Tips & Advice

DIY Thinking of You Gift: 12 Creative Packages to Make Someone Smile

A thinking of you gift is somehow different from other gift ideas, because it is a way to tell someone that they’re on your mind, especially when you can’t be around. So, if you are looking for a way to cheer up a friend who feels down, remind a family member they’re loved, or simply make your loved one smile on a regular day, creative DIY thinking of you gift is the way to go.

To help you create the right presents, CustomAny is here to share 12 thoughtful packages that combine both practicality, warmth and creativity together. All these little surprises are designed to brighten someone’s day and show that you care.

What Makes a Gift a “Thinking of You” Gift

First of all, what exactly makes a gift a thinking of you gift? What sets it apart so that the recipient truly feels you had them in mind when preparing the gift? In fact, all the items that can be given as thinking of you gift baskets share some specific qualities.

1. Carries a message of care

The key to a truly thoughtful ‘thinking of you’ gift isn’t that it should be expensive or grand. What matters most is that it says “I’m thinking of you” or “I genuinely care for you”.

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2. Personal and thoughtful

The best thinking of you gift is something that feels personal and thoughtful. It is usually connected to the recipient’s hobbies, habits, or your shared memories. 

3. Provides comfort or joy

Next, a thinking of you gift usually brings comfort and joy. This can come in many forms, whether it is through sweet treats, relaxing spa vouchers or just a quirky toy that makes the recipient laugh out loud.

4. Not tied to special occasions

Unlike specific gifts you spare for birthdays, weddings, or Christmas, a thinking of you gift being given at any time, does not follow a calendar but your heart when you notice the one you care for needs a little more support and care.

5. Small and easy to send

Since a thinking of you gift basket is sent from afar, they’d better be lightweight and easy to deliver.

Together, these 5 most standout qualities explain why the simplest thinking of you gift can lift spirits and bring joy to its recipients.

Top 12 Ideas for a DIY Thinking of You Gift

A thinking of you gift always carries care and thoughtfulness and other specific qualities we’ve discovered above. In real life, these qualities can take many forms, and we’ve gathered 12 creative and personalized ideas to inspire you.

1. Cookie mix in a jar

If you can bake, a jar filled with homemade layered cookies looks as good as it tastes. This thinking of you gift is suitable for someone with a sweet tooth or someone feeling a bit blue.

2. Homemade jam

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A jar of homemade jam of seasonal fruits also makes a good care package as it carries a fresh and comforting flavor. This kind of thinking of you gift is a good addition to breakfast toasts on a quiet, relaxing morning.

3. Homemade granola

With various ingredients of oats, nuts, and dried fruit, think about making granola jars for your thinking of you gift. This option is ideal for someone health-conscious or for a coworker who likes quick snacks. 

4. Bath salts

If you are looking for a thinking of you gift for someone who loves selfcare or is under stress, bath salt combined with essential oils is the way to go. You can create soothing blends with lavender or refreshing ones with eucalyptus. 

5. Scented sugar scrub

Somehow similar to bath salt, sugar scrub feels like a small spa-like gift yet still fits into everyday skincare. To make scented sugar scrub, let’s mix sugar with coconut oil and add scents such as vanilla or citrus.

6. Hand-poured soy candle

Another DIY thinking of you gift is hand-poured candles. Made from soy wax, this gift idea offers a cleaner burn and a cozy glow. It does nothing but brightens the recipient’s evenings and creates a soothing atmosphere in any room.

All 6 ideas for thinking of you gift we’ve just mentioned above can naturally fit in glass jars. This makes decorating them a wise option because we can turn a plain container into something more personalized and thoughtful.

You should consider using custom vinyl stickers, either die-cut stickers for unique shapes or uniform circles and squares for a neat look.

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For a more polished and professional look, our premium UV DTF transfer stickers may be the right choice. They adhere seamlessly to glass and give the impression of being printed directly on the jar. They work best for intricate designs, like text, illustrations, or seasonal icons. You can use our no-background stickers to name these jars and turn them into tailor-made thinking of you gift.

7. Decorated mug

A mug is a practical gift, and what makes it a meaningful to think of you gift is how it is decorated by you. You can consider two different ways to do this:

Hand-painted mug

A hand-painted mug brings a truly handmade touch to a thinking of you gift. You will need porcelain paints or markers to draw patterns, words, or doodles on a plain mug. After painting it, you need to bake the mug in an oven to make your art set firmly on the surface, making sure your gift is not only beautiful but also durable. Hand-painting is suitable if you enjoy crafting by hand and want to give something one-of-a-kind.

Mug with UV DTF transfer stickers

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If you are not sure with your painting ability, you can consider using our UV DTF transfer stickers again. Just like being applied onto glass, these stickers strongly adhere to sturdy and smooth ceramic surfaces without the need for baking. They also offer glossy, vibrant and 3D raised-surface finish, making your designs appear polished and professional. 

You may choose affirmation quotes, meaningful illustrations, or even a photo that captures your shared moment in the past to turn into transfer stickers. Then, with just a few steps of peel and stick, these designs will be transferred onto the mug.

A mug decorated this way becomes eye-catching thinking of you gift for her, or thinking of you gift basket for him, or thinking of you gift basket for family that looks professionally made while still carrying your personal message.

8. Personalized playlist card

Music has the power of calming our soul and spreading joy, so a curated playlist suitable for the one you are giving the gift to will make a memorable small thinking of you gift. 

To send this playlist as a present, you can turn it into a printed card. This card will carry a QR code linked to that specific Spotify playlist. You can also add short notes or illustrations to make the card match with the playlist’s mood.

Another way to give the playlist in a tangible form is through UV DTF transfer stickers containing the Spotify code. Once again, this sticker type shows its valued features of strong adhesion and visual appeal when applied to a flat plastic board or a bedside lamp. Alongside the code, you can print this UV stickers with a themed image, a shared photo, or a heartfelt message. These details will give the present an even deeper personal touch.

By making a playlist card, your thinking of you gift is not just a way of using music to connect with the one you care for but also can be a meaningful keepsake for years.

9. Small comfort kit

A comfort kit may feel like a warm hug in a box. It could include simple items such as:

  • Tea bags
  • Cozy socks
  • A small candle with soothing scent

This kind of thinking of you gift box suits a friend going through a stressful week, reminding them that they are cared for. 

10. Knitted or crocheted dishcloth or scarf

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The meaning of handmade knitted or crocheted items lies in the time and effort you put in them. Not only being sentimental, they are also a practical gift for regular use

11. Pressed-flower bookmark

Pressed flowers bookmark is another heartfelt DIY gift. This small item is ideal for brightening a day of any book lover, quietly reminding that they are remembered. 

12. Seed packet set

Last but not least, this seed packet gift is the way to show your recipients the promise of growth and future joy. You can choose a packet of herbs, flowers, or easy-to-grow vegetables. This thinking of you gift is ideal for those who enjoy gardening.

Bottom words

A wellmade DIY thinking of you gift is the best way to remind someone that they matter in your life. So, with 12 ideas we’ve discovered here, we hope that you find the suitable gift to bring comfort, joy, or encouragement to people you care about. 

For extra personalized touches adding to this gift, you can take advantage of all custom sticker types mentioned earlier in our article. Go to our product page to get your custom design printed, ready for any gift enhancing.

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About Karen Lee

Meet our Creative Master – Karen Lee! Karen is the DIY wizard and the creative mind behind all of our inspiration posts: from fantastic gift ideas to exceptional decoration tips that make your events pop. Stick around for more exciting content, as we belive she is your partner in all things fun and fabulous.