DIY Art Journal Gifts: Creative Handmade Ideas for Every Occasion
DIY Art Journal Gifts: Handmade Gift Ideas Using Art Journaling Techniques
DIY art journal gifts are the perfect blend of heartfelt creativity and handmade charm!
Whether you’re just starting your art journaling journey or already have a stack of colorful pages under your belt, these ideas will inspire you to turn your journal magic into meaningful keepsakes your loved ones will treasure.
And here’s the best part, you don’t need fancy supplies or advanced art skills.
If you can make an art journal page, you can absolutely make these beautiful DIY gifts!
Think of it as sharing a piece of your creative heart.
Table of Contents
Why Art Journal Techniques MakePerfect DIY Gifts
Art journaling and gift-making are a match made in creative heaven! Here’s why these two go hand-in-hand so perfectly:
💛 Personal & Meaningful
When you use art journaling techniques to make a gift, you’re pouring your heart right onto the page. Every brushstroke, collage piece, and little doodle carries your energy and love. This turns your gift into a story only you could tell.
💰 Budget-Friendly
You don’t need to spend big to make something magical. All you need is your art journal a with a bit of paint, paper, and imagination to make a handmade gift that is full of personality.
🎨 One-of-a-Kind Magic
No two DIY art journal gifts are ever alike! Each one has its own colors, layers, and textures. Your gifts will be completely original your loved one can’t find anywhere else.
🎨Perfect for Beginners
Art journaling has no rules which means “mistakes” often turn into happy surprises. Every smudge, scribble, and layer adds character and charm.
🎁 Fits Any Occasion
From quick thank-you cards to thoughtful wedding gifts, you can scale your DIY art journaling ideas to fit any moment, budget, or mood.
It’s creative, personal, and above all it is fun to make.
Essential Supplies for Making Art Journal Gifts
I know you can’t wait to start but before we jump into the fun part let’s gather some simple supplies.
The best part if you’re already into art journaling, you probably have most of these at home!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That simply means that if you fall in love with a product I personally use and recommend — and decide to bring it into your creative world — I may earn a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you.
🎨 Core Supplies
Surfaces: blank journals or watercolor paper, cards, wooden boxes, canvas panels, or even bookmarks
Paints: Acrylics or watercolors (bonus points if you use your recipient’s favorite colors!).
Grabie 50 colors Watercolor Paint Set
Adhesives: Glue stick, Mod Podge, or double-sided tape (your go-to tools for layering and sticking).
Collage materials: Magazine clippings, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, photos (anything that inspires you).
Writing tools: Fine-tip pens, markers, gel pens, or paint pens to add words and doodles.
Posca Paint Pen (White and Balck)
Embellishments: Washi tape, stickers, stamps, or bits of ribbon for that extra sparkle.
Optional Supplies for Special Touches
• Metallic or gold paint pens for gorgeous highlights
• Decorative stamps and ink pads
• Stencils for clean, consistent patterns
• Pressed flowers or leaves for a nature-inspired touch
Made this handmade art journal for my niece’s birthday. It is filled with horse-themed prompts, doodles, and coloring pages 🐴💛
She’s obsessed with horses, so I wanted to create a little creative world just for her. Can’t wait to see her fill it with magic!
22 DIY Journal Gifts
DIY Fun, Personal Journals
Holiday or Birthday Journal DIY Gift
Why DIY Art Journal Gifts are special: Turns celebrations into keepsakes.
How to make it: Use colors and collage that match the occasion (snowflakes for Christmas, pastel blooms for birthdays, romantic tones for anniversaries).
Extras: Add pages for wishes, photos, and special memories.
Couples or Friendship Journal
Why it’s special: A creative DIY memory book for two.
How to make it: Add prompts like “Our favorite memory,” “Draw each other (no pressure!),” and “Our dream trip together.”
Perfect for: Best friends, partners, long-distance relationships.
Kids’ DIY Art Journal Gift
Why it’s special: Encourages play and creativity.
How to make it: Use a sturdy journal with coloring pages, stickers, doodle prompts, and bright colors.
Prompt ideas: “Draw your superhero,” “Invent a new animal,” “Make a rainbow page with your favorite colors.”
Vision board DIY
Why it’s special: Perfect for the goal-setters, dreamers, New Year’s gift, anyone starting a new chapter
How to make it: Create a specialized journal focused on goals and dreams. Decorate the cover with inspiring imagery and words. Pre-create several pages with prompts. Leave plenty of blank pages for them to continue their vision.
Prompt ideas: “my dream home…,” “My next trip….”
Memory Box
Why it’s special: A keepsake you can fill over time.
How to make it: Paint/collage a wooden box, then add photos, dates, quotes.
Themes:
• New parents: baby’s name and birth date
• Graduates: school colors, inspirational words
• Weddings: initials, love quotes
• Memorials: gentle imagery, comforting messages
Seal: Finish with Mod Podge for durability.
DIY Greeting Cards
Why it’s special: Art you can mail.
How to make it: watercolor paper with watercolor washes, collage, stamps, or hand lettering.
Fun techniques:
• Crayon resist + watercolor
• Magazine collage
• Torn paper layers
• Simple quotes like “You’ve got this!” or “Sending sunshine!”
Photo Album or Scrapbook
Why it’s special: Give memories a creative home.
How to make it: Decorate pages with mixed media, quotes, and journaling spots.
Themes: Friendship memories, baby’s first year, wedding storybook, family heritage, pet tribute.
Recipe Journal
Why it’s special: A tasty heirloom in the making.
How to make DIY art journal: Turn a blank notebook into a recipe book with tabs, clippings, pockets, and handwritten favorites.
Themes: old family recipes, that delicious chocolate chip cookies recipe …..
Wellness & Self-Care Journal
Why it’s special: a gentle reminder to pause, breath, and take care of yourself.
How to make it: Fill the journal with self-care checklists, mandala coloring pages, and calming affirmations. Include blank areas for reflections on mood, energy, or mindfulness practices. Perfect for friends who love wellness and mental health awareness.
Decorated Canvas Quote
Why it’s special: Wall-worthy art from your journal style.
How to make it: Use your art-journaling layers to paint, collage, texture after that add a quote or a song lyrics.
Style ideas: Abstract layers + bold text; soft watercolor + minimalist quote; vintage pages + poetic line; nature collage + gentle words.
“Add a meaningful quote, song lyric, or personal message. Find inspiring quotes at Goodreads Quotes or BrainyQuote.”
Pro tip: Choose primed canvas or canvas board with a smooth (not too textured) surface.
Custom Bookmarks
Why it’s special: Tiny gifts with big charm.
How to make it: Cut watercolor paper into strips; decorate like mini journal pages; finish with a ribbon or tassel.
Inspiration: Quotes, abstract washes, vintage music pages, nature prints with metallic accents.
I made this on canvas. I used photos as background then I painted the figure on top.
Close up of the collage and some paint texture. I made sure to seal everything with acrylic medium.
Nature & Mindfulness DIYJournals
Nature Journal
How to make DIY journal: Use earthy tones, pressed flowers, leaf prints, and soft greens/browns.
Prompts: “Draw a flower you saw today,” “Write about your favorite season,” “Note the emotions you felt on a walk.”
Garden Journal
How to make it: Track plans, favorite plants, and blooming moments.
Include: Monthly to-dos, pockets for seed packets, sketch/photo spaces, pressed flowers and labels.
Mini Travel Journal
Hand-craft a small notebook with decorated pages ready to be filled with travel notes, sketches, and postcards. add little pockets for receipts and souvenirs.
Gratitude Journal
How to make it: Cozy, uplifting pages with soft colors and affirmations.
Include: Reflection pages, monthly themes, doodle areas, gentle quotes.
Prayer or Meditation Journal
How to make it: Calming palette and soothing textures.
Include: Prompts for reflection, gratitude pages, inspiring verses/quotes, peaceful imagery.
Why it’s special: A gentle reminder to slow down and connect inward.
Pocket-Size Mini Journal Set
How to make it: Create 3–4 tiny themed notebooks (gratitude, sketches, quotes, to-dos).
Finish: Tie with ribbon—perfect for stocking stuffers or small surprises.
💭 Inspiration, Motivation & Self-Discovery
Inspirational Quote Journal
How to make it: Hand-lettered quotes, positive affirmations, tiny doodles with blank pages between for reflections.
Make it pop: Add watercolor splashes or stickers.
Daily Affirmation Journal
How to make it: Fill pages with uplifting phrases like “I am enough,” “I choose joy,” “My creativity shines.”
Pro tip: Leave space under each phrase for doodles, gratitude notes, or daily reflections.
Dream Journal
How to make it: Deep blues, purples, and metallic accents for a dreamy vibe.
Include: Pages for writing dreams, sketching symbols, and reflecting on meanings.
Goal-Setting & Vision Journal
How to make it: Vision board in book form—goals, bucket lists, affirmations, collage, and quotes.
Include: Vision pages, monthly goals, progress reflections, and prompts like “What does your dream life look like?”
Inspirational Quote Card Set
How to make it: Create 10–20 small cards with quotes on colorful art-journal backgrounds.
Themes: Rainbow colors, nature quotes, hand-lettered affirmations, abstract with gold splatters.
💖 How to Make Your Art Journal Gifts Extra Special
Presentation matters so make unwrapping part of the joy! these projects are already full of heart, so why not add a few little touches that can make them unforgettable!
Wrap your gift in kraft paper, add a twine bow, and slip in a dried flower or handmade tag.
🎨 Personalize It
That’s the magic ingredient!
• Use your recipient’s favorite colors
• Add imagery or quotes that reflect their passions
• Tailor the theme to their current life chapter
• Include little inside jokes or dates that matter
Every detail makes it feel like it was made just for them.
🌸 Add Texture & Layers
Bring your pages to life with depth and touchable details:
• Ribbons and lace
• Fabric scraps or burlap
• Textured papers or torn edges
• Buttons, thread, or corrugated cardboard
It’s all about creating something that feels as good as it looks!
✉️ Hide Little Surprises
Everyone loves a hidden treasure!
• Tuck in secret notes or quotes
• Add tiny envelopes with messages inside
• Create hidden flaps or fold-outs
• Scatter uplifting stickers or stamps
Your recipient will keep discovering love long after opening it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be “good at art”?
Nope! Art journaling is about expression, not perfection. The beauty is in the handmade, imperfect details — that’s what makes your gift so heartfelt.
How far in advance should I start?
While you can finish most project in an hour or two, I would recommend to give yourself a couple of extra hours for most projects especially if paint needs to dry. For bigger ones (like albums or boxes), plan a little extra time.
What if my recipient doesn’t art journal?
That’s okay! Many of these projects, such as boxes, cards, or canvases are beautiful gifts even for non-artists.
How do I protect or seal painted gifts?
Use Mod Podge or clear acrylic sealer. For something handled often, like coasters or boxes, a few coats of varnish will keep it safe and shiny.
Can I sell these gifts?
Absolutely! Many artists sell handmade journals and mixed-media gifts. Just make sure you’re not using copyrighted images.
What paper works best?
Use mixed-media paper (140 lb/300 gsm or heavier) for journals and watercolor paper for bookmarks or cards.
What if I make a mistake?
There are no mistakes, only happy accidents! 😉 Add a collage layer or some paint and let it evolve.
Can I make these with kids?
Yes! Kids make the best collaborators. Start with cards, boxes, or bookmarks and let their imagination run wild.
Remember
💕 Start Creating Your Art Journal Gifts Today
The most meaningful gifts come from the heart. There’s nothing more personal than something you’ve created with your own hands. Whether you’re making a simple bookmark or a full scrapbook of memories, what matters most is the love behind it.
You don’t have to be a professional artist, your creativity is enough. So gather your paints, papers, and washi tape, and start spreading a little handmade joy.
Ready to Begin Your Art Journaling Journey?
If you’re new to art journaling and want a little help getting started, grab our Free Art Journal Starter Kit!
You’ll get:
🎨 Step-by-step beginner techniques perfect for gift-making
🖌️ Budget-friendly supply lists
🪄 30 days of creative prompts
💛 Tips to build confidence and ditch perfectionism
Start creating beautiful art journal gifts today, dear heart.
💖 Remember: There’s no right or wrong way to make an art journal gift.
It’s all about heart and intention.