While big-ticket birthdays and weddings are some of our most celebrated moments in life, it’s just as important to celebrate the smaller wins with a big meaning (sometimes referred to as “inchstones” as opposed to “milestones”). Landing a new job, moving into your first apartment, finding a great roommate, starting a new business or even celebrating the birthday of a four-legged friend! And even more satisfying than celebrating your own inchstones is making a fuss over your loved ones’ achievements by coming up with fun DIY gift ideas they’ll swoon over. We’ve put together four ideas to get your craft started, and the celebrations rolling.

Celebrating: A Friend’s New Business with a Photo Wall Hanging

A series of images showing how to create a photo wall hanging using black cardstock and twine, and white paint marker and beads.

Starting a business, be it large or small (or so micro its headquarters are the living room couch), is a very big deal. It’s about stepping up, putting time and money on the line and pursuing a dream. A moment like this is definitely worthy of a heartfelt congratulatory gift, such as this wall hanging that showcases all the behind-the-scenes snapshots that built the business.

What You’ll Need:

Instructions

Step 1: Select nine photos that showcase all the steps that led to this business becoming a reality: finding office space, ordering stock, late nights spent choosing fonts and colours (you might need to reach out to friends and family for all their sneaky pics). Print your photos in black and white at Officeworks Print + Create onto 6 x 4 matte stock.

‍Step 2: Fold black cardstock into quarters, then cut out to make simple frames for your photos.

Step 3: Glue the printed black and white photos onto each frame.

Step 4: Cut three matching lengths of string, then use sticky tape to adhere each photo frame to the string, spacing them out evenly.

Step 5: Create your own dowel stick with lightweight cardboard, like the card you find inside a wrapping paper roll. Then take the three lengths of string and secure to the roll.

Step 6: Take another length of string, slide underneath the tied pieces and create a bow to hang on a hook.

Step 7: Add beads to the bottom of each of your three lengths of string, then secure with a knot. These will add weight to each piece so that the frames sit nice and straight.

Step 8: Take a white Posca marker and add designs to your frames, or write notes or inspiring messages on each photo.

Hot Tip: In a hurry to source an extra gift? Why not whip them up some business cards using one of Officeworks’ templates? Best of all you can use same day printing, so if you order before 2pm (online or at selected stores), you can pick them up with time to grab coffees (or celebratory bubbles!) on the way to see their workspace.

SEE ALSO: How to Plan the Perfect Craft Party

Make It an Even Bigger Moment

A close-up view of a person smiling as they hold and look at a party invitation.

Little details go a long way. If you’re planning a special shindig to help your loved one celebrate their inchstone, elevate the occasion with some bespoke printing. Send custom invites to your dinner party, surprise your friends with itineraries for your next trip or create some buzz for a business event with flyers. These little touches are quick and easy to organise with Canva’s template options, making your event look stunning (and super organised). You don’t have to be the plan-ahead type to pull these final touches together. Create the perfect design, order by 2pm either online or at selected stores and pick up the same day using Officeworks’ Same Day Printing services.

Celebrating: Your Pet’s 10th Birthday with a Felt Party Hat

A series of images showing how to create a felt party hat. This example uses purple and yellow felt, plus purple and blue pom-poms.

Sure, we fuss over them when they’re puppies and kittens, but don’t forget to pull out the stops for the more mature pet birthdays who reach their double-digits birthday! A homemade party hat feels especially sweet, so all their pals at the park will know it’s their big day. Be sure your pet is comfortable wearing this on the head; if they’re not the accessorising kind, a photo of them with the hat as a prop nearby is just as sweet.

What You’ll Need:

‍Instructions

Step 1: Take a piece of plain cardstock and sketch out a simple party hat template, which looks like a quarter of a round cake in shape.

Step 2: Cut out your shape, connect the two straight sides together to make a cone, then secure using hot glue.

Step 3: Make the same shape out of felt and glue that to the cone, pressing any excess in and under at the bottom.

Step 4: Make your own numbers using cardstock with felt on top, then hot glue them onto the hat.

Step 5: Adorn the party hat by glueing a large pom-pom on top and mini ones around the bottom edge.

Step 6: Pop a small hole on each side using your scissors, then thread through some elastic and knot the ends to hold the party hat in place. It’s a good idea to check you’ve cut enough elastic before tying the final knot, to be sure that it fits and is not uncomfortable for your furry friend.

SEE ALSO: How to Pick Up a Creative Hobby: Three Artisans Show You How

‍Celebrating: Your Best Friend’s First Apartment with a Custom Key Ring

A series of images showing how to create a beaded key ring. This example uses blue yarn and white and natural beads decorated with a yellow marker. 

There’s nothing like the thrill of moving into that very first house or apartment. The fun and eclectic mix of furniture you’ve managed to score from family, awesome thrift pieces and fresh kitchenware just begging to be used for a dinner party. Make sure your newly housed friend feels the love with a crafted key ring made especially for their new set of keys. It’s also a great gift for a new roommate, or someone who has found the perfect rental.

What You’ll Need:

‍Instructions

Step 1: Attach a basic key ring to a clipboard to hold it in place as you work. For more grip, add some Blu Tack underneath to hold it steady.

‍Step 2: Take one long length of macrame cord and fold it in half. Then push the folded end through the ring and pull the length through the folded loop to secure it in place.

Step 3: Decorate your beads using chalk markers, creating your own designs.

Step 4: Attach a tiny piece of sticky tape onto the end of your thread, adhering both ends together, to make it easier to slide smaller beads on.

Step 5: Slip each bead on, then cut a length of twine or thread to wrap around underneath.

Step 6: Create a loop with a longer length hanging out, then wrap tightly around the cord. To secure, take the end of the twine, push it through the loop, and pull at the same time as you pull the hanging end. This will fold the loop under and tighten.

Step 7: Trim to your designed length, and tease out the ends of the macrame cord until fluffy.

A series of images showing how to create a macrame key ring. This example uses small wide beads, blue yarn and small tassels of various colours. 

Hot Tip: Try a macrame-style wristlet key ring by using square knots, then looping together and securing with the same loop mechanism as the above.

SEE ALSO: Make Your Own DIY Home Decor with These Resin Art Projects

Celebrating: Your Sibling’s Big Graduation with a Jumbo Diploma-Turned-Banner

A series of images showing how to create a graduation diploma banner. This example uses white easel paper, pink, blue and red paint markers, and blue wrapping paper for the bow. 

No-one graduates from any course, certificate or degree without a whole lot of hard work. They’re deserving of the best kind of DIY pressie… the OTT kind! Supersize the gift by creating a faux diploma that unravels to reveal a jumbo congratulations banner, ideal for decorating post-ceremony celebrations

What You’ll Need:

Instructions

Step 1: Print out some encouraging words and sentences in fonts that you love. Place under your butchers paper and trace with a pencil.

Step 2: Once you have all of your words in place, start colouring them in with paint markers and coloured markers.

Step 3: Add in cute design elements such as stars, squiggles and confetti pieces.

Step 4: Take two rolled pieces of cardboard and glue them to the ends, rolling them in and glueing again so they’re covered in white paper.

Step 5: Add twine to the top roll, making a hanger and adorn with mini tassels.

Step 6: Roll together from each end and cover in a piece of fresh paper to make it look like a jumbo diploma. Finish with a big paper bow.

SEE ALSO: Easy Hand Lettering Techniques to Try at Home