Great news: I've had about five different friends score their dream house in the past couple of weeks! The bad news: I'm trying to stick to a strict budget lately but still want to give them all personal, meaningful housewarming gifts. What to do? I searched the internet for good, small, easy DIY projects that will make awesome gifts to congratulate friends on their new homes.

My parameters for the perfect DIY housewarming gift are simple: it needs to be something easy enough to make that it will actually turn out looking good, it needs to be affordable to make so it doesn't blow the budget, and it needs to be something that someone moving into a new home might actually want or need. And even if you don't know any friends moving into a new home, if you've noticed any new neighbors move into your 'hood lately, these would make great welcome and hello presents to give.

I scoured my favorite DIY projects of recent months to narrow them down to five that I think would make pretty stellar housewarming gifts:

1) Neon-Dipped Clay Pots. Put your favorite plant or succulent in one of these affordable yet bright mini pots and attach a tiny, colorful flag with a message like "Congrats on the new home!" or "Feel free to invite me over anytime!" Via Armelle.

2) Painted Mason Jar Vases. Add in some fresh, local flowers and you've got a charming present with a bit of a handmade touch, just enough to show you really care. Might be fun to include a few of different sizes and colors so they have extra to use as they like. Via Joy's Hope.

3) Neon Painted, Boxed-out Totes. Those with some sewing and painting skills might enjoy giving the gift of your friends being able to carry anything they need. Since moving and unpacking can be a pain, a friend might appreciate not having to search for hours for their reusable grocery bags. Consider including some information about local farmer's markets and grocery stores in the bag. Via Dana Made it.

4) DIY Pinhole Cards. Have friends who don't like a fuss? How about just giving them a DIY card with a gift card to a home supply store, or a list of your favorite places to eat in their new 'hood (and a promise to treat them to dinner to welcome them into their new home). Via The Proper Pinwheel.

5) DIY Lace Cement Votives. Candles are never a bad idea, and these simple, modern indoor/outdoor votives are a great way to flex your DIY muscles and give a quick, easy gift that friends could use when entertaining you at their first dinner party in the new home. Via Say Yes to Hoboken.

Have you ever given a friend or neighbor a homemade, DIY housewarming gift? We'd love your ideas of the ones that have gone over really well.

(Images: As credited above.)