The 12 gifts of Christmas that will survive even the longest journey home

1. Solid perfumes

You can customise your perfume for the receiver (Naomi King/Flickr)

A little bit different and completely unique – essentially a perfume in lip-balm form. All you need is three pretty simple ingredients (beeswax, carrier oil and your choice of scented essential oil) and the best bit is you can make them in whatever easy-to-carry containers you want. Have a go here.
In fact, there are a whole range of solid cosmetics you can make. How about some soap bars or a tightly-screwed jar of mini bath bombs?

2. Candles

Tea cup, egg cup, cereal bowl – you can make a candle in pretty much anything round (Rya Pie/Flickr)

A shop-bought candle is a pretty naff gift, but when you make your own there is no end to the inventive possibilities. Plus, if you’re using glass or crockery, it being full of solid wax will make it less delicate when packing. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

3. Chocolate slabs

A messy job, but so worth it (sannse/Flickr)

Hand-crafting elaborate truffles and bonbons is both difficult to do well and will have been all for nothing when they inevitably morph into a sticky, dodgy-looking blob in transit. But a solid chocolate slab or brittle is much more likely to survive and can even be pre-smashed and handed out in Cellophane bags. Try this recipe, which comes from the chocolate experts: the Belgians.

4. Flavoured hot drinks mixes

We’d advise choosing your flavours carefully (Cory Doctorow/Flickr)

Providing after-dinner cakes or biscuits is another labour that will most likely crumble – literally. But you could provide the coffee/tea itself with your own unique flavours and, again, choose whatever container you like that will make an attractive and easily transportable vessel. Here are some examples of how to have a go at tea and different ways to flavour coffee. Or, if you like to get really festive, how about some mulled wine/cider spice bags?

The classic marshmallows and chocolate powder is always a winner (Trevor King/Flickr)

For friends with a sweeter tooth, put together a sturdy jar full of all the ingredients to make a deliciously indulgent hot chocolate treat like this.

5. Personalised calendars, etc…

Remember this? They had the right idea! (Gareth Copley/PA)

Having calendars and other accessories (tea towels, coasters, etc) printed with your own pictures doesn’t have to be cheesy. You can use beautiful photos from travels, family history or even a choice of quotes that will bring a fresh little surprise every month. They are easy to wrap, light to carry and most printing websites will offer deals for the more you order.

6. Make your own book

No one’s saying it has to be a novel, but that’s up to you (quattrostagioni/Flickr)

Take it a step further by having your own books printed. Recipes, life hacks, stories… the possibilities really are endless.

7. Anything you can design yourself

Once you get going, you might even find it hard to stop! (Rob Faulkner/Flickr)

If you’re a dab hand at drawing or sewing, then any used items (still in a decent condition) that you can effectively rejuvenate makes a great gift, and you can base your ideas around things that are easy to pack. We particularly like this idea of burning pictures and writing into wooden things, such as chopping boards.

8. Anything you can transform yourself

Finally, something to do with all those retro band T-shirts! (Sonja Lovas/Flickr)

So you might not be an artist, but a few whirls of a needle and thread and you can turn various old bits and bobs into whole new items with a cool and original look. Sweater tote, anyone? T-shirt quilt? The internet is full of suggestions you never would have thought of!

9. Anything you can frame

When we say ‘anything’ you can put in a frame… (Toby Melville/PA)

Whether it’s a print, your own drawing, a photo collage, or something written, anything that can be put on paper and framed can simply be layered in between piles of clothes in a suitcase. But just to be on the safe side, we’d recommend frames with plastic covers rather than glass! Or if you have a frame but no idea what to put in it, you could always try turning it into a tea tray.

10. Adopt an animal

Who wouldn’t want this little face for Christmas? (David Cheskin/PA)

Not literally an actual animal. That would be ridiculous. But if you sponsor your friend or loved one’s favourite endangered animal, then everyone wins and the most you have to transport under the tree is an envelope – all the updates and freebies will be mailed directly to them. OK, so it isn’t exactly handmade, but you could always decorate the envelope.

11. Other gifts that come in an envelope

Can’t draw? Collage! (Lauren Manning/Flickr)

There’s nothing wrong with store gift cards and cheesy handmade coupons, if that’s what you know your gift-ee really wants. But delivering it tucked inside a handmade personalised card (a good one) adds that sentimental value and shows you have still gone to some effort.

12. Mini hampers

Make-your-own garlic bread hamper? It’s one idea… (insatiablemunch/Flickr)

We know it’s pretty bad form to buy your presents on the night before Christmas, but no one said anything about assembling at the last minute. Buy a load of flat and foldable cardboard boxes, small, light wicker baskets, or even pretty gift bags and then fill them with thoughtful and easy-to-pack bits and pieces when nobody’s looking to create personalised hampers for everyone. Delightful.