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  • My Go-To Thoughtful Handmade Gift

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    ,

    Today, I’ll walk you through how to create a beautiful handmade gift with flower bouquets and calligraphy cards. This thoughtful project is a perfect way to express gratitude and bring joy.

    Flowers in vases with calligraphy envelopes

    Last week, as my son celebrated his last day of nursery school, I wanted to find a meaningful way to thank the teachers who have cared for and guided him over the past four years. So, I turned to my favorite handmade gift idea: flower bouquets and cards. I thought you might enjoy making this handmade gift too. In this post, I’ll guide you through creating beautiful, heartfelt presents that are perfect for expressing your gratitude.

    Make the Bouquets

    1. Find Vases

    Have you ever bought a brand-new vase? They can be surprisingly expensive! Here’s a little secret: your local thrift store is a treasure trove of mint condition vases at a fraction of the price. I visited my local Goodwill and discovered four unique vases, each perfectly matching the personality of my son’s teachers. These vases make a perfect addition to your handmade gift.

    Empty vases and a pitcher from the thrift store
    The grand total for all four of these vases? $13.75.

    2. Buy Flowers

    Next, head to your local grocery store or favorite flower source and pick out a couple of bouquets to fill your vases.

    Store-bought flower bouquets from Costco
    Since this is technically a gift from my son, I let him choose one of the bouquets, then I chose the other one. I picked some elegant roses, and he picked an explosion of colors.

    3. Arrange the Flowers

    Now, it’s time to arrange your flowers into beautiful bouquets. You can find plenty of tutorials online about arranging the perfect bouquet (I enjoyed this one), but the key is to get creative. Experiment with the lengths and positioning of the flowers until the bouquet feels just right to you.

    Arranging a bouquet

    Continue to play, adding flowers here and there. If you have access to additional flowers or branches, consider incorporating those as well.

    Four DIY flower bouquets ready to give as gifts
    The flowers in the green and brown vase came from our back garden. I also punctuated the colorful flowers that my son picked out with neutral accents, like hydrangeas and small branches.

    Make Cards or Notes

    1. Choose an Envelope

    If you want to go above and beyond, you can make a pretty envelope to house your card or note. Since I was short on time, I went ahead and used printable envelope templates.

    Mail art templates from The Postman's Knock
    Three of these templates are from the TPK Tutorial Printable Mail Art Templates. The koi template is from the Feathers and Fins Mail Art Bundle.
    BROWSE MAIL ART PRINTABLES

    2. Add a Name and Embellishments

    Next, write your recipient’s name on the envelope and add embellishments if desired. I used gold watercolor to give my envelope art an elegant shimmer.

    Decorated mail art envelopes
    The recipients’ names were written using iron gall ink, a Brause EF66 nib, and an oblique pen.

    3. Write Your Notes/Make a Card

    Depending on your gift occasion, you might choose to make a card (browse tutorials here) or write a simple note. I chose to write heartfelt notes to the teachers using elegant cursive handwriting.

    For tips to create the perfect neat handwritten note, see How to Make a Beautiful Handwritten Note.

    4. Seal the Envelopes

    Finish up by tucking your card or note into the envelope, then seal it how you see fit. I chose to use a wax seal and a piece of lavender from our garden.

    Envelopes sealed with a wax seal and lavender
    If you don’t have a wax seal, consider using washi tape or a pretty sticker.

    Give Your Gift

    Pair your bouquet with your envelope, and it’s time to give your thoughtful handmade gift!

    Flower bouquets paired with artistic handmade envelopes

    Here are a few tips for easy transportation:

    • Don’t fill up your vases all the way with water. Halfway full is good if you’re driving them anywhere.
    • Put the vase in a little box, then make the fit tight with wadded-up paper or some fabric. You don’t want it tipping over en route!
    • Keep the envelope separate from the vase during transportation to avoid smudging.
    Flowers in vases with calligraphy envelopes

    Next time you want to show your appreciation in a meaningful and creative way, consider creating personalized flower bouquets and calligraphy cards. This thoughtful handmade gift is perfect for expressing gratitude to anyone, and the combination of beautiful blooms and elegant notes will convey your gratitude with a personal touch.

    Thanks so much for reading the TPK Blog, and happy creating!

    Warmly,