Personalized photo gifts are one of my favorite things to give my family during the holidays. Over the years, I’ve made everything from ornaments to canvas gifts to pillows, but my all-time favorites are the photo blankets! I partnered with Collage.com to review two of their most plush and fabulous photo blankets. I know you’ll love them as much as I do!
A couple of years ago, I made my son this super cute blanket with Collage.com with his favorite dog smack dab in the middle of it. Back when I made it, all three of my dogs were still alive. As you may know, we lost them one right after the other over the course of a year. Tasha first at age 14.5 in March of 2015, then Maia (almost 15) passed away on the 4th of July that year after suffering from a massive seizure. We lost Cooper almost exactly a year after Tasha, to congestive heart failure. He was only 10. His loss hit my son the hardest because we thought we still had years with him and Jake was the closest to him. Jake’s “Cooper blanket” was a huge comfort to him.
I wanted to make Jake a new blanket that honored the pets that we’ve lost while celebrating the furry family members that are still with us. I ended up making two blankets. One Sherpa blanket with all of Jake’s favorites (while I love all my pets equally, Jake was more attached to some than others), and one Plush Fleece with every single furry family member that we’ve had since my very first cat 23 years ago. The second one was supposed to be mine. Jake stole that one too, because he’s a mad blanket thief!
Let’s talk about the Sherpa first, because I am in love with the feel of this blanket! I got this one in the 60×80 side, because it’s just right for my son’s bed and for snuggling up on the couch. The front, with all of the photos, is soft and velvety. The reverse side features a 1/8″ Sherpa backing. It feels kind of like when you pet a sheep (yes, I’ve pet a lot of sheep!). You know, that super soft, “like sticking your hand in a bag of cotton balls” feeling? Love it! I actually thought that Sherpa was made from wool. I looked it up though and turns out it’s a cotton/poly blend. Definitely easier to wash than wool.
The Sherpa is also a huge hit with someone else, as you can see! Spoiled pooch! Pharaoh Hounds LOVE blankets. 
I had a lot of fun making the Plush Fleece blanket. Since we’ve had A LOT of pets over the last 23 years, I went with a larger size: 90×90. That’s over 7 feet wide and long! I’m only 5’3″ (and that’s pushing it), so I can completely wrap up in this one!
As you can see, a couple of our pets got to appear twice. Mostly because I have very few high-quality pictures for some of them. Gypsy and Tabatha, two of my first cats, passed away 14 years ago. Digital photography has come a long way since then. The nice thing about the heart layout is that there are a few smaller sizes that work just fine even with slightly lower quality pics.
FYI, if you’re trying to decide between regular fleece and plush fleece, go plush! It’s only about $10 more than regular fleece, and it’s crazy soft. Don’t get me wrong, the regular fleece is fabulous too, but I am absolutely in love with the plush. The only one I really haven’t tried yet is the woven blanket. I think of woven blankets as being more for decoration.
The print quality has been outstanding on every blanket I’ve gotten from Collage.com. They always have some sort of amazing deal going on, too, so you can get your photo gifts at a huge discount. Right now, for example, they’re offering 50% off most of their gifts. The code automatically applies before you start working on your project. I’ve had so many great experiences with Collage.com that I really can’t say enough good things about them. I highly recommend them for making all sorts of fab photo gifts!
A new vacuum is on my wish list.
A kitchenAid mixer is on my holiday wish list.
This is a great idea! I have an Aunt who is 92. It is hard to buy presents for her because she really doesn’t need anything. I end up giving her a calendar with big numbers on it and maybe some cologne, lotion, or powder. She lost her beloved poodle Babette a few years ago and I know this would bring her great joy! Thank you!
My son was heartbroken over his dog’s death. We ordered him custom playing cards with our dog’s photo on them. I think a blanket with Jetta’s photo would be more personal for him.
A pair of Tieks is on my wish list. I doubt I will get them, though! They are expensive but so many people rave about them. I am all about comfortable shoes. This photo blanket looks like a great gift idea.
I love this. I have been talking about making photo blankets for years. These make a great gift! I’m book marking this for when I have time to log in with photos.
A ninja blender is on my Christmas Wish list!
I absolutely love this idea! We also have had many pets pass over our lives and we always are thinking of ways to immortalize them. The issue with that is with so many pets it can be expensive. This looks like a really lovely and affordable way to do it! I am so sorry for the fur family members you have lost. I know how it feels. They truly are family.
I love these. It would make such a great gift for so many on my list. I’m so sorry about your fur family members that you have lost. We lost 2 this year and it was heartbreaking.
This is fantastic. My mother in love would love something like this. Finding the right gift for her is hard.
This year i cant think of anything to really ask for. I have everything I need. I do love this idea though. I would love to have one withmy boys and our furbabies. There’s not a ton of difference you know! 😉
Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift for loved ones and those who live far away. I would make these with photos of people we had lost over the past two years and gift to family members. Snuggle the love!
I don’t really have anything on my wish list. Maybe some gift cards to get some new things for my new home.
I don’t have a wish list either. We don’t really buy for grown ups. I wouldn’t mind some new clothes though.
A new couch is on my list this year!
I would love to get a new area rug for Christmas!
I just want a magical Christmas with the kids and I hope my 91 year old grandma feels better….she haa been really sick.
I don’t really have too much on my wish list. I just need some new clothes.
I would like an electric skillet or griddle.
A handheld vacuum is on my wishlist
I need some new good quality headphones
I don’t have anything on my list.
A new computer is on my wishlist this year.
I just want my health back!
An Airfryer is on my Christmas list for me this year!
I could use a new pair of earphones for the gym
Perfume, boots, shoes, handbags.
I want a air fryer kitchen aid stand mixer and one of these blankets
I just want my family to be happy and healthy.
Wishing for a new refigerator!
A Ninja Coffee Bar is on my holiday wish list this year.
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