DIY Christmas Gift Ideas

Creative DIY Christmas Gift Ideas: Hand-Paint Towels for Parents, Friends, and More

Looking for unique DIY Christmas gift ideas? Create custom painted towels as last-minute DIY Christmas gifts for parents, best friends, coworkers, or even a homemade Christmas gift for grandma. Easy, thoughtful, and perfect for the holidays!

Have you ever noticed I am either early or late to the party when it comes to holiday decor?

It’s kind of a thing with me.

Halloween?

Well, I did do a bit of decorating, but nothing too exciting. I considered sharing the two projects I worked on, but then thought, "nah... I’m sure you’re all decorated up for Halloween by now, being responsible decorators that you are." So unlike my rebel self who is lagging this year.  

So, in true Cara fashion, I decided to skip everything and dive straight into Christmas—my favorite time of year!

This year may not look like past ones, but I’m still going to give it my best.

While in the basement this week, I came across my Christmas stencils and a stack of flour sack towels. 

Some of you may remember when I decided to make custom towels for our kitchen. Well, I’m bringing that project back with a fresh take and a little holiday cheer!

These days, I’m all about easy, breezy DIY projects, especially when it comes to DIY Christmas gift ideas. 

Life is busy, and I’ve found there isn’t enough time to tackle every creative project this brain cranks out. So, I’m sticking to the simple ones to share with you.

And let’s be real—DIY Christmas gifts last minute are sometimes a necessity, especially when the holidays sneak up on us. 

Whether you need a Christmas gift for parents, a DIY Christmas gift for your best friend, or even something for coworkers, a custom painted towel is both thoughtful and practical. It’s also a wonderful homemade Christmas gift for grandma. I bet she would love the personal touch!

If you give me a choice between a handmade gift, something vintage, or a brand new item, I’ll pick handmade first every time, vintage second, and brand new as a last resort. 

That’s just how I roll!

So, how about custom kitchen towels as gifts? 

They’re a great idea for holiday gift exchanges, last-minute gifts, or even as a stash of go-to gifts when you need something thoughtful, fast.

How to Make Custom Towels

Materials:

1. Flour sack towel
2. Piece of cardboard fit to width size of stencil
3. Christmas stencil of your choice, I chose an entire Christmas stencil set to keep me occupied this Christmas season, and let me tell you, the possibilities are endless with this set
4. Paper plate 
5. Masking tape 
6. Apple Barrel Matte Admiral Blue Acrylic Paint
7. Black Paint, I used chalk paint I already had
8. Stencil Brush (I have had the best luck with this style of stencil brush)
9. Iron
10. Wax paper

Instructions:

• Iron the towel: Flour sack towels will still have some wrinkles even after ironing, but that’s okay.
• Prep your work surface: Cut cardboard to fit the width of your stencil. This will help center the stencil on the towel.
• Prevent paint bleed: Wrap the towel around the cardboard and tape it in place to prevent movement.
• Secure the stencil: Flip the towel over and tape the stencil to the towel so it stays in place while you paint.
• Start painting: Use a paper plate as your palette. Tap your stencil brush into the paint, blot excess on the plate, and start stippling onto the towel through the stencil.
• Add dimension: For extra flair, I added black paint to certain areas to create a shadow effect, but this is totally optional.
• Remove the stencil: Once you’re satisfied, remove the tape and lift the stencil carefully. Allow the paint to dry completely.
• Set the paint: Once dry, iron the towel again, placing wax paper over the painted area. 

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

Now, would you like a custom towel for your kitchen to display during the holidays? I know I would love one.

11 Creative Ways to Style a Custom Painted Towel:

1. Wrap it as-is for a simple yet heartfelt gift.
2. Gift basket addition: Pair it with a cheese board, vintage kitchen items, and a festive touch like a small Christmas tree or poinsettia. For my display: I grabbed a cheese board, and some of my vintage kitchen items, along with a small flocked tree, a vintage poinsettia bush, and a vintage spool with green thread for good measure. I would love this as a gift, family, if you're listening, hint, hint...
3. Coffee mug pairing: Roll the towel and tuck it into a Christmas-themed mug.
4. Wine bottle wrap: Wrap the towel around a bottle of wine and tie with a ribbon.
5. Place setting gift: Lay a towel at each guest's place setting during holiday dinners, tied with ribbon for a festive touch.
6. Gift wrap alternative: Use the towel to wrap another gift—it's reusable and unique!
7. Ornament accent: Roll the towel, tie with ribbon, and add a small ornament or sprig of greenery.
8. Stocking stuffer: Slip a rolled towel into a stocking alongside other small gifts like lip balm or hand cream.
9. Hot cocoa bundle: Pair it with a mug and a packet of hot chocolate for a cozy gift.
10. Towel set: Paint a set of towels and tie them together with a decorative bow.
11. Soap and towel combo: Wrap the towel around a bar of handmade soap, tied with twine for a rustic touch.

Whew! Do you think a custom towel will measure up as a DIY Christmas gift for parents, friends, coworkers, or even grandma? I sure hope so!

I’m loving the way the black and blue turned out on mine. Originally, I had planned a simple blue and white design, but I couldn’t resist adding a shadow effect with the black. It really brought out the details!

I hope you’ll give this easy DIY Christmas gift a try. Let me know in the comments what you create—whether it’s for last-minute gifts or part of a carefully planned Christmas surprise!

Ciao,

Cara