If you cash in on this holiday season, you can easily make an extra $5,000-$14,000 according to Etsy data!
Thousands of handmade sellers cash in big during the holiday season – and not just with the usual candles, ornaments, or bath bombs.
The truth is, shoppers are hunting for unique, meaningful, and handcrafted gifts that feel thoughtful yet one-of-a-kind.
Below are 17 unusual but proven DIY Christmas gifts that sell like crazy on Etsy, TikTok, and craft fairs.
All easy to make, all with serious profit margins.
17 DIY Christmas Gifts That Sell Like Crazy
1) Memory Map Frames
Instead of another photo frame, these gifts feature a map of a special location.
Where someone met their partner, got engaged, or traveled.
You can print vintage-style maps (free from public archives), cut them into heart shapes, and frame them with a minimalist label like “Where it all began.”
Cost to make:
- $5–$8 per item.
Selling price:
- $40–$75 per item.
Why it sells:
People love gifts that tell their personal story — and this one feels custom and emotional.
Related: 25 Easy Small Woodworking Ideas to Start Selling to Make Money!
2) Handwritten Recipe Cutting Boards
Turn someone’s treasured family recipe into a lasting keepsake.
Scan the handwritten recipe, engrave or transfer it onto a wooden board.
You can use a laser engraver or even image transfer paper and oil.
Cost to make:
- $10–$15 per item.
Selling price:
- $60–$100 per item.
Why it sells:
It combines nostalgia, food, and family — three things that define Christmas.
Related: 15 Easy Make In Demand Christmas Wood Crafts That Sell Like Crazy!
3) Dried Citrus and Cinnamon Garlands
These natural garlands are stunning, fragrant, and eco-friendly.
Slice and dry oranges or lemons in the oven, string them with cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and wooden beads.
Package them as reusable Christmas décor or gift them in glass jars.
Cost to make:
- $3–$5 per piece.
Selling price:
- $25–$40 per piece.
Why it sells:
TikTok has made natural, minimalist Christmas décor trend again.
They’re aesthetic, sustainable, and smell like the holidays.
Related: 25 Simple Homemade DIY Christmas Gifts That Sell for High Profits
4) Personalized Song Plaques
Using acrylic blanks and a little vinyl, you can create Spotify-style plaques.
Plaques that show a person’s favorite song or the one they first danced to.
Add a scannable Spotify code, and it instantly plays.
Cost to make:
- $4–$6 per plaque.
Selling price:
- $30–$60 per plaque.
Why it sells:
It’s techy, emotional, and highly personal — all the makings of a viral holiday hit.
Related: 15 Christmas Gifts to Make and Sell Like Crazy (With Huge Profits!)
5) Custom Star Maps
Print and frame a star map of the night sky from a special date.
Like a baby’s birth, engagement, or first Christmas.
You can generate maps for free online and print them on high-quality paper.
Cost to make:
- Around $5 each.
Selling price:
- $35–$70 each.
Why it sells:
It’s sentimental, beautifully minimalist, and looks expensive — even when it’s not.
Related: Woodworking Projects That Sell: 19 Most Profitable Ideas
6) Luxury Hot Chocolate Gift Sets
Think beyond basic cocoa.
Create artisan blends — white peppermint, chili dark chocolate, or salted caramel.
Package them in small glass jars with handcrafted labels and mini marshmallow toppers.
Cost to make:
- $2–$4 per jar.
Selling price:
- $20–$40 (for a 3-pack).
Why it sells:
People want cozy, indulgent gifts — and gourmet food always sells at Christmas.
Related: 19 Food Gifts That Sell Like Crazy Year Round to Make Serious Money
7) Boho Macramé Car Charms
A rising Etsy trend!
Tiny macramé rainbows, snowflakes, or mini hangers that clip to rearview mirrors.
You only need macramé cord and wooden rings — and they fit perfectly into small gift boxes.
Cost to make:
- $1–$2 each.
Selling price:
- $15–$30 each.
Why it sells:
They hit the “aesthetic car décor” niche — huge on Etsy and Pinterest.
Related: How to Make Money on Pinterest Without a Blog
8) Personalized Pet Ornaments
Pet parents love custom gifts.
Use polymer clay or laser-cut wood to make ornaments shaped like cats, dogs, or even paw prints.
Add the pet’s name or silhouette.
Cost to make:
- $2–$4 each.
Selling price:
- $20–$35 each.
Why it sells:
People treat their pets like family — and they’ll spend more for that personal touch.
Related: 25 Custom Pet Product Ideas to Make and Sell for Animal Lovers [That Are Instant Best-Sellers]
9) Resin Coastal Coasters
Create coasters that look like ocean waves using epoxy resin, white pigment, and turquoise tones.
Add gold edges or embedded seashells for a luxury finish.
Cost to make:
- $4–$6 per set.
Selling price:
- $30–$60 per set.
Why it sells:
Resin art looks premium and gift-ready — yet it’s simple enough for beginners.
Related: 19 Resin Crafts to Make That Sell Like Crazy Online
10) Hand-Stamped Silverware
Vintage spoons and forks from thrift stores can be stamped with phrases like “Cereal Killer,” “Coffee Queen,” or “Grandma’s Spoon.”
Pair them with a cute gift tag and ribbon.
Cost to make:
- $3–$5 each.
Selling price:
- $25–$40 each.
Why it sells:
Quirky, nostalgic, and great for both humor and sentimentality.
Related: 21 Glass Crafts That Sell Like Hotcakes Online
11) Custom Door Mats
Use coir mats and outdoor paint to stencil fun sayings like “Hope You Brought Wine” or festive ones like “Santa, Stop Here!”
Cost to make:
- $6–$10 each.
Selling price:
- $35–$60 each.
Why it sells:
Funny or personalized décor is consistently a top Etsy seller — and door mats are easy to ship and batch-make.
Related: 19 Beyond Easy to Source Products that Sell Like Crazy on Amazon FBA
12) Hand-Painted Christmas Vinyls
A newer, artsy trend: old vinyl records upcycled into wall art.
Paint snowy cabins, reindeer silhouettes, or vintage Santa scenes.
Cost to make:
- $2–$3 each.
Selling price:
- $25–$50 each.
Why it sells:
It’s eco-friendly, unique, and perfect for music lovers who want nostalgic décor.
Related: 21 Simple Gifts to Make and Sell to Easily Make $10,000 in Profit Every Month
13) Christmas Slime Kits
Slime is still massively popular among kids — especially themed slime.
Make peppermint-scented or glittery “Grinch Goo” and package it in cute jars with holiday labels.
Cost to make:
- $0.50–$1 each.
Selling price:
- $6–$12 each or $25 for bundles.
Why it sells:
Parents love small, affordable stocking stuffers — and slime is always a tactile hit.
Related: How to Make Money Selling Slime ($5,000+ Month Business Idea)
14) Festive Dried Flower Bouquets
Bundle dried eucalyptus, lavender, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks into mini arrangements wrapped in kraft paper.
Add tags like “Merry & Bright” or “Winter Wishes.”
Cost to make:
- $3–$5 per bouquet.
Selling price:
- $25–$45 per bouquet.
Why it sells:
They’re long-lasting, sustainable, and ideal for eco-minded buyers who love rustic charm.
Related: 17 DIY Flower Press Projects to Sell for Serious Profit
15) “Open When” Letter Boxes
A deeply personal gift idea!
A box of sealed envelopes labeled “Open when you’re sad,” “Open on Christmas Eve,” “Open when you need a laugh.”
Fill each with small notes, treats, or photos.
Cost to make:
- Around $5 depending how many you put in the box.
Selling price:
- $40–$70 depending how many you put in the box.
Why it sells:
It’s emotional, thoughtful, and trending with long-distance couples and families.
Related: 23 Most In Demand Paper Crafts that Sell Like Crazy Online
16) Personalized Baking Kits
Create themed baking kits like “Santa’s Cookie Set” or “Build-Your-Own Gingerbread House.”
Include dry ingredients in jars, cute labels, and recipe cards.
Cost to make:
- $5–$7 per set.
Selling price:
- $30–$50 per set.
Why it sells:
Parents love gifting interactive, kid-friendly presents — especially around Christmas baking season.
Related: 35 Easy Christmas Food Gift Ideas to Sell at a Christmas Market For Serious Money
17) DIY Crystal Candle Jars
Not your basic candle!
These feature crystals, herbs, and essential oils aligned to “energy intentions” like calm, abundance, or love.
Cost to make:
- $4–$6 each.
Selling price:
- $25–$45 each.
Why it sells:
Spiritual self-care items are exploding in popularity.
These look boutique-quality for minimal cost.
Related: 23 Simple Candle Crafts That Sell Like Hotcakes Online!
Tips for Selling These Christmas Gifts Successfully
1) Bundle them:
- Offer themed gift sets — e.g., “Relax & Reset Box” (candle + bath salts + ornament).
2) Make it personal:
- Add names, dates, or quotes to stand out in crowded markets.
3) Photograph beautifully:
- Use natural light, props, and lifestyle backgrounds — Etsy buyers shop with their eyes first.
4) Price for profit, not panic:
- Handmade shoppers expect to pay more for originality — don’t undersell yourself.
The most profitable DIY Christmas gifts aren’t always the most complicated.
They’re the ones that feel personal, unexpected, and heartfelt.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re making resin coasters, nostalgic recipe boards, or Christmas slime.
Each of these crafts has a proven market and serious potential to turn creativity into real holiday income.
