Can't get in the mall? Just use these DIY stocking fillers to print your own gifts at home.

This year is a difficult year for gift giving. Many products are either out of stock or stagnated due to shipping delays. Fortunately, we have a lot of technology to make our own gifts, not that you need another reason to start your 3D printer or laser cutting machine. 

All the maker culture techniques there are inspiring. I used these devices to make a bunch of last-minute gifts. These gifts are all homemade. You know, there is no sense of homemade. 

This series is based on the back-to-school laser cutting machine project I released earlier this year, with a new 3D printer project added. These are mainly made on the Glowforge laser cutting machine and two 3D printers, Snapmaker A350 3D printer and Anycubic Vyper.  

Some are free online files, some are my own custom designs. I have linked to each of the project files below. 

Read more: Best 3D printers of 2021

I started making my own decorations last year and like to place multiple images for the 3D effect. These are a combination of the famous Brooklyn attractions, cut from stained 3mm polyurethane wood. I used Glowforge for these, but the Snapmaker I am testing also has a laser cutting accessory. Observe carefully and you will see that my building is hidden in one of the designs. I uploaded one of these designs here for you to try. 

Instead of handing over a stack of banknotes or any monetary gift you want to give, why not let your recipient work for it? This classic puzzle is very suitable for 3D printing, and you can find many designs and variations online on 3D printer documentation websites such as Thingiverse. Get the .stl file here. 

There are many variations of this concept online. This is a modern version of the model car kit, where the parts are printed on a flat gate. Cut them out, plug them together, and you get a 3D sculpture, usually with a small ring on the top for hanging on a tree. This is a Star Wars document I made, although of course your traditionalists can make reindeer. 

I have tried some 3D printed headphone holders, but they take a long time to print, and they work better when you attach the hook to an existing surface. This wooden version is easy to build, sturdy and durable, suitable for large over-ear headphones, and looks very unique. Get the .svg file here. 

There are many online tutorials on how to obtain a large amount of Google Maps data and convert it into laser-etched images. I used this, very thoroughly. It uses an online application called Snazzymaps, which has a set of convenient image optimization tools that can convert any Google Maps data into laser art. After that, creating a hexagonal template (you can make it as a circle, a square or any shape you like) and adding an image is very simple. If you want a slice of Brooklyn to rest your drink, please get my custom .svg file here.