Smart gift ideas for the DIY enthusiasts, woodworkers, and fixers in your life. This list is filled with fun, useful gifts that will truly be appreciated.
Every time I come across a gift guide for DIYers, I can’t help checking it out to see if there’s anything I might want to add to my own wish list. And to be honest, I’m not usually very impressed.
A lot of gift guides are filled with piles of expensive power tools.
And while power tools are fantastic, most woodworkers and serious DIYers already have their own tools or prefer to pick them out themselves. And did I mention they’re expensive?
When putting together this gift guide, I wanted to include things that a DIYer can really use, whether they are just getting started or they already have a whole workshop filled with the basics.
I’ve tried to fill this list with all the little things a lot of DIYers wouldn’t think to buy themselves but will find super useful and be excited to open. And I also made sure to include some things that are just plain fun.
I’ve included stocking stuffers, handy workshop items, fun apparel, and helpful tools that I think will be a hit. And most of these items are super budget-friendly as well, with many of them costing less than $20.
And I hope this goes without saying, but all of the gifts on this list can be enjoyed by both women and men who love to DIY. I was pretty annoyed by how many of the tools and gadgets I found were described as being a great gift for men!
I feel pretty confident you’ll find the perfect thing to buy for the DIYer in your life or to add to your own Christmas wish list. I know I just put a bunch of these on my own list!
And I also put together a separate gift guide for crafters and makers, the people who’d rather get creative in their craft room than a workshop. It’s definitely worth checking out next.
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Handy Tools and Gadgets
Multitool pen
There are about a million different multi-tools out there, but I think this one really stands out. Instead of a bunch of random forks and knives, it has tools you’ll actually use in your workshop including a pen, stylus, level, ruler, and screwdriver.
Kreg Jig
This is the only standard tool on this list, but I just had to include it. Any DIYer that wants to try building with wood should definitely have a pocket hole jig in their workshop. There are a bunch of different Kreg Jigs out there ranging from the very small Kreg mini for the beginner to the more robust Kreg 720 Pro.
I have the Kreg R3 system and for me, it has been perfect. It’s fairly inexpensive and small but can handle any size project and is super easy to learn to use.
The StudBuddy
I’ve mentioned this little stud finder a few times because I love it so much. It’s so much simpler than most stud finders, but works so much better. No random beeping to try to decipher – just a super strong magnet with an easy to grip handle that works every single time.
Screw extractor kit
I was so excited when I found this little kit. I have wasted way too many hours of my life trying to remove stubborn, stripped screws. This is particularly great for furniture restorers because antique drawer pulls are notorious for being difficult to remove.
Universal socket
This is such a handy tool for all kinds of situations where standard tools are tricky to use. Whether it’s removing stripped nuts, broken nuts, or all sorts of irregularly shaped objects, this socket automatically adjusts to be the right shape and size. A great addition to any toolbox.
Digital Angle finder
This is one of those small things that makes building projects so much easier. Woodworking and home improvement alike have involved way more angles than I ever would have thought. I have spent way too much time trying to figure out angles when I could have done it in seconds with one of these.
Woodworking Ruler
Accurate measurements are absolutely essential to woodworking – there’s a reason for the whole measure twice, cut once saying. This precision pocket ruler is perfect for any woodworker who loves a practical gift.
Wood burning pen
This is the wood burner I have and it’s perfect for a beginner. Wood-burning is a simple way to add tons of personalization and detail to any wood project and it’s quick and easy to learn.
Contour gauge
This little tool makes tricky cuts around molding, door frames and pipes so much easier. It’s a must for anyone installing tile or wood floors and comes in handy for all kinds of other projects as well.
Spray paint trigger handle
This comfort grip spray paint handle is a lifesaver for anyone who does much spray painting. Traditional spray paint cans can be messy and lead to some major hand fatigue. This handle screws onto any spray paint and makes the whole process much easier on the hands.
Sugru
Sugru is a type of moldable glue that is perfect for fixing random things all over the house. It comes in lots of different colors and I’ve used it to fix broken toys, fix a broken lampshade, and turn drawer pulls into curtain rod finials.
Other Fun Gift Ideas for DIYers and Woodworkers
Bluetooth headphones with hearing protection
These are the perfect two-in-one: they protect your hearing from noisy power tools while also letting you listen to your favorite music or podcast as you work. They’re a must have for anyone who uses a lot of power tools. I received these for Christmas myself last year along with a matching case and I love them.
Custom wood branding iron
I absolutely love this idea for anyone who does woodworking or furniture makeovers. It’s such a classy way to sign your work. There are lots of fun designs for custom branding irons on Etsy. I love this one that has lots of great design options and also this one that can be customized with any logo.
Woodworker’s Shop Journal
I love the idea of this woodworker’s shop journal. It not only has room to plan, design, and sketch all of your woodworking projects, it also has lots of other useful pages like a tools inventory and quick reference charts for wood grains, formulas, and more.
Coveralls
These are at the top of my Christmas list this year. I usually wear old paint-splattered t-shirts and leggings to paint and build stuff, but I would love to have these to pull on instead! It’s the perfect combo of chic and function. Fingers crossed this is what I’ll be wearing in my first youtube video of the new year! (The pair linked above is for women, but there are lots of men’s coveralls available too.)
Graphic T-shirts for DIYers
I’m a sucker for a good graphic T and there are some awesome shirts for DIYers and woodworkers on Etsy. I already have this one and am thinking about grabbing this one next.
Fixologist Hat
When I’m cutting wood in my workshop, I’m almost always wearing a hat – otherwise I always seem to end up with a cloud of sawdust in my hair. This hat would be perfect in the workshop and would also look great while out and about.
Utility work gloves
We all know wearing proper protective equipment is super important. These gloves would make a great addition to any workshop. The flexible spandex design makes them more comfortable than many other work gloves plus they have screen compatible fingertips so you can still use your phone without removing them. (This version is sized for women, while this version will work probably work better for men.)
Wooden phone speaker
Personally, I just think this is super cool. I love when something handmade can do a job that’s usually reserved for something electronic. And I think any woodworker would appreciate the craftsmanship and sleek design.
Wood Plank Projects
I’m always a huge fan of giving books as gifts, so I had to include my own book full of info on working with wood along with tutorials for 30 simple wood projects. And if you’re looking for something a little different, this book would be perfect for anyone who loves woodworking and humor and this book is great for anyone who’s into redoing furniture.
Etsy gift card
Etsy has tons of amazing woodworking plans for sale for just a few dollars. (I even sell my own plans there.) There are plans for everything from simple furniture to playhouses and sheds. You could always buy a few for the woodworker in your life, but a gift card gives them the chance to choose their own next project which is always fun.
I hope you found this gift guide helpful. I had such a great time researching and putting it together. And it’s definitely given me lots of ideas for my own Christmas list!
Want more gift ideas? Check out these other helpful gift guides next:
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