Wood is a natural, beautiful material that can be crafted into many unique gift ideas for friends and family. Whether you’re shopping for a hardcore artisan or beginner DIYer, we’ve got a handmade wooden gift they’ll love!
Wooden bead stretch bracelets are an easy friendship gift idea kids can make on their own. This simple nature craft is also a great way to show mom how much you love her!
Beaded Bracelets
If you’re looking for a gift idea that can be easily created and that will impress your friends and family, these beaded bracelets are just what you need. This simple project can be made with the help of some inexpensive supplies and is great for beginners as it doesn’t require any special tools. The best part about this gift is that it can be customized with any color or design. All you need is some elastic cord and your choice of beads, such as seed beads or plastic pony beads. You can also add charms to this beaded bracelet for an added touch of personality and style.
To make this beaded bracelet, first cut a four-inch length of elastic cord and then pre-stretch it so that it’s tight. After that, close one end of the cord by tying a surgeon’s knot. Next, thread the beads onto the cord and continue to string them until all of the beads have been placed. Lastly, close the other end of the cord by tying another surgeon’s knot, this time leaving an opening to insert the clasp. To secure the beads, apply a small dab of glue to the knot and then slide the adjacent bead over it. For this reason, it’s important to use jewelry-grade glue when making these bracelets. Superglue may be convenient, but it can also become brittle after it dries and abrade the elastic cord over time.
Then, finish the beaded bracelet by attaching a clasp to its open end and adding a tag with the wearer’s name or initials. You can even include a short note, such as “I love you” or “Thanks.” This beaded bracelet is the perfect gift for someone who enjoys wearing unique jewelry that’s handmade by a friend or loved one.
Whether you’re buying for a new bride or groom, a mom-to-be or a friend who loves to cook, these DIY gifts are sure to be a hit. And they’re all easy enough to make on a tight deadline, so you can still get your holiday shopping done on time. Just remember to choose a high-quality wood, such as walnut, pine, or ash, for your projects.
Acorn Necklaces
If you like the idea of nature jewelry but aren’t a fan of beaded bracelets, try a simple wooden acorn necklace. This is a nature craft kids of all ages can enjoy, and it looks gorgeous when worn.
This nature jewelry design uses a small acorn nut as a pendant, suspended from a sterling silver chain. It’s a great gift for someone who appreciates the beauty of nature and the importance of perseverance and growth.
The acorn, as the seed of an oak tree, is a symbol of strength and potential. Even the tallest oak tree started as a tiny little acorn that had to endure hardships to grow into the magnificent tree it is now. So, wear your acorn necklace to remind you of the power of your own desires and dreams.
This acorn necklace from Michael Michaud features the natural textures of an acorn’s cap, preserved in high-polished sterling silver, juxtaposed with the raw acorn nut below. It hangs from a sturdy, easy-to-wear sterling silver rolo chain that is both lightweight and durable.
To make this acorn necklace, you’ll need a few basic supplies. First, find acorn caps, which you can often spot on the ground in late summer and early fall. Look for acorns that are clean and free of any visible bugs or other damage. Clean the acorn caps in water and scrub away any dirt or debris that remains. Next, hollow out the acorns by pushing a needle into the pointed end, until you reach the acorn nut. Then, use a pair of scissors to cut out the acorn nut (and anything else that might be inside-we found fluff in one!).
Once you’ve cleaned your acorns and removed the nut, spread a thin layer of glue over the entire surface of the paper ball. Then, start wrapping your embroidery thread around the acorn, gluing each new piece of thread over the white paper gaps slightly. Continue until the entire acorn is covered in thread, with the exception of the top acorn hole, which you can leave empty.
Interlocking Love Hearts
Whether you’re shopping for your girlfriend, wife, mother, sister, daughter, or friend, this unique wooden gift idea will speak to the hearts of everyone. A double heart pendant symbolizes love intertwined and eternal, which is a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just any day when you want to show someone how much you care.
This unique necklace for women features two hearts embellished with Cubic Zirconia stones, interlocked together as a symbol of never-ending love. Made with high quality polished surgical steel, the heart-shaped pendant suspends centered along a cable chain that measures 18 inches with a 4 inch extension and fastens with a lobster clasp.
A handprint keepsake is an easy craft for kids of all ages that makes a thoughtful gift for mom, dad, grandma, or grandparents. Encourage your child to make a thumbprint heart for their favorite teacher or caregiver that they can frame. Alternatively, you can also invite your little ones to make a personalized heart ring bowl or jewelry dish for their special person.
These wooden earrings are perfect for any occasion and will definitely bring a smile to the face of anyone who wears them. They feature two carved love hearts that are hand-rivited together for a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind look. The hearts are then hand-polished for a beautiful shine and the pair of them is finished with a natural bee’s wax to help protect them from rusting.
The airPods case is another fabulous gift idea that you can give to a friend or family member this holiday season. It’s a great way to show how much you love and care for them, especially if you haven’t had the chance to spend a lot of time with them lately.
You can customize the case further by adding a name or message to the back of it, and this is sure to be a gift that will be treasured forever. The heart-shaped wood case fits perfectly over the AirPods, and it is lightweight, durable, and beautiful. The best part is that it is very easy to assemble, so you can do it yourself in just a few minutes.
Wooden Puzzles
A wooden jigsaw puzzle is an excellent gift for any age. The sturdiness of wood makes it easy to hold and the interlocking pieces are easier to fit together than their plastic counterparts. Wooden jigsaw puzzles are also great for enhancing cognition and problem-solving skills. They can be challenging and fun for children, teens, and adults. When selecting a jigsaw, keep in mind that the color image, size of the pieces, and design of the puzzle affect its difficulty level.
Wood is a natural material that has been used to craft beautiful and meaningful gifts for centuries. A wood gift is a unique way to show your loved ones how much you care. Wooden gifts also last longer than other materials. In fact, wood can even become more beautiful with age because it seasons and matures over time. The type of wood you need to craft wooden gifts can be found on Alderfer Lumber’s website.
Whether you’re celebrating your fifth anniversary or another special occasion, there are many ways to create a thoughtful wood gift for friends and family. For instance, you can give your wife a beautiful wooden picture frame that holds a favorite photo from your years together. Alternatively, you can choose a rustic wooden box that has been stained or painted with a heartfelt message.
Another fun and educational option is a wooden 3d jigsaw puzzle set. These puzzle toys are an excellent learning tool that can teach children about different mechanical principles. They may include gears, a Geneva drive, a pendulum, or a claw mechanism.
For the man who loves to collect, consider a shadow box. This unique piece of decor is perfect for displaying all of his collection items. It can be filled with items such as wine corks, bottle caps, golf balls, shotgun shells, ticket stubs, and more. He’ll love to look at all of his memorabilia in one place and will treasure this special gift for years to come.
Another wood-inspired gift is a pair of handmade sunglasses. Brands like Original Grain and MVMT offer eyewear made of sustainable materials, including zebrawood and East Indian rosewood. These eco-friendly frames are the ideal choice for someone who wants to express their fashion sense with a unique twist.