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)

More details and info on InstaPaint.com

Instapaint is a partner of TheGiftInsider.com.

These custom aerial shots from BirdsviewArt are the perfect way to honor that favorite honeymoon spot, country you’ve always dreamed of traveling to or home-away-from-home. The artist combines science and art on our beautiful planet with his amazing birds eye view and aerial images. You can request any location that is special to you or a loved one and he will capture it for you in a meaningful but still modern way. The photo will be delivered to you with professional backing and ready to hang.

Use GIFTINSIDER10 for 10% off, $49 and up

Available at birdsviewart.com

*This post is in collaboration with a sponsor we love, BirdsViewArt

There is so something special about the feeling you get when you give or get a custom or handmade present. Whether it’s the story behind the maker, how you found it or how it was made completely just for them, it’s our favorite way to gift. We rounded up some TGI faves to get you thinking about great custom or handmade gift ideas. ‘Tis always the season to be gifting!

1.    The Crafted Cup Company: Stout Tankard

We love these pewter tankards made by hand in England. Not only are these mugs completely safe to drink from (thanks to the lead-free pewter used), they will not tarnish. Safe to drink from, cool looking, and long lasting? Um, yes please!

Via: Crafted Cup Company (10% OFF CODE: GIFTINSIDER10)

2.    All Pop Art: Comic Portrait

These comic portraits are giving us all the feels! Perfect for a wedding gift, housewarming gift or just a plain surprise, these portraits will brighten up any home. Send in any photo to All Pop Art and they will turn it into a cool Lichtenstein-style Pop Art Photo.

Via: AllPopArt 

3.    C & T Custom Lures: Fishing Lure

Surprise someone with a custom fishing lure to make sure they’re the coolest one on the water. TGI especially loves this custom lure that acted as a new dad present! These hit the trifecta- sentimental, practical and custom made.

Via: C&T Custom Lures (10% OFF CODE: GIFTINSIDER10)

4.    Inner Vision Studio: Handmade Placemats

We cannot get enough of these handmade art print placemats painted in soothing colors. They are perfect to make any home or outdoor space truly unique. These are perfect for housewarming, wedding, or birthday gifts.

Via: Inner Vision Studios (10% OFF CODE: GIFTINSIDER10)

5.    Minted- Birthstone Art Print

The perfect gift for the zodiac lover! These handmade birthstone canvases are classy and personal. Great for birthday, mother’s day or just a simple “treat yo-self” gift.

Via: Minted

6.    Bees Gift Ideas: Butt Key Ring

We absolutely love these hysterical key chains. Brighten up your significant others’ day by attaching one of Bees handmade keychain gifts. And PS- we hope everyday is as nice as your butt.

Via: Bee’s Gift Ideas (10% OFF CODE: GIFTINSIDER10)

We want to hear from you! What is the best custom or handmade gift you’ve ever given?

*We handpick our favorite gifts and all opinions are honest and our own. Some products we have affiliate relationships with and some we some list monthly on our site.

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!

Check out our tutorial on DIY Personalized Mugs,  a DIY Man Bouquet or 100’s of Gift Ideas for Moms on the site.

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