In light of my upcoming guest post for “Christmas in July” at Open Hands Full Heart, I thought I’d share one of my favorite gifts to make and give: mini scrapbooks. They’re personal, suited for everyone, never wear out, never expire, always fit, and can be shared with friends. The best part? You don’t have to be a pro scrapbooker with drawers full of stickers and gadgets to make one.
When my dad and I climbed a mountain together last fall, and he couldn’t stop talking about how great it was, I made this mini-scrapbook of the hike for him, complete with corny (like us) personal commentary. It was the perfect present for him, a man who is impossible to find gifts for (that he won’t return).
Contrary to what the owners of craft stores would like you to believe, it doesn’t take a slew of expensive scrapbook tools and accessories to create a cute and meaningful gift. “Framing” the photos on colored paper backgrounds makes them stand out, and a few simple footprint stickers add to the hiking theme of the scrapbook.
See? No fancy pants details. Just paper, scissors, some colored markers, and a scrapbook is all it takes! If you want to be fancier, you can spend just a few bucks and get a few sticker sheets that coordinate with your theme.
On this page, which shows my dad “holding up a rock” (I told you, we’re corny) I created a caption “tag” with a scrap of brown paper and added a piece of twine as an extra embellishment.
My dad absolutely loved it. It may be the first gift (other than jars of jam) that he hasn’t tried to get me to return, saying “you shouldn’t have done this.” In the words of Borat, great success.
Anyone can make these gifts. In the end, it’s not about the stickers and the fancy die-cut paper adornments – it’s about the photos and the memories.
The only problem? I love the results so much I want to keep these scrapbooks for myself! My solution? Make colored photo copies of the pages for yourself. Can’t beat that two-for-one deal!
I can’t complete this post without a shout-out to Katie at Making This Home, who inspired me to take a simpler approach to journaling and scrapbooking. For other inspiration, check out her December Journal, or buy one of her beautiful handmade journals in Gadanke, her shop. (No, she didn’t pay me to say that. If I love a fellow blogger’s products, I like to spread the word!)
Need other handmade gift ideas? Check out all the posts in my new category “Handmade Gifts.”
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7 Comments
You know, I’ve been shying away from scrapbooking because of the elaborate ones my sister cranks out after hours of commitment. I think you’ve inspired me that a simpler approach is more doable.
I want one!! Well done, my friend.
Thanks for the shout out Jane! My mom makes incredibly complex scrapbooks, but this encourages me to try, seeing as I have about 500 photos of a certain baby boy…
I do think the fancy, complex ones that people create are amazing, but I used to do that – and got tired of the time and expense. We all have to do what works for us!
Wow, you have inspired me to actually scrapbook again! I tried it once but was so overwhelmed by the pricy supplies and the time it took (and the crazy scrapbooking ladies that live here in MN- seriously, it’s kind of freaky sometimes). But that definitely looks do-able! Great idea!
Oh Jane – you are so sweet! I’m so touched by your comments about Gadanke and the process of simply documenting our journeys. The story is the most important part.
My dad would totally be “holding up” the rock, too! haha I love that shot.
Katie
That is a great project. I’m going to be making one for my FIL about our family fishing trip. Its so true that the best gifts are heart gifts not money gifts.