National Make a Gift Day, observed on December 3, encourages people to create a present rather than buy one. The day highlights the value of handmade items—such as an edible gift, a knitted scarf, a small woodworking project, or any other item created with personal effort.
The observance has likely started as a way to encourage people to step away from the convenience of store-bought items and create something personal. Instead of buying mass-produced gifts, this day highlights the value of taking time to make something unique. Today, when online shopping and quick purchases are the norm, making a gift by hand brings a thoughtful, personal touch that can’t be replicated by anything from a store.
When Is National Make a Gift Day Celebrated?
National Make a Gift Day is celebrated on December 3 each year, offering a perfect moment to start creating handmade presents. Below is the schedule for this observance through 2030.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2025 | December 3, Wednesday |
| 2026 | December 3, Thursday |
| 2027 | December 3, Friday |
| 2028 | December 3, Sunday |
| 2029 | December 3, Monday |
| 2030 | December 3, Tuesday |
Easy Ideas for National Make a Gift Day
Here are six gift ideas that almost anyone can make for National Make a Gift Day. Each option offers a personal touch and can be made with items many people already have at home. The focus is on practical, thoughtful gifts that feel meaningful without requiring advanced crafting knowledge.
- Homemade Cookies in a Jar: Layer dry cookie ingredients in a jar, add a recipe card, and tie it with a ribbon. It’s quick to assemble, and the recipient just needs to add a few wet ingredients and bake the cookies whenever they want.
- Flavored Salts and Spice Mixes: Combine herbs, spices, and salt to create your own seasoning blends. Place them in small jars and label each one with suggested uses.
- Customized Gift Cards for Services: Create your own “coupons” for things like preparing a meal, helping with errands, offering babysitting or running errands. This option is affordable and provides practical help the recipient can use anytime.
- Baked Goods Gift Basket: Bake, for example, banana bread, muffins, or brownies, and arrange them in a small basket. This is a delicious, personal gift, especially when paired with a handwritten note.
- Hand-Decorated Mugs: Decorate plain ceramic mugs using permanent markers or paint pens. Bake them in the oven to set the design. The result is a personalized mug that can be used every day.
- Homemade Jam or Preserves: If fresh fruit is available, make a small batch of jam or any other kind of preserves. It’s a straightforward process, and the finished product is a practical, homemade gift that can be enjoyed for weeks.
