Gifts with your grandchild’s photos! Easy DIY ideas
When you’re thinking about a gift for Respect-for-the-Aged Day or a birthday present for grandparents, wouldn’t photos of their grandchildren make them the happiest? If they live far away and you don’t get to see them often, you probably want to send something that lets them see how the grandkids are growing.
So here are some handmade gift ideas using photos! In addition to the classic photo album, we’ve gathered a variety of ideas like custom bottles made by transferring photos and original calendars you can create with apps.
Feel free to use these as a reference and give them a try!
Gifts with Photos of Your Grandchild! 10 Easy DIY Ideas (1–10)
Memory Photo Magnet
Why not make magnets that let you display your favorite photos on the refrigerator and more? You can rearrange the photos to match your grandchild’s growth and attach them wherever you like, as many times as you want.
First, edit your grandchild’s photos using a smartphone app, and once you’ve finished adjusting the images, print them as stickers.
Next, stick them onto an adhesive mounting board cut to size.
Finally, attach a magnet to the back, trim off any excess, and you’re done.
It’s also fun to customize the size and shape of the magnets.
Photos on fabric! Original pouch
Why not make a custom pouch using your grandchild’s favorite photo? It’s perfect for Respect for the Aged Day, and best of all, it lets Grandma and Grandpa see their grandchild’s smile anytime! You can get all the materials at the 100-yen shop, so it’s budget-friendly.
You’ll use a sheet of regular paper printed with your favorite photo on a home printer as the base.
Since the process involves ironing and using a sewing machine, it might be difficult for a child to make alone—so we recommend making it together with Mom or Dad.
A one-of-a-kind photo pouch is sure to be a special gift!
Original Mug
This item lets you print your grandchild’s photos or illustrations onto a mug.
The key point is that you can make it using only household items—no special machines or heat presses required.
First, print the illustration or photo on inkjet paper.
Place the printed paper at the center of a plain mug and secure it with masking tape.
Since it will undergo high heat later, it’s important to use heat-resistant tape.
Next, wrap a silicone mat around the mug to cover it.
Heat it in an oven at 200°C (about 392°F) for roughly 7 minutes, and the illustration will transfer onto the mug—done!
acrylic stand
Here’s how to make an acrylic stand that lets you display an illustration upright by inserting it into a base.
First, prepare a glossy print of your grandchild’s photo or an illustration.
Turn the paper over, apply acrylic paint, and spread it with a sponge.
Next, cut a PP sheet to use as a work base, then cut out the illustration from the glossy paper.
Place a silicone mat over the illustration, add the base portion, and cut.
Then, apply UV resin to the illustration and overlay a clear file.
Press from above with a UV-LED light to cure the illustration, then place a mold on top and apply more resin.
Cure again, then trim away any excess with nippers.
Finally, sand the edges and place the piece onto the base you made to finish.
Original keychain
Keychains with photos of grandchildren make great gifts because they can be worn or carried around all the time.
You can easily make one by simply placing a favorite photo into a photo keychain sold at 100-yen shops, so even small children can create them with ease.
However, since you’ll need to cut the photo to fit the keychain size, please have an adult assist if using scissors is still difficult or unsafe.
It’s a heartwarming Grandparents’ Day gift that lets them see their grandchild’s face anytime, anywhere.
Grandchild’s album
For elderly people, an album where they can see their grandchild’s smile and growth is a gift they’ll never get tired of—perhaps the perfect present.
These days there are many options, such as using smartphone apps or services that select photos and create albums for free, but choosing and making an album with the photos the grandchild personally likes will likely be appreciated even more.
It’s easy to make—just pick the photos and slip them into an album—so it’s a great recommendation for Respect-for-the-Aged Day.
Adding messages to the album will surely make it an even more heartfelt gift that they’ll love.
[Transcription] My bottle
![[Transcription] My bottle](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9cYbGhoSd4w/sddefault.jpg)
This is an item that lets you design a portable personal bottle with photos of your grandchild.
Since it’s a bottle you can fill with your favorite drinks like water or tea, it’s useful for walks and outings.
First, prepare a bottle in your preferred shape that you can buy at a 100-yen shop.
Next, cut the image you’ll use to fit the size of the bottle.
At this stage, also cut a sheet used to prevent kitchen stains on walls, and attach it to the image.
Then rub it with a squeegee or similar tool for about 3–5 minutes.
After peeling off the release paper, place the paper on a tray, pour water over it, and scrub with a toothbrush.
Once the illustration appears clearly, drain the water and stick it onto the bottle to finish.