40 DIY Consumable Gifts (Zero Waste, Easy & Affordable)
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Whether you’re on a budget, avoiding clutter, or just love handmade gifts – DIY consumables are always a good idea.
They’re thoughtful, practical, and waste-free. You can make them with ingredients you already have at home, and they’ll actually get used up (not end up in a drawer).
Let’s get into some easy, sustainable DIY consumable gift ideas, sorted by category and price:
Short on time or not into DIY?
No worries. You can check out my guide with 55 amazing ready-to-gift consumable ideas, all eco-friendly and clutter-free.
👉 55 Best Consumable Gifts For Every Budget
DIY Edible Gifts
- Homemade granola – UNDER $10 – Bake your favorite mix, pop it in a jar, and decorate with a cute handwritten label. I made it one Christmas, added a cute handwritten label, and gifted it to some of my friends. I used the recipe for my granola bar recipe (minus the protein powder) & I baked it loosely for 20-25 minutes instead of forming bars. Stir often to prevent burning!
- Candied nuts – UNDER $10 – Sweet + simple. Coat nuts with maple syrup or sugar and spices, then add them to the pan to coat them. Good for both sweet and savory meals as toppings. Check this quick youtube video on candied pecans.
- Candied citrus peel – UNDER $10 – Easy-peasy & zero waste. You will need grapefruit or orange peels, sugar & dark chocolate (optional, to dip the ends!). See how to do candied grapefruit peels (refine sugar-free) here.
- Brownie mix in a jar – UNDER $10 – Layer dry ingredients, top with chocolate chips, and include a handwritten recipe tag. You can make this vegan brownie mix in a jar.
- Cookie mix in a jar – UNDER $15 – Gifting a cookie lover? Then this cookie mix in a jar with a cute label will be loved for sure.
- Soup mix in a jar – UNDER $10 – Super easy and cute. Add “just add broth” instructions. A good example is this lentil & split pea soup mix.
- Chocolate-covered dates – UNDER $10 – Stuff Medjool dates with nut butter, dip in dark chocolate, and sprinkle flaky salt. Soooo good! My favorite recipe is by my amazing friend, Vania. She shares her process for her stuffed date rolls here. You don’t want to miss this.
- Hot chocolate mix – UNDER $15 – I made it once for Christmas, with cacao powder, coconut sugar, coconut milk powder, tapioca starch & a pinch of salt.
- DIY spice blends – UNDER $15 – Taco, curry, or chai spice in mini jars. Add cute names (“Spice Up Your Life,” “Lazy Sunday Curry”).
- Vanilla extract – UNDER $15 – Slice vanilla beans, add to vodka or rum, and let it steep. It gets better over time.
- Chili crisp or chili oil – UNDER $15 – Chili flakes, garlic, and sesame in oil. Simple but so impressive.
- Quick pickles or kimchi – UNDER $20 – Ferment or brine your favorite veggies. Great for foodie friends.
- Elderberry syrup – UNDER $20 – Sweet, herbal, and immune-boosting. Bottle it up with a handwritten label.
- Cold brew concentrate – UNDER $20 – Brew overnight, strain, and bottle. Add a tag with serving ideas.
- Pancake or crêpe mix in a jar – UNDER $20 – Stackable brunch in a jar. Add “just add milk + eggs (or plant milk).”
DIY Natural Beauty & Self-Care Gifts
- Sugar or coffee scrub – UNDER $10 – Smells like dessert and uses kitchen staples. Mix sugar (or coffee grounds), oil, and essential oils. Follow my coffee scrub DIY guide here.
- DIY lip balm – UNDER $10 – Just 3–4 ingredients. Tint with beet powder or cocoa for fun. I made a few versions of it, but still testing to find the perfect recipe. Until then, find out how to make DIY lip balm here.
- Dry shampoo – UNDER $10 – Arrowroot powder + cocoa for brunettes. Pop into a shaker jar. Follow my step-by-step guide here with more hair color variations + a DIY spray.
- DIY ‘sea salt’ hairspray – UNDER $10 – Natural, effective, ideal for your curly hair friends! DIY guide here.
- Lotion bar – UNDER $20 – Solid moisturizer that melts on skin. Scent with vanilla or lavender. Follow my guide and make this beautiful 5-ingredient non-greasy vanilla lotion bar.
- Face mask (dry blend) – UNDER $20 – You can DIY a face mask consumable gift with charcoal, coconut oil & baking soda.
- DIY deodorant – UNDER $20 – Coconut oil, arrowroot, and shea butter. Add your favorite essential oils. Follow one of my DIY deodorant recipes to make it yourself, or watch my YouТube video
- DIY perfume (solid or roll-on) – UNDER $20 – Essential oils + jojoba or almond oil. Create your own custom scent.
- Body butter – UNDER $20 – Whipped shea butter with a touch of oil and vanilla. Silky and rich. Follow my recipe here.
- Beard balm – UNDER $20 – Shea butter, beeswax, and nourishing oils. A great combo with a DIY beard oil.
DIY Home & Fragrance Gifts
- Citrus peel vinegar cleaner – UNDER $10 – Soak citrus peels in vinegar for a week, strain, and dilute. Smells like sunshine and cleans everything.
- Natural air freshener spray – UNDER $10 – Mix water, witch hazel, and essential oils (like lavender or orange-clove). Follow my DIY air freshener guide.
- Potpourri sachets – UNDER $10 – Dried orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in a small cloth bag.
- DIY wax melts – UNDER $10 – Melt candle scraps or wax flakes, add essential oils, and pour into molds.
- DIY candles – UNDER $20 – Reuse old jars, melt soy or beeswax, and add a few drops of essential oil.
- Infused oils or vinegars – UNDER $20 – Rosemary olive oil, chili oil, or herb vinegar in glass bottles.
DIY Gifts for Kids
- Natural playdough – UNDER $10 – Non-toxic, soft, and easy to color with food dye or spices.
- DIY bubble mix – UNDER $10 – Water, sugar, and a drop of dish soap. Add a reusable bubble wand.
- DIY bird feeder – UNDER $10 – Smear nut butter on pinecones, roll in seeds, and hang. Easy and adorable.
- Hot chocolate mix jars – UNDER $15 – Layer cocoa, sugar, and marshmallows. Add a cute wooden spoon.
- DIY slime – UNDER $20 – A natural version with eco glue and plant-based glitter.
- Nature scavenger hunt jar – UNDER $20 – Fill a jar with cards like “find a pinecone” or “spot a butterfly.”
- DIY puzzle or story jar – UNDER $20 – Write fun prompts or story ideas on small notes; kids pick one and play.
- DIY movie night box – UNDER $25 – Popcorn mix, cocoa jar, and a handmade “movie ticket.”
- DIY memory jar – UNDER $25 – Decorate a jar; throughout the year, the family adds their favorite memories.
Final thoughts
And there you go: eco-friendly, affordable, and genuinely useful DIY consumable gifts for every type of person on your list.
They’re personal, clutter-free, sustainable & fun. If you liked this guide, check out my other gift lists:
And if you want to make your holidays feel lighter, join my Good News Monday Newsletter; weekly sustainability inspo. No spam, just good stuff.
