DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 2) | Episode 565

DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 2) | Episode 565

Good morning, it’s James from SurvivalPunk.com, and holy hell — it’s cold. Like ten degrees, why do I live here cold. That makes today’s episode even more fitting, because we’re continuing the DIY Christmas gift series with Part 2, and this time we’re getting into non-edible gifts — the stuff you can make with your hands that people actually use, appreciate, and remember.

Part 1 was all food. This one is about skills, crafts, and practical items that quietly make people more prepared without slapping them in the face with “SURVIVAL.”

Let’s get into it.

Sewing, Knitting, and Fabric Skills Are a Cheat Code

If you can sew, knit, crochet, or do anything with fabric, your gift options are basically unlimited.

If someone made me a pair of handmade socks? I’d be genuinely stoked. No one has ever done that for me, and it would absolutely get used. Same goes for mittens, hats, scarves, or anything warm that took actual effort.

One of the best examples you brought up was knitted cast iron handle covers. Those things are fantastic. They’re better than the silicone garbage you can buy, they look good, and anyone who uses cast iron will actually appreciate them. That’s the key.

Fabric gifts that work especially well:

• socks

• mittens and gloves

• hats and beanies

• pot holders and cast iron handle covers

• aprons

• simple bags or pouches

These are gifts that feel personal, not mass-produced. You can’t just walk into a store and buy that exact thing, especially not in the colors or style someone likes.

Quilts and Big Projects Mean Something

Quilts are becoming rare, and honestly, that makes them more meaningful.

They’re labor-intensive. They take time. And getting a quilt as a gift is basically someone saying, “I love you enough to spend a ridiculous amount of time on this.”

You don’t see a lot of young quilters anymore, and when you do, they’re usually deep into homesteading or old-school skills. If you’re one of those people and you gift a quilt, that’s a forever item. That’s not a throwaway Christmas present.

3D Printers: The Modern DIY Superpower

If you own a 3D printer, you are sitting on a ridiculous DIY gift machine.

You don’t even have to design anything yourself. You just:

• find a useful file

• print it

• clean it up

• hand it to someone who didn’t even know they needed it

You gave a great example of a custom disc golf marker with the Survival Punk logo on it. That’s perfect. It’s small, useful, unique, and impossible to buy in a store.

Other great 3D-printed gift ideas:

• tool organizers

• drawer dividers

• phone stands

• hooks and mounts

• bottle openers

• simple toys

• small survival accessories

Even basic prints can be meaningful if they solve a real problem or are tailored to the person receiving them.

DIY First Aid and Trauma Kits

This is one of the most underrated DIY gift ideas out there.

If you’ve ever built a first aid or trauma kit, you know the drill:
You buy supplies in bulk.
You build your kit.
And you’re left with a pile of extras.

That means you can easily assemble additional kits and give them as gifts.

For most people, a full-on trauma kit might be a bit much. But a general first aid kit with:

• bandages

• antiseptic

• allergy meds

• basic pain relief

• gloves

…is something they will absolutely use. And it quietly plants the seed that being prepared is useful.

This is a great “gateway prep” gift. You’re not yelling about collapse. You’re just helping someone handle normal life a little better.

Soap, Salves, and Herbal Projects

Homemade soap is one of those gifts that always lands.

Everyone uses soap.
Homemade soap smells better.
It feels better.
And people love getting it.

If you make soap, you already know this. If you don’t, it’s actually not that hard to get started, and it makes a great experiment — especially with kids. It’s part chemistry, part craft, part old-school skill.

The same goes for:

• salves

• balms

• herbal tinctures

• elderberry syrup

• fire cider

These blur the line between food, medicine, and self-reliance. They’re thoughtful gifts, especially for people who appreciate natural remedies or homestead skills.

Why These Gifts Work

DIY gifts work because:

• they save money

• they build skills

• they’re useful

• they’re personal

• they don’t feel disposable

You’re not giving clutter.
You’re giving capability.

And that’s what Survival Punk is all about.

Final Thoughts

DIY gifts aren’t about being cheap. They’re about being intentional. Whether it’s a sewn item, a knitted piece, a 3D print, a first aid kit, or homemade soap, these are the gifts people remember — and actually use.

They don’t end up forgotten in a drawer.
They don’t get returned.
They don’t feel generic.

They matter.

This has been James from SurvivalPunk.com — DIY to survive, and give gifts that actually mean something.

Amazon Item OF The Day

AGERLA Upholstery Repair Kit, 50 Pcs Heavy Duty Sewing Kit with 8 Colors Thread 32 Pcs Upholstery Needles, Sewing Awls for Hand Stitching Car Sofa Shoe Backpack Craft DIY

Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joining The Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts!

Don’t forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube

Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment.

•  Itunes
• Pandora
• RSS
• Spotify 

Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe

Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk’s

The post DIY Christmas Gifts That Actually Matter (Part 2) | Episode 565 appeared first on Survivalpunk.