For many people, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. For others, it induces anxiety and stress. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, coming up with thoughtful gift ideas for the holiday season can feel overwhelming.

It doesn’t have to be that way. These days, friends and family cherish heartfelt gifts. Judging from the current economic climate, affordability plays a big part in shopping for Christmas presents.

Upcycled gifts are not only the sustainable choice but there are so many ideas you can fashion into tangible items that last a lifetime. Keep on reading, we’ll show you how.

Source: Photo by Kira auf der Heide

#1. Custom Planner

Locally-owned businesses are doing the most with customizable planners and notebooks. All you have to do is order a custom planner online and have it personalized in a few steps.

You can customize your personal planner from weekly layouts to themed pages to planning trips. This gift is perfect for teachers and students heading to college simply because it allows for note-taking and budgeting.

The amazing thing about this is that you don’t have to purchase a planner every year. Planners and diaries get thrown in the trash once they’ve served their purpose. Plum Paper says refill pages are the solution to wasted planners. They’re the sustainable and cost-effective choice.

Another option is to have the cover personalized with old black-and-white photos. It becomes a physical memory bank and is the last thing your loved one expects.

#2.Upcycled Gift Ideas – Herb Garden Planter

Plant parents will appreciate this DIY gift. If your loved one is short on space, you could encourage them to start a vertical herb garden on their balcony or kitchen.

House Beautiful advises gardening enthusiasts to grow fresh herbs indoors because plants are healthier and stronger by eliminating soil-borne diseases.

You’ll need mason jars, compost, herb plants, and a sturdy piece of reclaimed wood pot plant holders. Start by thoroughly washing the jars. Fill halfway with compost and plant the herb plant inside. 

Continue doing this with two or three jars. Sand down the wood until smooth and fix the pot plant holders to the wood by screwing them in. Make sure they are evenly apart from one another. 

Once secure, place a jar in each holder and move the piece of wood to an upright position. And voilà! You have a vertical herb garden planter!

#3. Upcycled Gift Ideas – Jeans Bag

Fast fashion is very much alive. While some people take the sustainable route and purchase vintage clothing or repurpose older items, others spend their cash on cheap, poor-quality clothing.

Jeans for one is a closet staple that never goes out of fashion. Unfortunately, manufacturers use more than 3 liters of water to make a pair of jeans. 

The fashion industry’s carbon footprint is deplorable but you can do your part by reusing or repurposing as many clothing items as you can. That’s why we’re loving the idea of a jeans bag.

You’ll need old jeans, a 16-inch zipper, two 1-inch D rings and a decorative purse strap. Don’t worry if you have no sewing experience; this project requires minimum fuss. 

A simple online search will yield marvelous tutorials and step-by-step guides on creating a jeans bag.

#4. Upcycled Gift Ideas – Teacup Candle

This gift solves the problem of chipped teacups and used candle wax. Believe it or not, both can be repurposed to produce teacup candles.

Martha Stewart says vintage teacups shouldn’t go to waste, so why not increase their lifespan by upcycling them?

You’ll need a piece of wicking cut about two inches taller than the teacup. Knot one end, thread through a wick tab and tie the other end around a wooden skewer. Dip the wicking and tab into melted wax until fully coated.

Remove and press the tab to the bottom of the teacup. Rest the skewer end at the rim of the teacup. 

Pour melted wax into the teacup just below the rim. Let the wax sit for an hour and pour more to even the center well.

#5. Infused Oils

Practical and fragrant, a bottle of infused oil is the ideal gift for a friend or loved one who relishes spending time in the kitchen, rustling up dishes borne from their imaginations.

Infused oils are fairly simple to make. Start with good-quality olive oil, spices and dried herbs. Combine the herbs and spices in a tall glass jar and pour in the oil until the contents are completely immersed.

Seal the bottle and place it on a windowsill or sunny spot. Shake the bottle every few days to ensure there’s no sediment settlement.

So you see, you don’t have to break the bank to gift your friends and family something special for Christmas. All it takes is imagination, creativity and an idea to turn into reality.