The Best Gifts for DIYers (That Aren’t Tools)
For someone who’s just starting out on their DIY journey, or for those who already seem to have just about every tool you could think of, it can be hard to choose tools to gift. But the DIY community isn’t just about tools, and makers can use other things besides glue guns and 3D printers to hone their craft. There are lots of non-tool gifts that anyone from novices to DIY masters would love.
Books
Books by DIY masters, experts on a particular subject, or personal stories related to a particular DIY subject can be a good option. Here are a few of my favorites:
For the renter in your life who’s looking to become more handy, Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust (aka, The Trans Handy Ma'am) is the perfect gift. Her focus on empowering ordinary people to tackle all their maintenance tasks with confidence is peppered with both practical advice as well as guidance on how to overcome your apprehensions about your maintenance needs.
For woodworkers, Working with Hand Tools: Essential Techniques for Woodworking by Paul N. Hasluck is a guide to the traditional hand tools and methods of woodworking. The book guides readers not just about tools, but also has project guides and inspiration for shop set-up, including work benches and clamps that can be made by hand.
For gardeners, How to Grow: Nurture Your Garden, Nurture Yourself by Markus Bridgewater (aka, Garden Marcus) is more than just a treasure trove of gardening wisdom; it’s also a calming and inspiring journey peppered with relatable personal stories. His book is a must-read for anyone looking to gardening for improved mental and physical health.
Classes and workshops
Classes and workshops are another great gift for your favorite DIY enthusiast—but matching the class to the skill level and particular interests of your recipient is key.
For online classes, Udemy has a variety of woodworking and home repair classes to offer. But for many makers, in-person classes tend to be more fulfilling because the materials and tools will be arranged by the instructor, and there will likely be a workspace set up for the desired project. These types of classes can be found through local community colleges, libraries, maker spaces, and sometimes through private programs hosted by shops or studios. The nice thing is that the gift of a class like this offers some community building for a new maker or DIYer as well as instruction.
Maker memberships
A membership to a maker space for your favorite DIY craftsperson who maybe doesn’t have room for a garage or basement shop is a really good gift. Maker spaces often include access not just to space, but to some tools as well, so for someone who is either looking to expand their skills or who is newer and needing to try out some different techniques or projects, a maker space can be just the right fit. These memberships can range from a $10 day pass to as much as $600 per month, depending on the space and location, but many of them tend to be in the $35 to $60 per-month range.
Tool library membership
Another membership you could consider for someone who is a new homeowner or just getting into gardening or DIY is membership to a tool library. Although some tool libraries are free, others will charge an annual fee for access to borrowing tools, equipment, and other materials. These memberships can range from $10 to $100 per year, and they often also offer classes in repair and maintenance. They’re also an excellent resource for getting involved in your local DIY and repair community.
Software subscriptions
Craftspeople, from beginners to experts, often use planning software to design and sketch their projects. This software can also be used to make sure that objects will fit where you plan to put them, and to try out layouts and designs before you start building. While there are some free apps out there for these purposes, having access to more advanced features can make the software easier to use.
Sketchup is a 3D rendering program you can use to draw all parts and components of a project to scale.
Realtime Landscaping Pro is another option used primarily for outdoor spaces. This software will allow your favorite gardener to design and visualize plants, decks, sprinklers location, and even holiday displays using photos of the exterior of your home to make it realistic.
For creating detailed schematics and layouts for more complex projects, Autodesk is a handy gift for a carpenter, designer, or builder. The various packages range from $100 to more than $4,000 a year, but the most common tools for DIYers will be between $100 and $600 per year.