Soon after my daughter became good friends with Evie, we learned that her family would be moving within the next two years because of her dad’s job. As the months passed, our families grew close—Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister… everyone became part of our everyday life. When it came time for their big move, I wanted to give the kids something meaningful, personal, and actually useful as they started life in a new place.
That’s how we ended up creating one of my favorite gifts ever:
a personalized Guess Who? game featuring their classmates, teachers, and friends.
Why a Personalized Game?
Both siblings attended the same school, only one grade apart, which meant they shared many of the same friends. A traditional going away gift didn’t feel special enough. I wanted something that would help them remember the people who filled their school days—and something fun they could play long after the move.
A personalized Guess Who? game checked every box.
How I Made It
You don’t need special skills to make this gift—just a little time, a few inexpensive supplies, and access to yearbook photos. I started with this game to build mine.
1. Gather Photos
I used the previous year’s yearbook and snapped photos of the kids, a handful of close friends, and a few of their favorite teachers. The photos weren’t high quality (yearbooks rarely are!), but that ended up being totally fine.
To create consistency, I edited every photo using the “Cartoon 2” effect in Picsart, which gives them a fun illustrated look and hides inconsistencies in lighting and resolution.
2. Resize in Canva
To fit the wooden game tiles, I resized each image in Canva to 0.9″ x 1.5″. This size worked perfectly on the original Guess Who? pieces.
3. Print, Cut, Mod Podge
Once the photos were printed, I cut them to size and used Mod Podge to secure each one onto the wooden tiles. A quick top coat sealed everything and gave it a finished look.
4. Create a Keepsake Box
Instead of keeping the original cardboard box, I recycled it and found a beautiful leather box to hold the game pieces. With my Cricut, I cut vinyl lettering for the front to label the new box. It looked polished, personal, and gift-ready.
The Final Result
The kids LOVED it. They immediately started pointing out friends and flipping through the pieces. It was a sweet and fun way for them to remember their school community—and something the whole family could enjoy together after the move.
If you’re looking for a unique going-away gift (especially for kids), a personalized Guess Who? game might be the perfect mix of meaningful and practical. It’s simple to create, but it makes a lasting impression.
Happy Planning,
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