DIY birthday gifts for adults are a beautiful way to make a birthday extra special. Here are over 30 of my favorite ideas that are sure to inspire you to craft your next gift.
Celebrating an adult friend or family member’s birthday is always fun, and I’m a firm believer in the magic of do-it-yourself (DIY) birthday gifts. That is why I’ve selected my favorite unique and heartfelt DIY gift ideas for adults.
These are inspired by the creativity of crafting and make for unforgettable presents that can bring smiles and treasured memories.
Before we dive into the ideas, here’s a bit of interesting trivia for you to keep in mind when deciding on a gift: A recent study revealed that in America, the top three unwanted gifts are plants, beauty products, and liquor.
Whereas, electronics/tech and household items seemed to be the best bet when purchasing a gift since they were lowest on the list of least favorite gifts.
I believe the best gift is a thoughtful one, and that’s precisely what DIY birthday gifts represent. Whether your recipient is a sports lover, foodie, fashionista, or home decor enthusiast, the ideas I’ve collected include a range of tastes and interests.
So, let’s get inspired to craft the perfect birthday gift for the special adults in your life! Scroll down and check out my list…
DIY Birthday Gifts for Adults
DIY birthday gifts for adults can make a birthday extra special. Here are my favorite ideas to inspire you to craft your next gift.
Resin Cutting Board
Learn how to make a resin cutting board with epoxy casting resin and acrylic paint! Makes a perfect gift idea.
Map Letters
Use Mod Podge, paint, and vintage map scrapbook paper to make this unique decoupage letter for home decor. It's easy to create your own! You could personalize the map, and choose a monogram letter for the gift receiver.
Fruit Stamped Tea Towels
Use a fun fruit stamping technique to decorate some plain tea towels. These will look great in any kitchen and they are so easy – even a kid can make them!
Bloody Mary Gift Set
Use your favorite Bloody Mary and salt rim recipes to fill some cute containers and then apply the free downloadable labels! Looks like a boutique store bought gift.
Photo Flower Pot
Learn how to decorate a flower pot with photos and Mod Podge! Add a favorite plant to this, and it makes a great birthday gift idea.
If you'd like more ideas, check my list of over 50 Unique Photo Crafts.
Clay Ring Dish
Make a cute little clay ring dish with hand painted accents! These darling dishes are a pretty personalized gift, and are so easy to make.
Wooden Beer Caddy
Learn how to make a DIY wooden beer caddy using these free plans. This beer carrier has a bottle opener on the side . . . and makes the perfect birthday gift for the beer lover in your life!
Clothespin Trivets
Learn how to make clothespin trivets with a few simple supplies! These are easy and high heat resistant so you can use them with hot pots.
Leather Phone Case
Create your own leather phone case complete with a stamped image! This tutorial shows you how to do a process called "wet forming".
Photo Coasters
Use your favorite photos to make custom Mod Podge coasters – because DIY coasters make perfect gifts for any adult in your life! These are inexpensive and easy to make.
Infused Olive Oils
Create a truly unique gift of infused olive oils. This post includes recipes for 4 different flavors and also has free printable labels for the bottles!
Crochet Leather Bracelet
Learn how to make a crochet leather bracelet with this free pattern and tutorial. Crocheted leather and colorful tassels make a fun, on-trend birthday gift.
Terrazzo Clay Candle Holders
Everyone loves terrazzo these days! It's such a trendy pattern. Rebecca shows you how to use white clay as well as some additional colors to cover a small glass votive holder. You could DIY this as part of a gift basket along with other DIY candle holders.
Lavender Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix in a Jar
This cookie mix in a jar gift idea is a step up from the usual chocolate chip ones you may have seen—it has lavender and chocolate chunks! There are printable recipe cards on this site to attach to your gift.
Wood and Resin Pendant
Make beautiful resin jewelry using wood pieces and alcohol ink or food coloring and resin. You can make a beautiful pendant necklace set using the mold of your choice.
Breakfast in Bed Tray
Learn how to decorate a tray with Mod Podge photo transfer medium! We revamped a thrift store find. You could gift this tray with some other items like a mug and coffee beans!
Basil Salt
Find out how to make basil salt—an easy herb infused flavored salt. Give this as a gift along with recipe ideas of how it can be used!
Bath Salts with Aromatherapy Orange and Peppermint
Learn how to make DIY bath salts with your favorite essential oils and baking soda! Decorate the container and add a scoop for a unique birthday gift for someone who could use a little self care.
Ticket Wall Decor
Learn how to make this DIY wall art with a vintage print of a ticket! This one is a baseball ticket, but you could use any sport, or even a favorite band concert ticket.
Marbled Mugs
Did you know you can make cool marbled mugs with nail polish? It’s easy and you can have gorgeous gifts in minutes. These DIY nail polish mugs cost LESS than a dollar each!
Hot Cocoa Bombs
Give the gift of these hot cocoa bombs with marshmallows! Include a personalized mug and instructions about how to make their homemade cocoa using the gift.
Faux Leopard Phone Case
Find out how to cover an old phone case with faux leopard fur. You can use this same process to add any fabric to a case! Make a few different ones as a birthday gift.
Painted Wooden Spoons
Use Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge for this unique wooden spoon makeover – these are so colorful and make great gifts!
Photo Pillows
Need a birthday gift for someone who is active on Instagram? Find out how easy it is to make a DIY photo transfer pillow with Mod Podge photo transfer medium! I made this DIY photo pillow with my Instagrams.
Decoupage Soap
Learn how to decoupage on soap using this unique tutorial! Such a simple project, anyone can do it! Plus, it is easily customized for your gift recipient.
Crochet Beach Bag
Get the free crochet pattern to make this super easy beach bag. Don't crochet? Try out my no-sew applique beach bag instead!
Personalized Slippers
It is really easy to add a special touch to plain slippers with an applique – make them a wonderful personalized gift they will absolutely love!
Starbucks Candle
Know someone who is a huge fan of Starbucks? This DIY candle would be perfect for their birthday gift!
Paper Earrings
Can you believe these earrings are made of paper?? They're affordable, lightweight, and you won't have to worry they'll break easily!
Painted Mug Idea for Guys
These sports car inspired painted mugs make great gifts for guys! They are very easy to paint and very inexpensive to make – you just need a few supplies.
Cinnamon Sugar Hand Scrub
This cinnamon sugar hand scrub recipe smells like delicious baked goods! Make your hands soft and is perfect for a gift idea. So easy.
Coffee Bar Sign
Make a farmhouse style, DIY coffee bar sign in a few easy steps! This Rae Dunn style sign is perfect for beginners and goes with any decor.
Are you inspired to give a DIY birthday gift to an adult in your life? Which idea was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below and then check out these other great handmade gift ideas: