5 Handmade Woodworking Gift Ideas to Make & Give This Season
Hey friends, in the spirit of the upcoming holidays, let's make some handmade gifts!
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I always love to make my own gifts for the season, so here are a few of my favorite easy-to-make gift ideas.
If you're looking for more, I'm sharing over 30 additional DIY gift ideas here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-h...
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PROJECT #1: Modern Serving Tray
Check out the project details here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-m...
Grab the printable plans here: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
Tools & Materials:
Tools:
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Table Saw
Ratchet Clamp: amzn.to/2EPxvAe
Small Clamps
Drill/Driver: homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Materials:
Scrap ¾″ plywood panel (roughly 12″x18″)
1x lumber cut to 2″ wide strips (roughly 60″ length)
Wood Glue: amzn.to/2IcK1Lf
(2) modern handles (optional): homedepot.sjv.io/PqGX6
PROJECT #2: Folding Book Stand
Check out the project details here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
Grab the printable plans here: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...
How to cut angles on a miter saw: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
Tools & Materials:
Tools:
Miter saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Drill/Driver: homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Jig Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/Gjj912
Small screwdriver (optional)
Clamps
Materials:
48″ of 1×6 board OR 36″ of 1×6 board + 20″ of 1×2 board*
Wood glue
(1) cabinet butt hinge: homedepot.sjv.io/0ZznPJ
PROJECT #3: Lazy Susan
Check out the project details here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-p...
How to make a circle jig for router: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
How to cut your own 2x2s: www.woodshopdiaries.com/woodw...
Tools & Materials:
Tools:
Table Saw
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Drill/Driver: homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Router (with straight and flush cut bits) and/or Jig Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/vqZAA or homedepot.sjv.io/Gjj912
Sander
Clamps
Cricut Machine or vinyl cutter (optional): amzn.to/479cImo
Materials:
(1) 2x4x8 board
(1) 6″ lazy Susan Hardware: amzn.to/3sEEc4f
(4) 1 ¼″ wood screws
Cricut Vinyl (optional): amzn.to/40T7EAx
Wood Finish: stain: amzn.to/49ytTPX & poly: amzn.to/3sqW1UC
PROJECT #4: Tic Tac Toe Game
Check out the project details here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/scrap...
Tools & Materials:
Tools:
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Brad Nailer: homedepot.sjv.io/c/1404662/13...
Cricut Machine (optional): amzn.to/3QAWz2g
Materials:
Scrap ¾″ plywood (12″ x 12″ piece)
1×2 board (about 48″ long)
½″ square dowel (about 48″ long): amzn.to/46gBD6l
2×4 scraps (9 pieces 3 ½″ long)
Brad nails
Wood Glue:
Wood stain/finish: Black Stain: amzn.to/3MJcRoB Aged Barrel Stain: amzn.to/3MH71Ec Clear Coat: amzn.to/3QYvesc
Cricut Vinyl (optional for Xs and Os): amzn.to/3QXz5EL
PROJECT #5: Easy Basic Cutting Board
Check out the project details here: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
How to sand wood: www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
Tools & Materials:
Tools:
Table Saw (optional)
Miter Saw (or any saw to cut straight): homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Clamps: amzn.to/3eWlkDh
Belt Sander (or planer): homedepot.sjv.io/x9LJvd
Orbital Sander
Router & Chamfer bit: homedepot.sjv.io/vqZAA & homedepot.sjv.io/dxM6k
Materials:
Hardwood of your choice
*Amounts may vary based on your desired size, but I used (1) 1x6x8 maple board PLUS 3 strips of walnut about 19" long to make this board
Wood Glue
Cutting Board Oil: amzn.to/49w6s9T
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:28 How to Make a Simple Serving Tray
04:48 How to Make a Folding Book Stand
08:41 How to Make a Wooden Lazy Susan
11:55 How to Make a Wooden Tic Tac Toe Game
14:56 How to Make a Simple Cutting Board
18:31 Conclusion
One tip for the cutting board. If you have any longer pieces, like you did, LEAVE THEM LONG when you send it through the planer, this will let the long parts absorb any snipe and THEN you will cut that area off for a nice flat board.
I intentionally put a longer piece just for that
I usually leave between 15-25mm each end for this same purpose
The circle board with the state of Kentucky is a great idea! Going to try that with Indiana!
Awesome! Happy Building!
All these are very beautiful but my favourite is the tic tac toe game, some of my grandchildren would love this. TFS, I really appreciate it.
Such a fun idea for grandkids! So glad you enjoyed. Happy building and I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays!
They turned out great. And the tic tac toe game with the stincil , and the lazy Suzan having the stincil removed after staining were the one's I liked most. But how can you beat a cutting board ?!! 👍
Thank you so much! I agree…the cutting board is a classic 😁
Very nice projects! I like the Kentucky Lazy Susan! I need to do a Tennessee version! Lol…. Bub is getting his neck scrub! These are all great Christmas ideas. Have a great weekend Shara and keep on building!
Tennessee might be even better than KY on the lazy Susan 😉😆 glad you enjoyed the gift ideas! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays!
@@WoodshopDiaries ….. thank you and hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 😊
You're a DIY'ER inspiration! Truly. You have no idea just how much I want to have a mentor like you to learn from. THANK YOU for sharing your talent 💯❤️🥰👍
You’re so kind! I appreciate you following along and I’m so happy to hear you enjoy the content 💕 have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays!
Very nice work, I’m doing the butcher block thanks
I love your sweatshirt. I was a Volunteer Disaster Action Team Lead along with my wife for the Red Cross in the DC area for several years
That’s awesome! Im sure that was tough, but rewarding work. I try to give blood as often as they let me. I feel like it’s a good way to give back somehow.
I'm definitely going to have get a Cricut! Love the video! Unfortunately I'll have to wait until next year to try these projects!
So glad you enjoyed the video! The Cricut definitely comes in handy often. They’re currently on sale if you’re looking to get one soon. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays!
My god those miters came out tight!😮
Ratchet Clamps and sanding work wonders haha
Great gift ideas and so simple too. BUT... no pocket screws! (grin) Thanks for the ideas.
Glad you enjoyed them! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays! 🙌
My wishlist this is year is all filled up with woodworking tools :D
Those are always good gift ideas 😉
Enjoyed (5) gift ideas nestled into 1 video! Your choice of walnut for the serving tray was spot on!
Very nice - and that nesting Christmas tree construction on your site is really something! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much! That tree was such a fun project!
Those were some really nice projects. And I don't think I've ever seen a shop that clean or roomy!
One more lovely video, great presentation amazing ideas, admire your cuts accurate. Thanks for sharing 😊😊
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays
Five nice little projects! Oddly (probably just shows my pedestrian sense of aesthetics) my favorite was the plain ol' lazy susan, just because of the really interesting end grain patterns and the cool state logo (although mine wouldn't be KY😉). These would all be great "intro to woodworking" projects for someone wanting to get into the craft. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. P.S. very tastefully done promo for your sponsor... got the message across without interfering with the flow of the build. 👍👍.
You know, those lazy Susan’s have been a hit since the first one I made like 8 years ago. Everyone always loves them and they’re so simple! I hope you have a happy thanksgiving as well and thanks again for watching!
excellent job !!
Love these ideas for gifting. Thanks
Nice!
Hope you enjoyed! Thanks so much for watching and have a wonderful weekend!
@@WoodshopDiaries you also! Keep making the great videos
Great projects
Great ideas.
Great ideas. Great video. Great crafting. Very helpful for learners like me.
Thank you Shara for sharing your designs!
Thanks so much for watching! Happy to hear you enjoy them. Have a great weekend!
nice!
Peças adoráveis! Parabéns!
I have run myself ragged looking for stencils for stuff. I feel like I may need to get a cricut
I can’t tell you how many times it’s come in handy for customizations.
Great video!
I would love all these for Christmas. They lovely 😍
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed watching them come together!
Love the cutting board! What a neat gift to give to family that will last a long time! And something made with love…
Muito top!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Great video! When using a router I recently started putting my project on one of those grippy mats you’d use as a liner for cups or dishes in your cabinet. Works great and nothing moves around! Wish I could say I thought of it but saw it in a video recently haha.
That’s a great idea! I actually have a grippy mat from Rockler that’s basically the same thing and I always forget to use it until after the fact 🤦🏼♀️😆
@@WoodshopDiariesjust to add a little tip to this tip you can also use an old yoga mat for the grippy-ness factor and it works exceedingly well considering it is just a yoga mat 😂 also works excellent for holding pieces for sanding too 😉
@@mouthofthesouth4267 Dang it! I have two of those Rockler mats, never thought of the yoga mat. I could cut up the wife's! She never uses it anyway, and it is always on the floor in the way. That way it will actually get some use, and we can all stop pretending she will ever do yoga again!
@@joshhencik1849 lol my point exactly 💯🤣 but if the wife gets upset that you took her downward doggie runway then don't give me any credit for the idea.... 🙏🏻 ........ 🤔............💡........ Tell her it was my husband's idea 😂😂😂 This way we will both get a good laugh and usable yoga mats again🤣😁🤣🤣🤣
Some Brilliant ideas there Shara and thanks for doing the video. Take Care and Stay Safe, Barry (UK)
Just been looking at your video slow so good . Love your work shop . Nice and tidy . Keep them coming love the 5 things you made I'll keep piping in John from Scotland
I really enjoyed your video which was truly inspiring! Well done!
Beautiful projects as usual. Thanks Shara and happy holidays in advance 🎉
Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching and hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays!
Hope you and your family had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. Always enjoy your content. Blessings!
8:32 does anyone remember that chicken sauce stuff from the 90s called Chicken Tonight? Man that stuff was good.
Como sempre seus trabalhos são muito top 👏
Thanks for the great gift ideas! They all turned out so nice and would definitely be appreciated by anyone who received them. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family (furries too)!!!
I hope you enjoyed them! Im excited to gift them all away soon! Happy thanksgiving to you and yours as well. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks Shara, enjoyed your video,share again pls.
Perfect timing ! Thanks for sharing!🤓
Thanks for watching! Hope it gave you some ideas. Enjoy the holidays!
Some great ideas. The nice thing about building these, is you can make them whatever size you want. Most of the cutting boards I have seen, t me they are too short, and to get a onger one, you end up buying wider also.
So true. The best thing about making your own stuff if you get to make them whatever size, style, and way you want 🙌 happy building and have a wonderful weekend!
Nice
Glad you enjoyed!
Very cool watching you build these awesome gift ideas! You've got skills my friend🤙🏾💯. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching and hope you and yours have a happy thanksgiving as well!
Beautiful projects, Shara! Thanks a bunch for all the ideas! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays with your friends and family!
@@WoodshopDiaries Thank you! Happy birthdays!!! 😃
De très bonnes idées,relativement simples a réaliser,merci, à bientôt salut Jeannot 🛠😉😊
Thanks so much! I appreciate you watching and hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Love these ideas, especially the serving tray and cutting board! Definitely planning to try to make at least one.
So glad you enjoyed them! Happy building and enjoy the holidays 😊
@WoodshopDiaries Love your content so much, thank you for making your videos. I was wondering if you know of ways to get around needing a table saw to build these? My knowledge and skill level is BEGINNER at best! 😂 I'm loving wood working but so far I only have the miter saw, jig saw, circular saw and soon I'll have the router for Christmas. Table saw is my next purchase, but it might be awhile before I get it. Been doing trim work inside my house and basic carpentry that I've learned all from KZhead channels like yours. Thank you again, and Happy Holidays.
Hi! For the lazy Susan, simply start with 2x2s instead of making your own. Then no need for the table saw. For the book stand, table saw to cut the edges is completely optional. If you’re working with already surfaced wood, you can glue up as is. For the tray, use 1x2s or 1x3s for the sides and glue/Brad nail them around the plywood instead of cutting the notches. No table saw needed for the tic tac toe. And for the cutting board, just start with 1x2 lumber instead of cutting your own from wider boards.
@@WoodshopDiaries Thank you very much for the advice!!
Great simple ideas thanks for sharing
Thanks so much! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the upcoming holidays!
@@WoodshopDiaries same to you hope you have a great Holidays
Really beautiful work! I like all of them and the Walnut really adds to the designs. Thanks for sharing these idea.
Thanks so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed watching them come together! Have a great weekend!
Great ideas. Wonderful channel.
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoy it. Have a great weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving....
Happy thanksgiving!
I love these projects, they look so easy to get completed. I'm going to have to give some of them a try this coming week. Thanks for the ideas.
Awesome to hear you enjoyed them! Happy building!
Ditto
Great gift ideas for sure! The Tic-Tac-Toe is excellent... Just one question?? Who do you keep your shop so clean? LOL... Have a great New Year!!
You can use a straw to clean the inside corners
Bonjour de la belgique, tres bien réalisé 👌
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoyed!
Shara, I've been building gifts for my Family for.........let's say many years. (How'd I get this old?) Anyway, I've been saving up some boxes in hopes of building a few more and sending off. This video is a great inspiration to get going on some gifts and it is greatly appreciated. I also want to wish you, your Family, and especially Bubby and Lucy a Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for Sharing!
I hope this gave you some ideas to fill up those boxes 😉 thank you for the holiday wishes. I hope you and yours have a happy thanksgiving and enjoy the upcoming holidays 🙌
I love your channel. Where did you learn to do woodworking?
Really enjoying your work. I think the tic tac toe needs another piece so either x or o could play first, am I right? What if you made all of them two-sided so either player could pick up any block? New subscriber. Thanks for the videos.
Hi! Thanks so much for following along! I only made 9 pieces so they’d all fit in the tray. If you wanted a 5th O, you can certainly add one. That’s the beauty of doing it yourself 😊 happy building!
I watched this earlier while taking some of the most disappointing tasting mini pretzels that I've ever bought and dipping them into semi sweet chocolate chips that I already had. I'm always impressed by the things that you make. I have 2 questions. Do you think the lazy susan can be modified where it's sitting into a larger circular wooden base? Also can the measurements for the tic tac toe be adjusted to make a connect four game? Up until now I hadn't thought of either one. But I like how yours turned out and how it can be personalized. Also the cutting board is beautiful.
You get that CNC yet? I keep waiting for the grand reveal!!!
I did! I’ve used it a little but I don’t know that I’ll do any big reveals 😅😆 you can see it in action here: instagram.com/reel/Cy5jaMRAqhy/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Awesome! Very beautiful pieces. Don't you need another O for the Tic-Tac-Toe, though?
Thank you! You can make another O but if X just goes first every game, there will never be enough spots for a fifth O anyway and there’s no way to store it 🤷♀️ so I didn’t bother making it.
@@WoodshopDiaries Thank you for explaining that. It makes sense!
Your serving tray idea is great, but it has on big problem: What about the second person's tray?
Very cool. Don't see you use tablesaw often!
Thanks so much! Most of the time I avoid the table saw when possible or give a work around because I don’t want people to think you have to have one to make everything (as many of the comments already expressed here 😅).
@WoodshopDiaries oh I agree, my comment not derogatory. Always many ways to do things, but even more unsolicited opinions ; ) , I always enjoy your videos. Have a great day!
Hello Shara! I didn't see in your videos any jointer. How you manage without a jointer?
Hi! I usually use a table saw if I need to cut a square edge.
What orbital sander do you have? I've been trying to find out. Thanks.
It’s a surfprep sander
Hi Shara, how do you find the Walrus Oil Furniture Butter? I’ve just got some and like it so far but wondering if it still looks good a year later.
I love it. I use it on almost every hardwood project. Almost. I refinished my poplar bedroom set with it about two and a half years ago and it still looks and feels awesome (except maybe a little dusty because I don’t clean as often as I should haha). Definitely recommend it and use it personally.
What sander does she use?
Great ideas. I have 3 families I’d like to gift the Tic-Tac-Toe boards to. What font did you use? I tried some I have already, but still like the one you used better. I used your link to get the 1/2” birch square dowels. You did use 1/2” square, right? In the video it’s hard to tell if they are square or rectangular. Thanks.
Thank you! Yes I used 1/2” square dowels. And to be honest, I didn’t save the Cricut file I used to cut the Xs and Os and I don’t remember the name of the font I used. I’m so sorry. I just grabbed one from their list and wasn’t paying any attention to which font it was.
Do you put anything on the bottom of the lazy Susan so it's does not slide around and scratch the surface?
Little rubber feet are great for that. Like these: amzn.to/3QBkC12
I love your videos do you volunteer for the Red Cross?
Thank you! I don’t, but I’m a very frequent blood donor (5-6 times a year)
Thank you for your donation that helps out a whole lot. I’m a blood ambassador for the Red Cross.
I'd love to make any one of these but unfortunately I do not at this time have a table saw😢
No table saw is required for any of the projects 😊 it’s handy to have but not necessary if you use precut standard size boards.
Great video, but why fast forward your words.
Your so talented and beautiful So wish you were single
Also an idea with the cutting board is to relieve the thickness underneath at either end to allow fingers in to pick it up. Another is to relieve a long side in semi circle underneath to allow a shallow plate to partially go under during use and into which product or trimmings can be pushed onto without effort. I personally don’t like gravy grooves but they are also options.