Nothing says “I have no idea who any of you are” like giving everyone in your family the same mini Bluetooth speaker. If you’re looking for a more heartfelt gift and have the patience to fiddle with chunky yarn or peruse the cluttered shelves of your local thrift store, you might even make it to New Year’s without having to declare an “I won’t blow my budget next time” resolution. Here are some ideas for DIY gifts on a scale of “casual crafter” to “textile expert.” Thrift flips There are no fewer than three mentions of butter in this gift guide, but it’s hard to ignore one of the most legendary ingredients of the holiday season. Thrift a butter dish and fill it with a homemade herbal or sweet butter. And by homemade…we of course mean spruced-up store bought—no one has time to churn. On the non-food side, a vintage glass dish paired with a microwavable candle refill kit is a great alternative to unwrapping another boring sandalwood jar—just make sure the glass is heat-resistant. If you’re buying for someone who doesn’t want an activity, candlesticks and dramatic candleholders are also plentiful in most thrift stores. Using your hands Upcycling and textile crafts have exploded among younger generations since the pandemic. If you’ve dabbled in the fiber arts, you could make someone a chunky yarn bag (no extra tools required!) or a beginner-friendly crochet charging cord cover that looks like a plant vine. But if you fear the fibers, these mini fridge-magnet photo frames can be personalized, and an air-dry clay flower frog pairs well with a fresh bouquet. For those who know how to thread a bobbin Reworked hoodies can go for over $100 on sites like Etsy, and while the patchwork versions can be challenging for beginner sewers, those with underlay applique are a bit more forgiving. Faster projects, like fluffy scrunchies or placemats, can be great for groups or as last-minute gifts. One of these bike bags can also make a nice present, since gear like this can be pretty pricey. Wild cards: If you want to give someone a gift they can DIT (do it themselves), try this moss rug-making kit or this book about dyeing fabric and materials with food scraps.—MM | 
