Show Your Thanks This Year with DIY and Customized Gifts

updated by Anne Dorfman on 11/5/2025

It’s about that time of year when family & friends gather together to celebrate and give thanks. Team Clothing Shop Online (CSO) wants to ensure you’re not going to these fun holiday gatherings and celebrations empty handed! The key to finding fun yet affordable presents this year? DIY and customized gifts! DIY and customized gifts truly elevate any item by adding a personal and thoughtful touch. Let’s explore the wonderful ways you can show your thanks this holiday season with DIY and customized gifts! 

The Power of DIY & Customizations

DIY and customizations truly elevate any gift. It adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness and sincerity. Whether you're looking to print, embroider, or paint, there's truly no wrong way to elevate your gift. Try incorporating the recipients' favorite saying or colors to really personalize your gift.

In addition to being personable and thoughtful, DIY and customized presents can be incredibly affordable. Prices can really add up quickly this time of year, so taking advantage of CSO's wholesale priced blank apparel mixed with a customization technique that you can do at home is key. CSO offers an array of blank and affordable apparel and accessories that can easily be customized. For instance, CSO offers a wonderful array of blank trucker caps that you can easily embroider, print, and more. Learn more about how to decorate trucker caps here.

Simply put, DIY and customizations not only elevate an accessory or apparel item, but it also doesn’t break your bank. CSO offers free shipping on all orders $59+ as well as bulk bonus offers, so the more you buy, the more you save. Check out all of CSO's deals here. 

Gift Ideas for Different Occasions

Incorporating DIY into your gifts this year opens up an endless world of creativity! From embroidering accessories to tie-dyeing t-shirts, there are truly endless ideas and possibilities for all levels of crafting. Here are a few to get you started!

Embroidery

If you don’t have an embroidery machine, you can easily hand embroider your apparel or accessory of choice! All you’ll need is your apparel or accessory of choice, backing, scissors, embroidery needles, hoop, threads and design pattern. This crafting method does take longer than other methods, so if you’re in a time crunch, consider one of the other methods. However, if time permits and you would like to add a very personalized and wonderful added touch to your gift, embroidery is an incredible crafting method. When it comes to embroidery, you can really embroider anything under the sun! You can embroider a logo, initials, a design or a message!

Tie Dye

Tie-dye is a wonderful and easy way to elevate any apparel or accessory item! All you’ll need to tie-dye is: a blank apparel or accessory item, fiber dyes, rubber bands, plastics bags or wrap, wire rack or somewhere safe to place your item to dry, rubber gloves, and protective plastic sheet. Try incorporating fun colors from the season or maybe the recipient’s favorite colors! If you’re looking for a step-by-step on how to tie-dye, check out CSO’s how-to article here. Regardless of what type of tie-dye swirl you decide to do or what colors you choose, it’s bound to be a fun activity and an even better gift.

Heat Transfer Vinyl

Heat transfer vinyl, HTV, is a wonderful kind of vinyl material that you can use to customize or personalize any apparel item or accessory. HTV vinyl has two different sides: The first side is the vinyl itself and the second is a heat-activated adhesive backing. Make sure you are using the right temperature, pressure, and timing.

If you’re trying this method out at home, make sure you have the right items. To test this method out, you will need: a vector image or template for your HTV design, your vinyl type, a vinyl cutter and weeding tool, heat-resistant tape to hold down the design, barrier Teflon paper, a towel (to place inside the apparel or accessory item) and a heat source like a Cricut EasyPress Mini to apply the HTV design to your hat. This method is a great way to add a logo, fun monogram, or thanksgiving-esque image to your blank apparel or accessory. Regardless of what you choose, it’s bound to be fun and thoughtful!  

Tips for Successful Gift Making

To ensure your DIY and customized gifts are a success, it's important to plan ahead and pay attention to every detail. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to craft, create, and make mistakes! It’s very normal to make mistakes throughout a creative process, so give yourself grace and time to make something wonderful & special. Also, be sure to write down all the important steps and supplies you will need to create a wonderful and customized gift. Be sure to check out CSO for all your apparel and accessory needs. Need a place to start? Check out these fan-favorite items from CSO that are perfect for any customization or craft! 

• Bella + Canvas CVC Jersey Tee (Style #3001CVC)
• Next Level Apparel Malibu Hoodie (Style #9302)
• Yupoong Zone Performance Cap (Style #TT801) 
• Comfort Colors Garment-Dyed Heavyweight T-Shirt (Style #1717) 
• Lane Seven Heavyweight Long Sleeve T-Shirt (Style #LS15009) 
• Artisan Collection by Reprime Cotton Chino Bib Apron with Pocket (Style #RP132)

Time To Create & Give Thanks!

Take your gifts for your loved ones to the next level this year with DIY and customizations – it's not only thoughtful, but also super cost effective. After these tips and tricks, you're bound to sleigh in the gift department.