'Tis the Season — 11 Handmade Christmas Gifts

Forgo the stress and crowds of shopping at the mall for your loved ones this holiday season with our handmade Christmas gifts. We've scoured the Web and collected handmade holiday gift ideas that range from easily repurposed calendars to tedious metal stamping projects. Whatever your crafty interest, we're sure you'll be able to cross off a lot of people on your shopping list with our handmade gift guide. We just advise you not to wait until the very last minute! Avoid the mall and go handmade this season of giving.

Achy Feet Relief

Have friends who love outdoor winter activities? Gift them this winter salt soak to give their tired feet a much-needed rest. The essential oils in this recipe will relax cramps and other aches. If you're feeling really ambitious, whip up the winter body balm and lip balm to complete the entire set.

Find out how to make this easy handmade Christmas gift at Soap Queen.

For the Hot Pot

Give your friend's kitchen a boost with these pretty potholders. The sewing pattern perfectly matches three coordinating styles of fabric together. This handmade Christmas gift idea does require some basic sewing skills.

Want to make this project? See Angela Osborn's complete tutorial.

If You Like It, Then You Should Put an Earring on It

Your recipient will never lose an earring again with this lace earring holder, which can also store bobby pins and other hair clips. And if you have extra lace lying around, half your work is done! Incorporate different textures and colors of lace to really make this handmade Christmas gift stand out.

Find the inspiration for this Christmas gift project at H is for Handmade.

Let the Liquor Light the Way

If you can pull off this project, your recipient might not believe you made it yourself! This handmade liquor lamp requires drilling, installing a light switch — oh, and some drinking. But the time and effort is well worth it. Just remember: Don't drink and drill.

Check out the full tutorial at Suzi's Crafts.

On-the-Go Bag

Why do we love this bag? It has so much storage — including a cute outside circle pocket — that the busy woman will appreciate. 

Make this handmade Christmas gift from delia creates.

Ringing in a New Year

Make use of a calendar for more than a year by creating a recycled calendar to send to your loved one. Pretty images from this year's calendar can be repurposed for next year. Here's to 2013!

See how you can create this handmade Christmas gift at Armelle Blog.

It's Starting to Smell (and Taste) a Lot Like Christmas

Infuse your own vodka? Why not? This cranberry lime vodka is like an adult Christmas in a bottle. Add even more pizazz by attaching a crantini recipe to complete the gift. A noteworthy tip: The longer the finished product is left sitting, the sweeter it will become. 

The tutorial for this handmade Christmas gift, and recipe for the crantini, is available at Fancy Napkin. 

Making a Stamped Statement

Your loved one will be impressed with this personalized, handmade Christmas gift. Stamped metal charms can be added onto bracelets, necklaces or as earrings. Always remember to practice safety and wear protective eyewear when stamping your metal.

For complete directions on this project, go to Chelsea Rainbow.

Store a Pretty Penny

This handmade Christmas gift requires some basic sewing (and gluing) skills, but the results are an adorable metal frame coin purse! You will need to buy the metal purse frame, which you can order online or find at your local craft store.

Grab the free pattern and illustrated tutorial at Purl Bee.

An Earful

Paper clips and string — that's all you need to make these popular earrings that have been trending online! Use green and red string to give them a festive touch.

See how to make this easy handmade Christmas gift at Evie S.

The Write Stuff

With Anthropologie as inspiration, Zandi made her own journal with a gift tag stamped with words of wisdom. So easy, and so cute. Gift it with some colored pencils, pens, stickers and more, and your friend will love filling the pages with her thoughts and doodles.

To create this easy, handmade Christmas gift, head over to Radical Possibility.

Thanks for the Memories

A step beyond the traditional scrapbooking, this CD wallet scrapbook is the perfect project for a significant other or for a close friend. Don't forget to incorporate some song lyrics! It is a CD case, after all.

Ready to make this handmade Christmas gift? Find it at Wedding Bee.

Photo credits (from top): Evie S, Soap Queen, Angela Osborn, H is for Handmade, Suzi's Crafts, delia creates, Armelle Blog, Fancy Napkin, Chelsea Rainbow, Purl Bee, Evie S, Radical Possibility, Wedding Bee