03 Dec Give the Gift of Memories This Holiday Season
The holidays are fast-approaching! The kids are another year older and you want to show off photos of your smiling family to your loved ones. But maybe this year, you want to do something more unique than send out the same old family photo holiday cards.
Why not turn your best memories into fun, DIY holiday gifts? Here are 4 easy ways you can get crafty with your favorite photos:
1. Eye-Catching Coasters
Your loved ones will think of you every time they set their cups down with these gifts! For this project, you’ll need cork coasters (which should be available at most craft stores), your photos, an all-in-one glue (like Mod Podge), a paintbrush, and scissors.
Use photo editing software to crop your digital photos into circles, matching their size to fit your coasters. When you’re done with this step, print and cut out your photo circles and use Mod Podge to glue your printed photos onto your coasters. Make sure to press down firmly so that the photos stick to the cork. To give your coasters a finished look, paint over your family’s photos with Mod Podge glue.
2. Mason Jar Lid Magnets
Do you have extra jar lids scattered around the house? Put them to good use by making magnets out of them. You’ll need mason jar lids, a hot glue gun, magnets, photos, and scissors. Using the lid insert, trace a circle onto the back of your photo, and then cut out your picture. Glue the lid insert inside the lid ring using a hot glue gun (be careful with this step!). Then, glue your family photo to the inside of the mason jar lid. Lastly, use hot glue to stick a magnet the back of your mason jar lid frame. Your family will be happy to see your family photos stuck to their fridge every time they grab a snack.
3. LEGO Picture Puzzle
LEGOs have always been all the rage, so why not incorporate them into your holiday gifts? Get six LEGO Duplo blocks and trim your desired photo to ensure that the photos will fit on the surface of the stacked blocks. Use double-stick tape to place your photos on the Duplo blocks. Then, use a knife (preferably an Xacto knife) to make a thin slice through each of the creases in the stack of Duplo blocks (and your photos). Once you’re done, you can rearrange the blocks and make funny combinations by swapping out some of your son’s LEGO blocks and attaching them to his sister’s!
4. Photo Puzzle
Have some fun putting the pieces together with this project! Go to a craft store and buy a blank puzzle with less than 20 pieces. Print out your desired photo, making sure it’s the same size as your puzzle. Put your photo face-down and glue the puzzle on top of it. Once it’s dry, use scissors to cut out the pieces. When you’re done, you’ll have a unique gift that your loved ones will cherish for years to come.
If DIY projects aren’t your thing, give the Cornerstone Photography team a call at (805) 529-3187 or visit our website. We’re more than happy to help you turn your special photos into jewelry, holiday ornaments, ceramic photo tiles, cell phone cases and much more.