Books

11 DIY Harry Potter Gifts

by Sadie Trombetta

Whether your best friend is a Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin, when it comes to giving presents, there is nothing they will appreciate more than DIY Harry Potter gifts. It doesn't matter if it's for a belated birthday or a graduation gift, nothing says "I love you, and I respect your obsession" better than a homemade Hogwarts-inspired gift.

There are no other fans quite like Harry Potter fans, and their passion for the series knows no bounds. Potterheads not only love the books and movies, but they also love the swag. Their walls are adorned with prints and pictures, house colors hang in their closets, and there is probably more than one shelf filled with Harry Potter-themed knick-knacks — but there is always room for more.

No matter the occasion, you can't go wrong with a Harry Potter themed gift for the special fan in your life. Birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries — you name it, and there's a magical gift perfect for the occasion. From wands to scarves to artwork, your gift options are endless, and the only thing better than buying one is making it yourself. Your gift won't only be magical because of what it is, but because of who made it.

Thread your needles and heat up your glue guns, because here are 11 DIY Harry Potter gifts for the witch or wizard in your life.

1. Customized Marauder's Map

Every Harry Potter fan swooned when they saw the Marauder's Map proposal go viral on the internet, so you know you can't go wrong by trying to recreate that magic for yourself. Use the original Marauder's Map from Harry Potter and personalize it with places things that matter most to the person you're giving it to. It will be a gift your special HP fan will cherish. Always.

2. Crochet Dobby Doll

Dobby Crochet Pattern , $5, Etsy

Everyone's favorite magical creature, Dobby the house elf will forever have a special place if Potterhead's hearts. Give him a place on the bed, too, with this adorable hand crocheted Dobby doll, whose pattern can be found on Etsy. He's cute, soft, and comes complete with socks and everything.

3. "Happee Birthdae" Cake

Warner Bros.

The best kinds of gifts are edible ones, so if there's a book nerd in your life whose passion for Harry Potter is only rivaled by their love of sweets, then you can't go wrong with a Harry Potter-themed birthday cake as a gift. Instead of adding to the long list of Pinterest fails, trying to recreate Hogwarts in cake form, opt for the simpler yet meaningful "Happee Birthdae" cake that Hagrid gifted Harry on his special day. It may not look perfect, but as Hagrid taught us, looks can be deceiving.

4. "The Grim" Mug

For the Harry Potter-loving tea addict in your life, make them a mug they won't forget by recreating "The Grim" in the bottom of their cup. It may signify bad things to come, but for your friend, it will signify nothing more than how well you know them.

5. Cross Stitched Hogwarts Crest

Hogwarts Cross Stitch Pattern, $5, Etsy

Sweaters, blankets, wall hangings, you name it — the Hogwarts crest is the perfect image to add to just about anything, including gifts. Pick something to add the emblem too, grab this Hogwarts cross stitch pattern from Etsy, and get your needles ready, because this DIY Harry Potter gift might take a while. Looking at the end results though, you know the effort will be worth it.

6. Homemade Harry Potter Wand

Mike Coppola/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

When my nephew asked me to buy him a replica Elder Wand for his birthday a few years ago, I was shocked to find how how expensive they could be. I mean, do these wands really do magic or something? Instead of buying your favorite fan's favorite wand as a gift, make one instead. It's a simple and fun projoect )whose instructions can be found on Mugglenet's Potter DIY page), and it will cost you a fraction of the price of a store bought one.

7. Origami Howler

If you need to make a small, last minute gift for a Harry Potter fan, you can't go wrong with a homemade Howler in place of a boring old "Happy Birthday" card. Sure, they're meant to yell at the recipient, but yours will be yelling messages of love. There are plenty of easy ways to make a Howler at home, but the simplest is to watch a video on YouTube, like this one from Arte Potter, and try and recreate the magic. When it comes to the art of origami, practice makes perfect.

8. Flying Key Baby Mobile

Maybe the recipient of your gift isn't a Harry Potter fan yet, but there is still plenty of time to turn them, starting with the nursery. If you have a baby shower to go to and you know the parents will be reading Rowling's stories to their children someday, then you also know that they will swoon over any Harry Potter themed baby gift, including a DIY flying key mobile. Simple to make a beautiful once completed, this is a unique gift for expecting parents, inspired by the books, and made with heart.

9. Monster Book of Monsters

Since you can't buy the Potterhead in your life another J. K. Rowling book (they have them all already, and multiple copies of each), you need to think outside of the shelf and go with a totally unique book. That's where the Monster Book of Monsters comes it. This adorable yet terrifying book has been terrorizing Hogwarts students for centuries, and now, it can haunt the dreams of your dearest HP-obsessed friend when you give them their very own version. Check out the YouTube video from Lauren Fairweather for instructions.

10. Weasley Christmas Sweater

Weasley Sweater Pattern, $7, Etsy

Christmas may come but once a year, but a Weasley sweater is the perfect gift any season. It's cure, it's comfortable, and it will make the fan you give it to finally feel like part of the Weasley family. Another DIY gift that will take some time and planning, the pattern for the sweater can be found on Etsy.

11. Time Turner

You may not be able to turn back time and make your friend younger, but you can give them the gift of time for their birthday. Or, at least, you can give them the gift of a homemade Time Turner. A cute knick-knack to be displayed or unique piece of jewelry to be worn, the Hermione in your life will surely find a place for your DIY Timeturner.

Images: Graham Denholm/Getty Images, Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Warner Bros.; Giphy