If you are looking for a unique way to give a special memory, enter Instapaint. They make it really simple (and affordable) for you to work with a REAL artist to create a completely custom oil painting out of any photo. You choose your style, such as photo-realism, abstract expression or pop art, upload your photo on their site and an artist gets to work. The prices start at $99 and go up to $199, which is extremely affordable for a completely custom piece of art and a great price range for a wedding gift, engagement gift, Mother’s Day or Fathers Day gift.
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TGI Tips: For your parents, get a favorite family photo turned into a keep-forever piece of art (even sweeter, if it’s a group gift from you and your siblings.) For your anniversary, turn a favorite wedding photo into a sentimental piece you can hang in your forever home. We even love the idea of honoring a beloved fur baby with a custom oil painting. We love the possibilities, we love how easy it is and we love that’s it’s affordable even for those of us without a crazy art budget.
PACKAGES:
1. Small oil painting package starting at $99 (10 x 10 square standard, or choose other available options)
2. Medium oil painting package starting at $149 (15 x 15 square standard, or choose other available options)
3. Large oil painting starting at $199 (22 x 22 square standard or choose other available options)
Summer is here which means it’s time for Dads and Grads gifting season. We have rounded up some great gifts for Dads, some cool options for grads and some ideas that are perfect for either.
1. Artifact Uprising Photo Gifts (TGI Deal!!)
This hip + modern photo gift company has perfect options for both Dads and Grads. Try their wood calendar, desk blocks or Instagram friendly photo books. Their styles are great for minimalist design-lovers and the site is easy to use and easy to upload. $24
Kiko Leather goods have a range of practical & sleek leather options. We are big fans of the passport holder, cord wrap and leather backpack. Lovin’ the dual texture of wool & leather on the Passport case. Handmade, 2 card slots on front. $35
This smartwatch is the brainchild of former Apple and HP product designer Steven Jacobs. It syncs with your smartphones and bluetooth devices to give total command over your digital life. It’s powered by Olio Assist, which is basically a cloud-based personal assistant. We love that while it’s a smartwatch it’s still rugged, useable and easy to read. $445
Neon signs have been a huge trend in home decor lately. Gift the grad a “Hustle” wall sign or trending palm tree desk light or have this talented artist design any custom sign you’d like for Dad’s Man Cave. Hustle, $159.99, custom prices range
When going the fragrance route for your Dad or Grad, we love the latest gift sets out for men that pair a fragrance with a practical tote or travel kit. Try the bright orange Vince Camuto set that comes with spray, shower gel and a travel kit for $75. Fill the bag with a few extra thoughtful goodies your Dad or Grad might love and you have a perfect under $100 gift for him!
6. Michigan Made Inspirational Keys from Franklin Village Boutique
For the grad who you want to inspire, try these key necklaces from the charming Franklin Village Boutique. Each vintage key is Michigan-made and embellished with an inspirational word or phrase, “Dream”, “Journey”, “Strength” etc. You’ll find a whole shop full of other equally affordable yet one-of-kind clothing, gifts and chic pieces right in downtown Franklin. ~$35
A huge trend in insta-worthy apartments and home offices lately are retro-inspired cinema lightboxes. This medium sized style from MyCinemaLightBox can be used on a desk, dorm, office or nightstand and your new grad can easily switch up their inspirational words or messages anytime they like. $49.99
Cool gift for any man, Dad OR Grad. Blackwood wallets are 100% European leather, known for their quality, cool minimalist designs and handsomely packaged, many choices of styles & materials. $55 – $85
TGI DEAL! 20% off Father’s Day coupon code BWFD2016
Keurig K15 coffee makers are small, come in a huge range of different fun colors and are perfect for a new apartment, dorm, man cave or office. Now the hard part is picking the color! (Insider Tip: for grads, try the color of their alma mater or new university) $99
10. Photos Etched in Crystal from 3D Laser Gifts (TGI DEAL!!)
We’re all about photo gifts and this company is a unique spin on the typical frame + photo. You send in a photo and 3D Laser Gifts will mold your photo into a 3 dimensional design and then laser etch into a piece of crystal and comes with a LED light base that accentuates engraving. Prices range, flat is $110
Men’s grooming line with a healthy-living ideology and perfectly gift-able Body and Skin Kit options. Montez Renault was founded by former football teammates & men’s grooming entrepreneurs Christopher Renault Butler & Karlos Montez Dansby. The Body Kit and Skin Kit includes all parabon-free and sulfate-free essentials he needs to stay fresh! Body Kit, $59
Warm weather is here, school is out, and everyone is celebrating! It’s finally time to toast off the end of the school year with graduation BBQs and parties. We all know that celebrations and gift giving can get quite pricey, so The Gift Insider rounded up our six favorite DIY Grad Gifts that will not break the bank!
1. A Framed Emergency Fund
This idea is not only cute, but it is functional! This is a perfect gift for the grads heading to college in the fall. Trust us, they will thank you when it is time for that late night pizza order.
Starting a new chapter is beyond exciting, but leaving friends behind is arguably the toughest part. This DIY map idea is the perfect gift that will have your BFF thinking about you every time they look at their wall.
This DIY gift is the ultimate lifesaver. Put together a little package with a bunch of items that will definitely come in handy for the grads’ first year away from home. TGI Tip: Put all of these things into a small wastebasket for their dorm! That way the packaging is as functional as the gift!
While going off to college is beyond exciting, it can be a lonely change at first. Help make that transition easier buy having loved ones & friends of the grad write down a special memory and compile them all in a cute & decorated mason jar!
This Mother’s Day we decided to go the DIY route and make personalized tote bags for our Mom, Grandmas and future Mother-in-law. It was a pretty easy process so we thought we’d give you a step-by-step for any group personalized gifting needs you want something cheap, personalized and thoughtful.
Supplies:
– Transfer Paper (Michaels, Amazon, any craft store),
– Canvas Totes (any craft store)
– Design or Download a unique design and font
– Iron
– Towel
– Goodies to Fill Tote
Step #1:
Create a design and look for your totes. We liked the simplicity of the name and vintage inspired floral border, but there are a lot of ideas on Creative Market if you aren’t graphically design inclinded.
Step #2:
Print your design on transfer paper, cut out the design (making sure to cut as close around the design as possible)
Step #3:
Place towel underneath tote to not ruin you table or carpet, remove backing, and lightly press each area of the print for 20 seconds. Make sure to lift up and press verse moving iron like you would clothing.
Step #4:
Let cool and peel off the backing. If it isn’t coming off easily, iron a little longer.
Step #5:
If you want to do both the front and back of the tote be very careful not to iron where you ironed on the front, as it will melt the front design. We did a little “Happy Mother’s Day 2014” on the bottom back. (Doing both sides was definitly the hardest part of the process for us, so be carefull!)
Step #6:
Repeat for as many totes as you need. We got a few extra canvas bags just in case any didn’t turn out. We ended up using both of our extras, we recommend doing the same.
Step #7:
Fill totes with fresh flowers, edible treats or any goodies each person might like. We gave each of our giftees slightly different gifts on the inside so the gift seemed a little more personalized to each person. Tie with a pretty ribbon and use colorful tissue paper.
Step #8:
Let them ooh-and-ahh over their unique and personalized totes!
It’s daunting and intimidating finding those first few special pieces of art for your real, adult home. Terrified at the thought (and price) of even walking into a shmancy gallery? But too old for your ratty framed concert posters? Enter a new app we’re loving,VANGO. Perfect for a unique Wedding gift idea or an alternative Graduation Gift.
The VANGOapp let’s you take a picture of your empty space, gives you recommendations based on the colors of your room and can even recommend local artists based on where you are. It then lets you virtually see what different pieces look like “hanging” on your wall. It’s filled with one-of-kind work by up and coming artists – so totally original pieces that will have your place pulled together in no time (and not a ton of $$.)
Prices start at $100 Enter code “BEOriginal” for 10% off.
June marks the start of summer, graduation parties and celebrating Dads! We’ve put together a pretty awesome list of gifts for Dads and Grads to help you give something they’ll really dig.
Totally bored of giving your best friends gift cards or jewelry every year for their birthdays? Need something stand-out for a bitzvah, or have a big anniversary coming up where you wanna poke a little fun at the couple?
Make them a custom rap song and video from GiftRapped.com.
While we thought the idea was cool when they first pitched us, it’s all about the execution with something like this, and drum roll please…we think they killed it! The rap at least, normally it would be photos of the couple/the birthday girl etc.
What do you guys think? Who would you give this to?
Send in photos, lyrical inspiration, and they make they rap totally based on the person you are gifting it to. Giftrapped.com
With Father’s Day coming up & graduation party invites rolling in, we’ve got some unique ideas for Dads & grads! Watch The Gift Insider highlight our Top Picks on NBC Chicago on 6.3.2012.
more than a suitcase, it’s a movement! the sleekest luggage around, perfect for the minimalist man who likes to travel in style. and you know it’s hot because snoop dogg rolls with ’em.
based in Chicago, this hip jewelry line lets you mix & match chains and stones of all different varieties. It’s a great way to give a grad a one-of-a kind gift.
kitchsy electronic sandwich press that toasts the face of jesus into your sandwich. A Kickstarter invention from a sweet couple in Brooklyn, this holy press is sure to make anyone’s day. 40% OFF with an exclusive GIFT INSIDER CODE
shipped with a Crowbar! So Manly. No ribbons, nothing pink & pretty. Just cool guy stuff shipped in a crate. The unexpected opening experience is pretty fun too. They have about 15 different crates for every kind of guy.
Check out my first experience trying out the The Grilled Cheesus! Amazeballs.
The Grilled Cheesus is an electronic sandwich press that toasts the face of Jesus onto your sandwich bread. Definitely fun way to impress/freak out your college roommates or inspire kids at breakfast. Portion of profit goes to Feed the Hungry. The idea came before the Glee episode, but we’re certain it will be a hit for Gleek fans. “Bring a little miracle to lunchtime.” $39.95
