The holiday season is here and so is the pressure to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. But let’s face it: being a student often means tight budgets. But luckily you don’t need deep pockets to give meaningful presents. In fact, the best gifts are often handmade and heartfelt.

In this post, I’ll show you how to craft three simple and budget-friendly DIY Christmas gifts that are sure to impress without breaking the bank: A delicious homemade apple jam, a cozy chai syrup perfect for winter nights, and a fragrant vanilla extract to elevate anyone’s baking game. Let’s get creative!

1. Homemade Apple Jam

It’s cozy, christmassy flavor has won over everyone I’ve gifted it to — and it’s sure to become a favorite in your circle too. Packed in a cute jar, it’s a thoughtful and delicious treat that spreads the joy of the season with every spoonful. For an extra special touch, you can create your own festive label. That’s super easy to do with Canva. Alternatively, dm or rossmann offer an affordable way to design and print custom labels, even letting you upload your Canva design for a polished finish.

Everything you need:

Costs: Total of 12 € or 2 € per jar

• 6 jars
• 1 kg apples
• 400g Sugar for jam (2:1)
• 3 tbsp Apple Juice
• 1,5 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Rinse six jam jars. Peel, core, and quarter 1 kg of apples, then place them in a large pan. Add 400 g of sugar (2:1), 3 tbsp apple juice, 1.5 tbsp cinnamon, and 1 tbsp lemon juice, and mix briefly. Cover and let the mixture infuse for at least 3 hours or overnight. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until the apples soften. Puree the mixture, pour it into the jars, seal, and leave to stand for 24 hours.

2. Cozy Chai Sirup

Bursting with cozy spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, this syrup transforms any tea, coffee, or milk into a comforting winter drink. It’s quick to make, wonderfully aromatic and perfect for anyone who loves the classic chai latte flavor. Everyone I’ve shared it with has raved about how delicious it is.

Costs: Total about 4 € or 1€ per bottle

Everything you need:

• 4 small bottles
• 350ml water
• 300g sugar
• 1/2 – 1 tsp cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 stick of cinnamon (or / and some powder)
• 2cm fresh ginger
• 1 vanilla pod
• 1/2 – 1 tsp cardamom

To make the chai syrup, start by filling a medium-sized pot with water and heating it over medium heat. Once the water is warm, add the sugar and stir until all the sugar crystals dissolve. Next, slice the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using a knife. Peel and chop the ginger into small pieces.

When the sugar has dissolved and the water is clear, add all the ingredients to the pot. For an extra kick of flavor, you can also add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in addition to the cinnamon stick. Let the mixture simmer on medium to low heat for about 20 minutes, until it thickens to a syrupy consistency and turns a beautiful brown color. The result is an aromatic and flavorful chai syrup that’s perfect for the winter season. Store in the refrigerator to keep the chai syrup perfect for several weeks.

3. Selfmade Vanilla Extract

There’s nothing quite like the rich, warm aroma of real vanilla, and making your own vanilla extract is easier than you think. All you need are vanilla pods and some alcohol (like rum or vodka) that you might already have at home. While vanilla pods can be expensive in the supermarket, there are budget-friendly options online where you can get around 10 pods for just 12 euros. This DIY vanilla flavor isn’t just cost-effective; it’s also a thoughtful gift idea that adds a touch of luxury to baking and drinks. 

Costs: Total about 25 € or 1,50€ per bottle

Everything you need:

• 1 big glass
• 16 Pipette bottles
• 500ml alcohol (for example rum or vodka)
• 10 vanilla pods

Start by slicing the vanilla pods in half lengthwise and then cutting them in the middle to fit them into your container. Place the prepared vanilla pods in a clean glass jar and pour your alcohol of choice over them until the pods are fully submerged.

Seal the jar tightly and store it in a dark place. Over the next 1–2 weeks, the alcohol will take on a rich, dark color as it absorbs the vanilla’s flavor and aroma. Once the extract is ready, simply transfer it into pipette bottles, and you’re done.