Group Gift Ideas - C.R.A.F.T.

We all have that one person on our list that is impossible to shop for, right? For me, it is my best friend, Tina. She lives in New York City and loves fancy things I can’t afford, like Chanel bags. What’s a friend to do for her 30th birthday?

Get creative!

For Tina’s 30th birthday gift, I decided to make a leather bound book all about her from everyone she loves! The group gift worked out so well, that I have since made 8 group books for friends and family members milestone events.

This group gift can be given for any occasion including:

A milestone birthday
Wedding gift from bridesmaids
Anniversary gift to a couple
Mother’s Day gift from all of the kids
Co-workers last day
End of the year gift for teachers
Baby shower gift for mom to be

Best Group Gift Idea Ever

The book in the pictures below was a gift from me, the maid of honor, and the other bridesmaids for my childhood best friends wedding. After the wedding, I vowed to make one of these books for any wedding I’m ever in again, she loved it!

How to make the best group gift ever

Step 1 – Make a list of questions

I have found the 3-5 questions works best. The questions will be different depending on the type of event, but here are a few of my favorite questions.

Questions or a wedding book

How did you meet Bethany?
What is your funniest memory with Bethany?
What is your favorite thing about Bethany?
What is your favorite thing about Carlos?
What words of wisdom do you have for the Bethany and Carols?

Questions for a milestone birthday book

How did you meet Tina?
What is your funniest memory with Tina?
What is Tina’s best quality?
What is your advice for Tina’s 30th birthday?

Questions for an anniversary book

How did you meet person 1 and person 2?
What is your most fun memory with person 1 and person 2?
What is your favorite things about person 1 and person 2?
What are your words of wisdom for the happy couple

Step 2- Email friends and family

Email the list of questions to the the group and explain that you are making a collaborative book for the guest of honor. Be sure to include a deadline for answers in the email. Also, ask people to email you a few of their favorite pictures of the guest of honor and themselves to include in the book.

Step 3- Creating the book

In the past, I always use Snapfish.com and order a leather bound book. The software makes it easy to upload pictures, manipulate text, and there are tons of pre made templates to find the perfect one for yoru event.

A Few Things to Remember

Start this process with plenty of time before the event. I like to give people at least 2 weeks to respond.
If you are brand new to making photo books online, give yourself plenty of time to create the book.
After the book is created, it takes a few days for it to be made and shipped.
The moral of the story is you need time to make the best group gift ever!

We gave Bethany her wedding book while we were all getting ready the day of the wedding, she loved it!

I made a fun little card with my PSA Stamps that everyone signed too. Each of the stamps represented one of the bridesmaids… I was pretty proud of my giant sparkly, diamond ring. (I made it with a bangle!)

It made it even better because no one else had seen the book besides me. We all laughed/cried/ohhed/aahhed together reminiscing about old memories.

What do you think? Do you have a go to group gift idea? Would you enjoy this kind of gift? I’d love to hear…

Best Group Gift Idea Ever