Have some wanna-be DIYers on your gift list? Or maybe you’re wanting to start doing DIY projects yourself? Find great gifts for DIYers here or add some of these to your own holiday wish list!
I often get comments on my DIY projects about people saying how they wish they could do DIY, but they just can’t. Or they don’t have the right tools. Or they don’t know where to start.
Well, you can learn to do your own DIY projects, friends. If I can, anyone can. I know, I know, I know. You’ve heard that line a million times before.
I’m being serious though. Yes, it takes time. I wasn’t born with a drill in my hand. And I’m still learning. My DIY skills are still very much in that intermediate skill level when it comes to some projects.
This gift guide for beginning DIYers was another request this year. I think some of you might be adding these items to your wish list, rather than buying for others though. 😉 It’s all good. I see you. I do it all the time myself. My Christmas wish list gets added to as I’m searching for gifts for all these guides and everyone on my list. 🙂
Whether you are buying for others or adding items to your own list, I don’t think there’s a single item in this list of gifts for DIYers that any DIYer wouldn’t appreciate.
Some brands provided products and/or compensation for inclusion in this gift guide. However, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Gifts for Beginning DIYers
The Basics
Let’s start with the basics first. These are basic tools that every DIYer should have in their arsenal.
Sidenote: I’m assuming that the beginning DIYer already has a set of screwdrivers, hammer, measuring tapes, etc. in their arsenal. If they don’t, then most definitely get those for them first.
Safety First.
I am the safety nerd when it comes to DIY projects. If I’m doing any sort of project that requires me to cut wood, you can bet that I have on my safety glasses. I harp on Grunt Labor for not wearing them when he’s cutting wood. Anyone who does any sort of DIY projects with wood needs safety glasses!
Help them get started by letting them decide what they need.
Lowe’s Gift Card / Home Depot Gift Card
There isn’t a DIYer on this planet who wouldn’t appreciate a gift card to Lowe’s or Home Depot. They can use it for a new tool they’ve been eyeing or to get started on a project they’ve been wanting to tackle. If you’re not sure what exactly they could use in way of tools, get them a gift card. If they’ve been talking about building a coffee table (or whatever else- you get the idea!), get them a gift card. You can purchase actual plastic gift cards or e-gift cards from GiftCards.com and have them delivered straight to your gift recipient or to you so you can wrap it up all pretty.
Keep it level.
Every DIYer needs a good level. Personally, I think they need a couple of levels – a small one that is really handy for smaller projects and a larger one for, obviously, bigger projects. I probably use both my small and big levels equally. Besides checking to make sure things are level during your projects, the longer level especially is also great for drawing straight lines across a sheet of plywood to guide you as you cut it.
Speed Square
A speed square is great for smaller jobs where you’re working with lumber such as 2″ x 4″s, 1″ x 4″s, etc. It has a lip that you place against the edge of the wood and then you can draw perfectly straight perpendicular or 45 degree angle lines for cutting.
Framing Square
A framing square is similar to a speed square, but obviously much larger. You can use this on larger pieces of wood, such as plywood, to check for squareness of wood, to draw straight lines for cutting, etc.
Various Clamps
I use clamps all the time. Of course, these are most often used when you’re gluing a couple or more pieces of wood together, but I also use my clamps to clamp together pieces of wood that I’m screwing together, cutting, etc. I recommend having two different kinds – smaller spring clamps and larger bar clamps as well. And in my personal opinion, you can never have too many bar clamps.
Can Do Angle Clamp
This is perfect for that DIYer who doesn’t always have an extra set of hands to help out. This clamp will hold two pieces of wood together so that you aren’t trying to hold them yourself while also trying to screw them together.
Good Sawhorses
Having a good pair of sawhorses is a necessity when you’re doing DIY projects. You don’t want a flimsy pair that will move around every time you move the piece of plywood around. You want a good, sturdy pair that will stay put. This pair of sawhorses also come with attached clamps, which is pretty handy.
Cordless Drill
Having a good cordless drill is like DIY 101. This is the drill we have and it’s never failed us. In fact, we bought another just like it to leave at the farm for when we need it there. Personally, we really like just about all of the Ryobi cordless tools. They do a good job and are really handy since the batteries are all interchangeable. There’s a guide here for using a drill and what all it can do if you need it.
Drill Bits
If they’re just starting out, they are going to need plenty of drill bits that will both drill holes and drive screws. This is a great set to get started out with. We have it as well.
Circular Saw
If they don’t have any sort of power saw, then get them a circular saw. This is the most basic power saw you can get and it will cut just about anything. We have this circular saw too and I also wrote a guide about using it here.
Jigsaw
While circular saws cut straight, jigsaws can cut out all kinds of shapes. You can do straight cuts with it as well, but it’s made specifically for curved cuts. Again, this is the jigsaw we have and use all the time.
Nail Gun
Battery Powered Nail Gun
For beginning DIYers, I suggest going with a battery powered nail gun. This nail gun will shoot brad nails and work for basic DIY projects. It’s easy to use as well, since it’s battery powered.
Gifts for Furniture Painting DIYers
If you’ve got a person on your list (or yourself!) who is ready to dive into the world of DIY furniture painting, these are some of the tools I recommend for them.
A Good Sander
With furniture painting, you’re going to have to sand pieces every now and then. I’ve had this palm sander for nearly 10 years and it hasn’t failed me yet. It’s easy to use and works great. There’s a guide to using this sander here.
Heat Gun
Heat Gun
Heat guns aren’t a must when it comes to furniture painting, but they can come in really handy sometimes. Heat guns can do a myriad of things (see my post here about that), but they are really great for stripping furniture without a big ol’ mess. You can see how I did that here with this heat gun.
Good Furniture Paint 
Ready No Sand Primer / Velvet Finishes Paint
You can use all kinds of different paints on furniture, but one of the easiest to use and get started with is Velvet Finishes paint. Their Ready primer is also a great product because it will often eliminate the need for sanding a piece of furniture before painting. You could give your gift recipient a couple of these to play around with, along with a good paintbrush. Use code JENNA20 to get 20% off anything at Velvet Finishes this holiday season!
Paint Sprayer
HomeRight Paint Sprayer
If they’ve already dabbled a bit in furniture painting, then a paint sprayer made for furniture painting would be a great gift. This paint sprayer is the one I have and love – it sprays a very fine finish, which gives your furniture a professional look. It’s extremely easy to use as well – tutorial on how to use it here.
Power Stapler
I can’t tell you how much easier this tool has made my life. If you or your gift recipient plans to do any upholstery work, this power stapler is a life and time saver! There’s no beating in staples with a hammer because the staple gun didn’t push them in all the way. This one puts staples in flush in record time.
Any gifts for DIYers you’ll be getting from this list or adding to your own wish list?
Looking for more great gift ideas? Click any of the links below!
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Susan Ryan says
Great list!! There are a few I don’t have, but wish I did!!
Jenna says
Thanks, Susan! I always have a list of tools I want!! haha!