Unique and easy gift ideas on the uni budget

Written by Melissa Norris

Got a birthday coming up and looking for a personalised, easy and beautiful present? Hand-made cards are a perfect gift for anyone, whether for their special day or just to send a happy message. They’re fun, inexpensive, and so much easier to make than you might think!

Card Making 101

You don’t need to be an Art Major to create beautiful, elegant and professional looking hand-made cards on the uni budget. All the materials you’ll need for a basic card are simple, inexpensive household items: paper, scissors, glue and colour pencils, and of course a bundle of imagination!

When making a card for a special person it’s always good to keep them in mind and to use their life for inspiration. Think about their interests, pets, hobbies and their favourite colours and work out a plan that keeps the card as unique as they are. You can also personalise it by adding their name or age.

Generic cards are also possible and can be made ahead of time. Floral designs are always well received by women and girls, while cards for men are a bit more difficult, but cars and boats are usually appropriate.

Taking it to the Next Level

Now that you’ve got the basics down it’s time to get a little bit more adventurous. Think about adding textures or layers to the card to build on the basic design. Just about anything can be added at this stage including wool, cotton or string, foil, wrapping paper or coloured card, beads, sequins, buttons and stick-on gems. These can be used to give a 3D effect and make the card stand out, and as always how you use the materials is up to you!

When using more complex designs it’s always a good idea to play to your strengths. If you know how to use a needle and thread you might consider adding a cross-stitched design, while anyone who is good at working with complimentary colours should use this skill to their advantage. It might be that you’re good at using layers or working with fine details, or perhaps you’re particularly creative and would love to see your unique style laid out on the page. Creating hand-made cards is just as much about the person it’s for as the person who made it, and it’s always nice to add that personal touch.

Sending the Right Message

A personalised message is always the perfect touch to add to a hand-made card, and you don’t have to be a poet to say something special! This is another opportunity to focus on what you’re good at, whether it be your great sense of humour or your ability to think up clever rhymes. It’s always good to remember that the person you give the card to is likely to love whatever you say, just because it’s from you!

It’s so rewarding to see the finished product, and even more so when you give it to the special person you made it for. Hand-made cards are bound to make a lasting impression and your friends and family will appreciate the time, effort and thought you put into each individual one.