Find out how to make these gifts below!
Welcome to our Christmas Gift Guide! We know things are feeling a little expensive this year so we’ve decided to do something different.. Our Christmas gift guide includes DIY projects you can do at home using mosaic tiles and things you hopefully have around you! Or are fairly inexpensive to pick up.
Each week in December we are sharing how-to videos and pictures of different DIY projects on the run-up to Christmas. These are released on our Instagram (@house_of_mosaics) and Tik Tok (@houseofmosaics) so make sure you’re following us!
A new project is released every week and is completely customisable depending on the style preference of the person you’re gifting too, or if you’re making it for yourself – we won’t tell!
To accompany our how-to videos, we’ve also written step-by-step project guides below.
We would love to see any pictures of your own projects, so tag us or email your images to enquiries@houseofmosaics.co.uk. Merry Christmas!
Mosaic Photo Frame;
Kickstarting HoM’s DIY Christmas Gift Guide we made a super easy Mosaic Photo Frame. This project works well with our self-adhesive mosaics as it’s easy to trim and adhere the mosaics as they have a self-adhesive backing – simply peel & stick! However, this project will work for any mosaics that you like.
- Select your photo frame design and size.
- Choose your mosaics. (Tip; At HoM we have the mosaic chip size listed on our website. Check this size against your picture frame border size to minimise cutting and trimming of the mosaics).
- Wipe down your picture frame surface to ensure it’s clean and dust-free. Let this dry.
- Remove all the picture frame components e.g. the backing board, mount, glass etc. so you’re left with just the frame. This ensures they are kept clean when we get to the grouting stage!
- Measure your mosaics against the frame and trim to size. This is easy with Self-Adhesive mosaics as you can cut the backing sheet with scissors. If you need to trim or cut your mosaics this is the time to do so.
- Keep any extras off-cuts as you may be able to up-cycle another frame from one sheet of mosaics depending on the size of your frame. For example, we could make at least 2 frames out of one sheet of mosaics.
- Check you’re happy with the mosaic placement and trim any extra overhang of the self-adhesive backer.
- Now time for the best bit with all the prep done! Peel off the protective film to reveal the adhesive backing and stick your mosaics to the frame.
- In this project we used Abu Dhabi Self-Adhesive mosaics in Silver. These tiles are very light and do not require any grouting, even on walls. However, we always think grout helps to complete the look. If using heavier mosaics we would recommend grouting for this project.
- Once you have finished grouting, let the grout set preferably overnight to ensure the mosaics don’t move.
- Once dry, add in a picture and all the components back into the frame.
- And it’s complete! Add a bow or gift wrap and gift to your loved ones this Christmas.
The mosaics we used in this project are linked here if you would like to have a further look. We also have the same mosaics in a beautiful bronze colour too, linked here.
At HoM we love how versatile and easy Self-Adhesive mosaics are, so we have an entire range of different designs to suit all styles. Browse our range of Self-Adhesive mosaics here.
If you’re interested in seeing how we made this project in video format, be sure to check out our Instagram or Tik Tok videos!
Mosaic Coaster and Placemat Set;
Our second DIY Christmas Gift Guide Project is a Coaster and Placemat/Serving Tray set. This project utilises both marble and glass mosaics to show how different looks can be achieved. You can make as many coasters, bigger/smaller placemats or one larger placemat from one sheet of mosaics depending on what you’d like!
- Select your mosaics. For this project we recommend mosaics with a flat surface so things don’t slide around on them once complete!
- Select a base. We’re using MDF here to give a sturdy and supportive base.
- Decide on how many coasters / placemats you would like and the size. As these mosaics are supplied on a backing sheet they can be cut to size using scissors.
- Measure all your coasters and/or placemats against the MDF and mark what needs cutting.
- Cut the MDF to size. We used a saw in this instance which worked fine, but you may have access to other suitable cutting tools! Please always wear appropriate protective clothing.
- Check you’re happy and the cut MDF matches up with the tile sizes. Trim any overhang of the backing sheet from the mosaics so it doesn’t stick out at the sides.
- We used a glue gun to adhere our mosaics to the MDF. This worked fine for this project but please use a suitable tile adhesive if installing these tiles on a wall in your home.
- Time for grout! Add, smooth and wipe away any excess grout before it has chance to dry. Dried grout can be hard to remove from the tile surface. We found it easier to do each ‘piece’ one by one.
- As you can see in the pictures, the Florence Coasters and Placemat have a white side. We decided to grout the sides of this project to see how it looks! Depending on the look you’re going for, you could grout the sides, even paint the MDF or leave plain (like the Mono Fan coasters and placemat).
- Once all your pieces are grouted leave them to dry, preferably at least overnight.
- And you’re complete! Load up with Mince Pies to wow everyone on Christmas Day!
We used Florence Luxe mosaics in this project linked here, and also Mono Fan linked here. Most of our tiles would be suitable for this project. However, as mentioned in step 1, we would recommend tiles that are completely flat without bevelled or raised edges.
Again, if you would prefer to see this project in video format the videos are on our Instagram and Tik Tok pages!
Mosaic Tray:
Our final DIY Christmas Gift Guide project is a mosaic tray. You can use any old tray you have lying around and up cycle it into a beautiful serving tray or statement coffee table piece! Like the Coaster set, we recommend using mosaics with a flat surface, i.e. no bevels or raised edges. The mosaics we used for this project are Geo Blush, you can find them here.
- Select your mosaics. For this project we recommend mosaics with a flat surface so things don’t slide around on them once complete!
- Select a tray. You can use an old one you have lying around or buy a new one! Either way, you can adapt the project to fit your tray size.
- Wipe down the tray so it’s free from any dirt and dust. Let it dry.
- Measure up your mosaics against the tray. Hopefully your mosaics fit perfectly! No worries if not. You can either cut to size with the appropriate equipment or, go for a smaller area and create a border – that’s what we did!
- Use a glue gun to adhere the mosaics to the tray. This worked fine for this project but please use a suitable tile adhesive if installing these tiles on a wall in your home.
- Time for grout! As we had a small border around our mosaics, we decided to grout the mosaic part first. This is so we could wipe the mosaics clean before any excess grout had chance to dry whilst we worked on the outside border part. Dried grout can be difficult to remove and can damage the design layer!
- We used the same grout to fill in the border area and it worked perfectly fine! Utilise the tiling tools you have to create a smooth surface. We found wetting a finger and running it along the border helped to smooth it out. Keep going until you’re happy with the finished look.
- You might have to wipe down your mosaics again to ensure there is no excess grout from the border!
- Let the grout dry completely, preferably overnight.
- And you’re complete! The perfect serving tray for Christmas Day or Coffee Table statement piece!
We used Geo Blush Mosaics for this project which are linked here. Most of our tiles would work for this project. However, as mentioned in step 1, we would recommend tiles that are completely flat without bevelled or raised edges.
Again, if you would prefer to see this project in video format the videos are on our Instagram and Tik Tok pages!
We hope you've enjoyed our Mosaic DIY Christmas Gift Guide this year. Don't forget to send us any pictures of your creations, we would love to see your projects! A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with love from the House of Mosaics team!
