Cute things to make for your boyfriend for his birthday

Ian Palmer

Finding that perfect present for your boyfriend can be challenging. You want to make sure whatever you give him is just a little romantic (he is your bf, after all) but not cheesy. If you've been together for a while, it can seem like you've already given him everything he needs. But if you are in a new relationship you might be wondering if you know him well enough to get him what he really wants and needs. Luckily, we've come to the rescue with the coolest DIY boyfriend gift ideas you'll find anywhere. He'll love these gift ideas for men because you created them yourself, which shows him you care enough to take the time and energy to make something with your own two hands.

From treats for a man who loves sweets, to home-crafted toiletries like beard oil, or organization ideas such as a DIY pot rack made with antique corbels or a memo board fashioned from an enamelware platter we have the best ideas for homemade presents. If you've got serious DIY game, you might want to try the ab-fab afghan pattern or the great-looking iPhone cases. While newbie crafters could go for the no-sew apron or even the super-cool comic coasters. In fact, some of these tutorials are so simple you can probably do enough projects to have a whole mound of DIY gifts for your boyfriend ready to gift on his birthday or your anniversary!

1 of 33

Outdoorsy Organizer

Presenting the perfect gift for the bf that loves to tend to the yard.

To make: Cut a piece of wood to fit inside your enamelware basin; screw through the bowl and into the wood to secure. Once your caddy is attached to the wall, store a hose by wrapping it around the outside.

SHOP GARDEN HOSES

2 of 33

Punctual Pan

Make sure your boyfriend shows up on time for your next date by gifting him a DIY clock made from a vintage enamelware pan.

To make: Drill a hole in the center of an enamelware pan, then insert a battery-operated quartz clock movement. Tie a piece of twine through the handle opening, and hang.

SHOP CLOCK KIT

3 of 33

Memo Board

Enamelware’s magnetic properties make it perfect for displaying odds and ends. Simply hang a tray on a wall using Command Strips or double-sided Velcro, then step back and admire the beautiful pictures of you your boyfriend hangs on it. (He better!)

4 of 33

Kitchen Shelf

If your boyfriend just moved into a new apartment, this is a great gift for helping him add add vintage charm and loads of storage to his kitchen.

To make: If the corbels don’t already have openings to accept a copper pipe rod, use an auger drill bit to create holes. Cut a 1-inch-thick wood board to the desired length then screw into the top of the corbels. Hang and inserts the rod into the holes or corbel openings.

5 of 33

Mug Medley

Add a warm glow (just like the love you give) above a desk or workbench with a grouping of bulb-outfitted mugs hanging from cloth cords. (For safety, we recommend having this wired at a local lighting or hardware store.)

SHOP PENDANT LIGHT KIT

6 of 33

Conical Candlesticks

This rustic centerpiece made from chippy vintage enamelware funnels turned upside down is ideal for your boyfriends dining.

To make: Insert 1/2 -inch-wide tapers into the funnels’ openings; trim as needed to fit.

SHOP TAPERS

7 of 33

Enamelware Mug Storage Caddy

If your BF is a Virgo and likes to be organized, then this is just the DIY gift for him. The mugs can be hung above a desk to hold pencils and push pins or above a work bench for nails, screws, and drill bits.

To make: Screw through the bottom or sides of vintage enamelware mugs into a board scrap (painted if desired). Hang by inserting two
nails into the top of the board. Tie a piece of twine around the nails and nail a third nail into the wall. Loop twine over the third nail.

SHOP MUGS

8 of 33

DIY Rope Hanging Shelves

For the boyfriend who likes to be organized this simple DIY will not only leave his desk in tip-top shape but will impress with your carpentry skills, too!

To make: Cut a one-by-six-inch board into two shelves; paint edges. Drill two holes in ends of each board, 3/4 inch from edge. Thread a length of jute rope through holes on one side of one board, gather rope at top, and hot-glue together. Wrap ends with thinner rope, holding in place with glue. Repeat with remaining holes. Paint a two-inch dowel, and thread rope over dowel. Hang with curtain rod brackets.

SHOP ROPE

9 of 33

Vintage Map Wall Art

Memorialize a vacation, hiking excursion, rowing adventure, or road trip by outlining the route traversed with ribbon or twine on a new or vintage map. Hold ribbon or twine in place on the map with hot-glue.

SHOP VINTAGE MAPS

10 of 33

DIY Air Fresheners

Help your love keep his car or office smelling fresh with a DIY tree-shaped air freshener. Added bonus—they are made with essential oils so no nasty chemicals are involved.

To make: Trace the shape of a wooden Christmas tree ornament on a scrap of fabric twice. Cut out and glue to the front and back of the ornament. Once dry, soak the fabric with his favorite scent of essential oil (we used cedar). Thread twine through the loop for hanging.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

11 of 33

Rope Canisters

Ideal for holding desk materials, plants, or even acting as a coin jar, this simple DIY can be put together in minutes flat (but don't worry, we won't tell).

To make: Hot-glue jute or sisal rope to empty soup cans (you can use a can opener that won’t create a sharp edge, like Kuhn Rikon’sAuto Safety Lidlifter). Add decorative handles as desired.

SHOP ROPE

12 of 33

Paint Can Bottle Opener

You may already have the tool—a paint can opener—needed to create this craft laying around the house. If not, a quick trip to the local hardware and craft store will get you set up to show your special someone just how clever, inventive, and crafty you are!

To make: Wrap the stick part of a hardware store paint can opener with oven bake clay, forming the clay into desired shape. Bake according to the package directions. Once cool, paint clay with acrylic paint. Once dry seal with satin finish Mod Podge.

SHOP OVEN BAKE CLAY

13 of 33

DIY Rope Door Stop

This fun craft is both practical and attractive, something most guys can appreciate.

To make: Wrap a brick with thin sisal rope, holding it in place with hot-glue. Glue lengths of rope along sides and top, tucking in loose ends and gluing in place. Add a handle for portability.

SHOP ROPE

14 of 33

Clipboard Frames

Creating a gallery wall of imagery your boyfriend loves (including cute pictures of you and him together) is an easy way to show him some love. But frames can get expensive! For this arrangement, simply clip prints to vintage clipboards. Thread a piece of leather jewelry cord under the clip, knot it at the top, and hang with a pushpin.

15 of 33

Vintage Baking Tin Hanging Planters

The ideal gift for a bf who has a green thumb, these cute hanging planters are made from vintage (you can also use new) baking tins.

To make: For the Bundt pan, thread twine through a series of craft bead (making sure they are large enough to not slip through the center hole of the pan), tie a knot in the twine to keep in place. Thread the twine up through the center hole of a small Bundt pan. Add more craft beads on top, for decoration, then tie a loop in the top of the twine for hanging. Fill pan with pebbles, soil, and desired plants.

For the loaf pan, thread craft beads through two separate pieces of
twine, tie knots in the twine to keep in place. Thread one piece of
twine through each of the holes in the loaf pan handles. Join the twine above the pan and add more craft beads for decorations. Tie the two pieces of twine together at the top for hanging. Fill pan with pebbles, soil, and desired plants.

SHOP CRAFT BEADS

16 of 33

Leather iPhone Case

This leather pouch gets its picture-perfect looks courtesy of iron-on transfer sheets intended for regular fabric. You can scan your own photos or use our woodland imagery, cribbed from a vintage postcard.

Step 1: Using our template, trace around a piece of paper and cut out.

Step 2: Use our deer image, or pick your own and resize, if necessary, to fit the templates you've made. Then print each image onto a transfer sheet. Place the template for the case's front atop one image; trace and cut out. Repeat for the back with the other template and image.

Step 3: Following the package instructions for the transfer sheets, iron each image onto the smooth side of a leather scrap that's at least 3"W x 5"L. Cut the leather to the exact shapes of the images.

Step 4: Using a sewing machine, and our photo as a guide, stitch a decorative seam along the top of the front and back pieces, leaving a 3/16" edge. Align the pieces, right sides facing out, with a 3/16" seam allowance, leaving the top of the pouch open. To end on a high note, pair it with a new set of earbuds.

SHOP TRANSFER SHEETS

17 of 33

Crafty Candleholders

If you two like to snuggle by candlelight, there are few gifts more romantic than these nicely masculine votive candleholders—especially if they come with scented candles tucked inside.

To make: Simply cut a piece of upholstery webbing to the same length as the holder's circumference; then trim the webbing a tad bit shorter than the holder's height. Coat the webbing's raw edges with Mod Podge to prevent fraying; let dry for 20 minutes. Next, affix the webbing around the holder with thin lines of hot glue and let dry for five minutes.

SHOP UPHOLSTERY WEBBING

18 of 33

Witty Embroidered Handkerchiefs

Jazz up plain hankies for him with this surprisingly easy process. Pick a fun phrase and using a water-soluble marker and write it longhand in the hankie's bottom-right corner. Using a stem-stitch—take a peek at our tutorial if you don't know how—embroider over the letters. Erase any leftover ink with a dab of water.

SHOP HANDKERCHIEFS

19 of 33

Monogrammed Knit Coffee Sleeve

20 of 33

Stitch Your Own Suspenders

22 of 33

Love Mug

If you have a Cricut you can make your love bug this love mug in no time, especially since the project comes with free cut files.

Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky.

SHOP WHITE COFFEE MUGS

23 of 33

Leather Cord Organizer

Got a S.O. who can't get enough of gadgets? Help him get his cords straight with this nifty handmade organizer decorated with a sweet little heart.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.

SHOP METAL SNAP KIT

24 of 33

White Chocolate Pretzel Hearts

These delish sweet and salty pretzel hearts will leave no doubt about how you really feel, and you can whip them up in less than a half hour!

Get the tutorial at Six Sisters' Stuff.

SHOP PARCHMENT PAPER

25 of 33

Hawthorn Afghan

This gorgeous (and free) crochet pattern creates a cozy, colorful throw he'll love to cuddle under with you.

Get the tutorial at Persia Lou.

SHOP FINISHING NEEDLES

26 of 33

Men's Slippers Gift

Go beyond the basic for your bf by gifting not only a pair of slippers, but a pair of slippers stuffed with snacks and useful things like a razor and an electric toothbrush.

Get the tutorial at Pretty Providence.

SHOP MEN'S SLIPPERS

27 of 33

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

29 of 33

DIY No-Sew Waist Apron

Perfect for the fella who likes to cook or BBQ, this apron is easy peasy to create using Liquid Stitch. In fact, it's so simple you can even make him a bunch in different colors.

Get the tutorial at Almost Makes Perfect.

SHOP LIQUID STITCH

30 of 33

Citrus Marmalade

If the way to his heart is through his stomach, you'll win over both with this marvy marmalade made with limes and grapefruit as well as the traditional oranges.

Get the recipe.

SHOP JARS

What is best birthday gift for BF?

What can I gift my boyfriend to make him feel special?

What can I make for my partner?

Which gift is best for boyfriend?