Ten years ago, my parents moved. What I was psyched to discover was an AWESOME craft store, the craft store dreams are made out of, where you can every thing that is blank and ready to be created upon and then all the supplies to do just that.
My sister and I went nuts and made almost all of our Christmas gifts that year – and every subsequent year since.
I love making Christmas gifts. I think once upon a time they had a negative connotation associated with them.
But homemade gifts to me are the best. They are personal and special, either revealing something about the giver and a way they love to love on people or revealing a personal relationship that knows someone well enough to know what they’d like enough to make it for them.
I’ll admit though, it can be a lot harder to think of homemade things for boys. Amirite? But homemade doesn’t have to mean “crafts” or “girly”. It just is something you make or do for someone else.
So if you read my post yesterday and thought “That’s great! But I’d love a little something….more.” Then you are in the right place.
1. 52 Things I Love About You
Using a deck of cards, write something you love about your husband on each card in the deck. You can hole punch them and put them on a ring, or use them to play your favorite card game. Bonus idea: Use these personalized playing cards to add pics of you guys first for an extra personal touch.
2. 30 Days of Pretties
Pick a month – maybe December – and go to bed every night in something…pretty. Sexy. Something that your husband is likely to notice.
3. Coupons
This has to be the most classic of all homemade gifts. I did this for my husband’s birthday and included for him a punch card of documentaries to watch on Date Night since documentaries aren’t really my thing. Other coupons ideas are back rubs, favorite dinner, lunch dates, a night with the guys, and more.
4. Start a New Habit
Think of a way you could serve your husband. Pack his lunch every day? Make him breakfast? Hang up his shirts straight out of the drier? Make the bed? Fold the laundry straight out the drier? Pick one and make this a new daily habit. Don’t even expect him to notice. Just do it as a gift.
5. Take The Respect Dare
Use The Respect Dare 40 Day Journey as a journaling activity and give the completed journal to your husband at the end.
6. Letters
Write him letters to be opened at certain times throughout the next year and give them to him in one big collection so he can look forward to reading them. If you need some inspiration, you could use some of the ‘Praying For Your Husband’ calendars that are out there, or modify the #thankshubs Challenge we did here on the blog.
7. Tradition
Ask him if there’s a tradition he would like to start this Christmas like live tree instead of fake or cookie baking or taffy pulling. Put it on your calendar and set it for every year so you keep doing it.
8. Homemade Goods
Can you crochet? Maybe a new scarf or mittens would be awesome for his walks to work or out in the woods. Are you especially handy in the kitchen? Find a recipe for some new snacks and stock his desk up. Has he mentioned trying to make some personal care products like deodorant or hair gel? Find a recipe and give it a try!
9. Freshen Up the House
Does your room need a fresh coat of paint? Or have you been meaning to finish up those curtains? Carpets need shampooed? Give a go!
10. Kiss Him Like You Mean It
Every day. Start now. A solid 10 seconds. Awesome gift.
What other great homemade gift ideas do you have? I’d love to see your ideas in the comments below!
Aixa says
Love these ideas, Leah! Thanks for sharing! I’m a paper crafter and usually make all the greeting cards I give him. One year I made a shadow box with pictures from when he played baseball. I decorated it with scrapbook stickers and the colors of the team. He loved it. I haven’t made him anything for Christmas before but maybe I’ll start this year!
Leah Heffner says
Aixa
YAY!! Shadow boxes are so cool!!
Leah