10 DIY gifts you can make in time for the holidays

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It starts off simple: Family. Friends. Colleagues and classmates.

Then come the add-ons: The yoga teacher. The mailman. The bagger at the grocery store. And of course, you can’t forget your upstairs neighbor. (She’s always nice enough to bring in any packages left out on the doorstep.)

When you’ve got a lot of people in your life, your holiday gift list might seem as long as Santa’s. And with retail prices on the uptick, getting a present for everyone might leave your wallet a little lighter than you’d like. To save money this holiday season, about two in five Bostonians are thinking about gifting handmade goodies instead of store-bought ones, according to a recent survey from consulting firm Deloitte.

As a crafter myself, I’m all for the concept. But I know not everyone is “artsy.” The good news is, you don’t need to know how to knit, sew or paint to create any of the 10 DIY gifts listed below. All you’ll need is time (and a bit of patience).

Picture this: A resin memory frame

Jen Gouldstone is the founder and owner of Craft Loft, an arts and crafts store located in the CambridgeSide mall (formerly the Cambridge Galleria). If you’re looking to repurpose some old, sentimental items for a gift, she suggests making a resin memory frame with epoxy resin and a photo frame that you can find at any craft store, including hers.

“We all have a junk drawer of things we keep because they have memories,” Gouldstone told me. “Maybe you moved apartments and brought your apartment key, or you went to a concert and kept the ticket, or you have a seashell from vacation. So long as they're not too big, you can put it in a frame and set it in resin and everything ends up looking great.” She suggests adding pressed florals and magazines, too, for a little extra depth.

Go beyond gift wrap for books

Speaking of making use of what you’ve already got: If you’re planning to gift (or re-gift) a book, the staff at Lovestruck Books have an idea for you.

“If you’re wrapping a book, you can make it a little more pretty and personal by folding [the paper] in a way where you can tuck a little bookmark or letter or card in the front,” said Malee Jinuntuya, the assistant manager at the Harvard Square shop. She suggests using this wrapping method, which creates a V-shaped pocket that makes for a “fun, pretty package.”

Arrange an evergreen birch box

Going to a party? Gouldstone suggests swapping the usual hostess gifts — like flowers and wine — for a DIY arrangement of evergreen clippings and leaves, presented neatly in a wooden box. “It has branches like magnolia and fir and boxwood which smell amazing,” said Gouldstone. “And they tend to last longer than your typical floral arrangement.” (We’ve got tips on crafting seasonal floral arrangements using foliage and branches here.)

Finger-knit a chunky stocking

Gouldstone’s store also offers a workshop where you’ll receive materials and instruction to make the chunky knit stockings shown above. “And it's finger knitting, so you don't need to know how to knit or crochet,” said Gouldstone. Though stockings are traditionally Christmas decor, “it could make a nice gift too,” she said.

Channel your inner chef

So maybe crafting isn’t for you (and that’s okay). You can still make great gifts in the kitchen. Check out these recipes by Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst that you can cook and give this holiday season.

P.S. — Still not into the idea of buying more stuff? Check out these Boston-area experiences we think are worth gifting over the holidays.