Free Homemade Gift Ideas
The Top 10!

Last Minute Gift Ideas » Homemade Gift Ideas

• Easy to make. I'm not that crafty.
• Free, meaning I already have the necessary items in my house OR can purchase them cheap and last minute.
• Worth receiving. I'd actually like one myself.

Onto my Top 10 Free Homemade Gift Ideas

1. Kitchen Basics Basket.

   Fill a basket with kitchen staples such as sugar, salt & pepper, rice, cans of soup, instant coffee, a few pieces of fruit, granola bars, and a bottle of wine with a couple of glasses. Great housewarming gift for your new neighbors.

2. A Complete Meal.

   Good for just about anyone: People in the middle of moving who can't find their dishes; A household with a new baby; A friend who's sick; Your elderly neighbor.

3. Flowers or even branches.

   If you have something pretty in your yard, clip it and put it in a glass soda or water bottle. In the fall my Japanese Maple tree turns firey red and a "bouquet" of its branches with dozens of tiny delicate leaves is beautiful.

4. Cookies.

   I'm sure you have a signature recipe you enjoy. Whip up a batch and present them with a little note that fits the occasion.

5. Treasure Soap.

   This is clear soap with a little treasure inside; a little trinket like a plastic flower or bug. Directions can be found here.

6. A Sweater Bag.

   SO cute and even I could make this! Sewing machine not required. Directions here.

7. Button Magnets.

   Find some cute buttons around your house or run into a craft store and pick some up, along with a packet of flat magnets. Add some glue and you have functional magnets that are cute as um, buttons (sorry, I couldn't resist).

8. Mosaic Flowerpot.

   Have fun smashing things you don't want anymore and turning them into very presentable gifts. Directions here.

9. No-Sew Fleece Pillow.

   Isn't this darling? Directions here.

10. Soup in a Jar.

    These are nice free homemade gift ideas for any occasion. Here's a recipe I like:

    Ingredients:

    • Empty glass jar. (Wash out a 28-oz jar of pasta sauce when you're done with it.)
    • 1/2 cup dry split peas
    • 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
    • 1/4 cup pearl barley
    • 1/2 cup dry lentils
    • 1/4 cup onion soup mix
    • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
    • 1/3 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1/2 cup small uncooked pasta, packaged in a small plastic bag with twist-tie

    Directions:

    1. In the jar, layer the bouillon, split peas, barley, lentils, onion soup mix, Italian seasoning, rice, bay leaves, and pasta. Seal tightly.
    2. Attach a label to the jar with the following:

       Friendship Soup
       Additional Ingredients:
       1 lb. ground beef or steak tips, black pepper and garlic powder to taste, 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, and 3 quarts water.
       Directions:
       Remove pasta from top of jar and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain excess fat. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and soup mix. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.

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