Welcome to my “12 Days of Holiday DIYs”! Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly projects, heartfelt gifts, or fun activities to do with family and friends, these DIYs will spark your creativity and holiday spirit. Let’s dive in!
Published: December 13, 2024, Updated: December 7, 2025
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12 Holiday DIYs Anyone Can Do!
I absolutely love to craft and this year I decided I’d challenge myself to coming up with a list of holiday DIYs I wanted to tackle this year and share the tutorials.
This is a compilation of all of them, including links to the video tutorials and supplies. I hope you enjoy and if you try any, don’t forget to share them with me on Instagram, and tag @savvyswarey!
Day 1: Christmas Candle Painting
Would you believe they sell similar candle sets on Anthropologie for over $30, while these cost me just $2.50 to DIY myself?! Yup. It’s an easy, affordable swap to get a super aesthetic look for MUCH less. I walk you through the step-by-step process and supplies in my DIY candle painting tutorial!
Day 2: DIY Holiday Card Display
💌 Organize your holiday cards with this budget-friendly hanging display! I was able to use things I already had around the house, so it only cost me FIVE DOLLARS. You might see what you already have lying around yours too. Get all the supplies you need and the step-by-step tutorial in my DIY Christmas card holder guide!
Day 3: Salt Dough Ornaments
These DIY ornaments are perfect for gifting or for a crafting activity with friends or family. Salt dough is easy to make, and the results are timeless keepsakes. Personalize them with names, shapes, or glitter for extra charm.
Check out my full tutorial on how to make the best salt dough and decoration ideas to create your own handmade ornaments!
Day 4: DIY Cardboard Gingerbread Village
This is such a fun craft to do with the entire family and bonus, it’s super affordable AND eco-friendly! All you need to create this stunning gingerbread house display is cardboard (I used cereal boxes), and a paint pen!
Follow my full tutorial here!
Day 5: Glass Vase Glow-Up
Give any old jar an instant ✨”glow-up”✨ for the holidays! All you need for this holiday DIY is an old vase or jar, my free printable tree stencil, and a paint marker. This 10-minute project is simple, elegant, and a great way to upcycle what you already have at home.
Get my free Christmas stencils to print and easily, and affordably transform your own glassware or windows!
Day 6: DIY Gift Basket Shred
Skip buying tissue paper or shred this year and make your own using paper bags and a standard home shredder. It’s a sustainable and affordable way to package your gifts beautifully, like my salt dough ornament gift sets.
Don’t believe it’s that easy?! Just watch and see!
Day 7: Mini Craft Trees
✨ Create adorable mini trees for Friendsmas or family craft night! Use craft cones or make your own from cardstock. Decorate with twine, fabric scraps, or even magazine cutouts. Optional: Add cotton balls or mini baubles for an extra festive touch.
Get the full tutorial for this mini Christmas tree DIY!
Day 8: Handmade Wrapping Paper Bows
Sick of wasting your money on bow after bow after boy, only to see them wind up in the trash? NEVER. BUY. A. BOW. AGAIN.
Repurpose leftover wrapping paper to create your own adorable custom bows! This eco-friendly hack turns scraps into something beautiful. Perfect for a sustainable holiday season. Watch this DIY Christmas bow tutorial right here!
Day 9: Printable Christmas Window Stencils
❄️ Instead of decorating windows, try this twist: use a rehabbed window frame or a large glass vase for stencil designs. It’s a fun, mess-free way to add magic to your home, and cleanup is as simple as storing it away for next year.
Grab these free printable Gingerbread stencils to create your own magical scene!
Day 10: Upcycled Christmas Pajama Wreath
I just love this one. Turn outgrown or sentimental holiday pajamas into your own holiday wreath you can continue cherishing for years to come. This DIY fabric scrap Christmas wreath is the perfect afternoon crafting activity to do with friends or family (and easy enough for kids too!)
Day 11: Toilet Paper Tube Snowflakes
Don’t throw out those cardboard tubes! Transform toilet paper tubes into delicate snowflake decorations. Use scissors, hot glue, and fishing wire to hang them as ornaments or window decor. Get the supplies and tutorial in my DIY toilet paper tube snowflakes project guide!
Day 12: Make Handmade Holiday Cards
Forgot to order cards this year? No worries! Handmade Christmas cards are a heartfelt way to spread holiday cheer. Use different shapes, colors, and materials to make them uniquely yours. They’re the perfect wrap-up to our 12 days of holiday crafting.
Ready to try your own holiday DIYs?
I hope these DIYs inspire you to create something special this holiday season. Stay tuned for more last-minute gifting ideas and holiday hosting hacks—the crafting fun isn’t over yet! Happy Holidays!