If you’re looking for unique, handmade gifts this season, you’re in the right place! At PurlsAndPixels, I love sharing simple, heartfelt craft ideas that make perfect presents for loved ones. From knitting and crochet patterns to creative DIY projects, here are ten thoughtful gift ideas you can make yourself.

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1. Tiny Knit Mitten Ornaments

These adorable miniature mittens are quick to knit and make great gifts for friends and family. Use them as tree ornaments, garlands, or package toppers. They’re perfect for using up scrap yarn!
➡️ Find the pattern here

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2. Learn-to-Knit Gift Set

Give the gift of a new hobby! Create a beginner-friendly knitting kit with yarn, needles, and a link to our Knitting Guide. Personalize it by including a handmade scarf or dishcloth to inspire their first project.
➡️ Learn how to make the set here

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3. Peppermint Twist Crochet Garland

A festive garland adds a handmade touch to any home. This candy-cane-inspired crochet project is beginner-friendly and works up quickly. Package it as a gift or use it to decorate your home.
➡️ Get the crochet tutorial here

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4. Cherry Candy Cane Potholder

This oversized potholder is as festive as it is functional. Pair it with a set of kitchen towels or baking supplies for a thoughtful hostess gift.
➡️ Grab the knitting pattern here

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5. DIY Washcloths or Dishcloths

Knit or crochet a set of reusable washcloths or dishcloths. Pair them with handmade soap or spa items for a luxurious self-care gift.
➡️ Check out my dishcloth patterns here

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6. Santa Hat and Gloves

Make matching Santa hats and gloves for the whole family. These cozy accessories are perfect for holiday photos and make a sweet, personal gift.
➡️ Find the pattern here

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7. Homemade Cookie Shipping Tips

Want to send homemade cookies as gifts? Use my shipping tips to ensure your baked goods arrive fresh and intact. Package them with a handwritten note for a personal touch.
➡️ Read the shipping tips here

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8. Customizable Gift Tags from Santa

Add a magical touch to your presents with these printable, editable gift tags from Santa’s workshop. Personalize them with your recipient’s name for an extra-special detail.
➡️ Download the gift tags here

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9. DIY Knitting Patterns Bundle

Create a customized pattern bundle by printing or packaging several beginner-friendly patterns from PurlsAndPixels. Pair them with yarn and needles to inspire creativity.
➡️ Explore knitting patterns here

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10. Hand Knit Accessories for Chilly Days

Nothing says thoughtful like a hand knitted gift. Knit them a hat, scarf, gloves, or even a set of all three. You’ll be their handmade hero.
➡️ Find accessories you can hand knit here

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Why these DIY Gift Ideas Are Perfect for the Holidays

Handmade gifts show that you’ve put time, effort, and love into creating something unique. Share your craftiness with all of your loved ones this year.

I have more holiday ideas!

🎄Holiday Pattern Roundup

👐 Simple DIY Handmade Crafts

🏡Cozy Home

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Share Your Handmade Gifts & Creations!

I’d love to see your DIY gifts! Share your projects with me on Instagram using #PurlsAndPixels, and let’s inspire each other to make this holiday season extra special.

Happy crafting! 🎁

P.S. – Handmade gifts are my favorite, but it’s also OK to shop for presents too! Browse my favorite cozy Amazon gifts in my influencer collection.

Read More

Cozy, Crafty & Homestead-Ready Gifts to Make Them Smile 🎁

‘Tis the season to get cozy, knit some magic, and make your homesteading friends squeal with joy. If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift that says, “I care about you and your crafty, self-sufficient lifestyle,” you’ve landed in the right place. Let’s dive into these warm and rustic gift ideas in my holiday gift guide.

Learn to Knit Gift Set

Who do you know that would love knitting, but just hasn’t had the chance to learn? Think of that person’s favorite colors, then get ready to make them a custom, DIY gift set. Gather yarn, knitting needles, and a cute tote or box. Toss in a card with a link to my online knitting guide. Or upgrade your kit by including a copy of Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide. This knitting book will teach them everything they need to know and include oodles of classic patterns they’ll never want to stop knitting. I’ve put together a list of suggested materials on my Learn to Knit Gift Set page; read it here.

Cozy Home Decor

A thoughtful gift can feel just like a warm hug, bringing comfort and coziness to their home. Think about soft, fluffy throw blankets for curling up on the couch, gentle lighting like a pretty lamp or string lights to create a calming glow, or something special to help them enjoy their favorite warm drink; maybe a cute mug, a coffee sampler, or a new tea kettle. These little touches can add warmth and make their space feel even more inviting. Browse my list of extra-cozy home goods on Amazon to find the perfect gift.

Homestead Helper

Got a friend who dreams of raising chickens and growing all their own veggies? Help them create the homestead of their dreams with some practical goodies: a really nice drill, a sturdy toolbox, or some cool gardening gloves. Or help them automate their lifestyle with chicken coop doors that open on their own or machines that feed the animals. Find my holiday gift guide of homesteading goodies on Amazon.

DIY Craft Kits

Sure, you could buy them a candle or a bar of soap—but why not give them a whole kit so they can make their own? A candle-making kit, soap-making set, or cheese-making supplies will keep them busy and their home smelling like a rustic dream. (Bonus: You might even get some homemade goodies as a thank-you!) Browse some unique DIY Craft Kits on Amazon.

Cooking Supplies for the Homestead Chef

Give your favorite home cook a reason to whip up something delicious. Try gifts that make their kitchen feel like a cozy, rustic paradise. They’d be thrilled to get a new cast iron skillet, a fancy Dutch oven, or even some cute spatulas and spoons. Find my favorite kitchen essentials, perfect for gifting this holiday on my Amazon list.

Holiday Gift Guide

So, there you have it: a holiday gift guide that’s as cozy as a hand-knitted blanket and as fun as a night around the bonfire. Go forth, spread some holiday cheer, and don’t forget to snag a little something for yourself (you’ve earned it!).

Happy Holidays!

Looking for more inspiration? Make something festive:

🎄 Holiday Pattern Roundup

💞 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Handcrafted with Love

Read More

Holiday DIY Craft Roundup: Knitting, Crochet, and Craft Patterns from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

With the holidays fast approaching, I’ve gathered all my festive knitting, crochet, and craft patterns into one place to help you add some handmade charm to your season. Whether you’re decorating your home or creating heartfelt gifts for Christmas, these projects are perfect for crafters of all levels!

Explore Christmas DIY Projects

Below you’ll find the most exciting handmade holiday crafts:

🧤 Tiny Mitten Ornaments

🍬 Peppermint Twist Garland

🍭 Cherry Candy Cane Potholder

🎁 Learn to Knit Gift Set

🏷️ Santa’s Gift Tags

🍪 Cookies as Gifts – Shipping Tips

🎅 Santa Hat and Gloves

🎄 Mini Santa Hat Ornament

Tiny Knit Mitten Ornaments

These adorable mini mittens are perfect for trimming your tree or crafting a festive garland. They’re also a wonderful holiday DIY craft for using up leftover yarn. Quick to knit and irresistibly cute!
🎄 Get the pattern here

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Peppermint Twist Garland

Create a fun candy-cane-inspired garland to decorate your tree, staircase, or mantle. This simple chain project is a great activity for kids and adds a handmade touch to your decor.
🎄 Find the pattern here

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Cherry Candy Cane Potholder

This oversized potholder doubles as a festive decor accent. Its chunky yarn construction makes it both quick to knit and sturdy enough for holiday entertaining. Pair it with a candy cane centerpiece for extra holiday cheer!
🎄 Get the pattern here

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Learn to Knit Gift Set

Delight the aspiring crafter in your life with a DIY knitting gift basket! Include essentials like yarn, needles, scissors, and a link to my online beginner’s guide. It’s a thoughtful gift that lasts a lifetime.
🎄 Find out how to make it here

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Santa’s Gift Tags

Add a magical touch to presents from Santa with these printable, customizable gift tags. With this quick holiday DIY craft, you can edit the design to personalize for your little ones. Use them year after year for a charming family tradition.
🎄 Download the tags here

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Cookies as Gifts – Shipping Tips

Send holiday cheer to faraway loved ones with homemade cookies! Learn my tried-and-true tips for packaging and shipping cookies so they arrive fresh and intact.
🎄 Check out my tips here

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Santa Hat and Gloves

Keep your family cozy and festive with matching Santa hats and gloves! This beginner-friendly knitting pattern ensures everyone looks adorable on Christmas morning.
🎄 Get the pattern here

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Mini Santa Hat Ornament

Tiny Santa Hats make anything more festive! Knit them for tree ornaments, garlands, wreaths, and gift boxes.
🎄 Get the pattern here

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More Holiday Craft Ideas

Looking for more inspiration? Browse my holiday articles filled with cozy crafts and clever gift ideas:
🎄 Liz’s Holiday Gift Guide

🎁 DIY Gift Ideas

💞 Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas: Handcrafted with Love

🎃 Halloween DIY Pattern Roundup

🏡 Cozy Home Inspiration

🛍️ Shop Cozy Gifts on Amazon

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Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Happy Crafting!

I hope this Holiday Pattern Roundup got you in the mood to create something amazing! I can’t wait to see what you create!

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Join me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

How to ship cookies for gifts and care packages

This year the holiday budget was a little tight, so I decided to make everyone cookie baskets for Christmas.

For our nearby friends and family I picked up some round, decorative plastic boxes. I used cupcake papers and aluminum foil to separate the different types of cookies and arrange them nicely.

Packing up bundles of pretty cookies to give as a gift is not too difficult to do when your friends and family are local, but much of my family lives over 2000 miles away. It took a bit of creative packaging, but I was successful at shipping cookie gifts cross-country. Let me show you how I did it so you can ship your on cookie gifts for holidays and care packages.

Choosing the right cookies

Choose your favorite cookies for this project, because almost* any cookie will do. Give a big batch of your favorite kind of cookie, or make an assortment and let them try a variety of your homemade baked goods. I especially like to share Soft Gingerbread Cookies shaped like Hippos for Christmas (recipe here).

*If you plan to ship your cookies in the mail, choose cookies that are on the denser and thicker side. Treats that are especially thin or fragile can be tasty, but probably wont make it thru the mail. The cookies pictured held up well in shipping.

For my gift baskets this year, I made gingerbread cookies, snowball cookies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, and peanut brittle. I’ve pinned all of the recipes for my favorite treats here, so check out and follow my cookie, candy, and crafty eats boards for ideas on home-cooked gifts.

Packaging materials

If you are mailing your cookies, you are going to need a few supplies. You’ll need:

• Cellophane or Cling wrap
• Aluminum foil
• Ziploc bags
• Shipping boxes 
• Packing tape

Carefully wrap between 6 and 12 of each type of cookie in cellophane. Next, wrap that bundle of cookies again, this time loosely with in aluminum foil. Gently mold the foil around the cookies to make a block and keep the cookies from sliding around inside the bundle. Place this double-wrapped cookie bundle in a Ziploc bag. Repeat this process with the rest of the cookies that you want to ship. Place them in the shipping box, filling any empty spaces in the box with cellophane or other packing filler to make sure the cookie bundles don’t slide around in the box. I added a gift wrapped pair of handmade mittens to the box, as well. Tape up the box and you’re ready to get a shipping label and mail your cookies.

Shipping cookie gifts

I used USPS three day priority shipping to save a few dollars, but it would probably be even better to use one day shipping.

After packing up all the cookies and treats in the box, I taped it shut and wrote FRAGILE in large capital letters with a big red marker on two sides of the box.

I shipped one package in a USPS flat rate box, and another in a standard brown shipping box. Both were successful, so use what you have available.

How they arrived

After shipping these cookies over 2000 miles from Virginia to Colorado, I expected to loose a few cookies to breakage along the way. Trucks and airplanes are bouncy, so I thought at least a few would be lost. Lucky for me, all of the cookies this year arrived in good shape. I know using the aluminum foil as a protective cushion for shipping the cookies really helped. But, I think a major part of the success of this gift project was because I was lucky with my postal carrier for USPS. The boxes had been treated very carefully. I hope your postal worker is as kind and careful as ours.

Did you try it? Let me know how your luck was with shipping cookie gifts. What kind of cookies did you send in your gift or care package? Did they get there in good shape? Let me know in the comments below.

More Holiday Craft Ideas

Love DIY Christmas and holiday projects? Find more handmade holiday craft ideas at my Holiday Pattern Roundup Post.

And, find my 10 Thoughtful DIY Gift Ideas here.

You can also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Printable “From Santa” Gift Tags for Christmas

A Free DIY project from Liz @PurlsAndPixels

 It turns out that Santa doesn’t always remember to put tags on the presents he brings. I needed some gift tags for my presents this year, so I made up this sheet of printable “from Santa” gift tags for Christmas. If you need some gift tags for your little one’s presents, you are welcome to use mine. Below is a link to my Word document file of printable “from Santa” gift tags. Download it, add your child’s name, print, and cut out for a quick and free DIY project.

Download little “from Santa” gift tags, free from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

How to add your child’s name

With the little “from Santa” gift tags file open in Microsoft Word, open the find and replace tool.

Type “Name” in the “Find what” field. Type your child’s name in the “Replace with” field.

Click “Replace all.”

Print your From Santa Gift Tags

Print on the best quality setting your printer allows. Try printing on different kinds of paper to mix up the look. If you use basic white printer paper, try cutting out a slightly larger square of colored paper or gift wrap and place it behind the label. These labels look so festive and bright.

Or, print on a natural brown colored craft paper made for printers, like I did, to get a more rustic on to your Santa Gift tags.

Cut Out your Christmas Gift Labels

These labels are smaller and will print so that you can cut them into 1.25 inch squares. Try using a paper cutter or a square paper punch to help make sure the labels come out perfectly square. Attach the labels to your gifts with a small bit of tape, and you are all done!

More Holiday Craft Ideas

Love DIY Christmas and holiday projects? Find more handmade holiday craft ideas at my Holiday Pattern Roundup Post.

If you like these printable “From Santa” Gift Tags for Christmas, I’d love hear about it. Comment below or share your photos with Liz @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.