DIY This Cozy Scarf + Three Ways to Wear It

1. Start simple and make them a personalized card.

Nothing communicates your love, time, and effort behind a gift more than personalized cards. Even if you can’t DIY the gift itself, having a handmade card (with a thoughtful message inside) as a prelude to the unwrapping ritual will touch everyone’s heart. Make sure to craft yours on some hardy cardstock so they feel *extra* special. Peep some of these stellar holiday card ideas for inspiration!

@miascozycorner i inadvertently seem to have to fallen into a purple theme?? #christmascrafts#diychristmasdecor#diychristmasornaments#claycreations#tiktokdiy#christmas♬ original sound - mia 🍒

2. Sculpt some cutie gift toppers.

Handmade gift wrapping elements will also step up your holiday game. These darling little gift toppers that @miascozycorner made out of polymer clay are sure to inspire your own designs! Decorate the shapes you make with paint pens and coat them in Liquitex for durability, then attach them to your gift box or bag using some cute ribbon or yarn.

3. Use air-dry clay to make picture holders.

Clay is your BFF for making handmade gifts. This idea from @rileyrosestudio lets your giftee display pictures, memories, cards, or even recipe cards in the form of their favorite food! Go for a trendier take by sculpting an olive or tomato out of air-dry clay, or opt to craft something as intricate as a burger or pizza slice – no matter what shape it is, they’re sure to love it. Riley usesgesso to prime her air-dry clay pieces, then an acrylic sealant to make sure those lovely designs stay put.

4. Make an orange garland for them.

A dried orange garland takes an entire day (and sometimes more) to make, so your recipient should definitely feel special knowing you put hours of love into this handmade gift. Though they look intricate, you only need to follow a few steps (and have few materials: orange slices, twine, and a thick yarn needle) to achieve the cozy garland. Luckily, there are tons of citrus garland tutorials on social media to assist in your creation. B+C Creative Assistant, Meredith, tied cutie little pink ribbon bows on her homemade garland.

5. Craft a candle holder using clay.

6. Make coasters out of air-dry clay and gift them alongside thrifted glassware.

To make some handmade coasters, roll out some air-dry clay, let it dry, and coat it with gesso before you get to painting! The canvas is yours with this gift idea, but here are a few concepts to get the creative juices flowing: smiley faces, rainbows, spirals, initials, and fruits or vegetables. Ensure that your hard work stays in place with a sealant that’ll repel moisture. Some thrifted glassware pieces to give alongside your handmade coasters would be the absolute cherry on top!

7. Create a collage out of old magazines.

Magazines are really not hard to come by, and if you're looking for a sustainable gift, you can find some especially unique ones at re-sell bookstores or thrift stores to make your own collage. Some of the best ones to start with are Vogue and National Geographic. There are a lot of different techniques and themes you could run with, so we recommend doing some visual research on Pinterest beforehand to nail down your collage's concept. Maybe it's full of imagery that reminds you of your relationship, or a jumble of words that form a sweet poem – it's really up to you! Just have glue, an X-Acto knife, and a cutting board on-hand for the process. Complete this artsy handmade gift by signing your work and framing the collage in a nifty frame.

8. Thread a handmade necklace using thrifted or secondhand beads.

Got a necklace you don’t love? Deconstruct that baby using small wire cutters or scissors so that you can use the leftover beads and charms to make something entirely new! If you don’t have them on-hand already, you will need some beading cord, bead clamps, jump rings, clasps, and pliers.

9. DIY your very own body care line.

Making your own body scrubs or balt salts is *a lot* easier than you’d think. Some recipes only call for ingredients you’d find in your kitchen! Make a range of self-care products at home, then package them up in thrifted jars with ribbon and a handmade tag to really impress.

10. Repurpose cans and tins by pouring candles into them.

Fish tin candles are in, but you can really use any vessel to pour your own candles in. All you need is some candle wax, wicks, and a scent of your choice to create something super unique! Try your first handmade candle with an empty, clean tinned fish tin, then get adventurous with soda cans or crushed tomato cans to bring out that Tomato Girl energy for your gift recipient.

11. Make a batch of jam.

12. Make a batch of spice mix.

13. Make a batch of chili oil.

14. Knit or crochet a hat, scarf, or another garment you know they’d like.

Having knitting and/or crochet skills is invaluable when it comes to gifting season. You can easily find patterns online for creating beanies, blankets, scarves, leg warmers, balaclavas, mittens, and more, so your giftee can stay stylishly warm beyond the holidays in a bespoke garment that *you* made!

15. Make magnets out of air-dry clay for their fridge.

16. Paint a glass bottle with your own design to gift a plant cutting.

You can easily thrift a glass vessel (or use one you already have), paint a unique design on it using glass paint, then fill it with a little bit of water to gift a small plant cutting! This way, you’re giving them a stylish home decor piece along with a heirloom piece of nature that they’ll admire every day as it grows.

17. DIY an ornament (or a few) for them.

18. Burn a CD full of tracks they’d like.

It may seem a little old-school now, but the gift idea of burning a CD will appeal to every gift recipient that’s old enough to remember portable CD players. They can play it in their car or through their at-home speaker system to jam out. Just grab a pack of blank CDs that come with covers, and let the nostalgic process take you away.

19. Bake them a big batch of cookies.

You just can’t go wrong with sweets during the holidays! Whatever form they come in – vegan, gluten-free, paleo – cookies are sure to satisfy your giftee. We have a ton of recipes you could check out (I highly recommend the Taylor Swift chai cookies), but if you already have a method to your madness, whip up whatever dessert recipe you have in mind. Just make sure they’re fairly fresh when you hand them over.

20. Decorate a plant pot with pops of color.

If your gift recipient has a green thumb, it’s not a bad idea to gift them a few plant-related things. Luckily, handmade gifts have a stake in this – just grab a terracotta pot (you can easily thrift one or find one for cheap at the dollar store) and some chalk pens, then decorate the exterior however you like.

To get some ideas flowing, you could include illustrated motifs of your relationship with this person, write their name out in bubble letters, or just doodle random designs. Matching their interior design aesthetic is definitely recommended.

Anne Klein Women's Amerie Ballet Flat

Please, let's not let the Mary Jane trend die out with summer. In the early fall, when it's still warm, these are the best everyday shoes to run around in. I especially think this ribbed design reminds me of a cozy sweater, so they would complement a fall fit perfectly. There is an AMAZING limited-time deal on these flats that you cannot pass up right now! Grab these flats in denim, navy, black, or red for $62 (was $79).

Steve Madden Women's Sienna Denim Jacket

I am so mad at myself for getting rid of my denim jacket last year because, obviously, here I am wanting another one for the upcoming months. To me, a denim jacket is like your childhood friend: they are so loyal and will always be there for you, even if you may not be in constant contact. I love a loose-fitting, slouchy jacket like this one from Steve Madden that you can get on Amazon now for $65 (was $99).

Vince Camuto Women's Reilly Sneaker

Don't pass up on these adorable Vince Camuto sneaks! I think the khaki and the ruffles make for a slightly dressier shoe than any normal sneaker. They have a bit of a platform to give you some height as well, if that's what you're looking for, and a cushy sole for extra comfort. They come in three different patterns and colors for $88 (was $79)!

Levi's Women's Laydown Collar Racer Jacket

I absolutely need to have this sleek racer jacket for my fall collection. Jackets are my favorite clothing item because they can elevate any outfit to a whole other level. They are fashionable and functional at the same time. This Levi's jacket is like your basic leather jacket's mature older sister. It's so crisp and clean, and it's on sale at Amazon right now. Add this to your cart for $80 (was $98).

The Drop Women's Bliss Two-Tone Ribbed Scarf

LILLUSORY Wide Leg Dress Pants

Trousers are an absolute must in the fall! They elevate your look in an instant, taking a graphic tee to a new level. While a classic black pair are always necessary, these pants come in 16 total colors! Plus, this statement button is so cute — definitely adds a lot with just a little! You can grab these for $29 (was $36).

Champion Women's Sweatpants

Nothing beats a good pair of sweatpants to slip into at the end of a chilly day. The temperature is cooling down, so we're ditching the shorts. Champion never does me wrong in the sweat pant department; the material is always soft and lasts for years. If you want a baggy, oversized look, be sure to size up a bit! Grab them now while they're on sale for only $38 (was $50).

MEROKEETY Women's Fall Long Sleeve Cable Knit Sweater

Cardigans are total perfection in the fall, especially when it's cable knit! I mean, any good fall capsule wardrobe would have one, TBH. You have 20 color options with this classic cardi. Add it to your cart for $29 (was $58)!

Joe's Jeans Women's The Milla Utility Wide Leg Cropped Denim Pant

We’re going to have to start slipping back into some pants soon enough... so let’s start with these super adorable wide-leg cargos! Earthy tones are perfect for the fall season, and I especially love how these are styled with the light brown Adidas Sambas. These are working pants that are also made to be high fashion. You can grab them at a great deal right now for $106 (was $198).

Steve Madden Women's Regular Justine Blazer

Woohoo, wool! I can’t think of a better time to incorporate a classic blazer into your everyday looks than now. This piece from Steve Madden gives off the same energy as the classic Chanel blazers but at a fraction of the price. It’s classy and never going out of style. If you prefer an oversized look, don’t be afraid to size up! You can get one now for $73 (was $119).

SaphiRose Women's Long Hooded Rain Jacket

While crisp fall days for wandering around the park and looking at the leaves are always the best, sometimes you can't help but get caught in the rain. This rain jacket is so sleek and so cute and so versatile — it'll definitely go with any outfit you wanna keep dry! You can grab this in six other colors — including a classic yellow option that's so fun — for $46 (was $60).

Sam Edelman Women's Elfie Mid Calf Boot

Prioritize foot comfort always, especially when it gets chilly out. Fall footwear is the most diverse, in my opinion, giving you room to wear a wide range of shoe styles. I love a fuzzy boot, especially as we approach late November and early December. These Sam Edelman boots are the perfect synthetic fuzzy option to keep your feet warm this fall for $105 (was $200).

Anne Klein Women's Bracelet Watch

When we think about fall fashion, we can't forget to add some fun new accessories. I rarely wear nice jewelry in the summer because I’m always in and out of the water, and I’m afraid of losing or ruining something. But once fall rolls around, I love getting back to a consistent jewelry stack and routine. I like to start with a good watch — having a nice, solid watch (that doesn’t have to be thousands of dollars or a family heirloom) can elevate any look. Just like this one from Anne Klein for $52 (was $65).

isotoner Women's Fiona Clog Slipper

Ugh, I simply cannot wait for it to get colder so I can be all snuggled up in the comfort of my home. I wear slippers year-round because my feet are always cold, but I love treating myself to a new pair. There’s no better time than a new season to revamp your indoor footwear and treat yourself to some new slippers, especially while they’re on sale for $15 (was $40).

Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

• Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
• In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
• Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!