Simple Cute Personalized Map Gift For Lovers
I usually make my hubby something for Valentine's Day. I'm not a hopeless romantic, but I want to share the joy because it is my birthday. This year, I made a personalized map gift.
Often, I bake him some heart-shaped cookies or a cake to take to work. However, he's on a no-sugar kick, so I had to think of something else this year.
I made him this sweet framed personalized map gift for his desk. The framed heart is made of 2 maps of places special to my husband and me.
Hong Kong for me, as that is where I'm from. Bergen (Norway) is where my hubby's family is from. Also, we both fantasize about getting a cottage in the Fjords when we want to escape from everyday life.
I made him personalized map treat bags before, which he loved, but this is more of a keepsake gift.
How To Make A Gorgeous Heart Map Gift
This personalized map paper heart is a lovely Valentine's gift; it would also make a great engagement or anniversary gift for a couple. You could use maps of the towns where they were born.
For this gift, I also painted an Ikea Ribba frame with gold and red paint to give the gift a more Valentine's feel.
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What you need
- Ikea Ribba Frame
- Personalized maps - You can use old road maps, an atlas, or even download and print maps online. Remodelaholic has some great free printable maps
- Heart templates, such as a heart-shaped cookie cutter or even an extra-large heart punch
- Gold spray paint
- Vaseline
- Red Chalk Paint
- Clear Furniture Wax
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
How to make a personalized map gift
Step 1: Firstly, I chose my maps. For the Bergen map, I used a road map I had for Norway. As I didn't want to ruin the original map, I photocopied the relevant bit of the roadmap. Photocopying maps is a good idea, especially if you want to reduce or enlarge your map.
For the Hong Kong map, I just did a Google search and printed off the map I wanted. There are lots of free vintage maps on Pictureboxblue.com.
Step 2: Next, using a heart-shaped punch, I punched out a heart of the bit of the map I was interested in. You can draw around a template and cut out your heart shapes if you don't have a heart punch.
Top tip: Heart-shaped cookie cutters make great templates.
Step 3: Next, I folded each heart in the half and cut down the middle. Then using a glue stick, I stuck one half of each heart on the background paper of the photo frame.
Painting the Ikea Ribba Frame
I used the same paint method with my pineapple stencilled table upcycle to achieve a shabby effect in red and gold with the Ikea Ribba frame.
Step 4: First, I spray-painted the frame gold. Once that was dry, I smeared vaseline on the bits where I wanted the gold paint to show through before repainting the frame. This time with red chalk paint.
Step 5: Once the chalk paint was dry, I rubbed the frame with a cloth to remove the red paint where the vaseline was smeared. Finally, the frame was sealed with clear wax, and the map picture was placed inside.
I originally made this as a gift for my hubby for his desk, but as I like how it's turned out, I suggest we keep it in the dining room.
What maps would you use for your personalized map gift? If you are from the US, you might want to check out these free vintage US state maps to print.
You should check out my printed map picture frame if you're looking for more personalized map frame projects.
Other personalized map gift ideas to make are, world map necklaces or map rock keychains.
A very thoughtful gift for Valentines. How do you come up with these ideas! I feel I never have enough imagination hence I go for whatever is available online (queue head holding emoji here!) - I can also see these as made in larger format to include whole countries :)))
Thank you Jenny. I just love making stuff and my head is full of craft and not much else.
Such a sweet, personal gift. x
Thank you so much, that's the idea.
What a lovely idea! Such a great personal gift that doesn't cost a lot of money x
Thank you so much Natalie.
Cute idea! I’d find some vintage maps to use I think xx
Thanks, Susan. You can always find some free vintage maps through Pinterest.
Aww what a beautiful map idea - i would most likely use half polish map and half uk one
Thanks, Pati. If you don't have the maps I'm sure you can find them with a Pinterest search as you only need a small area.
Great idea! My husband and I are from two different countries as well so I should do something that celebrates that.
Thank you, Victoria. I'm sure that would look lovely a map heart made of the 2 countries. My kids love the fact that they have parents from different countries with different backgrounds.
I just love this heart map frame 🙂
I love the idea of "heart map", I definitely gonna try this at my home and wanna gift this to my parents.
Thank you, I think it would make a lovely gift for parents.
Such a charming gift idea, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm--pinned!
Thank you, Cecilia ?
I made something similar for my Husband 10 years ago now, it has 3 hearts with 3 important places. It is still one f my favourite things in my home. I love how you used 2 maps to make up the heart. So pretty xxx
Thank you, I like the idea of a heart map for each member of the family. The one heart made from 2 maps is to symbolize a couple as one.
What a wonderful idea! So lovely and unique. Thank you and greetings.
Thank you, Cecilia. It will make a lovely gift.
What a great idea to commemorate a special event or occasion.
Thank you!
That's such a cute idea Claire and it holds so much meaning too. Love the way the frame turned out and I hope your dreams of that cottage in the Fjords comes true some day.
Thank you, Michelle. I hope it does too, I've traveled a lot and nothing beats the beauty of the Norwegian Fjords. The weather could be better though!
I love this project, such a cute way to say "I love you" without sugar LOL
Yes, but I still like a bit of sugar in chocolate form occasionally. Thanks Toni.
Claire, this is such a beautiful Valentine gift. I love it!
Hi Sinea, thank you!