7 Tips for Gifting the Ultimate Custom Photo Blanket

This post has been sponsored by Collage.com.

My father just celebrated his 78th birthday.  It feels like we just celebrated his 70th.  I really wanted to show him how special he is to everyone and how much we appreciate him for all the caring things he does daily.  We ended up gifting to him a photo blanket from both my family and my sister's family.  This might be one of the best gifts we've ever given my dad.  That we were able to present it to him collectively, made it that much more special.

I designed this custom sherpa photo blanket using the tools on Collage.com.  I learned some tips and tricks while doing so that really made this one-of-a-kind blanket into a cherished keepsake for my dad.  I'm happy to share what I've learned, so you can create the ultimate custom photo blanket for your loved one.


7 Tips for Gifting the Ultimate Custom Photo Blanket . . .

1.  Keep the best part hidden.  When presenting your sherpa photo blanket, fold the blanket with the image side facing in.  This way, the recipient will see and feel how soft and cuddly the blanket is, while the best part is still out of sight. When your loved one unfolds the blanket, the one-of-a-kind design will be revealed, causing many Oooo's and Aaaaah's to ensue.

2. Select photos from both the past and the present.  Before you even think about choosing a layout, carefully select which photos you would like to include on this photo gift.  Consider choosing photos from important past memories, such as a wedding, a graduation, or a favorite photo of someone who is no longer with you.  Also include photos from the present to represent things that make your loved one smile today.

3. Choose a blanket that suits the recipient's lifestyle. The sherpa throw was perfect for my dad because we live in New England.  He will be able to cuddle up with the throw while watching football during the chilly fall and winter months.  A queen size blanket would be too large for his needs.

4.  Choose a template that accommodates and shows off your selected photos best. There is a large selection of pre-made templates to choose from on Collage.com. If you don't see one that fits your needs exactly, you can always create your own.  Remember that some templates have areas that can be customized.  For example, the template I chose originally said "Best Grandma Ever", but I was able to change it to say "Grandpa" instead.  I was also able to change the the font size and reposition the text.

5. Use the same filter on all your photos. Since you are using photos taken at different times and in different places, they may not look cohesive when displayed together. Running them through the same photo filter will help with that.  For example, I applied the San Carmen filter to all my photos.

6. Use the highest quality photos in the larger photo fields. Likewise, reserve the lower quality photos for the smaller photo fields. If you have a photo that is a little dark or could be crisper, you can use the built-in photo editor on Collage.com to brighten, sharpen, and crop your photos.

7. Select a background that suits your photo collage. Although it may not seem intuitive, you should choose your blanket's background when the rest of the design is complete.  Select a background that shows off your photos best.  Try to avoid backgrounds with colors that clash with your design, and backgrounds that compete with your photos for attention.  You want your photos to be the stars of the show, not the background.

I have to say that choosing the photos for my dad's blanket was the most difficult part of this project.  Once I had settled on those, the tools available on Collage.com made the whole process super-easy. There's also a guide that tells you what date you should receive your photo gift by for each shipping method, so you can be sure to receive your gift in time for Grandparent's Day, Christmas, or any other special occasion. Be sure to check for photo blanket deals and free shipping deals on Collage.com before ordering.

Like this photo gift idea? Pin it for later . . . 

Who do you know who would love a photo blanket of their very own?

Tell us in a comment here.

This Personalized Family Tree Pillow from Amazon Handmade Was the Perfect Grandparent's Gift

The Mother's Day and Grandparent's Day gift idea we are sharing about today was purchased with our own funds.

A couple of weeks ago, my mother turned 70 years old.  (I'm still having a little trouble accepting that.)  For this milestone birthday, I wanted to find something she would love for our children to present to her as a gift.  She is a tough person to buy for.  The gift couldn't take up a lot of room due to the size limitations of my parent's apartment.  It also couldn't cost too much money because she would just yell at me for spending so much money on her.

I started searching on Etsy because it's a great source for one-of-a-kind gifts, but I couldn't find anything that I loved that would get to me within a few weeks.  My next stop was Amazon Handmade.  It's still fairly new and I had never taken the time to see what items were available.  I lucked out and found this 20" Family Tree Pillow Cover sold by Crafting Rehab.  I could request the quantity of names, choose from a small assortment of pillow colors, specify the colors in the printing, and change the message located at the base of the tree.  The pillow cover and the cost of shipping were both priced very reasonably.  SOLD!

To complete the gift, I also ordered a 20" square pillow insert on Amazon for $8.50 with free shipping.  The pillow cover was shipped by Crafting Rehab in less than a week and arrived about a week later, earlier than the estimated delivery date.  I must also say that the communication from Crafting Rehab was very timely, friendly, and helpful.

I included the names of my 3 children and my nephew on the family tree to represent all my mother's grandchildren.  The gift was presented to her from all 4 children at the end of her birthday dinner.  My mother just LOVED it!  She told me that night and actually called me the next day to tell me again how much she loved it.

If you have a parent or grandparent who is tough to buy for, I highly recommend checking out Amazon Handmade.  I didn't think I could love shopping on Amazon more than I already did, but this shopping experience made that happen!

"Ricky's Dream Trip" . . . the Perfect Book Series for a Grandfather and a Grandchild to Share on Father's Day

The following is a compensated post for The Motherhood. All opinions expressed are my own.

I spent a great deal of time with my grandfather growing up. I think for many years, I probably spent more time with him than my father. Some (most?) of my fondest memories are of times spent with my grandfather or of stories he used to tell me of his days growing up.

I remember the day he gave me his pocketknife like it was yesterday. It was every bit of a Norman Rockwell moment as any I've ever heard or read about. The hour or so he spent retelling the stories and events of his life that included that beloved pocketknife was one of the most special moments of my life. I’m pretty sure he had it for 70 years before bestowing it to me. The fact that he didn't give it to one of his sons was not lost on me either.  I never had the heart to tell him it ended up at the bottom of Cape Cod Bay just a few days later during some rough seas.

I will always miss my time with my grandfather, the older I get the more I realize how special it was. And this is why I am so excited about the Ricky’s Dream Trip book series by William Stevenson. It's a series of books for kids about Pop Pop and Ricky, a grandfather and his grandson.

The books are very stylized and uniquely drawn. The stories are the dreams of Ricky and his “Pop Pop” traveling through history and other fascinating adventures to places like Ancient Egypt, Colonial America, and even outer space.  What a fun way to celebrate the special relationship kids have with their grandfathers while also teaching them a bit or two about the world around them.

I hope I turn out to be as fun and exciting as Pop Pop or my grandfather Duke was when I become a grandparent!

To learn more about this book series, visit www.rickysdreamtrip.com or Ricky's Dream Trip on YouTube.  Use the Ricky's Dream Trip Facebook app to help you decide which of the 5 books currently available would make the perfect gift for that special grandpa in your life.  You can purchase any of the books in this series in paperback or for the Kindle on Amazon.com.

Review: Dynamic SQUARES "Print-N-Frame" Picture Frames

I have always thought that men are much more difficult to buy for than women. That is why I dread Father's Day every year. I would say that my father probably has enough sport logo t-shirts and polo shirts to last him three lifetimes. This year, I was thrilled to come across this unique square picture frame that would be perfect for any grandparent. Read on to see what makes this frame so different from any other you have ever seen . . .

The Dynamic Print-N-Frame makes the perfect kids art frame because it holds an 8.5"x11" piece of paper perfectly. If your children love to draw pictures or create and print them on the computer to give to their loved ones, then this frame would be perfect for your household.

There are two things I absolutely love about this frame. The first thing is that it is front loading. You only need to unlock and swing open the front to change the picture inside. I cannot tell you how much I dislike framing photos because I always get fingerprints, dust, or pet hair stuck inside or outside the glass when I lay it down to take the backing off. You do not even have to touch the glass to use this frame.

The second thing I love about this frame is that it stores up to fifty 8.5"x11" pieces of paper inside. Your child could draw a new picture everyday for a month and half! This is why I think this picture frame would make a great gift for a grandparent's home or for Dad's office. It is a perfect way to show off the artwork they receive and they do not have to bear the guilt of throwing away old drawings when a new masterpiece is presented to them.

(Click on any image to enlarge)

The lock that keeps the frame shut is very easy to use. It only needs to be turned to release the front panel and turned again the other way to lock it. This 17"x17" frame is very sturdy and heavy. That is why it comes with extra hardware for hanging and has two sawtooth hangers built into the back for each direction it hangs. Yes, the frame and the 7.5"x7.5" matted area is square, but the frame needs to be turned depending on whether the picture is horizontal or vertical.

I think that my Dad is really going to love this Father's Day gift! The Dynamic Print-N-Frame retails for $42.95, but is $32.21 (25% off) through June 30th, 2010. If you have more than one child, you could purchase one for each child to showcase their artwork. I think it would look very nice to have these frames hung horizontally in a row along a hallway or above a sofa.

Visit DynamicFrames.com to view their full line of Dynamic SQUARES and more. For a limited time, you can receive 15% one regularly priced item when you check out using Code: DF15.

Thank you to Dynamic Frames for sending us a sample frame free of charge to base this review upon.