Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and husbands among my readers! We appreciate everything you do—looking after the family and tackling those projects that call for heavy-duty power tools. Today I’m sharing a simple, thoughtful DIY gift idea that celebrates memories and repurposes materials you already have around the house.
Coaster Gift Idea from Upcycled Maps
We do a lot of decoupage here. From decoupage on plastic bottles to refinishing a shelf with paper, it’s one of our favorite ways to refresh and personalize items. This year my daughters decided to make a handcrafted Father’s Day gift: map coasters made from an old mouse pad. The maps show places their dad has visited, so each coaster carries a special memory.
These coasters are simple to make, budget-friendly, and meaningful. You only need a few supplies and some basic crafting tools. Because they use an old mouse pad as a base, the coasters have built-in cushioning and absorb small amounts of condensation. Choosing map sections that correspond to meaningful trips or hometowns turns a practical item into a keepsake.
Materials used in our project included an old mouse pad, printed or torn map pieces (from atlases, road maps, or printed map images), Mod Podge or another decoupage medium, a foam brush, scissors or a craft knife, and optionally felt or cork for backing. We cut circles from the mouse pad to create the coaster bases, glued the map pieces on with Mod Podge, smoothed the surface, trimmed edges, and finished with several additional coats of Mod Podge to seal and protect the surface.
Step-by-step process (easy to follow):
- Prepare the base: Trace a circle template (a cup, jar lid, or circle cutter works well) onto the mouse pad and cut out the circles with scissors or a craft knife.
- Choose and trim map sections: Select map fragments that include places meaningful to the recipient. Trim the paper slightly larger than each mouse pad circle so you have room to adhere and then trim excess after gluing.
- Adhere the map: Brush a thin layer of decoupage medium on the mouse pad, position the map piece, then smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles from the center outward.
- Seal the surface: Apply 2–4 thin coats of Mod Podge or similar sealer, allowing each coat to dry fully between applications. This will protect the paper and give a durable finish.
- Finish the edges and back: Trim any overhang, lightly sand if desired for a clean edge, and add felt or cork pads to the bottom to protect furniture and improve grip.
A few practical tips: work on a flat surface and press out bubbles carefully to avoid tearing thin map paper; let each sealer coat dry completely for the best waterproofing; and avoid placing these coasters directly in a dishwasher or immersing them in water—wipe them clean with a damp cloth instead. If you want extra protection, a spray sealer or a waterproofing coat can be added as a final step.
This gift is sustainable and thoughtful: it reuses an old mouse pad, gives new life to paper maps, and highlights travels and personal history. My husband liked his Worldly Coasters so much he didn’t want to use them at first—he wanted to preserve the memories. That reaction is exactly why a handmade, sentimental gift like this can be so powerful.
Variations to consider: use vintage map pages, combine map scraps with photographs or printed quotes, make square or hexagonal shapes, or pair the coasters with a matching keychain or small travel-themed box. These small additions turn a simple DIY into a polished, gift-worthy set.
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