When it comes to gifting, look to your very own kids to help create the perfect gift. If there’s one thing we’ve all learned, it’s that kids are full of imagination and their school art projects prove it. With Shutterfly, you can take your kid’s artwork and turn it into a beautiful gift in minutes when paired with the right product. Whether you customize a mug with a self-portrait or add their drawing of grandma and grandpa onto a custom pillow, gifts that includes elements of your little one’s imagination is special. Below, you’ll find personalized gifts that features your kid’s original artwork is the perfect choice for a gift to any loved one.
1. Hang It as Custom Wall Art
Turn your kids’ artwork into unique wall art by uploading their creation onto a canvas print or making a framed print. This is a creative way to celebrate your child’s artwork and gift a friend or family member with something they can use to decorate their home. Loved ones will especially enjoy having an original piece of art on their wall.
2. Turn It Into a Family Card
Share your child’s artwork with family and friends by making their piece the star of the show. Whether you’re sending a custom thank-you note to a loved one or a personalized card to a close friend, you can make a greeting feel unique by turning your child’s artwork into a full-fledged card design. You can even send out your kid’s art as a custom Christmas card this holiday season. All you have to do is take a clear photo of the artwork and then upload the new image file to a blank customizable card online.
3. Make a Coffee Mug
Spice up an ordinary coffee or tea routine by designing a custom mug that features your kid’s artwork. You can opt for a collage and include multiple images of your kid’s best artwork, or you can add in a family photo. This is the perfect gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and older siblings.
4. Turn It Into a Photo Book
If your child brings home artwork on a weekly basis, you can turn their favorite pieces into a photo book to capture each and every project. This is a great gift that can live with a loved one’s collection of albums or become a popular item on a coffee table. You may even want to consider making a photo book for your own home to preserve your kid’s artwork and avoid a stockpile of drawings and paintings.
5. Make a Necklace or Charm Bracelet
Jewelry is a popular gift to give for any occasion. You can make items such as a necklace or bracelet feel even more unique by turning your kid’s artwork into a custom photo charm that the recipient can wear as they please. Consider giving a custom necklace or bracelet to Mom with your child or grandchild’s artwork front and center.
6 Put Kids Art On Keychains
Transform their favorite piece of artwork into a custom keychain so they can show it off wherever they go. Keychains designed with their doodles are unique gift ideas for your children. Whether it’s a back to school gift or a Christmas gift, your child’s art can hang off their keys or backpack every day.
7. Turn It Into a Notebook
Transform everyday stationery into an inspiring, unique gift by customizing a notebook that showcases your kid’s artwork. This is a fun and easy way to utilize your child’s artwork while giving your friend or family member a useful gift. Custom stationery with artwork can also double as a gift for a sibling’s high school graduation, Teacher Appreciation Day, or a simple thank-you gift.
8. Make a Custom Plate
Turn an ordinary plate into a playful piece of art by using your child’s artwork to design and create custom plates. If playdates happen regularly in your group of family and friends, consider this gift especially helpful and creative for snack-time moments and lunch dates. You can use your kid’s artwork to design more than one plate and give the recipient a plate collection they can’t find anywhere else.
9. Make a Custom Pillow
If you’re looking to give the gift of comfort, consider creating a custom pillow using one of your kid’s own designs. A custom pillow completed with an adorable drawing or painting from your little one can be gifted on a variety of occasions, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays and Christmas.
10. Turn It Into a Puzzle
Are there other kids or teenagers in the recipient’s household? If so, a custom puzzle that pieces together your kid’s artwork can be a fun gift to give. When you use your kid’s very own drawing or painting, this gift comes to life with creativity and doubles as an activity.
11. Create A Personalized Christmas Ornament
During the holiday season, let your kids art hang from the tree as personalized Christmas ornaments. Turn their masterpieces into DIY holiday decor that will double as a holiday keepsake for years to come. These make the best gifts for grandparents and other family members that love seeing the wonderful kids drawings your little ones create.
12. Show Off Kids’ Drawings On Custom Pillows & Blankets
Let their creativity shine by displaying their artwork on personalized blanket and pillows for their bedroom. Transform their masterpieces into one-of-a-kind home decor that they can cuddle up with every night. A pillow or blanket with your child’s artwork on it makes a great gift idea for your little one that they will cherish for years to come.
Photographing Your Kid’s Artwork
Capturing your child’s artwork is a simple process with a few easy steps. Start by finding a spot in your home with good natural light—this will help you get the best photo. Set up your shoot area with a solid-colored background, like a white poster board, to make the artwork stand out.
Place the artwork in the center of the background and use a stool to position yourself directly above it. This top-down angle ensures a clear, distortion-free shot. Be sure no shadows from your body or other objects fall into the frame.
Turn off your camera’s flash and shoot at the highest resolution possible. If you’re using a DSLR, you’ll get the best results, but a phone camera can work too. For smaller items like mugs or charms, a phone photo should suffice. For larger items, such as wall art, use a professional camera to ensure high quality. After taking your photos, upload them to Shutterfly to start customizing your keepsake.
Resources Related to Turning Kids Artwork into Gifts
While a store-bought gift used to be the norm for gifting to loved ones, custom gifts from Shutterfly can leave a lasting impression, especially when you involve your own kids. Instead of letting paintings and drawings pile up, you can use your kid’s creations to make a beautiful gift with a homemade feel that any loved one will appreciate. Start sharing the joy that’s been hanging on your refrigerator with your friends and family today. Whether you put their artwork on your custom iPhone case or a jigsaw puzzle, you’ll love having these one-of-a-kind keepsakes to look back on as your child grows up.
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