The holidays are a great time to show how much you truly appreciate family and friends by giving gifts from the heart. Some of my fondest childhood memories are from visiting grandma at Christmas. She always made an eye-catching assortment of delectable desserts. Years later, our family has grown quite a bit, so many of the holiday traditions had to change. Now, each year, everyone brings one dish, side or dessert to pass during holiday potluck dinners. A few of my recent favorites include Flaky Biscuit Pizzas and Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars – both were incredibly easy to make, unbelievably yummy and real crowd-pleasers!

Another holiday tradition I’d like to start this year – exchange handmade gifts with family and friends. The reason – it’s often cheaper, more personal and most importantly – fun! Over the years, I’ve received so many wonderfully kind, thoughtful and memorable gifts that there’s one thing I can say with 100% certainty – people can surprise and amaze you. Handmade items like a scrapbook, swaddling blanket, earrings and knitted onesie stick out in my mind as gifts made from the heart. While I’ll never be able to duplicate these wonderfully unique hand-crafted items – I’d like to start giving back a little more to those that really matter to me most. I’d like to spread more joy during the holidays and hopefully surprise and amaze a few people along the way. After all, aren’t the holidays meant to be a time when you give back?

Want to make your own homemade gifts during this holiday season? Below, you’ll find a variety of resources to help get you started on the road to a more personalized holiday gift giving season that’s sure to be more fun than shopping at a crowded mall.

DIY Gift Giving Made Easy

Handmade / Homemade : Ideas for Every Occasion

Food Gifts / Edibles / Treats

Holiday Crafts / Projects

DIY Gifts – Online Resources

58 DIY Christmas Gifts Your Friends and Family Will Love – Country Living

Homemade Linen Spray and Aromatherapy – DIY Natural

Easy Homemade Soy Candles! – The Frugal Girls

45 Holiday Gifts to Start Making Now – Good Housekeeping

100+ of the Best DIY Gifts Ever – PopSugar

8 DIY Mason Jar Kits to Give Your Favorite Foodie – Real Simple

Homemade Cuticle Cream – Thirty Handmade Days