9 Last-Minute DIY Gifts for Your Sister

Sisters share a special bond. Sure, it drives you nuts when your missing shirt ~mysteriously~ shows up in her latest Instagram story or she devours your favorite snack out of the pantry before you can get your hands on any, but when it really comes down to it, she’s always had your back. So whatever the next gift giving occasion might be – her birthday, a holiday, or just because – consider taking the DIY approach for a gift your sister will never forget.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with some of the best DIY gifts out there. So grab your glitter glue and let’s get started!

1 - Text a Digital Gift Card

Practical, Personalized Gift for Your Sister That Can Be Sent in Seconds

Text or email a digital gift card in just a few clicks

Okay, so hear us out. Gift cards might not sound like a DIY gift, but these aren’t your mother’s gift cards. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can customize these practical gifts for any occasion. And don’t worry – they’re at the top of many people’s wish lists, so your sister will be happy to unwrap it.

With a digital gift card vendor like GiftYa, it just takes a couple of clicks to personalize and send a gift card to her favorite store or website. Choose from thousands of local and national brands to get started. Add a photo of you and your sister together – or even a video clip – to give the wrapping some personal flair. Jot your message, and it’s off. You can send it immediately or schedule it in advance – the choice is up to you.

Not sure where to start? Here are some great birthday gift card options to get you started:

• Share a Stitch Fix gift card so your sis doesn’t have to raid your closet anymore
• Text a Nintendo eShop gift card so she can download the latest cozy game on her list
• Send a Target gift card so she can shop candles and throw pillows guilt-free

Not feeling the digital options? You can always customize an irl Visa gift card for your sister with Gift Card Granny’s build a card feature, too. Just choose a photo of one of your favorite memories together for the front, add a personal message, and a physical card is on its way.

2 - Upgrade Her Self Care Routine

Give The Gift of Healthy Hair, Glowy Skin, and Some Much-Needed Relaxation

Time for a throwback. Remember back in the day when you and your sister used to scavenge through the fridge for face mask ingredients? Maybe it was the OG avocado mask (which in retrospect is only a few spices off from DIY guacamole) or one of the more creative honey face mask creations. Did you snag the cucumber slices mom was planning to put in tomorrow night’s salad? Or maybe try the age-old toothpaste trick to freeze blemishes in their tracks?

If any of that sounds familiar, then a DIY self care bundle is the perfect gift for your sister. We’re a little more sophisticated than salad ingredients now (#glowup), but the vibes are the same. Pack your gift with some of your favorite new beauty finds, or consider adding some of these self care essentials:

• Various types of sheet masks for skin care that’s as easy as opening an envelope
• Cute mugs and stress relieving tea blends (think lavender, chamomile, mint… anything without caffeine)
• Aromatherapy goodies – that can be room sprays, roll-ons, or candles

🎁 GiftYa Recommends: Text an ULTA Beauty gift card to take this spa-inspired gift up a notch

3 - Blind Date with a Book

Give Her TBR Pile a Boost with This Fun, Easy Idea

If your sister is a reader, a new book will always be a winner. Taking the blind date with a book approach makes this surefire gift a little more fun – and the best part is, there’s no risk of running out of things to talk about before the appetizers arrive.

To DIY a blind date with a book, you’ll want to start by buying a book (or a few) you think your sister would enjoy.

Next, wrap each one in the plain-est wrapping paper you can find.

Decorate the wrapped books however you want – but make sure to add a few clues to each one. Is it a thought-provoking read? Fast-paced? What’s the genre? Has it won any awards, or does it have any movie adaptations? These can be good places to start for hints.

After that, all that’s left to do is put it in a nice box or gift bag.

Wanna round out your bundle with some extra goodies? Consider adding a few other bookish gifts like bookmarks, literary-inspired scarves or shirts, book-themed candles, a membership to a book subscription box, or snacks to fuel her reading.

🎁 GiftYa Recommends: Complete the gift with a Barnes & Noble gift card so they can cross a few more titles off their list when they finish reading your gift

4 - Arm Knit a Chunky Blanket

When You Can’t Be There to Hug Her in Person, a Handmade Blanket is the Next Best Thing

Sisters are there for you through everything – thick and thin. Whether you need someone to laugh with, or cry with, they’ll be by your side. But as we get older and our lives take us in different directions, you might not always be able to be there in person when your sister is going through it. Sure, you can pull an all-nighter over FaceTime, but there’s nothing quite like getting a hug from your sister when you need one.

That’s where these cute chunky blankets come in.

Not only are they super trendy right now, but your sister can also wrap herself up in it anytime she’s missing you. And with love in every stitch, it’s about as close to a long-distance hug as you can get in a pinch.

Stocking up on the chunky yarn for this DIY gift can get expensive – you’ll need several skeins, and if there’s not a sale going on at your local craft store you could be spending $100 or more on supplies. Luckily, once everything’s purchased, this gift can be put together in an evening. So pour yourself a glass of wine and get ready to get crafty!

(Full disclosure – these are bulky to try to ship. So maybe plan this DIY gift for a time when you can visit your sis, or calculate shipping into your budget.)

🎁 GiftYa Recommends: Text a Michaels gift card and DIY some cozy blankets together

5 - Treats Just Like Mom Used to Make

Whip Up Her Favorite Family Recipe or a New Culinary Creation

Family dinners are lowkey a big deal. It might not seem like much, but sitting down to a meal together four or more times a week can actually lower the risk of obesity, substance use, eating disorders, and increase kids’ chances of graduating highschool. It’s no wonder then that some of our fondest family memories are tied to making or eating our favorite foods.

Whether it’s the cinnamon rolls mom used to make on Sunday mornings, ice cream from the shop dad took you after softball practice, or the crazy snack concoctions you and your sister came up with together (Fritos and cream cheese? Nutella popcorn?), there should be plenty in your pantry to inspire a DIY gift.

Keep it classic and make your favorite recipe – or use the flavors and ingredients of your shared childhood to make something a little bit fancier. The choice is up to you. Either way, the result should make your sister (and her stomach!) very happy.

6 - Colorful Origami Jewelry

Brighten Up Her Jewelry Box with These Easy, Affordable Necklaces

Who says you have to spend bank to look like a million bucks?

If you and your sister ever sat around weaving friendship bracelets or squabbling over the best glass beads in a jewelry making kit, this one’s for you.

This simple DIY requires just a couple of materials – some colorful paper, a necklace chain, and some glue – to create a sleek and sophisticated necklace your sister can use as a statement piece.

For full directions, head over to How About Orange.

7 - Mason Jar Succulent Garden

She Doesn’t Have to Have a Green Thumb for This Adorable Mini-Garden

Wanna put together a DIY gift that doesn’t succ? These adorable mason jar succulents should fit the bill!

Succulents are easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginners or sisters who don’t have room for a big garden. All you need for these mini-planters are basic gardening supplies, mason jars, and succulent clippings, which means you can brighten up her space with some live plants for just a couple of bucks.

For full directions, visit The Summery Umbrella.

8 - Homemade Bath Bombs

Instead of A Handful of Bath Bombs Make Her a Whole Batch!

Bath bombs make great gifts, but they can get pricey fast. The fizzy, fragrant self care essentials can run $5-10 each at some stores. Luckily, making your own DIY bath bombs is simple and inexpensive. Most of the recipes out there just require a few basic ingredients you probably already have around your house – like epsom salt and baking soda – plus some added essential oils, coloring, and glitter or flower petals for some extra pizazz.

Here are a few bath bomb recipes to get you started:

• Pretty pastel unicorn cupcake bath bombs
• Relaxing lavender bath bombs
• DIY Death Star bath bombs for the nerdy among us

9 - Quality Time

Give Your Sister The Best Gift Of All – Your Time and Attention!

We all have different love languages. If your sister prefers a night in binge-watching the new Love Is Blind episodes that just dropped or a dinner for two over parties and gifts, then spending some quality one-on-one time together could be the perfect present.

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to show up empty-handed. Grab some goodies and treat your sister to a fun themed hangout:

• Movie night: Pick up her favorite movie snacks and some popcorn, then head her way for a DIY double-feature. Bonus points for printing tickets as an invite.
• Scavenger hunt: Come up with a checklist (or a bingo board) of things you might spot on a walk around the city or a night out. Loser buys dinner!
• Spa session: Take your sister to her favorite salon to get your nails done, book a makeover at ULTA Beauty, or just grab some drugstore spa essentials for a relaxing night in together.

🎁 GiftYa Recommends: If your budget allows, send them a StubHub gift card so your sis can choose an event for your next get together

That’s it for our last-minute DIY gift ideas for a sister.

Remember, you don’t have to have a big budget or be crazy creative to give your sister a memorable DIY gift. At the end of the day, it’s a gift from one of her favorite people – and that alone is sure to put a smile on her face!