Have you ever bought the same gift for several family members? Or did you buy a friend a generic-themed Christmas cup because you were running out of time?

Instead of running through the stores or endlessly scrolling for a unique gift or decoration, you can 3D print it and save the hassle.

If you haven't experienced the joys of 3D printing, you're missing out. The fact that you can turn almost any reasonably sized 3D model into a real-life object is amazing and is perfect for the Christmas season—both as decorations and as gifts.

1. Miniature Christmas Tree

3D printed Christmas tree

When you just don't have the time, money, energy, or space for an actual Christmas tree, this miniature Christmas tree is a great 3D printing idea. It blends in perfectly on an office desk, a dorm desk, an entryway side table, a coffee table, a nightstand, and more.

If you decide to place it on your office desk next to a computer, you could set a Christmas theme in Windows to add to the festive spirit. An excellent way to liven up your workspace, isn't it?

2. Spinning Christmas Star

3D printed spinning Christmas star

This spinning Christmas star decoration can be mounted on top of a Christmas tree or hung from its branches. Its three concentric stars each rotate independently of the others, making for an interesting sight and a great conversation starter if you host parties during the holiday season.

3. Santa Ornament

3D printed Santa ornament

A Santa ornament may not be original, but sometimes traditional trumps original. This soft and welcoming ornament fits in on any Christmas tree and can be spruced up either by printing with colored filament or painting after the fact.

4. Rudolph Ornament

3D printed Rudolph ornament

This Rudolph ornament is almost identical to the Santa ornament above, except it showcases a reindeer instead of Santa. The two complement each other quite well, and you should definitely have both of them on your tree. Besides adding the Santa and Rudolph ornaments, you can make the Christmas tree stand out with DIY Christmas lights.

5. Holed Christmas Ornaments

3D printed Christmas ornaments

If you're more into generic ornaments that can be printed en masse and thrown all over your Christmas tree, then consider these holed Christmas ornaments. They strike the perfect balance between traditional and non-traditional: a normal ball shape with an unusual pattern!

6. Snowflake Decoration

3D printed snowflake

The final 3D printing idea for a Christmas ornament on this list is the snowflake decoration, which is simple, traditional, and mass-producible. They're delightful enough that you don't have to constrain them to your Christmas tree. Hang a bunch of them around the house for an authentic winter feel!

7. Sleigh and Reindeer Decoration

3D printed sleigh and reindeer

For something subtle but atmospheric, put one of these sleigh and reindeer decorations in every room of your house. It's thin and light enough to sit on top of any wall hanging, or you can use double-sided tape, or just set them up on shelves, counters, desks, etc.

8. Reindeer Figurines

3D printed reindeer figurines

These reindeer figurines offer a bit more dazzle and pop than the silhouettes above. Plus, they are noticeably more three-dimensional, making them a better option for coffee tables, dining tables, side tables, and anywhere else that you want to liven up. To get that glittery look, spray paint it with glittery spray paint!

9. Jointed Christmas Figurines

3D printed Christmas figurines

Want to tap into the cute side of the holiday season? These jointed Christmas figurines are a great 3D printing idea, either as decorations for the house or as playthings for younger children (but not too young because these can be choking hazards). After printing, have some fun painting them but don't forget to gift one of them to your close friends and family members.

3D printed Christmas cookie cutters

These Christmas cookie cutters have a nice aesthetic quality, making them fit as decorations. Leave them out or hang them up to add a dash of festive color to your home. And if you bake, use these to cut your cookie dough into relevant shapes!

If you're getting ready for a baking marathon this holiday season, there are plenty of free Christmas cooking and recipe apps that you can use to impress your family.

11. Spiral Chess Set

3D printed spiral chess set

For the chess lover in your life, this spiral chess set can be a great casual set for occasional play and doubles as a decorative piece and conversation starter if they're willing to leave it out on a table or desk. Print in a high-quality material for maximum impact.

As you wait for the 3D printer to finish printing the chess set, you can use an app to learn chess on your phone.

12. Puzzle Chess Board

3D printed puzzle chess board

This beautiful puzzle chess board goes well with the spiral chess set above but also works well with any other chess piece design. It's subtle and pleasant yet eye-catching at the same time. So, feel free to print in whatever light and dark colors you prefer.

13. Trinity Knot Pendant

3D printed trinity knot pendant

The "trinity knot" (also called triquetra) represents the three main promises of any solid relationship: love, honor, and protection. You can gift this to anyone with whom you have a strong and lasting bond, whether romantic or platonic.

14. Coral Candle Shade

3D printed coral candle shade

The Christmas season is the perfect time to break out scented candles, and what better way to take it to the next level than with a coral candle shade? The design casts an incredibly atmospheric shadow that looks great anywhere and fits well, even if the holiday season is over.

15. Bedlam Cube Puzzle

3D printed cube puzzle

Puzzles always make for great gifts, especially for younger children whose brains are still developing. This bedlam cube puzzle comes with 13 unique geometric pieces that can combine in over 19,000 ways to form a perfect cube. But it still isn't easy to solve!

16. 12-Shot Rubber Band Gun

3D printed rubber band gun

For a kid or teenager who loves guns, you may prefer to gift them a rubber band gun instead of an airsoft gun or paintball gun. It's safer, cheaper, and a great way to use whatever stray rubber bands you may have sitting around.

17. Indoor Boomerangs

These lightweight indoor boomerangs are excellent for all ages, providing an alternative way to expend pent-up energy than using a fidget spinner, twirling pens, or anything similar. It flies in a one-meter radius and is super lightweight, meaning it won't cause any damage on impact.

18. USB Cable Holder

3D printed USB cable holder

For the tech geek in your life who has too many USB cables and devices, this USB cable holder is a practical gift option that will help organize their life. You can stack them side by side, and it comes in four varieties: standard USB, Mini-USB, Micro-USB, and Lightning.

19. Nintendo Switch Cartridge Case

3D printed Nintendo Switch cartridge case

If you have a friend who's obsessed with their Nintendo Switch, you could obviously surprise them with one of these amazing Nintendo Switch games. But what if you don't have the money, or what if they prefer to buy their own games?

Well, in that case, you can print them a Nintendo Switch cartridge case to hold all of their games and stay organized.

20. Christmas Gift Boxes

3D printed Christmas gift boxes

Last but not least, try printing one of these Christmas gift boxes if you plan on giving a small or medium gift and want to wrap it in something more unique than wrapping paper or a gift bag.

The best thing is you can scale them to whatever size you want, and you can print each component in whatever color you want, resulting in endless flexibility and customization.

3D Print All Your Christmas Gifts

If you have a hard time finding the right gift for your friends, the above list should help you as long as you or one of your friends owns a 3D printer.

Still can't decide on the perfect gift? No need to worry, as you can take advantage of several websites on the internet to help you out.