17 free DIY birthday gifts for best friends!
It doesn't matter if your best friend lives down the road or halfway across the world, their birthday is a chance for you to show them just how much they mean to you. No one will appreciate a handmade gift more than your bestie!
We’ve collected 17 DIY birthday gifts for best friends to inspire, excite and leave you feeling more creative than ever. All these gift ideas work great as pairs so you can make one for you and one for them and match wherever you go.
17 DIY birthday gifts for best friends
1. Matching jewellery
We’re starting with a classic DIY birthday gift for best friends – jewellery! We have a huge range of jewellery-making tutorials here on Gathered covering everything from necklaces to friendship bracelets. Whip up two pairs so you can match on their big day.
2. DIY self-care kit
Your bestie deserves a chance to relax and unwind on their birthday and luckily we have just the gift! Make them a self-care kit, full of soothing and simple DIYs.
Fill a fabric gift bag with DIY cuticle oil, natural lip balm and of course, handmade bath bombs. For an extra sleepy touch, pop in a DIY sleep mask and some DIY lavender oil.
3. Make them a special scrapbook
Fill a scrapbook or photo album with memories for a sweet, DIY birthday gift for your best friend. We show you how to make a DIY scrapbook here on Gathered which you can customise with photos, ticket stubs, notes and more.
If you’re looking for some decorative papers to use in your scrapbook, head over to our free scrapbook printables.
4. DIY candles and candle making
This DIY birthday gift for best friends can be packaged in two ways. Firstly, you can use our candlemaking guide to create some scented candles for your friend then decorate them using our candle painting tutorial.
Or, you can make your handmade candles and package them up alongside some paint brushes and tealights – ready for a best friend craft night! Candle painting is a fun activity to do together, perfect for a birthday evening.
5. Eternal DIY birthday gifts for best friends
Ok, this gift is perfect because it’ll never die! From knitted flower bouquets to paper daffodils, we have lots of lovely bouquet patterns here on Gathered.
However, our favourite one has to be this incredible origami flower bouquet. The details are just amazing. Learn how to make an origami flower bouquet here on Gathered and give it to the special person in your life.
6. Matching tote bags
Give your friend a practical and pretty present this year with our patchwork butterfly tote bag pattern. This gorgeous design is perfect for using up scrap fabrics and is great for everyday use.
If you’d rather customise your bag, use our free tote bag pattern which follows a very simple sewing pattern. You can then add their name, initials or fun motifs to it.
7. Savings fund
Help your pal save for their next big adventure with our money jar cross stitch pattern. You can cross-stitch the ‘drink's fund’ design for free, and the other two patterns are available to buy.
These fun jars make brilliant DIY birthday gifts for best friends who want to plan a trip or a big night out.
8. Sentimental map gifts
If you can’t get sentimental when creating a DIY birthday gift for your best friend, when can you? These map-inspired gifts are perfect for showing your bestie how much you care.
Pick a place which means a lot to you both. It could be where you first met or where you both went on holiday. Buy a map of the place then turn it into one of our three ideas for upcycling maps! We show you how to make heart decorations, coasters and bookmarks.
9. Paint them a portrait
Artistic friends will love receiving a handmade portrait for their birthday! Capture their true essence through the medium of watercolour with our step-by-step tutorial.
Our how to paint a watercolor portrait covers sketching, skin tones and more.
10. Handmade hair accessories
From delicate hair bows to fun scrunchies, we have a range of sweet hair accessory patterns here on Gathered. Learn how to make a hair bow like the one above, or embroider your own scrunchies, creating a pretty hair accessory for them to use.
11. Paper plants
Paper plants make wonderful gifts and are even better for those who are prone to killing the real thing…
Learn how to make a paper succulent then display your creations in this cute terrarium.
12. Organisational DIY birthday gifts for best friends
Get your pal the gift of organisation for their birthday with our collection of DIYs. We show you how to make mini notebooks, a DIY planner and even a wipeable whiteboard. Wrap these gifts with some good quality pens, stickers and more to create a handy gift package.
13. Give their crochet hooks an upgrade
Creative friends will love receiving these clay crochet hooks for their birthday. It’s a fun way of jazzing up their beloved tool and it will remind them of you every time they make a stitch.
Use our polymer clay crochet hooks tutorial to make your own and give them alongside some wool or DIY stitch markers.
14. Sew personalised home decor
Handmade home decor is a brilliant way of gifting a truly unique present. Stitched with love and personalised to them, items like our easy patchwork cushion cover are one of a kind.
For an eco-friendly version, use scrap fabrics and old clothing to create the patchwork design. Leftover thread can also be used to create a colourful, textured look.
15. DIY birthday gifts for best friends who love to sleep
Help your friend get a good night’s rest with our selection of sleepy projects. Sew this sweet hot water bottle cover to keep your pal toasty or make them some fun pom pom slippers.
Bundle your handmade present with a good book and some nighttime tea and voila! You’ve created a lovely gift.
16. Crochet them a mini best friend
There’s no doubt that amigurumi toys are adorable. Whether it’s a squishy strawberry cow or a smiley sunflower like the one above, your best friend will love receiving one of these crochet cuties.
Explore our full range of amigurumi crochet patterns, or use our free sunflower crochet pattern to make them a happy flower friend.
17. Upcycle glassware
Glass painting is a beautiful way of creating a bespoke present that your best friend can use every day. In our beginner’s guide to glass painting we show you how to upcycle plain drinking glasses with these artistic designs.
Raid the charity shops for unique glassware (think champagne glasses, abstract vases or decorative plates) and customise them with your friend's favourite designs, florals, phrases and more.
Explore our DIY birthday gifts for best friends
When it comes to choosing a present for your best friend, think about their style, taste and colour palette. All our DIY birthday gifts for best friends can be customised, creating a unique present that's perfect for your bestie.
Pop your gift in a handmade gift bag and add a DIY birthday card using our cardmaking tutorials. Your friend will be overwhelmed by how much effort you’ve made!
Time to make a DIY birthday gift for your mom
Moms are just as special as best friends which means they deserve a handmade gift too. Explore our collection of DIY birthday gifts for moms and make a present she’ll adore.
