The gift giving season stresses me out every year. It doesn’t matter if it’s a birthday, some kind of anniversary or Christmas, finding a right gift is always a big headache for me.
A good way to create budget-friendly gifts is repurposing items. You know the saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Recycling does not just save you money and nerves when shopping for gifts, but it’s also good for the environment and helps you to get creative.
I really like DIY gifts, as it’s a perfect way to put some love and dedication to a gift. Don’t think that I’m against store-bought presents – not at all, but sometimes handmade gifts are a perfect alternative.
Today I will show you 5 great ways to upcycle picture frames and how to make DIY gifts from them.
The materials and supplies you need to make these DIY gifts are normally things you already have at home (paint, glue, ribbons, etc.). If you don’t have enough frames or need other shapes, just check out thrift stores near you, ask your friends or check out WholesalePosterFrames.com if you prefer to buy frames online. For the terrarium and succulent garden, you may need to buy succulent cuttings if you don’t already have them in your garden.
Here are 5 different DIY gifts made from picture frames:
Memo Board
The memo board makes a great gift for the home office, kitchen or why not for a living room to display the latest family photos. It’s also perfect for kid’s room to keep their activities organized. You can make them magnetic, use fabric, chicken wire or chalkboard paint to name a few possible design options. (images 1|2|3|4)
Jewelry Display
We all know that jewelry is the girl’s best friend and that the best gift for a jewelry lover is a display where to show off all those gorgeous pieces of bling. A good way to display and keep your accessories organized is a jewelry display. You can use lace, picture wire or wire mesh to create a personalized jewelry display for your friends. (images 1|2|3|4)
Magnetic Make-Up Board
Another thing girls love is their make-up. Why should it be hidden in our bathroom drawers, when we can display it as we do with our accessories. The magnetic make-up board is made of a picture frame and a metal sheet. Decorate it as you like and don’t forget to add small magnets so that the gift receiver can attach her precious beauty products to the board. (images 1|2|3|4)
Succulent Garden
The succulent garden makes a perfect present for people who love plants and gardening. It’s a stylish way to decorate your rooms with plants and art at the same time. Shadow box frames are perfect for creating an elegant succulent garden (see the instructions here). Remember to leave a note with instructions about how to take care of the garden. (images 1|2|3|4)
Terrarium
A terrarium is another great present for people who like having plants around the house as it gives them a possibility to create their own miniature dream garden. But aside from using it for plants, it can be used just for decoration purposes too. Creating a terrarium takes a little bit more time and skill than the above-mentioned gifts, but it’s worth the time. (images 1|2|3|4)
Love these ideas! I’ve actually done the jewelry display for earrings, but I’d like to try making the memo board.
As Mother’s Day is soon coming, this can serve as a great gift for my mom. Gifts are nice if they are personalized and sincere.
I will always go for something made with love over something purchased
unless it’s a trip to Greece or Japan 🙂
These are really practical and functional. I might try to work on
the old photo frames here at home BUT I will surely end up making
the jewelry display or the make-up board for myself. Oops.
I have a few of these pinned already, I want to do a few things, just haven’t gotten around to it yet.. just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
I love the succulent one! I am a sucker for that kind of thing!
I *LOVE* succulents, and this idea is so adorable! I think it’s a fun idea to try, especially for those who love plants but don’t live in the best areas to grow lots of plants.
Wow, the terrariums look amazing! I never realized how easy it could be to make one by repurposing frames. All the ideas here are smart.
I love it!!! Those are very artistic and so creative. You can even use the old frame and make it as beautiful as that.
These are awesome – very ideal, lovely and creatively done!
I love all these ideas especially the make up frames. Great way to repurpose!!
These Do It Yourself frames can really be great gifts as you can personalize it.
This is a great idea and I like the Succulent Garden and Jewelry Holder made from Old Frames
Those are all awesome. I love to decorate my things with items that are a little unique like that & with those, I could totally personalize them to match 🙂
I love the succulent garden ideas. They look REALLY cute…now if only I had the time!
I love DIY gifts! I want to do many for the holidays this year. I like the succulent garden a lot! I wouldn’t have thought to use picture frames, it’s amazing what you can use to create new things.
Those are some great ideas! I’ve never seen anyone make so much out of picture frames!
I love the magnetic ones, that is fantastic. I should really try and make myself something like this. x
I love the succulent garden and they makeup tray! These are such neat ideas.
I love that picture frames and shadow boxes are so versatile!
I love DIY frames like these. They add a certain charm to all of the photos that you display around your home.
My little girl loves the whole DIY necklace/bracelet things I get for her. She has a really keen eye for design. One day, I’ll see if she can take a project like this.
Those are some really cool designs for memo boards!
Those are some very creative ideas to use old frames for! I love the idea of using one for a jewelry holder. I am going to have to see if I have any old frames to do this with soon!
I love the vintage chic look!
I love the Picture frames and the Terrariums, I want to try to do a terrarium this year so this gives me ideas.
These are all such great ideas! Most people have a lot of old picture frames laying around and they can certainly out them to good use
Those are some really cool DIY crafts. I showed my daughter the makeup board and I think she might make one.
This is so neat! I love the memo boards as well as the succulent gardens 😀
I kinda like the makeup organizers. That beats a drawer!
I love these ideas! I have so many old picture frames that I don’t really have other uses for, I’ll have to try one or two of these.
WOW! These are fantastic ideas! I love creativity like this!
These are all amazing. I wish I were super creative like people who do these!
I’ve been meaning to make one of those magnetic makeup boards. I’m going to try to get one done this weekend!
These are such great ideas! I love picture frames and this would be the perfect way to add more without using pictures.
I love ALL of these ideas! Maybe I’ll even make a makeup board for my daughter.
Those are just lovely and thanks for these ideas too!