What to Include in a Custom Gift Plum Print for Grandparents: A Buying Guide

Quick Answer

For a custom gift Plum Print for grandparents, include a mix of your child's artwork, candid photos, and a few handwritten notes or family recipes. Choose a Custom Kid Art Book Deposit if your focus is purely kids' art, or a Recipe Book Gift Box if you want to weave in family history. Prioritize pieces that tell a story and reflect your child's personality.

Grandparents treasure the scribbles, paintings, and school photos that mark a child's growth. A custom gift Plum Print turns that pile of paper into a hardcover book they can hold, flip through, and share. But deciding what to send can feel overwhelming—especially when you have years of art and photos to choose from.

This guide walks you through what to include, what to leave out, and how to choose the right Plum Print product for your grandparents. You'll get clear decision rules and practical tips to make the process smooth and the final gift meaningful.

Start with the Child's Best Work

The heart of any grandparents gift kids art book is the child's own creations. Look for pieces that show progression—a first scribble, a recognizable self-portrait, a painting they were proud of. You don't need to include everything; curating 20 to 30 strong pieces often has more impact than a bulky collection.

Consider the emotional weight of each piece. A lopsided clay figure or a crayon drawing of the family dog might mean more to a grandparent than a technically perfect school project. Mix in a few imperfect but heartfelt items to create a genuine narrative.

• Include art that shows a range of ages and mediums—crayon, paint, collage, and even 3D pieces like sculptures or trophies.
• If your child has a favorite piece, include it even if it's not the most polished. The story behind it matters more than perfection.

Add Photos That Tell a Story

Photographs complement the art by showing the child in action—creating, playing, or celebrating with grandparents. Choose candid shots over posed ones to capture genuine emotion. A photo of the child painting at the kitchen table or hugging grandpa adds context and warmth.

Aim for a balance: about one-third photos to two-thirds art. Too many photos can make the book feel like a standard photo album, while too few can make it feel repetitive. If you're unsure, ask yourself whether each photo adds a new layer to the child's story.

• Include photos that show the child with the grandparents if possible—they'll love seeing themselves in the book.
• Skip blurry or duplicate shots. Quality over quantity keeps the book cohesive.

Weave in Handwritten Notes and Family Recipes

Handwritten notes, letters, and even family recipes add a personal touch that art alone can't match. A note from the child saying 'I love you, Grandma' or a recipe card in a grandparent's own handwriting can become the most treasured page in the book.

If you're creating a Recipe Book Gift Box, encourage grandparents to contribute their own materials—recipes, old photos, or a favorite apron. This turns the gift into a collaborative project that honors family history while still showcasing the child's art.

• Ask grandparents to send a few handwritten recipes or notes if they're open to it. It makes the book truly theirs.
• Include a short caption or story for each piece—where it came from or why it matters.

Know What to Leave Out

Not everything needs to go in the book. Avoid including mass-produced worksheets, repetitive coloring pages, or broken toys that don't photograph well. These items can dilute the emotional impact and make the book feel cluttered.

Also consider the physical condition of items. Torn or heavily crumpled pieces can be digitized, but if they're too damaged to scan clearly, you might want to skip them. Plum Print's process photographs each piece, so some imperfections are fine—but extreme damage may not translate well.

• Keep the book focused on original creations and meaningful moments, not school worksheets.
• If an item is too fragile or bulky, consider photographing it yourself and sending the photo instead.

Decision Rules for Your Gift

• If the focus is purely kids' art: Choose the Custom Kid Art Book Deposit. Send up to 50 pieces of art, school work, and photos. You'll get a hardcover book designed by Plum Print, plus a virtual gallery and high-res downloads. Best for grandparents who want to see the child's artistic journey.
• If you want to include family history: Choose the Recipe Book Gift Box. It lets grandparents contribute handwritten recipes, old photos, and even memorabilia like an apron. The final book mixes kids' art with family heritage. Best for grandparents who value tradition and storytelling.
• If you're on a budget or want to start later: Use the Back to School Box to collect art throughout the school year at 50% off the prepaid box. Send it back whenever you're ready, and turn the collection into a book later. Best for grandparents who live far away and want a year-in-review gift.

Choosing the Right Plum Print Product

• Custom Kid Art Book Deposit: $253 $199 | 10" x 8" Hardcover Book (Up to 50 pieces). Celebrate your child's creativity with a tailor-made keepsake book! Simply use your own box and send us up to 50 pieces of art, school work, and photos. This is the best choice if you want a dedicated kids' art book for grandparents. The 50-piece capacity gives you room to curate a comprehensive collection without overwhelming the book.
• Recipe Book Gift Box: Gift a precious keepsake that's bound to last a lifetime! Plum Print does everything for you. Recipe Book Gift Boxes have everything you need to get started. Recipients fill the box with their handwritten family recipes, old photos, Grandma's favorite apron—you name it! This option is ideal if you want to blend kids' art with family history. It's a collaborative gift that grandparents can contribute to, making it more personal and meaningful.

Which Plum Print Gift Fits Best?

Best for

• Grandparents who love seeing a child's artistic development over time—choose the Custom Kid Art Book Deposit.
• Grandparents who are sentimental about family traditions and recipes—choose the Recipe Book Gift Box.

Not for

• Grandparents who prefer a single framed piece rather than a book—consider a poster print or canvas instead.
• Grandparents who are overwhelmed by clutter—a smaller, curated book may be better than a 50-piece collection.

A custom gift Plum Print for grandparents is more than a book—it's a time capsule of childhood and family love. By curating the best art, adding meaningful photos, and weaving in personal notes or recipes, you'll create a keepsake they'll treasure for years. Use the decision rules above to choose the right product, and start collecting those precious pieces today.