“It’s the thought that counts.” This usually translates to “this gift is horrible, but that’s alright.” We all strive to give gifts that mean something and don’t seem completely generic. These five homemade gift ideas will make sure that your presents are a hit around the tree this year.

Rainy Days Jar

A Rainy Days Jar is a jar filled with pieces of paper that have different fun memories, inspiring quotes, or just funny statements. The purpose of the jar is for when the person is having a hard day, they can reach into the jar and read something that will hopefully raise their spirits. Each Rainy Days Jar is personal to the person receiving the gift. This is what makes this gift so heartfelt and special. You can also decorate the jar and make it as cute as you want to. This is sure to be a big hit for friends or family or other people that you have known for a long time.

Christmas Candy

This one is pretty self-explanatory. All you have to do is make some homemade holiday treats and put them in a decorated tin, box, or another form of pretty packaging. You can even make a day out of it and make some great memories with family and friends.

Scrapbook

This is a really fun project to do. All you have to do is find a scrapbook that you like and, on the inside, put pictures of you and your loved one and little tokens for memories, such as movie ticket stubs or wristbands. One of the best parts of making this gift is that while you make it, you get to relive fun times and good experiences with your loved one that maybe you had forgotten. This project also gets your creative juices flowing, which makes this a very personal gift. This gift is perfect for your loved ones that are really sentimental.

Coupon Books

This might sound really cliche, but if you use coupons that your loved one will actually use and appreciate, then it will end up being a hit. You can also get as creative or not as you please with this gift. This is perfect for parents or other family members.

Picture Collage

This one can be done many different ways. You can either buy a frame and place the pictures in that, or you can buy a canvas or a piece of posterboard and design the pictures how you please. You could even place the photos in chronological order to tell the story of your friendship if you wanted to. This project is very easy to do, but it would be a great gift that any of your loved ones would appreciate.