100+ Gifts You Can Make (or do) for $5 or Less (I think)
…with a little ingenuity, materials, and time…

picture frame
picture
photograph
painting
poster
card
bookmark
story/poem
book/journal
song (with or without cd/tape)
drama
chore, errand, massage or something else you can do for the other person
calendar
stationary & envelopes
wall hanging
lap or baby blanket
quilt
pillow
pillowcase
handkerchief
embroidery
scarf
hat or touque
mittens
socks
shawl/poncho
skirt
t-shirt
pajamas
slippers
bib
belt
baby towel
teddy bear or other stuffed animal
doll
blocks
dress-up clothes
silk scarf
scarf holder
hatband
guitar strap
knife sheath
cell phone holder
apron
placemat
cloth napkins
tablecloth
dishcloth
handtowel
dishtowel
hot pad
bag/tote
purse/satchel
hot/cold comfort pack (filled with rice, beans, flaxseed, or feed corn…)
felt stocking (to hang by the fire)
glasses case
water bottle holder
remote holder
CD/DVD case
scented sachet
pin cushion
draft stopper
book cover
barrette
bow clip
scrunchie
hair holder/tie
pin
necklace
bracelet
earrings
keychain
basket
bowl
box
mug
plate
book ends
pencil holder
coin jar or can
handprints
Christmas decorations
ornaments
piggy bank
candle
candle dish
soap
soap dish
bath bag or bath salts
lotion
bath oil
bath bomb
loose change tray
magnets
game
wind chime
lawn ornament
stepping stones/tiles
food or drink mix
cookies
candies
gingerbread house
plant
plant pot or dish
terrarium
bouquet
vase
wreath
dog collar
horse halter
dog or cat bed
catnip mouse
chew toy
bird feeder
bird house
craft kit (put it together yourself: eg. yarn, needles and pattern)

and I’m sure there are plenty more, but that’s just what I’ve brainstormed up so far…

As far as being able to make all of these for $5 or less, I haven’t done exhaustive research on every suggestion or every variable. In some cases, keeping it under $5 will depend on watching for sales, choosing less expensive materials or less elaborate designs, finding things second-hand, or having at least some of the tools or supplies on-hand or around the house already (eg. paints, knitting needles, garden…). The time required varies greatly, from only a few minutes, to several days, as do the skill levels necessary. Sometimes, due to time or skill level constraints, it makes much more sense to buy ready-made items, and at times this is also the less expensive route, as well.

To get more ideas and a better estimate of costs, you can browse a local craft store, or online at sites such as Joann.com (crafts and fabrics), HancockFabrics.com (mostly fabrics, some crafts) or DickBlick.com (art materials), to name just a few. Or do a search on what you’re looking for – there is a TON of craft, DIY and blog sites out there with everything from ideas to supplies, many with free instructions and patterns. Some sites are more general, and some are specific, specializing in knitting and crochet, or paper-crafting, and so on.

I have dabbled in many handicrafts and hobbies myself, including sewing, embroidery, braiding, leatherwork, card-making, bookmaking, stamping, knitting, crochet, macrame, rug-hooking, weaving, spinning, quilting, applique, beading, cooking, baking and food preservation, papier mache, pottery, drawing, painting, fabric dyeing, gardening, photography, flower arranging and preservation, even a little carpentry (and probably some others I can’t think of at the moment). I don’t consider myself particularly skilled or ‘expert’ in anything, but it’s surprising what you find you can do when you set your hand to it, especially if you start out with a relatively easy project.

Crafts can be very inexpensive as far as materials, especially if you start from scratch and stick with the more classic types of crafts (vs. designer or in vogue). For example, a ball of yarn starts at $1.59 at joann.com, and there over a hundred kinds listed for under $5. If you sign up for their monthly flyer, which comes with coupons, you can regularly get things for up to 40% off or more. The Hancock Fabrics store that used to be near me had a treasure trove of a remnant pile (pieces of fabric <1yd) which they sold for about $1/yd. Even regularly priced, there are many fabrics for around $5/yd or less, and a fat quarter (18″ x 24″) is usually $1.50 or less. Embroidery floss is $0.33/skein. Papier mache is virtually free, if you use old cardboard and newspapers otherwise bound for recycling, and a bit of homemade flour paste. If you are able to gather flowers, foliage, twigs or tree trimmings from your yard or around your home, wreaths and arrangements become far more affordable, as well. Paper crafts are generally fairly inexpensive, and often you have something laying around the house that you can use to make them with. Food based gifts are also often easily put together with what you already have in your kitchen, whether fresh-baked cookies, or one of those mixes-in-a-jar. A little creativity, ingenuity, materials, and of course, time, and you can put together a number of different gifts which can be both useful and delightful to the recipient, as well as rewarding and inexpensive for you to make.