Last-Minute Handmade Gifts That Will Delight for the Holidays

ABC News’ Sara Haines visits Lowe’s for creative gift ideas.

ByABC News
December 21, 2015, 4:31 PM

— -- Tis the season for creative gift giving!

Those of us on a budget know that the best way to give a meaningful gift is making something ourselves.

ABC News’ Sara Haines visited a New York City Lowe’s home improvement store along with design and entertaining expert, Francesco Bilotto to share some tips and tricks to get crafting this holiday season.

First thing Francesco recommends is to keep in mind who you’re gifting for. “The hardest gifts are the ones you want to put thought into, not expensive, but thoughtful,” he says.

A very useful idea that is both thoughtful and universal to most friends and family is what Francesco calls a ‘2016 survival gift basket’ filled with many essentials for any household such as double-sided tape, batteries, sponges, work gloves, Febreeze room spray, light bulbs, and even a Lowe’s gift card that makes this basket doable on any budget.

Another great gift idea that works for almost everyone is a small potted plant that you can personalize with only a little bit of paint and some painter’s tape.

You apply the tape on the pot in any design you would like and you can paint over it with colors that you feel represent that person or their interests.

He also adds that wrapping gifts and adding gift tags can be done with everything you already have in your junk drawer; and try to up-cycle as much as possible for that extra handmade feel.

On their visit to Lowe’s, Sara and Francesco made simple yet personalized gift tags with paint chips from the Valspar paint wall, markers, and scissors. That's everything you need for your last minute DIY inspired gifts this year.