teeny-tiny jar of artisanal mustard. Or you can take pleasure in making it yourself with the help of this kit. It comes with perfectly sized mason jars, labels, and ingredients like paprika and turmeric—all the fixings to whip up six different varieties of savory spreads.
Get the Mustard Making Kit on Amazon for $39.95
5. A terrarium starter kit with cute extras
Fill a terrarium with adorable plants that will brighten any room.
Terrariums are fun, but you know what would make them a lot more fun? Tiny dinosaurs! Your gift recipient will be able to build a miniature garden with moss, soil, pebbles, tools, and little figurines to live in the tiny world they build—they'll just need something to create it in and off they go.
Get the Cute Farms Terrarium Starter Kit (Medium Kit) on Amazon for $15.95
6. A top-rated beer kit to craft IPAs
Warning: This may inspire dreams of opening a microbrewery.
This brewing kit has everything a beer connoisseur needs to get started crafting IPA beers right in their own kitchen. It includes a reusable glass fermenter, malted barley, yeast, and everything else necessary for home-brewing. Just make sure this gift goes to someone over the age of 21, please!
Get the Brooklyn Brew Shop Everyday IPA Beer Making Kit on Amazon for $38.66
7. A set of chalk markers to inspire fancy words and illustrations
Precision is key for sandwich board lettering.
Chalkboards have moved out of schools and into homes, with everything from small, decorative boards to entire walls of chalkboard in kitchens, playrooms, and even bathrooms. But chalk can be just plain messy. If someone you know loves to draw and write with chalk, these markers are ideal—plus, they’re dust-free, non-toxic, and can be used on virtually any surface, even metal to glass.
Get the Chalkboard Chalk Markers by VersaChalk on Amazon for $16.99
8. A woodcarving set for natural artists
These are a must-have for woodcarving aficionados.
Woodcarving is a hobby that requires a bit of extra safety and know-how, and that begins with the right set of tools. In this best-selling set from VonHaus, your hobbyist will find six different chisels, a honing guide, and a sharpening stone. It’s perfect for anyone exploring this fun, unique craft.
Get the VonHaus 8-piece Craftsman Woodworking Wood Chisel Set on Amazon for $44.99
9. A kit to make pretty, felted succulents
Beautiful plants that prefer to NOT be watered.
Succulents are super resilient plants, but not everyone can keep them alive. If your recipient isn’t a green thumb but excels at making handmade treasures, this is a gift he or she could really dig. It comes with pre-cut felt, chalk to add pops of color, detailed instructions to make beautiful faux plants, and a frame for displaying the creations.
Get the Craft Crush Felt Succulents Kit on Amazon for $18.95
10. A tape measure that makes a great stocking stuffer for DIY-ers
Some tape measures are actually better than others—and this one's the best.
This might be the most practical stocking stuffer of all time. It has appeal for many people on your list, but the DIY-minded might have the most enthusiastic reaction. Everyone should have one of these handy tools for home improvement projects, woodworking, upcycling furniture, crafting, and more. Measuring at 25 feet, the Stanley is also our pick for the best tape measure of 2017, and it actually does make a difference which one you pick.
Get the Stanley Powerlock Tape Measure on Amazon for $9.88
Prices are accurate at the time of publication, but may change over time.