Put The Fun Back Into Card Games

In the depths of winter many of gather with friends to play cards, one way to enhance the experience is to personalize the deck of cards you are playing with at the game.

Customized playing cards allow almost anyone to put the fun back into card games. It doesn't matter what game you are playing, Poker, Barbu, Spades or Bridge, playing the game with personalized cards always makes it a lot more fun!

If you look around, you will not only find regular shaped playing cards, you will find round cards, heart shaped cards and who knows what else?

Playing cards can be customized in a number of different ways, so much so in fact that you should be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Standard customization involves having your photos, logos and other designs printed on the back of each card - this is customization in its basic form - each of the 52 cards plus the 2 jokers has the same photo on the reverse side. Playing cards customized in this way are suitable for serious card games such as bridge or brag.

Taking customization to the next level, you will find there are many photo gift websites where you can put a different photo or design on each of the 54 playing cards. Clearly, making your own playing cards with 54 different images means they are not well suited for serious card games, but they really come into their own when playing fun games with the kids and other family members.

The final option offered on personalized playing cards is to have 54 different photos printed on both the front and the back of each card - this is a firm favorite of children and your kids will probably get a real kick from playing with them.

As I already mentioned, although playing cards with 54 different designs are not much use for a serious game of bridge or poker, they make for great fun when playing with the kids. Try testing your memory to see which of you can remember what picture is on each card? Chances are the kids will be telling you you have the ace of hearts and the 10 of spades in your hand.... and you won't have a clue what they have!

Apart from the obvious fun, personalized cards can also help both children and adults to improve their memories!

If you do decide to make your own playing cards, before you upload your photos and designs to a photo gifts website, it's worth taking the time to find out how the cards are printed. The standard for high quality playing cards is Fuji Xerox Docucolor or the equivalent. By following this advice you will ensure your custom playing cards are finished to the highest quality standard.

There's no mistaking it, customized playing cards really do make great gift ideas for just about anyone, men, women and children will all get a kick out of playing with their own personalized cards!

To sum up, if you are like the majority of us, you love "Do it Yourself" projects and custom photo gifts are almost certainly no exception. You will find making your own personalized playing cards is great fun, especially when you design and create them yourself using your own special pictures, logo's and text.

View our fully customizable playing cards or 

View our fully customizable directory here or here

The Best Gift Ideas Are Personal

It is often said that it's the thought behind a gift that counts, and it's hard to deny the wisdom behind the expression. The best gifts are usually those that demonstrate thoughtfulness, gifts that show that the recipient's personal tastes, passions and interests were taken into consideration. Gifts that demonstrate the full regard, affection and appreciation of those who give them are always welcome too. The best gift ideas do both, expressing how much a person cares with a gift that seems tailor-made for the individual. 

Most people have a list of goals that they would like to accomplish or events that they would like to experience within their lifetime. Often referred to as a "bucket list," after the movie of the same name, a gift that makes it possible for a friend or family member to cross an item off their wish list is sure to be a memorable gift. An array of gift experiences are available for purchase that can help a loved one fulfill a goal, follow a dream or pursue an interest. 

Whether it's a dream vacation or the opportunity to indulge in a lifelong passion, making it happen needn't be exorbitantly expensive. For someone who has expressed an interest in history or archeology, an historical artifact or fossil can spark an enthusiastic response. A book can become an inspired gift when it's a rare edition of the recipient's favorite author. For a sport's fan, a signed memento from an admired athlete is sure to be well-received. Gifts with provenance, those with documentation that links them to their historical origin, may be more expensive but are sure to elicit a favorable response. 

A unique tour can help fulfill someone's lifelong dream as well. Many sports venues offer private or small-group tours of their facilities. Children will love to take advantage of the opportunity for an after-hours tour of a museum. Some theaters offer backstage tours as well. Making it possible for a baseball fan to stand on the pitcher's mound of their favorite team's field or for a theater buff to stand on the stage where a favorite actor or actress once strutted the boards is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is sure to be treasured for years to come. 

Lessons can make a memorable gift as well. An amateur golfer will surely appreciate the opportunity to enjoy private coaching from an expert. An amateur cook will relish a lesson from a chef from a favorite restaurant. Signing up a would-be musician or a comedian for amateur night at a night club or comedy club is another option with the potential for fun. The gift of lessons also opens up possibilities for friends and family to try activities that they've wanted to explore. From scuba diving lessons and archery lessons to classes on carpentry and cooking, the gift of learning can be a memorable gift. 

When the giver takes the time to think about the recipient's personal tastes, interests and dreams, the gift is more likely to appreciated. The best gift ideas are those that demonstrate the thought behind the gifts, presents that let the recipient know that they are valued for who they are.


View our fully customizable directory here or here

The Best Gift Ideas Are Not Always The Most Expensive

At this time of year we have to watch our budget, so gift giving will be fun and not stressful. Gift giving is an excellent way for loved ones, co-workers, and significant others to express thanks and love for each other. The best gift ideas are those which are not necessarily the most expensive, but rather those which come from the heart. Here are some suggestions to help you in your pursuit to find that perfect gift. 

Fruit and gift baskets are ideal for that hard to shop for person. This "gifts within a gift" contains lotions, creams, colognes, candy, coffee, tea, and many other miniature goodies. Along the same lines, business gift baskets can be given to a fellow co-worker who is celebrating a special occasion or is in need of a pick-me-up. Coffee gift baskets are often exchanged between co-workers and are supplied with some of the best coffee in the world. Known as Koa Coffee, it is homegrown in some of most lush regions of beautiful Hawaii. Whether receiving fruit, gift, or coffee baskets, that coworker or loved one will surely get a lot of use out of their many novelties. 

Another unique gift idea is gift cards! Gift cards can be used at a variety of discount stores and fine dining restaurants. The wonderful quality of gift cards is that they give gift recipients the freedom to buy what they want at their own convenient time. Givers can specify the amount to be spent directly on the card. Gift cards are ideal gifts for couples celebrating an important anniversary or newlyweds who simply need a romantic night out. 

Mugs are another unique gift idea that are practical yet decorative. Gift recipients will enjoy a personalized mug with a unique slogan or message with a spin on life. In addition, your loved ones will have something to drink their freshly brewed coffee out of in the morning before starting their day. A variety of creative mugs are available online, including face mugs that have a special compartment in the bottom for storing refreshments. These mugs are very affordable and most are available at under $25. 

Handmade crafts add sentimentality to any special occasion, from birthdays to Christmas. Birth stone flower necklaces let your loved ones know that you have a special place in your heart for them. Fathers can give their wife and daughter matching mother and daughter necklaces with an inscribed message as a token of his love or appreciation. In addition to necklaces, your significant other will look so much more elegant wearing bracelets and rings that are made with a personal touch straight from a craftsman's hands. 

Lastly, stocking stuffers are small little affordable accessories that are charming and quaint. Inscribed key chains which communicate a special message are affordable novelties that can be placed in Christmas stockings at the last minute. These can be bought at novelty and gift shops at a very affordable price. 

Some of the best gift ideas are not necessarily found in expensive shops or boutiques. These suggestions show that you don't have to dig deep into your wallet to find that perfect gift; you only need to search your heart.

View our fully customizable photo gifts directory here or here

Finding The Right Personalized Gifts For A Special Occasion

Selecting a special gift for someone is a joyful and rewarding experience. 

Personalized gifts are a wonderful option for everyone during all occasions. There are many creative and unique items available to choose from when searching for the perfect gift. 

All Occasions 
Gifts that are personalized are proper for all occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations and retirement are just several occasions when a unique item with personalization is most welcomed. They are also perfect for recognizing an achievement or special moment during someone's life. The occasion celebrated often plays an important role when selecting the right type of gift. 

Gift Ideas 
Almost every type of gift can offer some form of personalization to match a specific occasion. It is a good idea to select a gift that has a special meaning and represents something important to someone. Meaningful items are often remembered and cherished the most by those who receive them. Below is a list of several items that are excellent personalized gifts for almost everyone. 

• Awards 
• Bar Glassware 
• Calendars 
• Candles 
• Certificates 
• Clothing 
• Collages 
• Drinkware 
• Engraved Items 
• Jewelry 
• Keepsakes 
• Ornaments 
• Picture Frames 
• Photo Books 
• Playing Cards 
• Sports Watches
• Stationary 
• Wall Plaques 

Where to Buy 
Unique gifts are found on-line, (http://www.giftideasthatworks.com/ or here http://www.hummingbirdandbutterfliesgiftshop.com/ ) and in local retail stores. 

Many popular online marketplaces offer simple search methods to help find gifts that are right for the occasion. Purchasing a custom-made item online might require additional time for design, shipping and processing. If time is limited, buy personalized items at a local retail establishment to make sure you have it ready for when it's needed. It is beneficial to see the completed item in person, especially when the item is custom-made. 

Creativity 
A small amount of creativity can go a long way when it comes to unique and personal gifts. Not everyone is able to create a gift on their own, but those with an artistic mind often create the most memorable gifts. Spend some time to brainstorm and come up with ideas for a unique gift that matches one's personality. 

It might be helpful to spend some time browsing the internet to gather a variety of ideas before the creation process. Creativity options are limitless and the result is often very rewarding. Various arts and crafts stores offer an endless amount of materials used to create a range of personal gifts for everyone. 

Affordable Options 
Buying or creating special and unique gifts for people does not have to cost a fortune. It is true that high quality custom-made items are more expensive, but plenty of affordable options are available to choose from that will not drain a bank account. Like mentioned a few moments ago, an arts and crafts supply store is a good place to find a variety of inexpensive materials to create a personalized item for someone. 

Always remember to shop around and spend a fair amount of time selecting the perfect gift. The majority of people who receive custom-made items truly appreciate the time, planning, thought and effort put into their gift.

View our fully customizable photo gifts directory here or here

10 Unique Gift Ideas For Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and there will be many unique gifts available for the season. Using a favorite photo in a gift is a great way to personalize Christmas gifts. Here are 10 photo gift ideas that would look great under anyone's Christmas tree and are sure to make everyone smile!

Photo Coffee Mug

Give the gift of a personalized coffee mug this season! With a variety of styles to choose from, mugs make a great gift for a cold winter night. Choose a stainless steel mug for a traveler. Select one photo or a collage of photos and finish off with a favorite sentiment. For an added bonus, make a gift set by filling the mug with a variety of favorite candy, tea or coffee.

Photo Puzzle

For an unusual idea, turn a favorite family photo into a photo puzzle for all to enjoy. Picture puzzles make a great gift for grandparents and can easily be mailed to the recipient. 

Photo Skin for a Laptop or Cell Phone

Photo skins are a great gift for that tech-obsessed friend or family member. To ensure proper fit, know the make and model of the gadget before ordering the skin. To cover the space on a laptop, make a collage of favorite photos. 

Personalized Photo Book

Give the gift of memories with a personalized photo book . Upload pictures from a major family event, such as a wedding or birth, and use an online program to create the book. This gift is sure to delight and be a favorite for years to come!

Photo Calendar

Give a gift that keeps on giving. A photo calendar is a great Christmas gift. There are many programs available that can assist in creating a personalized photo calendar. Use photos from the previous year to preserve those memories. Mail calendars to distant relatives along with annual Christmas cards. 

Photo Ornament

Order photo ornaments from a company or hand make at home. Use children's school photos to create new ornaments each year. Display ornaments on the tree.

Photo Playing Cards

For the card shark in the family, create photo playing cards online. Upload pictures of a vacation, kids or a favorite pet. These playing cards are sure to be a hit at the next family game night!

Photo Blanket

The recipient of a photo blanket will love keeping warm this Christmas wrapped up in the arms of loved ones. Choose a wedding photo for newlyweds or a baby picture for the new parents. A favorite family photo makes a great addition to any couch. 

Photo Stamps

Personalized photo stamps make a great gift for the aunt that loves to write letters! Or use the photo stamps to personalize annual family Christmas cards and letters. Either way, these stamps will definitely bring a smile!

View our fully customizable photo gifts directory here or here

Best Gift Ideas For Traveling Friends

Gift buying  for travellers is as pleasurable for the giver as it is for the receiver. There's no need to spend large amounts of money or stress over the gift. Rather, try to enjoy the process, keep an open mind and a light attitude while browsing. Visit a variety of stores and never shop for gifts in a hurry. Some of the best gift ideas come spontaneously and with no effort. You're sure to please your travelling friend and make a lasting impression by following one of the many suggestions written here.

First, avoid gag gifts. Though good for a laugh and for poking fun at your friend, the novelty usually wears off quickly. Gag presents are rarely useful items, so days or months later they are likely to be tossed out. It's also possible that your friend won't find the gag present humorous. If you must buy a gag gift, be sure to include a more genuine gift to go along with it. 

For travellers planning to visit a new city or country, a travel guide book makes an excellent, thoughtful gift. There's usually a huge selection of travel books for any one destination, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something that fits your friend's personal style. Books that cover cultural differences and talk in detail about local customs and history are especially useful and are also entertaining to read. Consider buying a companion phrase book if your friend's native language is different from the destination's native tongue. 

If your friend likes to draw, a set of coloured pencils and a medium-sized drawing tablet makes a great, inexpensive gift. Passing time by drawing landscapes and city streets in exotic locations is both relaxing and stimulating. Your friend can create beautiful images in the likeness and feeling of the location and have something to share with others. Add a nice touch by including a decorative carry box for the art supplies. If your friend isn't quite the artistic type, a leather-bound journal commonly found in book-stores and gift shops will make a great alternative. Both of these gifts indicates thoughtfulness and an interest in your friend's creative side.

Often overlooked, small accessories such as jewellery, wrist watches, sunglasses and necklaces make great presents for travellers, too. These items are small and easily misplaced or damaged. Make subtle observations such as whether your friend happens to have a watch or not or has recently mentioned having lost their pair of sunglasses, and then buy the appropriate replacement. Such a gift shows that you care and are also observant and listen to what they say. Being in tune with your friend's needs is a great example of showing compassion. 

Beyond buying gifts for your friends, though, the best gift ideas of all will reflect your friendship and affection. Your gift should demonstrate respect, consideration and it should also be a reflection of you and your own personality. Don't use gift-giving as a means of making up for being less than a great friend. An evening spent with friends, reminiscing about old times, sipping wine and laughing together go far beyond the value of what the next trinket holds.

View our fully customizable photo gifts directory here or here

Unique gift ideas for children

If you are looking for unique gift ideas for children, you have come to the right place! You see, using our innovative technology, you can customize any of our products to look exactly as you imagined them. Adding a message is easy too, with hundreds of fonts to choose from you will never be unhappy with your results. They are perfect for all occasions including birthdays, graduations, and Christmas.

They say a picture says a thousand words, so a personalized photo gift probably says it all! If you don't see what you are looking for below, check out our full product range of over 400 custom items.

School Bags

Cheer your kids up by making them their own personalized school bag designed with their favorite photos, cartoon characters, rock bands or sports teams. This school bag is easily customized and will make your children the envy of the class. What a great gift idea for kids!

• Padded back and front for protection and comfort
• Available in two sizes 
• Double zippered closure
• Image printed on polyester using a dye sublimation process to prevent cracking, peeling or discoloring.
• Adjustable padded leather straps
• Top hook
• Easy to personalize with your own photos, designs, logos and text

You can view our fully customizable school bags in more detail here

Children's Storage Stool

Our storage stools combine practicality and style. Designed as a kids’ storage and play stool, its functional and foldable design is most suited where room is limited. This lightweight furniture is not only a space saver, but its collapsible sides and removable lid allows you to take with you anyway. Customizable top and sides (please note the underside cannot be personalized), these are bound to be your kids’ favorite chair. Print their photos, name or whatever you can think of to give the kids something that can sit still during mealtime and tidy up after playtime. Makes a wonderful gift idea for kids.  

• Made from MDF wood
• Exterior layer made from polyester
• Removable lid for easy access
• Collapsable & Foldable for easy storage and mobility
• Weighs approximately 1.3kg
• It can withstand approximately 70kg when sat on.
• Image imprinted using dye sublimation process to ensure everlasting effect
• Stool Dimensions: 12"(W) x 12"(H) x 12"(D)
• Lid Dimensions: 12"(W) x 12"(H) x 3"(D)

You can view our fully customizable kids storage stool in more detail here

Playing Cards

What a great gift idea for kids! Customize them with their favorite cartoon characters or sports teams. As they get older, they would probably appreciate cards personalized with boyfriends or girlfriends. Put a photo they love on a personalized deck of playing cards and they will see them as a really cool gift!

These fun size playing cards are great when you are on the move. These miniature cards are ideal when you lack space for regular sized cards. With this 54 designs option, you have the freedom to customize the front of each card and also personalize the back of the cards with one unique design. So this is your opportunity to be the king and queen of the deck.

The 2” x 2.75” 54-playing card deck includes 2 jokers. Cards are digitally printed with your photo in full color. Cardboard case included. We use Fuji Xerox Docucolor 5065 digital color multifunction devices for playing card printing and laminated for added protection.

• Case included
• Very easy to personalize with your own photos, logos, designs & text

You can view our fully customizable playing cards in more detail here

Leather CD DVD Wallet

There's no doubt that your children are in to music and movies so this should make a pretty good gift idea for them This leather-made multi-CD case is able to fit up 20 CDs or DVDs and its interior is designed with reinforced foam padding to give your music and film collections extra protection. The top of the case features a customizable polyester material which allows you to print any images and photos or add any text/design if you wish.

• Made from genuine leather
• Foam padding for extra protection
• Printable top
• Image imprinted using dye sublimation process to ensure everlasting effect
• Detachable leather carry strap
• Zipper closure over the top
• Fits up to 20 standard sized CDs or DVDs
• Dimensions: 6" diameter. 1.5" in height
• Personalize it with your child's favorite photos, designs & text

Position of the zipper in product designer may vary from the actual product. Production of this product take about 3-5 days please be more patient on your customized photo bags, thanks.

These CD wallets make great gift ideas for kids of all ages, particularly teenagers.

You can make your own CD DVD wallet here 

Photo Mugs

Our photo mugs make good gift ideas for kids - they are easily personalized with their favorite cartoon characters, sports teams, photos or anything else they like.

Our 11 oz morph mug makes a great photo gift idea for your children. This unique photo mug changes color when a hot drink is poured into it and the images are revealed in full vibrant colors.

Our morph mugs are specially coated on the outside, including the handle and the outside bottom. The colors of the image show slightly when the mug is cold, thus no image is ever completely "blacked" out, they're always a slightly translucent.

We also offer plain white customizable photo mugs, luminous mugs and travel mugs - they all make cool gifts for kids!

You can make your own  Photo-mugs here 

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles have always been a firm favorite with kids but using our customization platform you can take it one step further.

How do you think your children would respond to a jigsaw puzzle of themselves?

If they are like most kids they will respond in a very excited fashion - you see jigsaws personalized with pictures of themselves are received so well it's difficult to beat them!

According to some people, personalization of jigsaw puzzles increases the fun and enjoyment of solving them by as much as tenfold!

We have many different sized puzzles from which to choose. We have rectangular, oval and heart shaped jigsaws. They are all easily personalized with any photos, designs or text you want to use, making them the perfect gift for your young ones. 

You can view our fully customizable jigsaw puzzles here