When you think of summer memories, what springs to mind? Perhaps the scent of suncream on Cornish beaches, the hum of bees in a National Trust garden, or the cheerful chaos of a village fête. These moments are precious, and they deserve to be remembered in a way that lasts longer than a social media story.
The best souvenirs aren’t always bought in a gift shop. With a little creativity (and a lot of heart), you can make your own keepsakes to celebrate the season, without breaking the bank.
Ready to make something truly personal? Let’s look at some joyful DIY souvenir ideas to capture the magic of summer.
Start with Summer Inspiration
Before you bring out the glue gun or sewing kit, take a moment to reflect on what made this summer special:
- A day trip to Brighton Pier or the Jurassic Coast?
- Collecting wildflowers during a Peak District walk?
- An open-air gig with your best mates?
Now look around your home, odds and ends like fabric scraps, empty jars, or leftover paint might be exactly what you need. Most of the crafts below can be made with items you already have or can easily find in high-street shops like Hobbycraft, Wilko, or your local garden centre.
Make a Wall-Worthy Memory with DIY Canvas Prints + Custom Frames
Show off your summer memories by turning them into canvas prints you can hang on your walls. Whether it’s a windswept cliff walk in Pembrokeshire or a picnic in the Cotswolds, such memories deserve to be on display.
Want to add a personal touch? Upgrade with handmade charm and create a bespoke frame using driftwood, seashells, or pressed flowers. A hot glue gun and a bit of imagination go a long way.
Just remember to only have your canvas prints done by reputable providers like MY-PICTURE.CO.UK for optimum results.
Craft a Coastal Memory Jar
A memory jar is a lovely way to capture summer’s sensory magic, ideal after a trip to Devon, Cornwall or the Lake District.
How To:
- Find a clear jar: Clean out a jam jar or buy a mason jar.
- Fill it with:
- Beach sand or pebbles
- Dried lavender or rose petals
- A handwritten note about your favourite summer moment
- Decorate the lid with ribbon, twine, or paint.
Each glance brings back the sound of waves or the laughter of a garden BBQ.
Turn Postcards into a Mini Scrapbook
If you’ve been picking up postcards or leaflets from places like York Minster, Edinburgh Castle or St Ives, don’t just toss them in a drawer.
Instructions:
- Punch a hole in one corner of 3–5 postcards.
- Bind them with a keyring or ribbon.
- Add doodles, notes, or even small Polaroids.
This is a lightweight keepsake, perfect for tucking into a bookcase or gifting to a travel companion.
Upcycle a T-shirt into a Tote Bag
That old Glastonbury shirt or beach tee? Give it a new life.
Quick DIY:
- Cut off the sleeves and neckline.
- Turn inside out and glue or stitch the bottom closed.
- Decorate with fabric paint or iron-on patches.
Perfect for library books, market shopping, or a bottle of elderflower cordial and a sandwich at the park.
Pressed Flower Bookmarks
After a countryside ramble or a walk through a local meadow, bring a few blooms home.
Step-by-Step:
- Press the flowers between pages of a heavy book for 5–7 days.
- Mount on sturdy card
- Cover with clear tape or laminate.
- Add a ribbon or twine.
Bonus: Pair with your summer holiday read for a personalised gift.
Make a Summer Soundtrack Shadow Box
Music sticks with us. If you saw live music at Hyde Park, a jazz night in Brighton, or just had a song on repeat, capture it.
- Use a shadow box (available at The Works).
- Add handwritten lyrics, ticket stubs, or festival wristbands.
- Paint the background in your favourite summer colour.
Hang it in your hallway or pop it on a shelf as a conversation starter.
Rock Painting for All Ages
Painted pebbles are ideal if you’ve visited the coast. You can turn them into:
- Fridge magnets (add adhesive magnets to the back)
- Paperweights with cute quotes (“You’re pebble-rific!”)
- Tiny canvas paintings of sunsets, boats, or beach huts
Great fun for kids, too.
Try Simple Embroidery Hoop Art
Beginner-friendly and mindful, embroidery is the perfect rainy-day project.
Try:
- Stitching a lighthouse, beach hut, or wildflower sprig
- Using coastal blues, sandy creams, or sunshine yellow
- Displaying in a hoop or small IKEA frame
For supplies, check The Range or online kits via Etsy UK.
Bonus: Tips for Organising & Storing
- Create a seasonal keepsake box – a decorated tin, shoebox or biscuit tin labelled ‘Summer 2025’.
- Store it somewhere visible – like on a bookshelf – to keep the joy close at hand.
Make It Personal
Crafting your own summer souvenirs isn’t just frugal, it’s more fun, more personal, and often more meaningful than a mass-produced fridge magnet.
Whether you’re remembering seaside walks, festival nights, or village picnics, these handmade ideas help you carry the feeling with you, into autumn, into the next year, and into your next adventure.
The best souvenirs aren’t bought. They’re made; with love, stories, and a splash of PVA glue.
