W hen you think of great gifts for women, the word “homemade” may not be the first thing that comes to mind.
But the truth is, a well-made, thoughtful, and creative DIY present can actually be the ideal gift for your girlfriend’s birthday or an anniversary — she’ll appreciate that you went the extra mile to make something with a personal touch, and you’ll appreciate that it was, well, cheap.
Of course, coming up with creative DIY gifts that will get your girlfriend’s approval is often easier said than done, which is where this post comes in.
To help you out, I’ve put together a list of thoughtful, practical, and romantic homemade gifts that are (mostly) easy to make and will deliver plenty of sentimental value.
So get your hot glue gun ready and prepare to get crafty, because this list of creative DIY gift ideas is sure to have the perfect one-of-a-kind present your girlfriend will actually love.
The Best Homemade Gifts for Girlfriends
DIY Gift Ideas That Don’t Suck (No, Really)
- Beaded Jewelry
- A Romantic Dinner
- Coupon Book
- Bake Her a Cake
- DIY Date Night Jars
- Homemade Chocolates
- Handmade Soap
- Spa-at-Home Gift Basket
- Cocktail Kit in a Jar
- Shutterfly Photo Book
- Scrapbook
- Wine Cork Heart
- Love Notes in a Bottle
- Paint-by-Numbers Portrait
- Romantic Scavenger Hunt
- Homemade Bath Bombs
- Homemade Soy Candles
- DIY Herb Garden
- Terrarium Garden
- Crochet Something She'll Love
- Handmade Ornaments
- Embroidered Artwork
- String Art
- T-Shirt Pillow
- Hand Painted Mug
- DIY Jewelry Holder or Organizer
Beaded Jewelry
Beaded bracelets and jewelry are having a moment right now (in large part thanks to Taylor Swift), and people of all ages are getting in on the trend.
Hot tip: Go for neutral and monochromatic color tones — like in this gold-themed bead kit — to create a more sophisticated and stylish look than the young kids are wearing.
You can add her name, a special date, or just the word “love” for a heartfelt gift she’s sure to appreciate, even if she’s not a Swiftie.
A Romantic Dinner
Trust me, there are few things as sexy to a woman as a man who cooks for her.
And the key making the perfect romantic dinner with as few hiccups as possible, is not to wing it.
Instead, look up a recipe online for her favorite meal or surprise her with something different using a date night cookbook like this one.
Remember, it doesn’t need to be fancy, it just needs to taste (somewhat) good.
Coupon Book
It may seem a little cliche, but romantic coupons can be some of the best DIY gifts for any special occasion, particularly anniversary gifts.
You can design your own or pick up one of these handy blank coupon books, and fill them with offerings for a massage, breakfast in bed, “slave for a day”, and any other gestures you think she’d appreciate.
It’s a thoughtful give that keeps on giving.
Bake Her a Cake
When it comes to simple gift ideas, baked treats are always a great way to go.
There’s no shortage of recipes available online, so find one for her favorite flavor and that accommodates any dietary restrictions she may have.
Do not, I repeat, do NOT use a boxed cake mix.
Make it in a heart shaped cake pan for an added romantic touch, decorate, and voila! The perfect gift for any occasion.
DIY Date Night Jars
One of my favorite DIY gifts, a date night jar is a fun way to get out of that “pizza-and-a-movie” rut.
Just use a decorative jar — or decorate one yourself — and pack it with some fun ideas for date nights.
(If you need a little help, these printable date cards may come in handy.)
Not only will you never be stuck for a romantic date idea again, but she’ll also appreciate spending more quality time together — it’s a win-win!
Homemade Chocolates
For a woman with a sweet tooth, chocolate is a no brainer.
Luckily, chocolates are fairly easy to make and require simple ingredients.
When you’re done, place them in a heart-shaped box to create a thoughtful and personal gift.
Handmade Soap
Homemade soap is the best gift for a girlfriend who likes using natural products.
To make it easier, get your self a soap-making kit. I like this one because it uses vegan shea butter and essential oils, which will leave her skin moisturized, soft, and smelling great.
It’s a great practical gift with a personal touch.
Spa-at-Home Gift Basket
For a truly thoughtful gift, treat her to a spa night at home by making your own gift basket featuring self care essentials.
Fill it with face masks, loofahs, lotion, bath salts, essential oils, a candle — anything that will help her relax after a long day.
It’s the perfect way to make her feel pampered.
Cocktail Kit in a Jar
If the two of you like to imbibe together, these DIY cocktail kits make great simple gifts.
(Like this idea, but, you know… you make it yourself.)
Fill large mason jars with tiny bottles of liquor and the necessary ingredients for her favorite cocktails or mocktails.
For bonus points, tie recipe cards or tags with romantic messages to the lid.
(These make great DIY Christmas gifts, too.)
Shutterfly Photo Book
You’ve got hundreds of photos of the two of you just sitting on your phone, so put them to good use by making a professional-looking photo book from Shutterfly.
Admittedly, this is cheating a bit since the company makes the book for you, but you still have to choose the images and design it, so I think it counts as DIY.
Scrapbook
But if you’re looking for something with more of a homemade vibe, a scrapbook is a great gift idea that’s easy to put together.
Look for a high-quality scrapbook, like this one made from genuine leather that gives this keepsake a beautiful vintage look.
Then, just fill it with souvenirs from your times together, like ticket stubs, brochures, favorite pictures, and more, to create the perfect personalized gift.
Wine Cork Heart
This is where you’re going to need that aforementioned hot glue gun…
Save up your wine corks (or buy some online) and turn them into wall art with this adorable DIY idea.
The best part is, it only requires a few easy steps.
Love Notes in a Bottle
They say the little things mean the most, and this cute gift idea is no exception.
Simply fill a mason jar (or use a handy kit like this one) with tiny handwritten love notes so she can read a different special message each day.
This is an especially good idea for a long-distance relationship, because she can be reminded of your love even when you’re apart.
Paint-by-Numbers Portrait
Paint by numbers has come a long way, and it’s not just for kids anymore.
This innovative company takes a photo of you and turns it into a paint-by-numbers portrait; then they send it to you along with all the paint and brushes you need to create a one-of-a-kind painting that will knock her socks off.
Romantic Scavenger Hunt
If you want to get really creative, plan a scavenger hunt adventure around your house, neighborhood, or city.
How to do it: Leave notes at various locations with detailed instructions for where to go and what to do next, eventually leading to a big surprise (maybe a romantic picnic or a special gift) at the final destination.
You can make up your own clues, or enlist a little help with this handy customizable kit.
Homemade Bath Bombs
For a girlfriend who’s into #selfcare, handmade bath bombs make great DIY gifts.
There’s no shortage of recipes for doing so on the internet, but it’s probably easier to grab yourself a kit that comes with everything you need to make 12 lavender-scented bath bombs.
Homemade Soy Candles
Homemade candles make perfect DIY gifts because they’re practical, elegant, and come from the heart.
You can easily find a recipe online, but I like this kit from SoftOwl because it comes with everything you need to make seven attractive candles, including fragrance oils, a melting pot, jars, and even labels.
Plus, the wax is soy so it’s easy to use and non-toxic.
DIY Herb Garden
Fragrant, convenient, and charming, a fresh herb garden is the perfect practical gift for a girlfriend who likes to cook.
To make it a real DIY project, plant the herbs in recycled household items, like mason jars, plastic bottles, or even tea cups — just make sure to add holes in the bottom for drainage.
Or if you’re not a green thumb, this hydroponic herb growing kit is a great way to guarantee success, while still looking crafty.
Terrarium Garden
For a woman who enjoys plants and nature, a mini terrarium is a trendy and creative way to bring the outdoors, well, indoors.
You can easily create your own at home (all you really need is a glass container, some moss, rocks, soil, and plants) or you can buy a starter kit online, and at a reasonable price.
Crochet Something She’ll Love
If you want a unique gift idea and to potentially learn a new skill, you can’t go wrong with something crocheted.
And thanks to a recent rise in popularity, there’s a wide variety of crochet kits available on the market for all skill levels.
There’s everything from headbands and handbags to flowers and plants (I, for one, am obsessed with these little succulents), so you’re sure to find something that will perfectly suit your partner’s tastes.
Handmade Ornaments
If you’re looking for some cute DIY Christmas gifts — or if your girlfriend is just really into Christmas — you can’t go wrong with homemade ornaments.
There’s a ton of great ideas here, or you can take the easy route and get yourself a kit from Amazon or Etsy.
(Don’t worry, we won’t tell.)
Embroidered Artwork
Embroidery is another artsy pastime that’s seeing a comeback these days, with plenty of beautiful patterns for beginners popping up on the market.
It’s definitely one of the more difficult ideas on our list, so if you’re not crafty, this may not be for you.
String Art
Yet another popular arts-and-crafts hobby, string art (aka pin-and-thread art) uses colored thread strung on pins or nails to create a picture.
If you’re seasoned at this craft, you can make your own with a board, some nails, and thread in her favorite colors.
But if you’re a beginner, you’re better off getting a kit to help you learn the ropes (pun entirely intended).
T-Shirt Pillow
Don’t throw away your favorite old T-shirts! If you’ve got some basic sewing skills, they can be turned into romantic handmade gifts, like an adorable pillow.
A great gift idea for long-distance relationships, she can keep a piece of you close when you’re far away.
Hand Painted Mug
Because she can never have too many mugs, this adorable craft makes a great DIY girlfriend gift.
This kit comes with a blank ceramic mug, paints, a brush, and a marking pen so you can create a one-of-a-kind gift that she’ll get to enjoy everyday.
DIY Jewelry Holder or Organizer
If you’re even remotely handy with tools, these homemade jewelry holders make great gift ideas for girlfriends who own a lot of accessories.
She’ll like that it’s functional and stylish, but she’ll love that you made it yourself.
More Resources ↓
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Alphabetically Themed Gift Ideas:
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Kirstyn Brown
Kirstyn describes herself as a “coffee lover and cat lady,” but don’t let her humility fool you:
As the co-creator and former Editor-in-Chief of Strong Fitness Magazine, she’s a highly respected writer and editor with more than a decade of experience, whose work has appeared in top publications like Strong, Oxygen, Clean Eating, Girls Gone Strong and more.
