5 Easy Last-Minute Handmade Christmas Gifts

If you need a last-minute handmade Christmas gift idea, look no further. We’ve rounded up our favourite, super easy crafts to make with your children.

They all make fabulous Christmas gifts for family and friends.

1) Hot chocolate gift jars

Everyone loves hot chocolate, so a homemade hot chocolate kit will make a great Christmas gift.

You’ll need (per jar):

  • An empty jar (e.g. mason jar)
  • Ribbons and gift tags to decorate your jar
  • 2 cups cacao powder
  • 1 ¾ cups sugar (e.g. coconut sugar, demerara sugar)
  • A couple of squares plain chocolate (optional)
  • Mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions :

- Layer the jar - add sugar at the bottom first. Then add grated squares of plain chocolate and then the cocoa powder.

- Top the jar with mini marshmallows (optional) and close the lid

- Don’t forget to write the instructions on a tag: “For 1 serving: remove the marshmallows mix the mixture together. Add 3-4 teaspoons of the mix to 200ml of warm milk. Pour into a mug and sprinkle on some marshmallows.”

- Decorate the jar with ribbons and gift tags and share with your loved ones

2) Potpourri

Bring the smell of Christmas into someone’s home with our potpourri. Have fun combining and stirring the ingredients with your little ones whilst enjoying the gorgeous aroma!

You’ll need:

  • Star anise
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Pine cones
  • Ribbon
  • Cellophane bag

Instructions:

  • Cut the orange into slices. Arrange on a baking tray and place in the oven on the lowest setting for approximately 4 hours until they are completely dried out.
  • When the orange is cool, mix some slices with some pinecones, a small handful of star anise and 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks cut in half.
  • If giving as a gift, fill a cellophane bag, arranging the slices of orange around the edges, and tie the bag with some beautiful festive red ribbon.

3) Heart-shaped salt dough candle holders

We love salt dough crafts! They are so simple and making salt dough is super-duper easy! Make these lovely candle holders with your children and give them as a Christmas gift.

How to make salt dough (makes 4 candle holders):

  • In a large bowl, mix ½ cup of salt and 1 cup of flour
  • Gradually stir in ½ cup of lukewarm water and mix well until smooth
  • You can store your salt dough in an air tight container for a couple of days

How to make a heart-shaped candle holder:

You’ll need:

  • Salt dough (see above)
  • Heart-shaped cookie cutter
  • Tealight candles
  • Baking sheet
  • Craft paint
  • Glitter (optional)

Instructions:

  • Divide your salt dough into 4 balls
  • Flatten each bowl into a circle and cut a heart shape with a cookie cutter
  • Press a tealight into the heart shape. Wiggle the tealight to make the indentation larger than the candle – the baking will shrink the dough a little bit
  • Bake your candle holders at 120 degrees Celsius for about 3 hours until dry
  • Decorate your candle holders with craft paint and glitter (optional) or other decorating supplies and let them dry

4)  Tea Bag Christmas Tree

This is a great gift for all tea lovers and it’s so easy to put together.

You’ll need:

- a Styrofoam/paper mache cone in the shape of a Christmas tree

- individually wrapped tea bags (ideally green, red or in other Christmassy colours, 20-30 depending on the size of your tree)

- strong glue or glue gun

- Wooden stars, ribbon or other embellishments

Instructions:

  • Start at the bottom. Place a line of glue near the top of each tea bag and attach them to the cone. Wait for the glue to set.
  • Glue other tea bags slightly overlapping them. Move upwards until you reach the top
  • Attach a wooden star or a ribbon to the top of the cone

5) Festive oatcakes

Homemade cookies and cakes always make a great gift idea. Make these delicious (and healthy) festive oatcakes with children and package them up nicely. Here’s how to make these delicious snacks:

Ingredients:

  • 200g rolled porridge oats (140g blitzed in a food processor and leave the remaining 60g whole)
  • 100-130ml boiling water
  • 20g unsalted butter (added to the boiling water)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
  • A few good grinds of black pepper
  • Rosemary/thyme/lavender – optional
  • Equipment:
  • Rolling Pin
  • Cutters

Method:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.
  • Weigh out the porridge oats and place 140g in a blender to grind the oats to a fine powder (it should only take about 20 seconds). Place all the oats in a bowl, add the salt and any fresh or dried herbs (if using). Pour in almost all of the water and stir well with a wooden spoon. If the mixture feels sticky add no more water, but if it’s looking dry and floury gradually add in the rest of the water. You want it to come together as a firm dough. Leave the mix to sit for 5 minutes in order to allow the water to cool down slightly and for the oats to slightly swell (this will also allow the mix to dry slightly too if feeling sticky).
  • Place a little flour onto a work surface and lightly flour your hands. Turn the dough onto the work surface and knead for 30 seconds. It should feel soft but firm and not sticky.
  • Roll out the dough on a floured surface and with a rolling pin, roll the dough to approx a £1-coin thickness (or less if you prefer a more delicate biscuit). Here is an example:
  • Cut out your desired shapes and place each oatcake onto a floured baking sheet. Place in the top of the oven for 15 minutes, turn them over and return for another 10 minutes.
  • You want the oatcakes to be completely cooked and dry all the way through. Keep in an airtight container until ready to use.
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