Holiday Gift Guide 2026: Handmade Gifts That Actually Get Used

Bob Baird

4 days ago

3 min read

Christmas trees lit up at night for the holiday season — Christmas Trees at Night

The holidays come fast. One week you're carving pumpkins, and the next you need a hostess gift for Thanksgiving, something for the eight nights of Hanukkah, and you have a Christmas present list that keeps getting longer.

This guide makes it easier. Everything below is laser-engraved in our St. Louis shop, and each piece is meant to be used, not tucked in a closet. The serving pieces stay out all season. The coasters go on the coffee table. The ornaments come back out every December.

Order-by dates for guaranteed holiday delivery:

Thanksgiving November 10

Hanukkah November 14

Christmas December 10

None of the seasonal designs below need personalization, so there's no proof to wait on. They're made and shipped quickly. Order on our website; orders over $75 ship free (UPS Ground Saver).

For the Thanksgiving host: a Lazy Susan for the table

Thanksgiving dinner table set with pumpkins, gourds and autumn flowers — Thanksgiving Feast

If someone else is cooking the turkey this year, don't show up empty-handed. Our Thanksgiving Acacia Wood Lazy Susan ($60) is a 13.5-inch turntable that spins sides, condiments, and dessert within everyone's reach. Choose from three engraved designs: Happy Thanksgiving, Big Turkey, or Thanksgiving Gourds.

Thanksgiving acacia wood lazy Susan, laser-engraved, by LaserArtsDesign in St. Louis — Thanksgiving Acacia Wood Lazy Susan

Want something a little smaller? The Thanksgiving Slate Coaster Set comes in Turkeys or Fall Icons designs, in a set of 4 ($36). The Thanksgiving Maple Cutting Board ($60, 13.75" x 9.75") also doubles as a serving board for the appetizer spread.

👉 Shop the Thanksgiving collection, and order by November 10.

For the eight nights: Hanukkah gifts with real everyday use

Hanukkah gifts can be meaningful and practical. The Hanukkah Acacia Wood Lazy Susan ($60) comes in two designs: Menorah & Stars of David or Menorah with Dreidels & Stars of David. It's a centerpiece that goes right back to work after the holiday.

Hanukkah slate coaster set of 4 engraved with dreidels, by LaserArtsDesign — Hanukkah Slate Coaster Set (Dreidels)

The Hanukkah Maple Cutting Board ($60) is engraved with a Menorah or Menorah & Dreidels design. The Hanukkah Slate Coaster Set with dreidels (4 for $36) makes an easy gift for one of the eight nights, or for the family hosting the latke party.

👉 Shop the Hanukkah collection, and order by November 14.

For Christmas: ornaments, boards and coasters for everyone on the list

New this year: 3-Layer Mandala Holiday Ornaments ($39 for a set of 3). Each ornament is laser-cut in three layers of red, white, and green and stacked for real depth. They look good on the tree, tied onto a wrapped gift, or handed out as a "thanks for everything" to teachers, coworkers, and neighbors. Buying for a crowd? Order 10 or more sets and 10% comes off automatically at checkout.

3-Layer Mandala Holiday Ornaments, set of 3, laser-cut in red, white and green — Mandala Ornament Set

👉 Take me to the ornament set

For bigger gifts, the Christmas Maple Cutting Board ($60) comes in four designs: Santa & Reindeer, Snowman, Snowflakes on Top, and Snowflakes All Over. It's ready for the holiday spread and useful all year. The Christmas Acacia Wood Lazy Susan ($60) makes a centerpiece for the family table.

And for stocking stuffers on up, the Christmas Slate Coaster Set comes in Snowflakes, Reindeer, or Snowman, in a set of 4 ($36).

Christmas slate coaster set of 4 engraved with snowmen, by LaserArtsDesign — 4 Happy Snowmen

👉 Shop the Christmas collection, and order by December 10.

Quick picks by budget

Under $40: Slate Coaster Set of 4 ($36) · 3-Layer Mandala Holiday Ornaments ($39)

Under $75: Maple Cutting Board ($60) or Acacia Wood Lazy Susan ($60)

Under $100: The "one gift covers it all" option:

Acacia Wood Lazy Susan plus a matching Slate Coaster Set of 4: $96 total, and it ships free (orders over $75 ship free)

Why shop handmade this year?

We make every piece in our St. Louis shop on a production laser, not mass-produced overseas. LaserArtsDesign is a small, veteran-owned business, and buying here supports a local maker instead of a warehouse.

The materials are real: solid maple, acacia wood, and natural slate. The designs are engraved in, not printed on, so they hold up to years of holiday dinners.