15 Amazing and Easy DIY Photo Gifts For Any Occasion

Do you want some DIY photo gifts? I have 15 super easy and amazing gifts that are good for any occasion. You can use your favorite photos to create a great gift for family members. Aren’t handmade gifts always the best? Each one of these projects is a simple tutorial and makes the best photo gifts that are meaningful gifts.

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DIY Photo Gifts Video

DIY Photo Gifts Instructions

1. DIY Photo Mug

Materials needed for this project include:

Print your photo image on the transfer paper following the instructions on the package to know which side to print the image on. Let the ink dry, and then cut out the design.

You can easily use photos of people for this project. I chose to preserve artwork that my daughter made for me while I was going through breast cancer. If you look closely it has a mother and child within the breast cancer ribbon, as well as the Wonder Woman emblem as I am a huge Wonder Woman fan.

Take the image outside and spray it with clear coat spray paint. Let the paint dry completely.

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Place the image in water and follow the package for how long. Mine said to soak the image for 30 seconds.

Remove the water decal from the water. Slide the backing out while placing the transfer onto the mug.

Let the mug dry completely, and then let it air dry for 3-4 days, or bake it according to the package instructions. The best part is this is such a simple gift.

2. DIY Photo Iron-On

Materials needed for this project include:

Iron-On Transfer Paper
Fabric of your choice – dishtowel, shirt, bag, etc
Iron

Start by washing and ironing your fabric.

Print your photo image on the transfer paper following the instructions on the package to know which side to print the image on. Let the ink dry, and then cut out the design.

You can easily use a photo, recipe, and other ideas for this project. I took a photo of my son’s handprint art and will be using this for this project.

Place the image side down onto the towel. It’s important if you are using any writing that you reverse it so it will print correctly on the fabric.

Iron the image according to the package instructions.

Let the iron-on transfer cool, then carefully peel back the backing. If for some reason the iron-on isn’t transferred, stop, and iron the project more.

Your dishtowel is ready to use, and be sure to wash it according to the package instructions.

3. DIY Cutting Board

Materials needed for this project:

Print out the image, art, or handwriting you want on a regular piece of paper, and cut it out.

My son wrote me this note when he was little and I wanted to preserve not only the note but his handwriting as well. What a fun way to create home decor!

Put a piece of transfer paper over the top of the cutting board. Use enough that the whole message will fit on it, and place the ink side down on the cutting board.

Place the image over the transfer paper, and use painter’s tape or stencil tape to hold the papers in place. Trace over the image with a pen.

Pick the tip you want to use on your wood-burning tool, and turn the temperature from medium-high to high. Once it’s heated slowly trace the image or letters with the wood-burning tool.

It is recommended that you use the opposite side to cut food as the integrity of the cutting board has been compromised. I love this little heirloom gift that preserves my son’s writing in the perfect way.

Here are the first 3 projects – all kitchen related and very useful. Great DIY photo gifts for any occasion.

Here are 3 more I made for Hometalk TV. Did you know I’m a regular host? These projects from left to right – my daughter’s preserved handwriting, my son’s origami Yoda, and my daughter’s handprint.