Let's talk about creating personalized gifts with your Cricut. Personalizing is a great way to add a little extra something special to the gifts you give. Do you make your own gifts? If you have a Cricut, creating custom handmade gifts can be as simple as creating with just a few materials and a pretty font.
With a Cricut machine you can make a wide variety of personalized gifts. This article will cover a range of ideas to help spark ideas and the tutorials will help get you started. Make a decorative serving tray, unique cut leather bracelet or how about a personalized leather notebook designed by All for the Memories. Or maybe you want a quick craft? In under an hour you can create a pretty fashion tote bag. If you want to really make something special, put some love into creating a custom kitchen towel with all the grandkids' names (tutorial from Thirty Something).
You can also make hostess gifts such as modern art coasters designed by Crafted Sparrow. Maybe you want to make some gifts for the entire family. Start with personalized pajamas like these from Sew Sophie Lynn. And when you're all finished gifting, you can create some custom gift tags and keepsakes along with holiday decor like this cute holiday scene from Fawn Prints to complete the crafting fun!
Handmade is Better
Is Handmade better? I think so, but I enjoy making gifts. I'd rather give a gift that I've added a little to. Sometimes there just isn't time or the skills to make something ourselves. We talk about handmade and homemade, but not everything needs to be a homemade cookie.
We don't always have time to create something from the very beginning. But let me tell you, a handmade gift doesn't mean you created the entire thing from scratch. Personalizing is the key. You can add your own extra touch to a store bought item and that can counts as a handmade gift too. Even buying a gift card and then making the card holder adds that extra something that says you took a minute to make something special.
I Love Making Personalized Gifts
When I was a kid, I made all the gifts. I loved that I could make something for any family member with a just an afternoon with some couple craft supplies. Coloring my own cards or making a friendship bracelet was how went shopping for friends' birthdays. I made paper beads and mini plush toys, doll dresses and pretty clay ornaments.
I was able to create something for everyone in my family without spending my entire allowance. It's a feeling of accomplishment you can replicate at the store. The smiles you can see when someone unwraps something you've created can't be duplicated. There's a satisfaction of knowing you gave a little of yourself to someone else AND your own two hands created that… it's part of the reason I've continued to create as an adult.
Gift Giving – Let's Personalize All the Things
I've gathered a big list of personalized gifts you can make with your Cricut. You can easily change each design with your favorite colors, personalize with a name or monogram or make something just following the tutorial as is. The Cricut machine is my favorite craft tool for the job because it can cut and create with so many different materials.
Why Use a Cricut to Personalize Gifts?
There are many ways to personalize gifts with a Cricut machine. The Cricut allows for a variety of materials and designs you might not otherwise use. You can turn handwriting into a cutout vinyl design or create professionally created monograms cut out of fabric.
You can also use a Cricut machine to assist in projects you'd normally create by hand. How about creating an embroidery design in Cricut Design Space? Use Infusible ink to draw the design on then you can stitch over the art and add your own embellishments.
Cut all those fancy-cut paper designs for holiday cards and tags in bulk instead of one by one. Then you can enjoy assembling the projects and not worry about how much long you need to hold those darn scissors!
Must-Have Cricut Supplies to Personalize Gifts
Are you wondering what kind of supplies you need to make handmade gifts with your Cricut? Really, if you have a Cricut Machine you've already got a head start. You can cut various materials with a Cricut, both the Maker and Explore series can help you create gifts your whole list will love!
What do you need to make personalized gifts with your Cricut?
Here's my short list of the Must Have Cricut Supplies when creating personalized gifts. I'm adding a little note by each supply to help you determine what you'll need to create the gifts you want to make.
Cricut Equipment
- Cricut Machine – either the Maker or Explore. If you plan to cut fabric, wood or craft metals, you'll need the Maker.
- Cricut Design Space – so you can use the Cricut image library as well as upload your own designs. Signup for an Access account for more options.
- Cutting Mat – each mat type will depend on the material you are using. Go with the standard green and you'll be good in most cases. I like using the purple “strong grip” much of the time for my projects, but be careful, it can be too sticky for papers.
- Various tools – A weeding tool is usually a must.
Cricut Materials
- Standard Vinyl for hard surfaces.
- Iron-on (HTV) Vinyl for fabrics and wood.
- Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets and Pens for polyester and ceramic-based projects.
- Cardstock or Paper for all those fantastic paper crafts and gifts.
Cricut Add-ons and Extras
- Specialty materials such as vellum, foil, and glitter vinyl (both iron-on and standard vinyl) are a must for adding bling to any project.
- Cricut Pens add accents to your paper projects, cards and tags.
- If you are heat-setting
- EasyPress (in 4 sizes) – If you plan to do any kind of heat-set projects, an EasyPress is really handy. While you can use a standard iron in many cases, the EasyPress will help you create projects perfectly the first time.
- EasyPress Mat to protect both your work surface and your project while creating your heat set projects.
- Parchment or cover sheets to cover heat set designs and materials.
Personalized Gifts You Can Make with Your Cricut
There are piles of personalized gift ideas to choose from. You can keep it simple or get as detailed as you want. Add a handwritten message in vinyl to a tea towel. Or how about custom t-shirts and sweatshirts? They are a breeze with the Cricut on your creative team!
Personalize a coffee mug and coordinating coasters, make a pretty piece of wall decor with your friend's favorite colors or make a pile of favorite quote bookmarks for an entire classroom. The possibilities are literally unlimited.
Are you ready? Let's get crafting…. find your favorite project below!
Personalized Monogram Gifts
Add a personal touch to an array of gift items just by adding a monogram. This collection of gift ideas is a fun collection you can make in minutes. Just pick a font, choose a letter, select your craft material and go!
- Make this Monogram Stationery and Tote set designed by Jen Goode, perfect for all ages.
- Craft a Monogram Sign to add a beautiful accent to any home. Tutorial and tips from Twelve on Main.
- This Personalized Outdoorsmen Gift Set from All for the Memories is truly stunning. You need to click to see the notebook, I'll gladly accept one if you make it for me!
- That's What Che Said shares a tutorial to make an adorable Monogrammed Scarf and Glove Gift Set. You could create a set for everyone in the family!
- I love this Personalized Color Your Own Gift Bag from Happy Go Lucky Blog. The monogram style is beautiful and worthy of an afternoon of coloring. Pair this tote with a package of fabric markers to create a gift set.
- Personalized Fabric Zipper Pouches from Leap of Faith Crafting make fun gifts you can fill with all kinds of goodies.
- This Engraved Charm Bracelet is beautiful and easy to create. Check out the tutorial from Laura's Crafty Life.
- Make a custom necklace. My tutorial for this Puzzle Piece necklace is easier to create than you might think. Personalize it with a monogram or change the materials to a favorite like leather and vinyl.
- I love these Glitter Tumblers from Happiness is Homemade. Add your favorite quote or keep the happy hour going.
- This Personalized Baking Set from Hey, Let's Make Stuff is such a special way to pass on more than just a personalized gift.
- Crafting in the Rain designed these beautiful bird art coasters that are quick to create and perfect as a holiday gift or housewarming gift.
- Surprise yourself with your gift creating skills. These handmade leather and vinyl earrings are a fabulous gift you can make in an afternoon. I have a tutorial to show you how.
- Coffee lovers will rejoice when you gift these custom coffee lover coasters from Over the Big Moon.
- My friend Tisa from This is Tisa creates the most lovely stationery. Learn how to create your own Personalized Stationery with her easy to follow tutorial.
Personalized Gifts for Kids
Create custom gifts for the kids with your Cricut. They'll love the personalization and you can enjoy the satisfaction of creating something yourself. Instead of the top 5 toys, try making something unique in their favorite colors or with their name on it.
You can start with a t-shirt and a favorite character or get fancy and create an entire set. How about a puzzle with a personalized bag to carry it around, or a water bottle and monogrammed hoodie? Whatever you make, I'm sure it will be perfectly personalized for them!
- Make a cute alphabet puzzle design by Jessica from Everyday party Magazine
- Monogram Journals by See Kate Sew are perfect for all ages and can easily be customized for each child.
- Housewife Eclectic – Put together a fun Kids Science Kit with these tips from Housewife Eclectic
- Have a toddler in the family? These DIY Personalized Letter Magnets from The Country Chic Cottage are a perfect gift you can create in an afternoon.
- Make a monthly Personalized Activity Box for Kids. This is a brilliant gift idea by Play Party Plan. It's great for kids but grown-ups will love it too.
- Make a Personalized Pencil Accessory Bag with your child's favorite team colors or movie theme. Here's a fun tutorial from Hello Creative Family.
- Happiness is Homemade has the prettiest Projects. Check out her tutorial to create these Colorful Water Bottles.
- Make a fun DIY Wooden Puzzle for kids – project design by See Lindsay.
- Learn how to make Personalized Felt Ornaments from 5 Little Monsters. They are quick and easy and make the perfect finishing touch to wrapped gifts. – https://www.5littlemonsters.com/2019/11/personalized-ornaments-with-cricut-maker.html
- Make Custom PJs for Kids with this tutorial from Weekend Craft – Personalized PJs.
- Make Personalized Sports Bag Tags and add them to stockings for a fun custom gift you can make in minutes. Tutorial from Carla Schauer Designs.
Get the Kids Creating with Cricut
Many of these personalized gift ideas are great to make with kids. You can select colors, fonts and other materials together. After you cut out all the pieces with your Cricut machine, the kids can help assemble the project. This is a fun way to encourage hand making gifts too.
You can also create really fun personalized gifts with kid art. Using Infusible ink, the kids can draw on regular paper and then you can iron the art onto a t-shirt, tote, coaster or other project blank. Read more about using infusible ink here.
Tip: make sure the kids don't write words as they draw. Infusible ink, iron-on drawings will display in reverse of the original art. Instead, have them tell you what words they'd like included and you can have the lettering drawn in reverse with your Cricut machine.
Personalized Gift Sets
You don't have to stop at just one gift. You can make a whole set. Create some personalized pieces and combine with fun things you've shopped for. There are so many ways to create a custom gift set. Add some favorite things, favorite flavors, colors or coordinating items along a theme. Have fun with it.
- Make DIY Tote Bag for Sewists from the Tattooed Quilter
- Personalized Gift Set for Dad from Craft Box Girls. Make a custom t-shirt and drink coozie that coordinate perfectly.
- Put together an entire DIY Book Lover's Gift Basket – project design by Pretty Providence
- Create a custom Mug and Coaster Set for that fabulous friend. Project design by Love Create Celebrate
- Create a whole basket of kitchen gifts for the holidays with this idea from Sew Simple Home
Now let's get crafting with the Cricut Machine!
What personalized gift idea will you make first?
I suggest starting with a list. See if there are gift ideas that will work for multiple people. Something like Cheryl's gloves and scarf set, or how about monogrammed journals with a pretty pen set? Once you have your list you can more easily decide what materials you need and then you can batch create gifts. There's nothing wrong with a little multi-cutting while you're making coffee!
I can't wait to see what you come up with. If you have a favorite project, I'd love to hear about. Head over to the 100 Directions Facebook Page and share what you're up to!
